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Content from KIOS staff relating to jazz, blues, and all kinds of music.

Last Call Spotlight: Vijay Iyer

Jimmy Katz

In June Last Call will feature selections from Jazz pianist Vijay Iyer. The accomplished Jazz pianist has recorded a truly impressive body of work that puts him at the forefront of today's top jazz stars.

His latest work, with avant garde jazz veteran trumpeter Wadada Leo Smith, is another brilliant statement. A Cosmic Rhythm With Each Stroke  is an experience of deep listening. The spellbinding seven-part title suite is inspired by the works of Indian artist Nasreen Mohamedi (1937-1990).  A Cosmic Rhythm With Each Stroke is Iyer's first duo recording with his "hero, friend and teacher" Smith. Iyer was a member of Smith's band for some time and has had a long association with the legendary free jazz trumpeter.

Grammy-nominated composer-pianist Vijay Iyer  was described by the Los Angeles Weekly as “a boundless and deeply important young star,” and by Minnesota Public Radio as “an American treasure.” He was named DownBeat Magazine‘s 2014 Pianist of the Year, a 2013 MacArthur Fellow, and a 2012 Doris Duke Performing Artist.

The New York Times observes, “There’s probably no frame wide enough to encompass the creative output of the pianist Vijay Iyer.” Iyer has released twenty albums,  most recently for the ECM label. He is arguably one of the foremost jazz pianists alive today. Vijay Iyer is currently artist-in-residence at New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Vijay Iyer is scheduled to perform this summer at the Iowa City Jazz Festival. For more information on this annual festival you may visithttp://www.summerofthearts.org/festival-menu/jazz-festival/about.aspx

For more information about Vijay Iyer you may visit http://vijay-iyer.com/

Chris Cooke has been a voice on public radio in Omaha since 1989. Working at KVNO-FM during college, Cooke hosted a weekend progressive jazz show on the station in addition to working as an on-air announcer. In November 1992, Cooke signed on at KIOS-FM and has been there ever since. He has hosted the Tuesday and Thursday editions of Jazz in the Afternoon since 1996 and has hosted Last Call since that year. A long time fan of jazz music, Cooke enjoys talking with the musicians who make jazz music and presenting those conversations with listeners. When not hosting or listening to jazz, on record or in person, Cooke maintains a busy schedule as a self-employed web design consultant.