New Music Monday for September 30, 2013

     Steve Turre recalls, “When I was ten years old, I wanted to play violin. My dad said, ‘Beginning violin sounds like a cat in the alley. Pick a horn.’” It is probably safe to say that the jazz world has been immeasurably enriched because of the senior Mr. Turre’s dislike of the violin. His son has won any number of Downbeat Critic’s and Reader’s Polls and has been a fixture in the “Saturday Night Live” band for nearly thirty years. He has, almost single-handedly, squashed the trumpet-saxophone front line monopoly and has circumnavigated the globe several times with his most recent forays overseas taking him to Russia and South Africa. For his new CD, Turre has assembled a completely unique ensemble including three other trombone-playing Art Blakey alumni, hence the title, “The Bones of Art.” With Steve Davis, Frank Lacy and Robin Eubanks, Steve and company give ample testimony to the fact that the golden age of the trombone is now.

     Keyboardist/composer/producer Jeff Lorber, heralded by Keyboard magazine as “one of the founding fathers of fusion,” returns with his Grammy-nominated power trio the Jeff Lorber Fusion, featuring bassist/co-producer Jimmy Haslip and saxophonist Eric Marienthal. Since the late 1970s, this contemporary jazz collective has blended elements of jazz, funk, R&B and world music into a distinctive sound that has connected with audiences from a variety of continents, cultures and generations. In more recent years, the group’s studio efforts, influenced by extensive touring throughout Europe and Asia, have been colored with vibrant shades of dance and house music. These same colors are at the forefront of their new release, “Hacienda,” which features guest shots from Jean-Luc Ponty, Larry Koonse, Dave Weckl, and more.

     Also this week, veteran pianist and composer Ahmad Jamal and his quartet offer up a new recording inspired by his return to Studio La Buissonne in Pernes-Les Fontaines, France, “Saturday Morning: La Buissonne Studio Sessions”; Grammy-nominated singer and songwriter Gregory Porter, a California native who as a child fell under the spell of his mother’s Nat King Cole records, makes his Blue Note Records debut for his third release, “Liquid Spirit”; and the Matthew Finck-Jonathan Ball Project enrich their sound with the trumpet and flugelhorn of Randy Brecker on “It’s Not That Far.”

New Music Monday for September 30, 2013

     Steve Turre recalls, “When I was ten years old, I wanted to play violin. My dad said, ‘Beginning violin sounds like a cat in the alley. Pick a horn.’” It is probably safe to say that the jazz world has been immeasurably enriched because of the senior Mr. Turre’s dislike of the violin. His son has won any number of Downbeat Critic’s and Reader’s Polls and has been a fixture in the “Saturday Night Live” band for nearly thirty years. He has, almost single-handedly, squashed the trumpet-saxophone front line monopoly and has circumnavigated the globe several times with his most recent forays overseas taking him to Russia and South Africa. For his new CD, Turre has assembled a completely unique ensemble including three other trombone-playing Art Blakey alumni, hence the title, “The Bones of Art.” With Steve Davis, Frank Lacy and Robin Eubanks, Steve and company give ample testimony to the fact that the golden age of the trombone is now.

     Keyboardist/composer/producer Jeff Lorber, heralded by Keyboard magazine as “one of the founding fathers of fusion,” returns with his Grammy-nominated power trio the Jeff Lorber Fusion, featuring bassist/co-producer Jimmy Haslip and saxophonist Eric Marienthal. Since the late 1970s, this contemporary jazz collective has blended elements of jazz, funk, R&B and world music into a distinctive sound that has connected with audiences from a variety of continents, cultures and generations. In more recent years, the group’s studio efforts, influenced by extensive touring throughout Europe and Asia, have been colored with vibrant shades of dance and house music. These same colors are at the forefront of their new release, “Hacienda,” which features guest shots from Jean-Luc Ponty, Larry Koonse, Dave Weckl, and more.

