Monday Evening, October 17

On Monday evening, October 17, the Catalina Jazz Club will host their 25th Anniversary Bash, benefiting the California Jazz Foundation. The evening will be under the musical direction of Grammy-nominated jazz artist John Beasley, and will feature Jazz pianist and ARC member, George Kahn and his group.

George Kahn has a long history of performing at Catalina, beginning in 1998. Catalina Bar & Grill has certainly lived up to its slogan “Nothing But The Best In Jazz” by presenting a veritable ‘Who’s Who’ of Jazz legends. The tentative list of performers for the 25th Anniversary bash include (in alphabetical order) John Beasley, David Benoit, Brian Bromberg, Stanley Clarke, Ndugo Chancler, Peter Erskine, George Kahn, Lainie Kazan, Mike Lange, Hubert Laws, Barbara Morrison, Lee Ritenour, Tierney Sutton, and members of The Yellow Jackets.

The California Jazz Foundation will be the beneficiary of all proceeds from the door at this event as well as a silent auction filled with wonderful items. The Foundation is a charitable, nonprofit organization created to aid and assist California Jazz musicians with financial or medical crisis.

Established in 2006, The Foundation was formed to fulfill an unmet critical need to help these talented artists who have given us so much pleasure over the years – Suggested minimum donation for this event is $25, and the proceeds go to The California Jazz Foundation .

Catalina Jazz Club is located at 6725 West Sunset Blvd.
Hollywood California 90028
Phone: (323) 466-2210 for reservations
(One block EAST of Highland Ave.)
http://www.catalinajazzclub.com/

ABOUT GEORGE KAHN

Interview With George Kahn
Listen to this great interview with George Kahn by Alton Patton for the LILAL Network. It is long (about an hour), but has four tracks from the album and well worth a listen.
Listen or download the interview here.

It’s Here!

The new album, SECRETS FROM THE JAZZ GHETTO is now available for purchase at CDBABY and Amazon. Digital downloads are available at CDBABY and will soon be available on iTunes and other internet music sites.

West Coast Jazz pianist George Kahn carries the tradition of jazz greats like Dave Brubeck, Vince Guaraldi and Horace Silver into the 21st Century with his latest release, SECRETS FROM THE JAZZ GHETTO. George’s 7th album is a 2-CD set, filled with 26 tracks that feature some of the best jazz musicians on the west coast playing his original music.

Included is a retrospective of songs from Kahn’s previous recordings, plus 6 new compositions that were recorded live in the studio in 2009. The music covers a range of styles, from bebop to Cool Jazz to Latin, Bossa Nova and contemporary jazz. Tierney Sutton, Eric Marienthal, Justo Almario, Andy Suzuki, Brian Bromberg, and Alex Acuna are just a few of the artists that join George on this compilation. The album also features new renditions of two of the greatest jazz standards, “Over The Rainbow” and “My Funny Valentine”. For a free download of NEW music from the upcoming album, grab the Download of the Month from the link above.

In optics, particularly as it relates to film and photography, depth of field (DOF) is the distance between the nearest and farthest objects in a scene that appear acceptably sharp in an image. Although a lens can precisely focus at only one distance at a time, the decrease in sharpness is gradual on each side of the focused distance, so that within the DOF, the unsharpness is imperceptible under normal viewing conditions.

In some cases, it may be desirable to have the entire image sharp, and a large DOF is appropriate. In other cases, a small DOF may be more effective, emphasizing the subject while de-emphasizing the foreground and background. In cinematography, a large DOF is often called deep focus, and a small DOF is often called shallow focus.

ARC is pleased to welcome two more distinguished artists to our roster: Mr. Darryl Yokley of Brooklyn, NY and Dr. Todd Wilkinson of Kansas City, MO. Both artists play woodwind instruments and are composers and educators, in addition to being band leaders and recording artists as well. Both artists represent two strong modern generations in the perpetuation of creative music. Both artists will be releasing highly anticipated recording projects on the ARC label. Deep Focus.

