The Cookbook is a new program on CKUA. It airs Thursdays from 8pm to 10pm MT. We asked host Jeff Kynoch about his vision for the new show, his musical influences, and what CKUA means to him.
Tell us about your new show. What can people expect when they tune in?
The Cookbook is all about discovering and exploring jazz music that’s off the beaten path. On the show, I invite listeners to trace the rich history of jazz and draw connections to artists who are pushing the genre in new directions today. I’ll be casting a pretty wide net, as jazz has influenced all types of music being made today. Listeners might hear things they might not typically consider “jazz,” but my goal is to help expand listeners’ horizons when it comes to this mammoth genre.
Who are your cultural influences and musical favourites?
I can always find inspiration when listening to artists like Brian Eno, Bob Dylan, Paul Westerberg, Joni Mitchell, Leonard Cohen, Stevie Wonder, John Coltrane, Ornette Coleman, Steve Reich and Brian Wilson. Nam June Paik, Duggie Fields, Keith Haring and Jackson Pollock always inspire me from the visual side of things.
How did you decide on your program’s name?
After brainstorming a few options, The Cookbook seemed like a natural fit. Just like your favourite recipe book, I want the show to have a diverse selection of choices with something for everyone. There is some jazz history to the name as well. Miles Davis and his Quintet had a record called Cookin’, and the show was definitely inspired by a series of records by Eddie “Lockjaw” Davis called “The Cookbook.”
What’s something people would be surprised to know about you?
My first job was selling greeting cards, and I might have one of the better collections of 90s emo and hardcore records in the province.
What does CKUA mean to you?
Alberta is better with a station like CKUA in it. So is the world. In a wasteland of impersonal, corporate and commercial radio with zany morning shows and way too many over-the-top sound effects, CKUA has always been a pillar of taste and culture in the province. The fact that they do so much to support local music, arts, and culture is just the cherry on top. I’ve been a daily listener to the station for years, and tuning in always feels like connecting with an old friend, no matter what the programming is.