     Also this week, veteran pianist and composer Ahmad Jamal and his quartet offer up a new recording inspired by his return to Studio La Buissonne in Pernes-Les Fontaines, France, “Saturday Morning: La Buissonne Studio Sessions”; Grammy-nominated singer and songwriter Gregory Porter, a California native who as a child fell under the spell of his mother’s Nat King Cole records, makes his Blue Note Records debut for his third release, “Liquid Spirit”; and the Matthew Finck-Jonathan Ball Project enrich their sound with the trumpet and flugelhorn of Randy Brecker on “It’s Not That Far.”

Special Programs for the Week of Sept. 30

Short List with Bob Naujoks                                           

Mon. - Thurs. at 8:35 AM and Saturday at 7 AM    

The Short List: B-3 Blitz Two: Tony Monaco                 

The B-3 Blitz Two series on the great Hammond B-3 organ players continues with Tony Monaco. His name is not a "household common" yet, but he has been a pretty busy guy in the last decade, once he got help from fellow B-3 player, Joey DeFrancesco. Monaco was influenced by the revered master, Jimmy Smith. Monaco would overcome a polio-like disease to become a burnin' Hammond master himself.

Jazz Profiles with Nancy Wilson    

Monday at 6:00 PM    

Dave Brubeck: In His Own Sweet Way         

Innovative pianist/composer David Brubeck was a true jazz phenomenon -- he and his quartet were the first instrumental group to sell over a million records. This widely popular band had several top ten chart hits, sold out concerts everywhere, and landed Brubeck on the cover of Time magazine. We will explore the career of Dave Brubeck from his Quartet (which made the now legendary "Take Five" recording) through his last years, including his work in classical music.

Jazz Corner of the World with Craig Kessler

Monday, 7:00 PM - 11:00 PM (follows Jazz Profiles)

"John William Coltrane's 'Atlantic' Years"      

In noting Coltrane's "birthday anniversary week", (born 9/23/26), Craig will play "middle period" Trane from his years with Atlantic Records (Jan.1959 thru May,1961).  We'll hear from classic Coltrane albums like "Bags & Trane", "Coltrane's Sound", "My Favorite Things", "Giant Steps", "Coltrane Plays The Blues", and several other gems. Don't miss this one!                        

              

Jazz at Lincoln Center with Wendell Pierce  

Tuesday at 6:00 PM

Charlie Musselwhite   

Legendary harmonica player Charlie Musselwhite electrified the Chicago blues scene in the 60s. He's played with Muddy Waters, Sonny Boy Williamson, Howlin' Wolf and most recently Ben Harper.  Now, Musselwhite brings his quartet to the Allen, for a set of blues, jazz and gospel storytelling. Tunes are likely to include Bad Boy, Roll Your Money Maker, Cristo Redentor, and more.  

JazzSet with Dee Dee Bridgewater

Wednesday at 6:00 PM

Terri Lyne Carrington’s Money Jungle: Provocative in Blue

The bluesy album Money Jungle (1962) captures the only studio session of three jazz lions: Duke Ellington, Charles Mingus and Max Roach. With guest pianist Gerald Clayton and a Berklee College of Music band, drummer Terri Lyne Carrington re-imagines Money Jungle with grooves that are deep, complicated and irresistible.

Wednesday Night Special    

7:00 PM (Follows JazzSet)

Jazz Under the Stars 2013: Al Naylor & The I-380 Express (new)  

Led by trumpeter, teacher and 2013 inductee into the Jazz Educators of Iowa Hall of Fame, Al Naylor, the I-380 Express was for many years, the premier big band in Eastern Iowa. The group was best known for serving as the “house band” for the Variety Club Telethon on KCRG-TV, where it played its own charts and also backed up many regional and national artists. The band included music faculty from UNI, UI and Drake, along with professional players from all over the state. This reunion performance was the first for I-380 Express since 2007.

Naylor taught in Iowa public schools for 28 years. He’s currently an Instructor of Instrumental Music at Kirkwood Community College where is directs the Kirkwood Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Combos. He also teaches trumpet at Coe College. Naylor also participates in several of KCCK’s jazz education programs, including Schoolhouse Jazz, Jazz Band Camp and the Corridor Jazz Project, as either a director or a player.