DARRYL YOKLEY
Saxophone, Clarinet, Flute, Composer, Educator

Mr. Darryl Yokley

Darryl Yokley is a diversely talented saxophonist/composer who enjoys working with some of the greatest musicians in both the jazz and classical world. Darryl currently lives in Brooklyn, NY where he works as a leader/co-leader of his own groups (in both classical and jazz genres), and as an in demand sideman.

Jazz Artist

Darryl is currently an active performing member and staff arranger for the Captain Black Big Band led by pianist Orrin Evans; is an active member of both, the Frank Lacy Quintet and Big Band; and, works with his recently formed quartet that features: George Burton on Piano, Luques Curtis on Bass, and Wayne Smith J.R. on drums. The Darryl Yokley Quartet made it’s professional debut in November 2010 and will be recording it’s first album to be released on ARC (Artists Recording Collective).

Classical Artist

As a classical artist, Darryl has performed with many greats such as: Christopher Hemingway, alto saxophonist of the New Century Saxophone Quartet; concert saxophonist Joseph Lulloff; and, Timothy K. Adams Jr. (former principal timpanist of the Pittsburgh Symphony). Currently, Darryl and Chris are in the midst of promoting their duo ensemble, and Darryl is forming a quartet with Brad Hubbard (former baritone saxophonist of the New Century Saxophone Quartet) to collaborate on realizing an extensive project that involves performing The Art of Fugue by J.S. Bach in a new context.

Yokley performing at Sweet Rhythm in NYC

Education and Teaching

Education and training: M.M., saxophone performance, Michigan State University; B.M., saxophone performance, Duquesne University. Studied with James Houlik, Joseph Lulloff, Tim Gordon, Stephen Pollock, Mike Tomaro, and Derrick Gardner.

Teaching experience: Clinician, Oak Park School District, Detroit, MI; woodwind instructor, Wolverine Band; private instruction, saxophone, improvisation, flute and clarinet. Active performer with The Four Tops and The Temptations, as well as previous work with a variety of ensembles. Semifinalist, Honors Competition, Michigan State University, 2005-06. Saxophone/clarinet instructor & Chamber/Improvisation instructor at Westminster Conservatory faculty since 2007.

VIDEO: Darryl featured with Orrin Evans and the Captain Black Big Band – Iridium Jazz Club in NYC

—

TODD WILKINSON
Saxophonist, Composer, Music Educator

Dr. Todd Wilkinson

Todd is a native of Kansas City, a devoted husband and father of three, and a free-lance musician/composer living in Overland Park, Kansas. He performs with his band the Goombahles, Tim Doherty’s 9+1, the New Vintage Big Band, and Private Ears. He is the Director of Jazz Studies at Ottawa University in Ottawa, Kansas. Through the years he has consistently dedicated himself to the promotion and development of jazz and young musicians.

Arts Advocate and Administrator

In Topeka, KS he was a board member of the Topeka Jazz Workshop, Inc., Artistic Director for the Coleman Hawkins Legacy Jazz Festival (2005-2007), the Director of Jazz Studies and Instructor of Saxophone at Washburn University (2000-2005), the Director of the Topeka Youth Jazz Ensemble (2001-2006), and conducted the Capital City Big Band. He has also done freelance work for the International Association of Jazz Educators and the Grammy Awards.

ToddWilkinson.net

His earlier work in Kansas City included stints as the President of the Kansas City Jazz Ambassadors, board member of the Kansas City Jazz Commission, and owner/operator of the Drum Room jazz club.

