We’ve had a few repeat guest Djs over the years, but this is the first time an entire team has repeated! Sean Kearney, Oliver Miller, and Genna Ray from Iowa City West returned as KCCK guest Djs after a year that saw them have  the chance to work with Justin Stanton from Snarky Puppy and …

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John Hynek, Jonathan Reu, Hailey Asbe and Chase Beightler helped lead Prairie Jazz Band One to another great finish. The band went back-to-back in Jazz Championships for the first time, and finished in the Top 8. They had a lot of fun with their director, Ms. Swehla and guest artist Mike Conrad, but pondered why …

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Presley Clendenen, Will Hansen, and Aaron Tanay told us the story of band at Independence High School this year, including their Corridor Jazz experience with the uber-cool Luke Sanders. And which song they retitled “Hot Goose Forever!” Presley, Will, and Aaron’s Playlist: Jeff Coffin & The Mu’tet, “Tall and Lanky” Ella Fitzgerald, “My One and …

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Kellen Dykstra, Keaton Norfleet, and Nora Ziehr from West Branch told the harrowing story of The Sacred Stand during their guest DJ hour, and also said they would miss their director, Mr. Ogilvie, who is moving to Ohio at the end of school. Kellen, Keaton, and Nora’s Playlist: Michael Bublé & Tony Bennett, “Don’t Get …

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Sarah Dietsch, Riley Stone, and Chris Ricke from Lisbon were our guest Djs the afternoon before the band competed at the Iowa Jazz Championships (They took 3rd! A marvelous finish.) Some Lisbon students play an “assasination” game where you score by squirting a competitor with water and catch it on video (Which is why they are …

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Ethan Johnson and Jamon Buhr took time out from preparing for the Iowa Jazz Championships to spend an hour on KCCK. It’s been a big year for Marion. The school opened a new auditorium and got to perform two new commissions, one of which was their Corridor Jazz Project tune. What’s next? The Universal Jazz …

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Kyle James, Connor Kreutner, and Shay Massner represented Centerpoint-Urbana as Guest Djs. The Centerpoint-Urbana jazz band’s competition season was highlighted by a Division One at the IHSMA State Jazz Festival, 2nd Place at Lisbon, and 5th place at NEIBA. Unfortunately, several members of the band were sick on March 10 and the band couldn’t perform …

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Cate Brown, Aaron Stadelmann, and Sophia Mittlestat from Xavier kicked off our 2025 parade of guest Djs. This year, Xavier Jazz Band One received their 10th consecutive Division I rating at the State Jazz Band Festival, 3rd place at Tallcorn and Coe, 2nd place at Liberty, and 2nd Place at the NEIBA District Jazz Festival!  …

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KCCK’s Bob Stewart chats with pianist Amina Figerova and her husband and band flutist Bart Platteau, when they passed through Iowa recently. They talked about Amina’s latest project, “Suite for Africa,” featuring the Matsiko World Orphan Choir, including the coincidental airport meeting that kicked off the collaboration.

Sutra Iyer, Zach Kendrick, and Augie Ketels from the Linn-Mar Colton Center Jazz Ensemble conclude the 2024 Guest DJ season with a bang. Linn-Mar had a stellar year, that included a 3rd place Jazz Championships finish, just behind rival Prairie. But the Lions will have a chance at revenge when they take on the Prairie …

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