Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*The NEA has awarded $200,000 for the restoration of Boone Theater in the Jazz District. A press release is available as a PDF here. Key line: The restoration and redevelopment of the historic Boone Theater – a $2.5 million project – is being undertaken with the goal of creating a new home for Folk Alliance International, a non- profit cultural organization presently based in Memphis, Tennessee... (Before jazz fans get too giddy, they should know that F.A.I. is, as its name suggests, an organization dedicated to folk music.) Here's the story in The Star. KCUR also covers the development.

*Hearne Christopher reports that Marilyn Maye will return to Jardine's August 25- September 2. A medical condition forced her to cancel her dates at the club in June.

*Hunter Long conducts a heady interview with Matt Leifer. Long also ponders tribute albums here.

*Credentials Hip Hop posted an interview with Hermon Mehari.

*KCJazzLark is disappointed by two area jazz establishments.

*Beau Bledsoe uploaded video of Bach Aria Soloists' Night of Tango concert. The February event is one of my favorite musical experiences of 2011.

*Plastic Sax readers aside, most Kansas Citians don't appreciate Bobby Watson's status as an international star. They might be surprised to learn that the saxophonist is a headliner at the forthcoming Guinness Jazz Festival in Cork, Ireland.

*Bobby Watson is featured in a new video documenting a performance at Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola at Jazz at Lincoln Center led by Matt Savage.

*Here's a set of photos from the recent A Vibe Called Def performance at The Blue Room.

*Kansas City-related artists were shut out of the 2011 DownBeat Critics Poll.

*The saga of John Coltrane's former home in Philadelphia will sound all too familiar to Kansas City jazz historians. (Tip via AZ.)

*Tweet o' the Week: KCJazzLark: 5 minutes until Ernie Andrews & Bobby Watson is scheduled to start & I'm one of 30 patrons in The Blue Room. Sad.

*Via Facebook, regarding the late Ahmad Alaadeen: To celebrate Alaadeen's birthday, there will be a book signing/release for "Dysfunctional" at the American Jazz Museum, 1616 East 18th Street in Kansas City, Missouri on July 23rd from 11:00 - 1:00. And then, the tribute for Alaadeen will be the next day at The View Community Center, 13500 Byars Road in Grandview. Najee will come in to play a couple of Alaadeen's originals. See you there. Fanny

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*Dysfunctional: Life Journeys of a Second Generation Jazz Musician, the memoirs of the late saxophonist Alaadeen, have been published.

*More news from Victoria Dunfee: Tribute to Alaadeen: Sunday, July 24, 2011; The View Community Center, Grandview. Featuring international Jazz recording artist Najee, legendary Jazz vocalist Luqman Hamza, group 21 and many more. Program includes dinner... Tickets $35/person. Proceeds to benefit the Alaadeen Fine Arts Foundation. Advanced ticket sales only. To purchase tickets contact Sulaiman Salaam, #816.589.1858.

*Bob James introduces Bobby Watson via video in footage from the recent jazz festival in Marshall, Missouri.

*Here's another video for a track from Pat Metheny's new album.

*Mike Metheny is interviewed at Jazz Online.

*New albums by Karrin Allyson, Mille Edwards/Michael Pagan and Mike Metheny are reviewed by KCJazzLark.

*Hearne Christopher chats with Beena Brandsgard about the impact of Marilyn Maye's cancelation.

*Stan Kessler is back with the Black House kids.

*The Guardian notes a pivotal moment in the life of Charlie Parker.

*Here's a partial list of acts booked by: Jazz St. Louis: Take 6, Stanley Jordan's Trio, Jeff Lorber Fusion, John Scofield Jazz Quartet, Kurt Elling, Ramsey Lewis Electric Band, Greg Osby, The Bad Plus, Ravi Coltrane Quartet, Dr. Lonnie Smith Trio, Anat Cohen Quartet, Freddy Cole, Vijay Iyer Trio, Nicholas Payton Trio, Marlena Shaw, Tia Fuller Quartet, Stanley Clarke Trio, Dianne Reeves with Ahmad Jamal, Herbie Hancock, Joshua Redman/Brad Mehldau Duo, Stefon Harris with Sean Jones and the Christian McBride Big Band.

*Tweet o' the Week: KCJazzConnxn: Tonight on KC Jazz Connection: Brad Cox, PLBB, Alaturka, and Diverse... it's KC's best and brightest in jazz 8-10pm 90.7 FM www.kjhk.org

*From Dan Gailey: There is still plenty of time to register for the 19th Annual KU Jazz Workshop! The camp is open to students entering 9th - graduating 12th grades, and is under the supervision of Dan Gailey, Director of Jazz Studies at KU. The workshop is an exciting week of instruction in all aspects of jazz, with special emphasis placed on small group performance. The workshop faculty includes outstanding performers and teachers from around the United States and includes some of Kansas City's finest jazz musicians, including Wayne Hawkins, Jeff Harshbarger, Brandon Draper and Brian Baggett. Student and faculty concerts and jam sessions offer students at all levels the chance to perform and grow in improvisational, small group, and ensemble playing... For more information, go to http://musicacademy.ku.edu/jazz.html or email Dan Gailey at dgailey@ku.edu.