Education and Teaching

Wilkinson’s education includes a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Performance from Arizona State University (1983), a Master of Arts in Music Theory and Composition from Stephen F. Austin State University (1986), and two years of doctoral study at the University of Northern Colorado (1986-88) where he served as Associate Director of the Jazz Studies department. In November 2006, he graduated with honors from the University of Kansas, receiving a Doctor of Musical Arts in Saxophone Performance. His teaching positions also include short stays at the South Australian College of Advanced Education, the Sumner Academy of Arts and Science, Longview Community College, Penn Valley Community College, and the Kansas City Institute of Jazz and History, originally under the auspices of the American Jazz Museum.

Dr. Wilkinson jamming with a young trombonist

Performing Artist and Clinician

Todd has conducted Honors Jazz Bands throughout the Midwest and has worked as a clinician/adjudicator in Washington State, Kansas, Oklahoma, Iowa, Texas, Colorado, and Missouri. As a professional Todd has owned a nightclub, led the band BokoMaru, and has appeared as a sideman with scores of major performers, most notably, Herb Ellis, Mel Torme, Phil Woods, Joe Williams, Bob Mintzer, the Temptations, Patti Page, Mark Murphy, Lanny Morgan, Gary Foster, Kevin Mahogany, the Kansas City Chiefs T.D. Pack Band, Jim Pugh, Bobby Watson, Mike Metheny, Larry Schneider, Diane Schurr, Karrin Allyson, Houston Person, James Carter, John Fedchock, and Wayne Newton.

[GUEST BLOGGER : ABOUT] Larry Kopitnik was once active with the Kansas City Jazz Festival and the Kansas City Jazz Commission, today he’s a fan. His blogger handle, Kcjazzlark, comes from KC and jazz (obviously) and (less obviously) from portions of his first and last name. Kcjazzlark is one of the premier jazz bloggers writing today. Be sure to also visit his blog. There are numerous writers who blog about jazz – independent and syndicated writers alike. However, outside of a couple of bloggers who almost exclusively cover the music happening in New York City, most are not associated with any particular city or scene. Kansas City is fortunate to have several writers blogging about the significant contributions to jazz that are still happening in one of the primary centers for the music. Thanks for permission to repost this article about ARC Artists, Stan Kessler and The Sons of Brasil.

In Lieu of 1000 Words: Sons of Brasil 20th Anniversary

BY Larry Kopitnik (kcjazzlark)

I think we take them for granted, because they’ve always been here.

After all, just how many jazz groups stay together for 20 years? And how many jazz bands in Kansas City can claim to have performed Brazilian jazz every week since their inception two decades ago? How many hold a twice monthly gig at a premiere jazz club? How many celebrated their anniversary June 6th at that jazz club?

Just one: Sons of Brasil.

—

ARC VIDEO – THE SONS OF BRASIL – WHILE YOU WERE OUT CD Press Kit

—

I saw founder Stan Kessler introduced once, jokingly, as an elder statesman of KC jazz. Stan laughed (though if looks could kill, Mark Lowrey might not be here today). Yet, there’s something to that. Not an elder statesman, but a mainstay, one of this city’s hardest working jazz musicians since before I grew aware of KC jazz in the 1980s, and today Kansas City’s premiere jazz trumpeter.

Ask anyone who knows KC jazz to make a short list of our best jazz pianists and Sons of Brazil keyboard man Roger Wilder will be on it. Now make a list of best jazz guitarists, and in KC it will include Danny Embrey. Doug Auwarter is noted for educating as well as drumming, while he and percussionist Gary Helm complement each other, often as if they’re one complex instrument. All the while, bassist Greg Whitfield is providing the perfect underlying glue.

Sons of Brasil | Official Website

I started this blog to celebrate discovering the tremendous young jazz talent in Kansas City today. But too often that’s been at the expense of the tremendous jazz musicians who I may just take for granted because they’ve always been around. But with twenty years of outstanding musicians playing outstanding Brazilian jazz, it’s past time to celebrate Sons of Brasil.