Piano Jazz with Marian McPartland    

Thursday at 6:00 PM

Remembering Carline Ray

Multi-instrumentalist and vocalist Carline Ray was one of the true female pioneers in jazz. In the 1940s she performed with the all-female band, The International Sweethearts of Rhythm, and also performed with Cy Oliver, Mercer Ellington, and Mary Lou Williams. On this 1997 session, Ray joins host McPartland for a stellar set including “In a Sentimental Mood,” “All of Me,” and “But Beautiful.”                

Jazz Corner of the World with Craig Kessler

Saturday, Noon - 4:00 PM

"Horace Silver in the 1950s"       

Craig takes a close look at the recordings of pianist and composer, Horace Silver, during the decade of the 1950s. Silver was one of the main cogs in the development of what we know as "hard bop"....the melding of 'rhythm and blues' and 'gospel rhythms', with 'modern jazz' and 'bebop.  We'll hear Horace performing with Miles Davis, Lou Donaldson, Stan Getz, Lee Morgan, Hank Mobley, and many others, as well as his many Blue Note recordings as a leader. This one will be loads of fun!!

Riverwalk Jazz

Sunday at 5:00 PM

Wild Man Blues: The Eccentric Genius of Jelly Roll Morton   

The Jim Cullum Jazz Band provides the musical backdrop for Vernel Bagneris’ portrayal of Jelly Roll Morton, the dapper “suit-man from suit-land” and his journey to become the self-proclaimed “Inventor of Jazz.”        

KCCK's Midnight CD

The Monday - Sunday Midnight CD for this week can be found at:

http://www.kcck.org/onair/midnight_cd.php

New Music Monday for September 23, 2013

Opportunities for jazz musicians to perform with the music’s legendary figures are becoming more and more rare. The value of working with, and learning from, these elder statesmen has been elemental in the development of the music. Drummer Albert ‘Tootie’ Heath is not only a living bridge to the heroes of the golden age of jazz but he was also critical in the evolution of drumming during one of jazz’s most fertile periods. Both pianist Ethan Iverson and bassist Ben Street realize the importance of their collaboration with Heath. The trio’s new recording, “Tootie’s Tempo,” is a showcase of the group’s fantastic interplay in the style that Heath grew up with and has perfected.

After moving to New York City from his native Havana in 2000, pianist/composer Manuel Valera began making inroads on the scene with the likes of Jeff ‘Tain’ Watts and Lenny White while also working with fellow countrymen Dafnis Prieto, Paquito D’Rivera and Arturo Sandoval. On his Grammy nominated disc of last year, he made an incremental leap in fusing modern jazz with Latin rhythms. With “Expectativas,” the second recording with his potent New Cuban Express sextet, he takes things up a notch in a program of alluring ballads, cha cha chas and boleros along with invigorating timbas and descarga jams. Returing from the previous outing are core members John Benitez on bass, Tom Guarna on guitar and Yosvany Terry on reeds. Drummer Ludwig Afonso and percussionist Paulo Stagnaro are the new recruits on this sophomore session by the exciting new ensemble.

Also this week, Trombone Shorty serves up his third helping of groove-conscious soul jazz and modern NOLA funk on “Say That to Say This”; Janis Siegel of Manhattan Transfer fame offers up her first solo effort in seven years with “Nightsongs: A Late Night Interlude”; and saxophonist Adam Brenner’s debut disc, “The Long Way Home,” features pianist David Hazeltine and bassist John Weber.

Special Programs for the Week of Sept. 23

Short List with Bob Naujoks                                           

Mon. - Thurs. at 8:35 AM and Saturday at 7 AM    

The Short List: B-3 Blitz Two: Reuben Wilson (new series)             

The B-3 Blitz Two series on the great Hammond B-3 organ players continues with the soul-jazz of Reuben Wilson. He started out to be a boxer and pro football player and ended up with music as his career---first in Los Angeles, then in New York. His five albums in the late 1960s mark his early career, but it was the dance clubs in the 1980s and his sampled music in the 90s that gave him a bit of fame. He is now the "grandfather of Acid Jazz".

