Acclaimed musician Dave King hosts new jazz program on The Current

Aug 13, 2015

The Current has added a new all-jazz program, King's Speech, to its lineup. Hosted by musician and connoisseur Dave King, the show airs Sunday nights at 9 p.m. and will be archived on the Current's website.

Dave King is one of Minnesota's most celebrated musicians, a drummer well-known for his work with The Bad Plus, Happy Apple, and 12 Rods. Beyond his musical talent and eclectic taste, King is also a skilled raconteur. "Dave King is a really good drummer--and when he's not drumming, he's the greatest comedian who's never actually performed as a comedian," said Local Show host David Campbell. "Dude is hilarious."

With a broad knowledge of the genre and deep connection to the contemporary jazz scene, King will give Current listeners a rich history of the art form, whether they are jazz aficionados or just rabid music fans in general.

An accomplished and sought-after musician, he has recorded and performed with Bill Frisell, Joshua Redman, Dewey Redman, Jeff Beck, Tim Berne, Hank Roberts, Chris Speed, Kurt Rosenwinkle, Django Bates, Dead Prez, The Coup, Joe Lovano, Bill Carrothers, Anthony Cox, Chris Morrissey, Mason Jennings, Haley Bonar, Meat Beat Manifesto, Craig Taborn, Matt Mitchell, Matt Maneri, Benoit Delbeq, Craig Green, Jason Moran, Tchad Blake, David Torn, Donna Lewis, Atmosphere, and many more.

The Current brings listeners the best authentic new music alongside the music that inspired it, from local to legendary, indie to influential, new to nostalgic. The Current began broadcasting in 2005 as a non-commercial, member-supported radio station. From the start, The Current has received numerous accolades, including FMQB Triple A Conference NonComm Station of the Year and Jim McGuinn Program Director of the Year for several consecutive years. In 2015, City Pages readers named it "Best Radio Station" in its annual "Best of the Twin Cities" awards. Also in 2015, David Safar was named FMQB Triple A Conference NonComm Music Director of the Year and The Current's online music coverage earned two Page One Awards from the Society of Professional Journalists. The Current and its hosts have also been honored by the Minnesota Daily, Women's Press Awards and Vita.MN. Its stellar broadcasts of in-studio performances have been featured online at Pitchfork Media and Prefix Magazine.