Here’s a look at how they celebrated to a packed house at Jardine’s earlier this month…

Sons of Brasil. Left to right: Roger Wilder, piano, Stan Kessler, trumpet, Greg Whitfield, bass, Danny Embrey, guitar, Doug Auwarter, drums, and Gary Helm, percussion. This photo courtesy of KCJAZZLARK

—
SONS OF BRASIL LATEST RELEASE – WHILE YOU WERE OUT

LASTEST RELEASE

[Edward Blanco, All About Jazz] Who would imagine that a group of American musicians from Kansas City, Missouri, could have such a passion for “musica bem Brasileira” that they have stayed together for 18 years, developed a strong following and managed to release one of the finest albums of Brazilian jazz to date? The Sons of Brasil is such a group, and While You Were Out offers an impressive repertoire, featuring pieces from the sub-genres of bossa nova, samba and choro styles of Brazilian music. Led by trumpeter, band leader, educator and clinician Stan Kessler, The Sons of Brasil is a core sextet drawn from the talent-rich musical community in the Kansas City area. The band includes Danny Embrey on guitar, Greg Whitfield on bass, Doug Auwarter on drums, Gary Helm on percussion and Roger Wilder on piano. Kessler and The Sons of Brasil prove that a Midwestern band, playing a host of exciting Brazilian-flavored music, can be authentic and successful with spicy sambas and cushy bossa nova music that are tailor-made for lovers of the genre.

Fans fund the completion of ARC member, Mark Taylor’s “At What Age” CD project which was released on the ARC Record Label in June 2011. Mr. Taylor teamed up with an ARC strategic business partner, RocketHub.com, to reach his goal!

About the Artist

Mark Taylor is one of only a handful of modern players to successfully integrate the notoriously difficult French Horn into the landscape of modern jazz and improvised music. Since coming to New York in 1990, Mark has performed and recorded with an array of modern giants and released two CDs…

What is RocketHub?

—
RocketHub is a grassroots crowdfunding platform. Through their website platform, they provide the credibility and infrastructure necessary to successfully leverage the financial power of your community and launch creative projects and endeavors.

—

‘At What Age’ asserts the wisdom of years, the privilege of approaching or reaching the age at which life’s tensions get easier to resolve (shouldn’t they?). Alas, this is really just the opportunity to keep questioning, and learning, and listening. [FROM THE LINER NOTES - Please note that "At What Age" is available at all of the major retailers like CD Baby, iTunes, and Amazon.]

—

Executive Producer: Mark Taylor. Produced by: Joan Simmons and Bourque Simmons. Recorded at Systems Two Studios and Thin Man Studios, Brooklyn, NY. Mastering: Liberty Ellman. Design & Cover photography: Robin Baker. Mark Taylor photography: Donald Dan. Special thanks to: Alan Perkins and Catherine Simmons.

ARC-2321 Mark Taylor – AT WHAT AGE CD Press Kit

—

CONGRATULATIONS, Mark!

[FROM GRAMMY.COM] Celebrating music through the GRAMMY Awards for more than 50 years, The Recording Academy continues its rich legacy and ongoing growth as the premier outlet for honoring achievements in the recording arts and supporting the music community. The GRAMMYs are the only peer-presented award to honor artistic achievement, technical proficiency and overall excellence in the recording industry, without regard to album sales or chart position. As we move ahead in an ever-changing music environment, The Recording Academy looks forward to the new opportunities of a growing organization. Over the last decade particularly, The Academy has expanded its goals from the important work of recognizing the best in music through the GRAMMY Awards to establishing itself as the preeminent arts advocacy and outreach organization in the country. The Academy’s mission statement is simple, but represents the heart and soul of the organization’s efforts: to positively impact the lives of musicians, industry members and our society at large. The Academy can be proud of its accomplishments on behalf of its constituency. Through the efforts of the volunteer leadership and the capable professional staff, the music community, music lovers and inheritors of America’s great cultural legacy are reaping the benefit.

MAIN SITE PHOTOGRAPHY is copyright Ellen Lorraine Photography. Used with permission.