Jazz Profiles with Nancy Wilson    

Monday at 6:00 PM    

Jackie McLean (1931 - 2006)        

Alto saxophonist Jackie McLean was one of the giants of jazz. His spare, sugar-free sound backed everyone from Charlie Parker to Miles Davis. In five decades of jazz, Jackie McLean lived the quintessential jazz survivor's life. A veteran of bebop, he emerged from the shadow of Charlie Parker and drugs to make a music bristling with passion and a Hemingway-esque direction. McLean debuted on Miles Davis' 1951 album Dig!, and also led his own groups. These raw edged, taut units included Herbie Hancock, Tony Williams, Billy Higgens, Donald Byrd, Lee Morgan, Roy Haynes, and others. In tribute to McLean, we'll listen again to this Jazz Profiles episode where the McLean talks candidly about his life and times.

Jazz Corner of the World with Craig Kessler

Monday, 7:00 PM - 11:00 PM (follows Jazz Profiles)

"Jazz In 1953"    

Although Craig has already presented shows this year for "PRESTIGE RECORDS IN 1953" and "BLUE NOTE RECORDS IN 1953", this week he gathers up material from other record labels in 1953 to help complete the picture of what recorded jazz was like sixty years ago.  We'll hear from a number of jazz masters like Charlie Parker, Lee Konitz, Oscar Peterson, Charles Mingus, Howard Rumsey's Lighthouse All-Stars, and many others!                      

              

Jazz at Lincoln Center with Wendell Pierce  

Tuesday at 6:00 PM

The Music of Bud Powell and Earl Hines  

The story of the modern jazz piano can be heard in the hands of Earl “Fatha” Hines and Earl “Bud” Powell. Hines worked with Louis Armstrong and brought a new dimension from ragtime; Powell’s inventive, emotional soloing brought the piano into the bebop era. Pianist Marcus Roberts and his nonet take us through theses innovators of piano with songs such as "Bubbling Over" and "Dance of the Infidels."

JazzSet with Dee Dee Bridgewater

Wednesday at 6:00 PM

Gregory Porter at The Strings of Autumn in Prague

This is release week for Gregory Porter’s Liquid Spirit on Blue Note. One year ago, he sang for the Autumnal Equinox at the Lucerna Music Bar near Wenceslas Square. A fan wrote “huge applause, two encores, great solo performances, band tight and so was Gregory... made me long for the USA...” Thanks to Radio Prague.

Wednesday Night Special    

7:00 PM (Follows JazzSet)

Jazz at Beems: John Coltrane - A Love Supreme  

We celebrate the legacy of saxophonist and composer John Coltrane (born 9/23/26) during this tribute performance from Beems Auditorium at the former downtown Cedar Rapids Public Library. Husband and wife Peter and Lynne Hart, who share a deep appreciation of Coltrane’s music, lead an all-star group of fellow jazz educators including Andrew Classen on trumpet, Steve Shanley, piano, Chris Bird, bass, and Herman Sarduy on drums with the Hart’s featured on saxophones and flute.  

Since 1998 the Hart’s have been co-leaders of Thelonious Assault, the only area jazz group dedicated to performing the music of be-bop and hard hard-bop masters like Thelonious Monk, Charle Parker, Dizzy Gillespie and Charles Mingus. Most of the musicians performing in this Coltrane tribute are also members of Thelonious Assault. The group performed at Jazz Under The Stars in 2006 and more recently was featured live on KCCK as part of the “First Friday Jazz” series at the Opus Concert Café in Cedar Rapids.

 

This summer Lynne Hart directed the Iowa Jazz Orchestra and wrote several original arrangements for the band and singer Sachal Vasandani for a crowd pleasing performance on the opening night of the 2013 Iowa City Jazz Festival.

