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Jazz CD of the Month: Corey Christiansen / Lone Prairie / Origin Records

In the last ten years a number of jazz artists have released recordings that attempt to fuse jazz and country music; these efforts have yielded results of varying success.  Guitarist Corey Christiansen's latest effort is without doubt an exception. Lone Prairie captures the mood of classic country and puts into a jazz context.  Wonderfully executed, the date features Christiansen's impeccable chops and the company of Steve Allee on keyboards, Zach Lapidous on keyboards, Jeremy Allen on bass, Matt Jorgensen on drums and Michael Spiro on percussion.  The listener will be treated to a program of classic country songs delivered with great sincerity such as "Dying Californian", "Streets of Laredo" and "El Paso".  Christiansen also submits a few well conceived originals to complete the session. It's a richly satisfying experience where guitarist Corey Christiansen makes the strongest statement of his career this far.  His four previous efforts as a leader have led to this date which is one of the finest of 2013. Based in Utah, Christiansen is also an accomplished educator with  dozens of books and instructional DVDs to his credit.  For more information on the artist you may visit  http://coreychristiansen.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.