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The Arts

Jazz 88.3 KCCK Sets Jazz Under the Stars Line-Up

By July 9, 2010November 16th, 2018No Comments

New this year: Concerts will move indoors in case of rain

Once again, free music is headed for the north side of Cedar Rapids—and this year, raindrops won’t stop the party.

The 23rd edition of KCCK-FM’s Jazz Under The Stars will include three acts who have never performed in the series before. There is also a new rainout arrangement. Instead of delaying rained out events to a rain date, concerts will be held indoors at Parlor City Pub.

The free concerts will take place each Thursday at 7 p.m. in Noelridge Park in Cedar Rapids.

The performance schedule includes:
• August 5 – Koplant No
• August 12 – Funk-Stop
• August 19 – The Janelle Lauer Group
• August 28 – The Pat Smith Group

General Manager Dennis Green says the decision to move indoors in case of rain was both economic and pragmatic. “If we cancel early enough to get the word out, that helps. But then the band, our tech crew and the audience has to keep another date open on their calendar. And, our budget unfortunately doesn’t have room to pay everyone again to come another night if they are set up and ready to go, but then can’t play. So, we’re very lucky to have a great venue like Parlor City ready to take us on short notice.”

If the evening’s weather looks inclement, concert-goers can listen to Jazz 88.3 over the air, online at www.kcck.org or monitor KCCK’s Twitter and Facebook accounts for schedule updates.

The 2010 Jazz Under the Stars lineup includes a wide variety of performers and styles:

August 5 – Koplant No

Leading off the series August 5 is Koplant No, a forward-thinking ensemble that incorporates elements of jazz, electronic music and progressive rock. Their influences include Radiohead, Telefon Tel Aviv, Beck, J Dilla, Garbage Factory and Happy Apple.

Group leader and saxophonist Joel Vanderheyden recently completed his doctoral work at the University of Iowa and has recently been named to the jazz faculty at Jefferson College in Hillsboro, MO. His debut solo album, “Complete Life”, featured the members of Koplant No and was chosen as KCCK’s CD of the Month for August 2009.

August 12 – Funk-Stop

Funk Stop is an 11-piece horn funk band that delivers a high impact show, featuring soulful lyrics and backed by a hot horn-and-rhythm section. Their music is inspired by Tower of Power, James Brown, Stevie Wonder, Earth Wind and Fire, and many other funk bands. Most members have performed at the event at least once, if not multiple times with other groups in the past. Funk Stop was scheduled to perform in 2009 but the show was rained out after just two songs. “We have our fingers crossed we will have better luck this year,” says drummer Ryan Hoagland.

August 19 – The Janelle Lauer Group

Janelle Lauer’s voice and style are the result of a combination of her musical experiences, including theatre and concerts, and growing up with musicians. Janelle (pictured) picked up a tambourine at the age of 3 and started playing and traveling with her mom’s band. In addition to her own music career, Lauer was a regular on Liars Theatre and recently has been serving as musical director at Theatre Cedar Rapids, including the this summer’s production of “Rent.” She has released two CDs, “Change” and “Turn the Corner.”
August 26 – The Pat Smith Group

Pat Smith grew up in Evanston, Illinois, and first came to Cedar Rapids in 1975 to attend Coe College. He’s played many kinds of music but began concentrating on jazz in 1987. Among his influences, Smith lists BB King, Bill Evans, Miles Davis, Keith Jarrett, Benny Goodman, the Beatles, Jim Hall, Tower of Power and Ravi Shankar. In 2008, Smith moved back to Cedar Rapids and shortly after started playing duets with bassist Rich Wagor, currently interim principal bass in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls Symphony. Other members of the group include John Shultz, keyboards, and nationally known drummer Eric Thompson.

Food and refreshments will be available for purchase at the concerts. Attendees are also invited to bring lawn chairs, blankets and their own picnic if they wish.

KCCK is also again partnering with Spanda Inc. for the Cedar Rapids Scavenger Hunt fund raiser on August 26. More information on this event is at www.spandainc.com.

Major support for KCCK’s Jazz Under the Stars series comes from Pat McGrath Chevyland, Dr. D.M. Fitzgerald & Associates, Collins Community Credit Union, Cottage Grove Place, Rockwell Collins, Latta, Harris, Hanon & Penningroth, The Gazette, Northtowne Cycling & Fitness, West Music and Kirkwood Community College.

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Jazz 88.3 KCCK-FM is a locally-programmed public radio station owned by Kirkwood Community College, broadcasting in analog FM and HD Radio at 88.3 FM. The station can also be heard via the Johnson County translator signal at 106.9 FM, and webcasting at www.kcck.org. KCCK has presented Jazz Under the Stars every summer since 1988. For more information contact KCCK at (319) 398-5446.