Our salute to John Coltrane includes the Hart’s unique versions of classic Coltrane compositions including “Giant Steps,” “Impressions,” “Naima,” “Mr. PC” and several others.

Piano Jazz with Marian McPartland  

Thursday at 6:00 PM

Eliane Elias

Brazilian pianist/singer Eliane Elias is one of the most original and popular artists on the jazz scene. Widely recognized as one of the preeminent interpreters of Brazilian icon Antonio Carlos Jobim, Elias has also explored the works of Bill Evans and Chet Baker. On this session she performs an Evans tune, “Here Is Something for You,” for which she has written a lyric, and McPartland gives her own Evans tribute on “B Minor Waltz.”                

Jazz Corner of the World with Craig Kessler

Saturday, Noon - 4:00 PM

"John William Coltrane's 'Atlantic' Years"      

In noting Coltrane's "birthday anniversary week", (born 9/23/26), Craig will play "middle period" Trane from his years with Atlantic Records (Jan.1959 thru May,1961).  We'll hear from classic Coltrane albums like "Bags & Trane", "Coltrane's Sound", "My Favorite Things", "Giant Steps", "Coltrane Plays The Blues", and several other gems. Don't miss this one!

Riverwalk Jazz

Sunday at 5:00 PM

Porgy & Bess: An Original Jazz Transcription Part 2  

In Part Two of this encore presentation of Porgy & Bess, Porgy’s love for Bess is put to the test. William Warfield returns in his acclaimed role as narrator, and compositions include “It Ain’t Necessarily So,” “A Red-Headed Woman,” and “Oh Lawd, I’m On My Way.”           

KCCK's Midnight CD

The Monday - Sunday Midnight CD for this week can be found at:

http://www.kcck.org/onair/midnight_cd.php

New Music Monday for Sept. 16

Now entering its 35^th year, the Chicago Jazz Orchestra has built a resume that ranks it among the greatest artistic institutions in the city, if not the United States. For their latest recording, “Burstin’ Out!,” director Jeff Lindberg teams the CJO with the quickly emerging vocalist Cyrille Amiee for a diverse CD of great jazz classics. Eastern Iowa jazz fans had the chance to enjoy Cyrille’s work a few years ago at the Iowa City Jazz Festival. Beside the timeless arrangements of Claus Ogerman, Billy May, Paul Weston, Count Basie and Duke Ellington, new arrangements are offered by Aimee, Taylor Eigsti, Assaf Gleizner, Diego Figueiredo, and members of the Orchestra.

For his new CD, “Maybe September,” reedman Ken Peplowski is reunited with his working group out of New York City, including drummer Matt Wilson, pianist Ted Rosenthal and bassist Martin Wind, on a program of lesser-known tunes from the likes of Lennon & McCartney, Irving Berlin, Harry Nilsson and others. As Peplowski explains, “This record is kind of an unintentional reaction against our ever-perfect world. I’ve elected to record all of us close together in the studio, set up almost like a live gig, direct to two-track. We did the whole thing in somewhere around three hours, not because we were going for some world record, but because it felt right when we’d finished. This is pretty much a ‘warts and all’, raw-boned effort, but we stand by what we played on that particular day in 2012.”

Also this week, guitarist Jeff Golub and British fusion legend Brian Auger have crafted a timeless journey blending jazz, soul and blues on “Train Keeps A Rolling”; saxophonist Cory Weeds and his Nightcrawlers are captured live in Vancouver on “Volume 3”; and the young saxophonist Gilad Edelman debuts with “My Groove, Your Move,” on which he is joined by his mentor, pianist David Hazeltine, and trumpeter Joe Magnarelli.

SPECIAL PROGRAMS FOR THE WEEK OF SEPT. 16

Short List with Bob Naujoks                                           

Mon. - Thurs. at 8:35 AM and Saturday at 7 AM    

The Short List: B-3 Blitz Two: Mel Rhyne (new series)            

The B-3 Blitz Two series on the great Hammond B-3 organ players continues with Mel Rhyne. Rhyne’s legacy is his work with the innovative Indianapolis guitarist, Wes Montgomery, and that early 1960s trio. Rhyne also had a twenty-year low-key career in Milwaukee after his stint with Montgomery ended. But in the early 1990s he was back on the national stage with new recordings with Herb Ellis, Joshua Redman and Peter Bernstein.

