Brant Jester is from Ozark, Missouri, holds a bachelors and masters degree in music from Missouri State University and University of Missouri Kansas-City. He remains busy as a jazz pianist, piano instructor, adjudicator and accompanist across the greater Kansas City area. He is the former pianist of the Missouri Jazz Orchestra (MOJO). In addition to playing he serves at 90.1 FM KKFI, Kansas City Community Radio as a jazz DJ sub for the Jazz In The Afternoon Show.
Jester also serves as a board member for the UMKC Jazz Friends. Brant has also performed with artists such as Carl Allen, Julian Coryell, Bob Bowman, Rick DiMuzio, Dave Scott, Zaid Nasser, Peter Schlamb, Randy Hamm, Matt Otto, Marty Morrison and comedian Todd Glass. Brant also is a composer and arranger and enjoys writing for jazz ensemble and choral music.
Brant remains as a resident composer and arranger for the Springfield Chamber Chorus. He enjoys playing both classical and jazz music.
Hosts:
Jazz Afternoon (with the Jazz Canadian)
The Jazz Canadian focuses on entertainment, engagement, and information about the artists and jazz education related to this unique American form of music. The show features rare and unfamiliar cuts from the 50's thru the 80's jazz heyday where record albums were the number one way in which artists were heard. The show also focuses heavily on current era artists and their new releases, where few are touring and for many the only exposure our audience may get will be shows like this. I draw on my fifty plus years of being an avid jazz listener and professional musician to guide the music selections that will engage not only the musicians in the audience but all of our listeners.
Listen live on KKFI
Every Monday at 2:00pm
Jazz Afternoon (with the Jazz Disciple)
The Jazz Disciple enriches your musical palette with tunes that speak to every generation, creed, color and ethnic background......Jazz! "Stop in for a taste to help get you through your day".
Listen live on KKFI
Every Tuesday at 2:00pm
Jazz Afternoon (with Jazz Geek)
"Jazz Afternoon with the Jazz Geek" usually includes birthdays of famous and not so famous jazz musicians, recent releases, local artists, interviews, and classic jazz from the likes of Charlie Parker, Miles, Coltrane, Blue Note, Prestige, Riverside, etc. Heavy on the small group instrumental jazz; light on vocalists and big bands.
Listen live on KKFI
Every Friday at 1:00pm
Jazz in the Afternoon (With the Jazz Doc)
The Jazz Doc plays jazz from the 1940s to the present with a highlighted focus on older music. He educates the audience on lesser known artists and their compositions as well as provides an interesting history of the artists and their songs. Examples include music from Miles Davis, John Hicks, Bill Evans as well as the lesser known artists such as Sonny Clark, Grachan Moncur and Charles Tolliver. Howard says, "I hope that what I share with the audience is entertaining for jazz lovers and those who want to explore and learn more about the genre."
Listen live on KKFI
Every Thursday at 1:00pm
Jazz Afternoon (with Jeff Harshbarger)
Playing the best in classic and modern jazz from the 50's to today. From the tried and true to the latest sonic experiments, its improvisational music at its finest.
