Iowa’s Jazz Station reunites some of Eastern Iowa’s best-known musicians for the 50th Anniversary edition of Jazz Under the Stars. Join KCCK for free, family-friendly jazz concerts in Cedar Rapids’ Noelridge Park. Each concert features both a headliner and a young artist ensemble. Food trucks and kids activities on-site. Admission is free.
The I-380 Express served as the “house band” for the Variety Club telethon, a marathon TV broadcast that took place in Cedar Rapids in the 80s and 90s. The band was organized and led for many years by Al Naylor, trumpeter, bandleader, educator, and member of the Jazz Educators of Iowa Hall of Fame. This edition of the band is organized by Al’s former student, Dr. Steve Shanley in tribute to his mentor, and is composed of I-380 Express alumni as well as Al’s former students and friends, many of whom, like Steve, have gone on to become well-known teachers and performers.
2025 Jazz Under The Stars Concert Schedule:
August 7 - Daugherty, Davis, McPartland
August 14 - Funk Legends with members of Funk 101, Funk Daddies, Mean Street & The Hell Horns, and more.
August 21 - Kings of The Blues featuring The Linn County Blues All-Stars, The Janeys, and Kevin Burt & The Blues Instigators
August 28 - Al Naylor’s I-380 Express