ONLINE ENTRY PROCESS (OEP).

 
The Online Entry Process (OEP) timetable is as follows:

NOTE TO ARC ARTISTS AND LABELS.

 
ARC Artists and Labels who have released a recording on the ARC Record Label during these periods, are encouraged to make sure that you have sent sufficient quantity of office (cut-outs) copies of your physical product(s) to also use for NARAS submissions. Send materials to the ARC main office at the address below:

Artists Recording Collective LLC
Post Office Box 47
Leavenworth, KS 66048-0047
 

ARC iMIX IS NOW AVAILABLE.

iMix - iPhone PHOTO of an iPad checking out ARC Artists at iTunes

ARC iMIX FEATURED IN THESE APPS.

… featured in these Apps

From Carol Comer’s liner notes of the CD Millie and Mike Live (ARC-2291): “Thirteen is supposed to be an unlucky number but such is not the case with the collection of thoughtfully chosen, beautifully arranged winners found here on Millie Edwards’ and Mike Pagan’s first – and hopefully not last – recorded collaboration. Well-known and highly popular, Millie and Mike invite you to enjoy this inaugural CD – recorded LIVE at one of Kansas City’s favorite night spots, JARDINE’S.”

About Millie Edwards she continues:
. . . a strong, sense of just how lyrics should be sung, and the ability to interpret and communicate those emotions so that the listener shares her heart. She is a jewel.

About Mike she writes:
. . . one of the most complete musicians you’ll hear anywhere . . . he commands the piano like a field general. . . There’s not a style he hasn’t mastered . . .

(ARC-2291) MICHAEL PAGÁN – MILLIE & MIKE LIVE – AUDIO CD

Listen

ABOUT MILLIE AND MIKE

BUY CDs AND MP3s

Dr. Michael Pagán Recordings

BUY CD and MP3S

Pianist, composer, and bandleader Lee Shaw is a youthful octogenarian who has more energy, passion, and intellectual curiosity than many people a fraction of her age. She has had her own swinging, acoustic jazz piano trio for more than 40 years, during which time she performed in numerous clubs, concerts, and festivals in the United States and Europe. Her latest CD/DVD, Live in Graz, brings us face to face with this genius of jazz who is finally receiving her due.

Lee Shaw has laser-like musical intensity, true mastery of the piano, and her tonal palette is huge. Owen McNally of The Hartford Courant notes that Lee Shaw is, “a modest, irresistible person of immodest, irrepressible talent. She comes across both in the interview and at the keyboard as an artist who had a virtually religious calling for jazz, come what may.” Bill Milkowski, in Jazz Times, observes , “her harmonic language is expansive, her time impeccable, her touch divine.”

ARC-2222 - JOHN MEDESKI & LEE SHAW – Together Again: Live at The Egg – AUDIO CD

Born in Cushing, Oklahoma in 1926, she grew up in Ada,Oklahoma. Shaw learned the “American Songbook” tunes when they were new. She had a voracious appetite for music of all kinds: “I loved music, and I wanted to carry it with me wherever I went. That’s why I was really happy when tape recorders came along!” She graduated from the Oklahoma college for Women and earned her Master’s Degree in piano from the American Conservatory of Music in Chicago, but the lure of jazz came strong, and soon she was playing in clubs all over the city.

It was in Chicago that she met drummer Stan Shaw, and they formed a piano trio. Shortly after their marriage in 1962, the couple moved to Puerto Rico, and while there Lee studied with Jesu Maria Sanroma at Conservatorio de Música de Puerto Rico. She credits her club and concert playing during this period for the influence Latin music has had on her composing and playing. A year later the couple moved to New York, playing their first gig at The Embers. Other city engagements included the Village Vanguard, the Half Note, Minton’s Playhouse and other clubs in Harlem.

The trio also performed at the Apollo theatre, the benefit for the Dr. Martin Luther King march on Washington.