Jazz Profiles with Nancy Wilson  

Monday at 6:00 PM    

Harry "Sweets" Edison: Simplicity In Swing        

Swinging and singing -- both describe the unmistakable sound of Harry "Sweets" Edison, one of the most important stylists in the history of jazz trumpet. Sweets plays with a simplicity born of sophisticated artistry. It propelled him to the Count Basie Band, which he joined in 1937, thereafter becoming one of its most frequently featured soloists. This program, produced just before his death, celebrates Edison's spare style that blends subtle humor, impeccable timing, and the sweetly muted tone that gave him his nickname.              

Jazz Corner of the World with Craig Kessler

Monday, 7:00 PM - 11:00 PM (follows Jazz Profiles)

"The New Orleans/Cuba Connection"    

University of Iowa jazz faculty member, James Dreier joins Craig in the studio for a look at some of the similarities between the diversity of jazz found in New Orleans and "Afro-Cuban Jazz". Both James and Craig will also bring in a variety of new jazz releases form Latin America. Mr. Dreier is one of our local Latin jazz experts, and his presence in KCCK's 'on-air' studios always makes for an informative and entertaining show.                    

              

Jazz at Lincoln Center with Wendell Pierce  

Tuesday at 6:00 PM

Ali Jackson with Yes! Trio and Warren Wolf Group

Drummer Ali Jackson and vibraphonist Warren Wolf -- each born into a musical family – absorbed jazz from their childhoods. Jackson occupies the hot seat with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra and his own Yes! Trio; multi-instrumentalist Wolf studied with John Locke and became an in-demand sideman and leader. They each bring small groups to the House of Swing for a contemporary percussive double bill.

JazzSet with Dee Dee Bridgewater

Wednesday at 6:00 PM

The Monterey Jazz Anniversary on Tour with Musical Director Christian McBride, Dee Dee Bridgewater and more stars

To celebrate 55 years, Monterey toured an all-star group, performing music associated with the Festival. From the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, hear Christian and Dee Dee with Ambrose Akinmusire, Chris Potter, Benny Green and Lewis Nash. Selections by Dizzy Gillespie and Thad Jones.

Wednesday Night Special    

7:00 PM (Follows JazzSet)

Sam Salomone Trio at KCC & ICJF

Chicago born, Tama raised Sam Salomone has established himself as a famed jazz and blues artist with more than four decades of performing experience on the mighty Hammond B-3 Organ. He was inducted into the Iowa Blues Hall of Fame, as well as the Iowa Jazz Hall of Fame. Salomone began his quest as a musician by moving to Des Moines to find band mates interested in Rock-and-Roll. After local success, Sam had the opportunity to tour with Del Shannon and The Duprees in the 1960s. He has continued to play and record since then, producing his own albums “It’s Never Too Late” in 1997 and “VooDoo Bop” in 2005. Salomone has performed with the Des Moines Big Band, Bob Dorr and the Blue Band, BillyLee Janey, and more recently as a member of the Steve Grismore Trio. Our special features the Sam Salomone Trio at Kirkwood Community College in 2011 and from the 2008 Iowa City Jazz Festival.     

Piano Jazz with Marian McPartland  

Thursday at 6:00 PM

Kate McGarry

Singer/songwriter Kate McGarry has travelled many musical paths - from Celtic to swing and various genres in between. Her dynamic voice can be sweet, soulful or swinging, giving her the freedom to chart her own musical course. With pianist and accordion player Gary Versace, McGarry performs “Heather on the Hill,” and McPartland joins in on Cole Porter’s “I Love You.”                

