*Westchase Grille, a Leawood restaurant that regularly featured live jazz, has closed.
*Joe Dimino recently interviewed bassist and composer Bill McKemy for his Neon Jazz program.
*The jazz scene in Kansas City is in the midst of a "relative calm," according to KCJazzLark.
*The Kansas City Star published a review of the Monterey Jazz Festival 55th Anniversary Tour performance at the Gem Theater.
*Here's a set of videos that document the Black House Collective's recent performance at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art.
*Jerry Dodgion, a veteran musician who's coming to town with Rob Scheps next week, is the subject of a feature by Joe Klopus.
*Comment o' the Week: Cb- ... After a while, this becomes the case, no matter how much you love those tunes, it is still someone covering those artists' original work. I have simply come to the conclusion as an artist, to play more of my own music. I think that is a natural progression in modern jazz. At least it is what those above did. Covering popular songs of the day is another matter. That has been don in every era. Remember Herbie Hancock doing it? Next Collective is doing a great job with the popular songs of their day. I think it is cool if that moves you. But, in jazz, it does indeed come down to improvisation and the musical idiosyncrasies of the respective artists. There is no avoiding this paradigm, regardless the cyclical vehicle or song form we are discussing at the moment. Just my $0.02. Peace, Cb
*Tweet o' the Week: Ambrose Akinmusire- Kansas City !!! #awwmannowitsgatestime
*From Pete Williams: Esteemed drummer Arnold Young plays at YJ's Snack Bar every Wednesday night, usually from 8 to 10, with guests TBD. Last night he played with Mark Southerland and myself.
*From Jim Mair: KCKCC Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Combos 1 and 2 directed by Jim Mair with the KC High school all stars directed by Hermon Mehari. Wednesday April 3, 7:00 to 8:30pm. Unity on the Plaza. Spirituality and all that Jazz. $7. The multi-award winning KCKCC Jazz Ensemble will headline the evening. This 17 piece big band directed by Jim Mair recently received #1 ratings at the KU and Pittsburg State Jazz Festivals. The KCKCC Jazz Combo 1 and 2 also directed by Mair will also perform. These groups also received # 1 ratings at at KU and Pitt State. Topping off the evening will be the most acclaimed trumpeter in our town, Hermon Mehari leading the Kansas City High School Jazz All Stars. This group was hand selected from the very best high school players in the metro.
*From Chris Hazelton: Chris Hazelton's Boogaloo 7 will be making it's debut at the Kill Devil Club on April 12th from 10pm-1am. The group will be focusing on funky dance grooves popular in the late 60's and 70's a la Lou Donaldson, Grant Green, Lonnie Smith, and will also have some original compositions and arrangements of recent pop tunes. As of now, the entire repertoire is different from my trio except for one tune. Here is the lineup: Nick Howell - Trumpet, Nick Rowland - Tenor Sax, Brett Jackson - Baritone Sax, Matt Hopper - Guitar, Kevin Frazee - Drums, Gary Helm - Congas & Percussion, Chris Hazelton - Hammond B-3 Organ
(Original image by Plastic Sax.)
2 comments:
Cb,
We're not playing with musicians in mind. We're playing for the people that paid to get in and are spending their hard earned money. The guy who writes our check prefers it that way. Thomas
Thomas,
You got to do what you got to do. Listeners are more sophisticated than they are often assumed to be. Any "jazz" music is an acquired taste for most any listener, regardless the tunes selected. It's all sounds. Either you like them or you don't. You don't have to be a musician or the guy who writes checks to make that type decision.
Again, just my $0.02.
Peace, Cb
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