Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*A library’s jazz program was documented by Joe Dimino.

*Tweet o’ the Week: Chris Burnett- Thanks @BJJansen and @424Lounge The LHS students from the jazz band and an alumnus who now attends Washburn University sat in. They had fun and did really well.

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*Rod Fleeman, Gerald Spaits and Todd Strait are praised in a letter to the editor published by The Kansas City Star.

*Joe Dimino shares footage of a performance by the River Cow Orchestra.

*The Bad Plus, Danilo Perez, Chris Potter and Craig Taborn are among the musicians performing at the Iowa City Jazz Festival in July.

*Tweet o’ the Week: Melissa Bower- Great music this weekend at the @424Lounge - quickly becoming an African-American-owned, veteran-owned #BlackBusiness icon in #leavenworth #kansas - check out their website for a schedule of musicians. #kcjazz #KCMO http://424lounge.com

*From a press release: The teen Olathe saxophonist Evan Kappelman “has earned the honor of being selected as one of 22 of the brightest young jazz musicians from across the U.S. for the 2019 roster of Carnegie Hall’s National Youth Jazz Orchestra... this summer he’ll be training with world-class jazz musicians and performing at Carnegie Hall before embarking on NYO Jazz’s debut tour to Asia.

*From a press release: KU Jazz Ensemble I, under the direction of Dan Gailey, was named the best graduate college large jazz ensemble in the country in the 42 Annual Downbeat Student Music Awards. DownBeat also recognized Alex Annan, a master’s student in jazz composition from Omaha, Nebraska… Under Gailey’s leadership, the KU Jazz Studies Program has received 27 DownBeat Student Music Awards since 1992.

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

The 411 on 424 Lounge

A swank jazz club opened in January.  It’s not in downtown Kansas City, nor is it situated in an affluent suburban development.  424 Lounge is in Leavenworth, a town closely associated with a famous penitentiary and a large military installation.  424 Lounge may alter that perception. 

On Saturday, March 9, I paid a $8 cover charge to hear a sublime performance by trombonist Jason Goudeau, keyboardist Eddie Moore, bassist Seth Lee and bassist Mike Warren.  Similarly auspicious artists perform every Thursday, Friday and Saturday at the handsome, old-school venue.

The room isn’t merely stylish by local standards.  424 Lounge would be one of the nicer jazz venues in New York City.  The friendliness of somewhat uneven service and the fine acoustics are commendable.  Situated 30 miles from downtown Kansas City, 424 Lounge doesn’t lend itself to spontaneous visits, but it’s well worth the trek.

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*Karen E. Griffin of the American Jazz Museum hosts Kansas City’s “The Weekly Report” video communiqué.

*The Leavenworth Times follows up on its initial story about the 424 Lounge.

*Tweet o’ the Week: Christian Swan: BOOM SHAKA LAKA, GOD IS GOOD! The CUR3 is taking off today for it's first trip to LA. We will be playing at NAMM for CTMonitors and networking throughout the city. If you'll be at #NAMM, catch us at booth #15728.

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*Justin Wilson, the heir to Soundtrek Studios’ jazz-based legacy and the owner of Sound 81 Productions, is the subject of an audio profile created for KCUR.

*The Leavenworth Times reports that 424 Lounge, a venue with live jazz three nights a week, is slated to open this week.

*Forthcoming shows presented by Take Five Music Productions include Ben Allison & Think Free (February 17 at Mod Gallery) and Ryan Keberle & Catharsis (March 3 at Mod Gallery). 

*The latest edition of Downbeat contains a 13-page spread about 25 of the “world’s best jazz cities”.  Kansas City didn’t make the cut. 

*Tweet o’ the Week: Alex Hutchinson- Ha -- well, I am heading to Kansas City next week, and hope to check out the American Jazz Museum, which has the plastic alto that Charlie Parker played at the famous Massey Hall concert in Toronto in 1953. Maybe someone will want to talk to me about that.

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)