Over the years, Shaw studied with Oscar Peterson, taught piano to John Medeski, and worked with countless jazz luminaries including Arnie Lawrence, Frank Foster, Pepper Adams, Zoot Simms, Al Cohn, Al Grey, Richard Davis, Slam Stewart, Eddie Jones, Eugene Wright, and Jymie Merritt. Bandleaders such as Lionel Hampton, asked her to join their groups, but she turned down these offers in order to focus on the trio. In 1993 she was inducted into the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame.

Eventually Lee and Stan moved to Albany, New York as they continued to play with big name musicians near home and on the road. In the mid 1990s, Lee and bassist Rich Syracuse began playing as a duo because of Stan’s increasing disability. Jeff (Siege) Siegel joined as drummer after Stan’s death in 2001, and a new incarnation of the trio formed.

THE LEE SHAW TRIO

ARC-2222 - JOHN MEDESKI & LEE SHAW – Together Again: Live at The Egg – AUDIO CD

Lee Shaw gets into her 84th year with a flair. Her live European CD we covered several days ago (see below). Today it’s a CD of her trio (Rich Syracuse, Jeff “Siege” Siegel) plus her former student John Medeski live at the Egg in Albany, Together Again (ARC 2222).

Lee sticks to her piano while John goes from piano to melodica to Hammond. The new edition of the Smithsonian jazz anthology includes a Medeski, Martin and Wood cut, so in many ways John has arrived. Fully.

The album has a more contemporary, somewhat more adventurous program than the companion Shaw album Live at Art Gallery Reutlingen mentioned above. That one bopped and got into some standards; this one has more progressive pieces, with writing duties divided equally between Ms. Shaw and Mr. Medeski. The approach is looser, free-er, and the two keyboard interplay is quite involved and very pleasurable to hear. Jeff Seigel’s drums are out front and quietly burning in ways one comes to expect from him; Rich S. lays down a very fundamental and swinging bass. But it’s the dialog of keyboard and keyboard, student and teacher together again, this time as equals, that unfolds very productively.

It’s the piano and Hammond combination that to me has the most interesting sound world going on, especially on Lee Shaw’s very memorable piece “Blues 11.” It stands out both as a composition and as a great showcase for Rich S.’s solo bass, then John’s advanced Hammondizing. Jazz radio should play it. I would.

Together Again has much going for it. Intricate two-key interplay, great material, a cohesive, excellent quartet feeling, and a loving reunion between two masters. It’s some beautiful Lee Shaw; it’s some great John Medeski. Seek and find.

—Gapplegate Music Reviews

Don Aliquo‘s 5th solo release is a New York based affair, featuring veteran jazz masters Rufus Reid, bass, Jim McNeely, piano and the dynamic drummer Obed Calvaire. Recorded in Englewood, New Jersey in June 2010, the work features the quartet in a set of originals written mainly by Aliquo with a tune each by Reid and McNeely. “Sun and Shield” is available at all of the major retailers like CD Baby, iTunes, and Amazon.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Following in the footsteps of his father, a well-respected jazz artist himself, Don spent his formative years performing with many of the region’s greats including Joe Harris, Danny Conn Johnny Costa, David Budway, and Jeff Watts. His musical development continued at the Berklee College of Music, where he played in the International Dues Band directed by Phil Wilson. George Garzone, Joe Viola, Ed Tomasi and John La Porta were instrumental in his artistic growth at Berklee. Don’s early professional career included brief tours as lead alto with the Tommy Dorsey Band and as a baritone saxophonist with the legendary drummer Buddy Rich.

Additionally, he spent several years performing with ex- Horace Silver drummer, Roger Humphries while continuing his studies at Duquesne University where he studied with Dr. John Wilson.

