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

Last Call CD of the Month: Expansions: The David Liebman Group/ The Puzzle/ Whaling City Sound

David Liebman's Expansions Band reaches for new horizons on a new recording, The Puzzle.

The Puzzle is the second release from this band led by veteran saxophonist and educator David Liebman, soprano saxophone and wooden recorder, which includes up and coming pianist Bobby Avey, reedman Matt Vashlishan, drummer Alex Ritz and longtime Liebman associate, bassist Tony Marino.

Eleven selections are presented which are mostly originals by the band members. Highlights include a pulsing, bold original "Continues To Ignore", the deeply moving "For J.A." as well as the title track. There is also a re-arrangement of Count Basie's "Good Bait". The band skillfully presents performances that go from straight ahead to adventuresome left-field explorations, led by Liebman's bold, totally self-assured, voice on the saxophone. All in all, it's a disc that yields more delights and insights upon repeated listenings.

A tireless artist, educator and bandleader, David Liebman is one of today's leading Jazz artists.  David Liebman is one of the foremost post John Coltane soprano saxophonists, as well as a top tenor man and flutist. He has over 220 recordings to his credit, many with groups he has led over the last several decades. Early work with Elvin Jones and the Miles Davis Band of the 1970s gave Liebman international recognition; he has worked for years with the foremost jazz players on today's scene, including Chick Corea, John Scofield, George Mraz, Billy Hart, and many others. Liebman is one of the foremost teachers and educators in the jazz world, with master classes, lectures, seminars, books, audio and videotapes available for the aspiring music student.

Listen to an interview with David Liebman

For more information you may visit http://davidliebman.com/home/

Chris Cooke has been a voice on radio in Omaha since 1988. While at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, he studied radio broadcasting, history and religion. Working at KVNO-FM, Cooke hosted a weekend adventuresome jazz show on the station in addition to duties as an on-air announcer on overnights, weekends and holidays. He also worked at KBLZ (the then student-run radio station) as well as KYNE-TV, and The Gateway as a reporter.
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 also hosted Last Call since that year. A long time fan of jazz music, Cooke enjoys talking with the musicians who make jazz music. He has interviewed Horace Silver, Roy Haynes, Wayne Shorter, David Liebman, Airto Moreira, Jessica Williams and Karrin Allyson, to name a few. While not at the station Cooke maintains a web design consultancy business that has served a number of non-profit and music clients for over 20 years.