Jazz 88.3 KCCK-FM

12/03/2025

12/03/2025

The bass equivalent of a seasoned saxophone veteran who was never a giant but was well respected for consistent excellence, Bob Cranshaw (December 3, 1932 - November 2, 2016) worked steadily with several top jazz musicians. Despite having a light tone, Cranshaw's timing, musical knowledge, and versatility were featured in an impressive array of recording sessions and tours beginning in the late '50s. Cranshaw played piano and drums before switching to bass and tuba in high school. He was a founding member of Walter Perkins' MJT +3 band in 1957.

Cranshaw went to New York with the group in 1960 and joined Sonny Rollins when they disbanded in 1962. He also worked with Duke Pearson's small groups and big band. Cranshaw started a parallel career in television, and was known for his years on Sesame Street. He also worked in theater orchestras, but jazz dates were plentiful; Cranshaw played with Lee Morgan, Wes Montgomery, Coleman Hawkins, Johnny Hodges, Horace Silver, McCoy Tyner, Thelonious Monk, Jimmy Heath, James Moody, and Buddy Rich, as well as toured with George Shearing, Joe Williams, Ella Fitzgerald, and Oscar Peterson. Cranshaw expanded his repertory and added electric bass in the '70s. He worked frequently with Rollins in the '80s and '90s. Cranshaw had no albums as a leader available during the digital age, but can be heard on numerous dates by Rollins, McCoy Tyner, and the MJT + 3, among others.

He died of cancer at his home in Manhattan in November 2016 at the age of 83.

Source: Ron Wynn, All Music Guide; photo by Tom Marcello

12/03/2025

60 years ago on December 3 & 4, 1965 saxophonist Ornette Coleman was in Stockholm, Sweden recording his Blue Note debut "At The Golden Circle" with a trio featuring David Izenzon on bass & Charles Moffett on drums.

Vol. 1: https://bluenote.lnk.to/OrnetteColeman-GoldenCircleV1
Vol. 2: https://bluenote.lnk.to/OrnetteColeman-GoldenCircleV2

12/03/2025

Lester Young and Hank Jones outside the 5 Spot Cafe in October 1958 in New York City (Photo by Herb Snitzer).

12/03/2025

12/03/2025

12/03/2025

Talking Pictures 12-3-25 - “Blue Moon” (2025 musical/drama) and “Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery” (2025 mystery/comedy) with Hollis Monroe, Phil Brown and Monica Schmidt.

"Blue Moon" (2025 musical/drama) and "Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery" (2025 mystery/comedy) with Hollis Monroe, Phil Brown and Monica Schmidt.

12/03/2025

Culture Crawl 1151 “You’re Jake From State Farm!”

TKM Theatrical Productions premieres a new play from Jonesy McElroy Dec. 5-14. “Fruitcakes” tells the story of a failing call center whose operator begins inviting clients who have nowhere to go for the holidays to join him.

Tickets and more info at tkmtheatricalproductions.com.

Subscribe to The Culture Crawl at kcck.org/culture or search "Culture Crawl" in your favorite podcast player. Listen Live at 10:30am most weekdays on Iowa's Jazz station. 88.3 FM or kcck.org/listen.

12/03/2025

Billie Holiday skiing, sort of, in Zurich, Switzerland - Jet magazine Feb 25, 1954

Billie Holiday