In 1999, Don moved to the Nashville area to accept a faculty position at Middle Tennessee State University where he is currently Director of Jazz Studies. Don has performed in concerts and/or recordings with Gary Burton, Greg Osby, Rufus Reid, Pete Christlieb, Scott Robinson, Jeff Coffin and Marvin Stamm. Don is an in-demand clinician, presenting concerts and clinics throughout the United States. Aliquo is honored to represent Vandoren (reeds and mouthpieces) and P.Mauriat (saxophones) as an artist/clinician.

FROM THE LINER NOTES

ARC-2284 DON ALIQUO – SUN AND SHIELD – AUDIO CD

ARC welcomes the brilliant young modern classical artist and Fulbright Scholar, Zane Forshee to our roster.

His debut recording Initial has been praised for its “Superb musical and technical skill” (Minor7th.com).

Classical Guitar Magazine states “Forshee immediately establishes his credentials as an excellent player, with clarity, precision and an abundance of fine technique.”

Recent performances in support of the album have taken him around the globe and include cities such as: New York, Chicago, Tai Pei, Madrid, Berlin, Philadelphia, Montreal, Washington D.C., Tainan, and Saint Louis among others.

Forshee was awarded the first prize in the Baltimore Music Club String Competition, and the top prize in the Montpelier Artist Recital Competition. In addition, Mr. Forshee was awarded the Buder Performance Scholarship, and has been the recipient of two Peabody Conservatory Career Development Grants.

Zane Forshee (Official) | ZaneForshee.com

The Kansas Public Radio (KPR) program, Retro Cocktail Hour presents another night of live music on Saturday, February 19 at Pachamama’s, when ARC member Stan Kessler (trumpet, composer, educator) and one of band projects named “Television” take you on a jazzy musical tribute into TV Land.

Hear some of the wacky and wonderful TV tunes of the 1950s and 60s, including themes Leave it to Beaver, Star Trek, Dragnet, Rocky and Bullwinkle,”The Flintstones and lots more! Bullwinkle’s theme music? You betcha, and it’s nothing but FUN! It’s jazz treatments of popular TV themes, and it works.

Tickets are $10 (order here), and doors open at 6:30pm for appetizers and cocktails from the Pachamamas menu. The show starts at 8:00pm.

Your host: Darrell Brogdon

The Retro Cocktail Hour Saturday 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Kansas Public Radio’s Retro Cocktail Hour is our weekly nod to the Space Age Pop revival. Here you’ll find vintage recordings from the dawn of the Hi-Fi Era – imaginative, light-hearted (and sometimes light-headed) pop stylings designed to underscore everything from the backyard barbecue to the high-tech bachelor pad. Darrell Brogdon serves up two hours of incredibly strange music on Kansas Public Radio, so grab a cocktail shaker and join us for The Retro Cocktail Hour.

About KPR

Licensed to the University of Kansas, Kansas Public Radio began broadcasting on September 15, 1952 and we’ve been at it ever since. KANU-FM was given the charge to ‘play good music’. In 1952, that meant classical music and jazz on long-playing records. In the early years of KANU, the station also was used as ‘educational radio’ for shows such as The Jayhawk School of the Air. As the station and music format matured, KANU became an all-music station. The station also was at the forefront of broadcasting technology; in 1961, we were the first non-commercial station in the nation to broadcast in stereo.

KANU was a charter member of the new National Public Radio system in 1971, carrying the signature newsmagazine All Things Considered from the beginning. Morning Edition began broadcasting in 1979, and again KANU was among the first stations to carry the show. The 1970s also saw KANU win a Peabody Award for Broadcasting Excellence, begin on-air fund drives and start the Kansas Statehouse News Bureau.

Throughout the 1980s and ’90s, KANU continued to add such well-loved programs as A Prairie Home Companion, The Imagination Workshop (which later became Right Between The Ears), The Goodtime Radio Revue, Trail Mix, Piano Jazz and Car Talk. The KANU news staff began Kansas Health: A Prescription For Change, a weekly in-depth series examining health issues of concern to all Kansans.

Retro Cocktail Hour • Kansas Public Radio