Jazz Corner of the World with Craig Kessler

Saturday, Noon - 4:00 PM

"Jazz In 1953"    

Although Craig has already presented shows this year for "PRESTIGE RECORDS IN 1953" and "BLUE NOTE RECORDS IN 1953", this week he gathers up material from other record labels in 1953 to help complete the picture of what recorded jazz was like sixty years ago.  We'll hear from a number of jazz masters like Charlie Parker, Lee Konitz, Oscar Peterson, Charles Mingus, Howard Rumsey's Lighthouse All-Stars, and many others!

Riverwalk Jazz

Sunday at 5:00 PM

Porgy & Bess: An Original Jazz Transcription Part 1  

Encore Presentation: Stage legend and Grammy Award-winning narrator William Warfield tells the story as The Jim Cullum Jazz Band perform their original jazz transcription of George Gershwin’s opera Porgy & Bess. Part One of this two-part series introduces the characters of Catfish Row and the Gershwin classics “Summertime” and “Bess, You is My Woman Now.”           

KCCK's Midnight CD

The Monday - Sunday Midnight CD for this week can be found at:

http://www.kcck.org/onair/midnight_cd.php

Special Programs for the week of Sept. 9

Short List with Bob Naujoks                                           

Mon. - Thurs. at 8:35 AM and Saturday at 7 AM    

B-3 Blitz Two: Big John Patton (new series)           

The B-3 Blitz Two series on the great Hammond B-3 organ players continues with Big John Patton who was popular on the jazz-funk scene for several decades, yet he is little known now. In his day he was a well-regarded performer, and always a superb musician, and somewhat of an adventurous artist. The funky soul jazz of Big John Patton would be reflected in his popular compositions “Funky Mama” and “Along Came John.”

Jazz Profiles with Nancy Wilson  

Monday at 6:00 PM    

Oscar Peterson: Piano Master       

Trained in the classical tradition of Franz Liszt, but nurtured on Art Tatum and Nat "King" Cole, Oscar was the standard to which many pianists aspire. This show examines his career from his origins in tough neighborhoods of Montreal, to his work with Norman Granz's Jazz at the Philharmonic, to his influential trio with bassist Ray Brown and guitarist Herb Ellis, to becoming a solo artist. 

       

Jazz Corner of the World with Craig Kessler

Monday, 7:00 PM - 11:00 PM (follows Jazz Profiles)

"Birthday Celebration for Sonny Rollins"    

Craig celebrates Sonny's 83rd birthday with Part Seven of his chronological series, THE SONNY ROLLINS STORY, spinning exciting selections from the 70s and 80s.  We're pleased to learn that Sonny is back in good health and on the road performing again.  Happy Birthday, Mr. Rollins!                   

              

Jazz at Lincoln Center with Wendell Pierce  

Tuesday at 6:00 PM

Joe Lovano and Us 5

Saxophonist Joe Lovano is one of the foremost improvisers in jazz today and propels his double-drummer quintet -- Us Five – into a polyrhythmic  conversation and weaves inspired solos in the Allen Room. Us Five features Joe Lovano (saxophone), GRAMMY® winner Esperanza Spalding (bass), James Weldon (piano), Peter Slavov (bass), Otis Brown III (drums) and Francisco Mela (drums), plus special guests Lionel Loueke (guitar) and Judi Silvano (vocals). 

JazzSet with Dee Dee Bridgewater

Wednesday at 6:00 PM

Terence Blanchard with Miles and Gil: Still Ahead

at The Monterey Jazz Festival

Three ear-seducing LP’s from the late 1950s are Miles Ahead, Porgy and Bess, and Sketches of Spain. Gil Evans composed and arranged for Miles Davis and large ensemble. This concert is a rare performance of music from Porgy and Sketches with Blanchard on trumpet. Vince Mendoza conducts a small orchestra of top California players.

Wednesday Night Special    

7:00 PM (Follows JazzSet)

Grammy-winning Saxophonist Eric Marienthal at Kirkwood (new)

Eric Marienthal was originally from southern California, and went on to study at the Berklee College of Music in Boston, Mass. There he studied with the legendary saxophone professor, Joe Viola. By the time he left Berklee, Eric had achieved the highest proficiency rating given by the school.

