Music

KIOS adds another new show to the schedule with Latin Perspective, hosted by Tony  Vasquez. It will debut tonight at 8:00PM.

An NPR tradition every New Year's Eve since 1979, Toast of the Nation brings you jazz that you can party to all night long, with countdowns to midnight in all four continental time zones.

Public Radio International is ending production of Riverwalk Jazz at the end of December after a 25 year run. The final broadcast on KIOS will be Saturday, December 26.

Tune in to KIOS Monday night at 8:00pm for An Afro Blue Christmas. This special holiday concert program features Howard University's premiere vocal ensemble Afro Blue, and special guest pianist Cyrus Chestnut, The a-cappela group performs a variety of holiday songs including African-American spirituals, jazz and pop tunes, and classical repertoire. The joyous celebration includes one of a kind arrangements on traditional holiday songs plus new compositions...music perfect for the holidays and the spirit of Christmas.

There have been plenty of distinctions in Robin Eubanks' career. The award-winning musician, composer and educator has played with Stevie Wonder, Elvin Jones and Art Blakey; he's appeared on The Tonight Show, Saturday Night Live, the Grammys.

Every month on All Things Considered, Christian McBride sits down with host Audie Cornish to discuss, dissect and deconstruct just about everything in jazz.

Legendary jazz pianist and composer Ramsey Lewis will be interviewed by Chris Cooke on Thursday's Jazz In The Afternoon, between 1:00-3:00 PM.

A podcast of the interview will be available late Thursday afternoon or early evening on our web site, www.kios.org.

Lewis is appearing Friday in Omaha at the Holland Performing Arts Center, with special guest Philip Bailey of Earth, Wind & Fire.

Note: NPR's audio for First Listens comes down after the album is released. However, you can still listen with the Spotify playlist at the bottom of the page.

Record-making is typically not a spectator sport.

ARTIST / CD TITLE / RECORD LABEL

1.JIMMY BURNS / IT AIN'T RIGHT / DELMARK

2.FIONA BOYES / BOX & DICE / REFERENCE

3.TOMMY CASTRO & THE PAINKILLERS / METHOD TO MY MADNESS / ALLIGATOR

4.DANIELLE NICOLE / WOLF DEN / CONCORD MUSIC

5.SHEMEKIA COPELAND / OUTSKIRTS OF LOVE / ALLIGATOR

6.ZORA YOUNG & LITTLE MIKE & THE TORNADOES / FRIDAY NIGHT / ELROB

7.LAURA RAIN & THE CEASARS / GOLD / LRC

8.JOE LOUIS WALKER / EVERYBODY WANTS A PIECE / PROVOGUE

9.ROBERT CRAY BAND / 4 NIGHTS OF 40 YEARS / PROVOGUE

Latin, current pop music, and Motown are all part of a Big Band performance Friday night in Council Bluffs.