Marienthal started his professional career in 1980 with famed New Orleans trumpeter Al Hurt. After returning to Los Angeles, Eric became a member of the Chick Corea Elektric Band. He recorded six CDs with Chick’s band and two were Grammy Award winners. Eric went on to perform with artists such as Elton John, Barbara Streisand, Billy Joel, Stevie Wonder, Dionne Warwick, Burt Bacharach, B.B. King and many others. He has performed in more than 65 countries, recorded 11 solo CDs and has played on hundreds of records, films, television shows and commercial jingles.

He performed last April at Jazz Fest ‘13 as special guest artist with Kirkwood’s Jazz Ensemble and CR Jazz Big Band directed by Dr. Timothy Feldkamp.

Piano Jazz with Marian McPartland  

Thursday at 6:00 PM

Rosemary Clooney

Piano Jazz pays tribute to one of America’s most beloved entertainers: the late vocalist Rosemary Clooney. On this program from 1992, Clooney reminisces about the long arc of her singing career, and lends her rich, smooth voice to “Our Love Is Here To Stay” and the challenging “Lush Life.”               

Jazz Corner of the World with Craig Kessler

Saturday, Noon - 4:00 PM

"The New Orleans/Cuba Connection"    

University of Iowa jazz faculty, James Dreier joins Craig in the studio for a look at some of the similarities between the diversity of jazz found in New Orleans and "Afro-Cuban Jazz". Both James and Craig will also bring in a variety of new jazz releases from Latin America. Mr. Dreier is one of our local Latin jazz experts, and his presence in KCCK's 'on-air' studios always makes for an informative and entertaining show.  

Riverwalk Jazz

Sunday at 5:00 PM

The Inventive Mr. Edison: The Life and Music of Harry ‘Sweets’ Edison

An encore presentation, honoring trumpeter Harry ‘Sweets’ Edison. A star with the Count Basie Band in the 30s and 40s, Edison forged new territory on trumpet. In this 1994 performance at The Landing, ‘Sweets’ Edison joins The Jim Cullum Jazz Band to talk about his life and play music from the Basie years.           

KCCK's Midnight CD

The Monday - Sunday Midnight CD for this week can be found at:

http://www.kcck.org/onair/midnight_cd.php

Kenny Garrett—Grammy winner, winner of Germany’s prestigious Echo Award, nominee for the NAACP Image Award, member of DownBeat’s Hall of Fame, and an Honorary Doctorate of Music from the Berklee College of Music are just a few of the accolades that have been bestowed on him. Garrett’s last CD paid homage to those who inspired him, and although the primary focus of his new disc, “Pushing the World Away,” is not on his tutelage of young musicians, the number of those who participated in this recording emphasize his mentorship. Escaping from the noise and distractions of daily life provided the creative environment for his work on this project, an exercise that could benefit us all in an attempt to obtain a clearer view of the world.

American saxophonist Scott Hamilton has teamed up with the Swedish pianist Jan Lundgren and his trio for “Swedish Ballads… & More,” choosing a repertoire of seven tunes associated with Sweden. Two of those are interpretations of jazz standards with the remainder written by Swedish composers. Hamilton’s love affair with the country has been ongoing since his first visit more than 30 years ago. He has many friends and fans in Sweden who have followed him closely over the years.

Also this week, flutist Ali Ryerson has put together a Jazz Flute Big Band for “Game Changer,” featuring guest flutists Hubert Laws, Nestor Torres and Holly Hofmann along with arrangements by Bill Cunliffe, Michael Abene, Mike Wofford and others; pianist Miles Black and his trio are joined by saxophonist Grant Stewart “Live at Cory Weeds’ Cellar Jazz Club”; and singer Kathy Kosins offers up her latest, “The Space Between,” featuring pianist Tamir Hendelman, bassist Robert Hurst and Eric Harland on percussion.