*From Abel Ramirez: A and W Ballroom, Hanger Dance, June 25th… “The Summer Wind” brings back everything you loved about A&W Ballroom’s previous hangar dances!… We will dance to live music and watch the sun set in southern Johnson County, creating the image Sinatra must have imagined when he sang “two sweethearts, and the summer wind.” 6:00-7:00 Helicopter rides by Johnny Rowlands' KC Copters; 7:00-10:00 Live music by the Abel Ramirez Trio, featuring the vocal talents of Frank “Vig” Vigliaturo… You will enjoy complimentary desserts and beverages, and you are also welcome to bring your own drinks to help set the mood.

*From Dean Minderman: The Mizzou New Music Summer Festival will be held Monday, July 11 through Saturday, July 16 in Columbia, MO. The weeklong series of events will include four public concerts, with the grand finale featuring the world premieres of new works written by the festival’s eight resident composers and performed by the acclaimed new music ensemble Alarm Will Sound. The final concert will take place at 7:00 p.m., Saturday, July 16 at the Missouri Theatre Center for the Arts (MTCA), 203 S. Ninth St. in downtown Columbia.

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*I "Cherish" the EPK for Pat Metheny's forthcoming album.

*Steve Penn reports on an "ambassador" program at 18th and Vine and provides news from Alaadeen Enterprises.

*KCJazzLark shares stunning photos of a 2000 performance featuring Claude "Fiddler" Williams and Bobby Watson.

*Listen to "Grandfather's Gun," the first single from Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey's forthcoming album and its first with bassist Jeff Harshbarger, here.

*Sonie Joi Thompson-Ruffin mentions Joplin's connection to jazz in an editorial about the tornado-ravaged town.

*Road trip alert- St. Louis Jazz Notes reports that Robert Glasper is among Jazz St. Louis' new show announcements.

*The Black House Improvisors' Collective takes the "A" Train.

*Tweet o' the Week: KCJazzConnxn: First show of the summer! New time slot is 8-10 pm every Tue. only on KJHK 90.7 FM or listen online at www.kjhk.org and on iTunes

*From Jim Mair: The 10th annual Kansas City Jazz Camp finale concert is Friday, June 10, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at 12th Street Rag at the downtown Marriott. Fifty students will perform.

*From Beau Bledsoe: The Brad Cox, Scotty McBee, Bill McKemy, Hermon Mehari, Matt Otto, Rich Wheeler Sextet will perform a free concert Friday, June 10, 7 p.m., at the Kansas City Museum. And the People's Liberation Big Band's performance on Sunday, June 12, 8 p.m., at the Record Bar will be a "Joplin Disaster Relief Benefit."

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*Trumpeter Snooky Young, veteran of the bands of Jimmie Lunceford and Count Basie, has died. He was 92.

*Filmmaker Bruce Ricker has died. Here's Steve Paul's personal tribute to the man behind The Last of the Blue Devils.

*Return to Forever and Zappa Plays Zappa will perform at the Midland Theater on August 26. (I'm not gonna lie- I'm all about this.)

*Steve Paul notes the charms of the Folly Theater and encourages patrons not to forget about Kansas City's many fine venues when the Kauffman Center opens later this year.

*The MarchFourth Big Band plays a free show at Crossroads on June 14.

*The fourth installment of KCJazzLark's saga about his experiences as a member of the Kansas City Jazz Commission is now on the record.

*Kevin Collison offers an intriguing proposal for "establishing a world-class jazz festival coupled with a huge barbecue bash."

*Here's raw footage of a performance by BeardKCrazy. The new band sounds like a mash-up of King Sunny Ade's Syncro System and Miles Davis' On the Corner.

*Another Verse uncovers the Kansas City angle on the Library of Congress' new "national jukebox."

*Phonologotron, Plastic Sax's infamously incendiary commenter, explains himself.

*Tweet o' the Week: D.J. Sweeney People talk too much when they should be listening. As for the man that shouted out, "play some rock," F-you! Jazz is cerebral, you moron!

*Big Joe Turner was born 100 years ago today. "Jump for joy."

*The Kansas City Jazz Orchestra has a new business manager. And yes, it's me, the man behind Plastic Sax.

*From Alaadeen Enterprises: Alaadeen Enterprises, Inc. is pleased to announce a collaboration with The Duke Ellington Family on a pilot outreach program to aid the veterans of the United States Military. Scheduled to be implemented this Memorial Day in honor of our Veterans of War, the project will demonstrate the healing power of music by providing drum pads and drum sticks to the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. Victoria Dunfee, President of Alaadeen Enterprises states that, "Our partnership with the Duke Ellington Family on this project is a superb fit as our founder Ahmad Alaadeen was a member of the U.S. 4th Army Band, Ft. Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas. He saw first hand the healing powers of music." Alaadeen is now buried in Fort Leavenworth National Cemetery.

*From Sue Vicory: (T)he film will air on PBS June 28th at 9PM.

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*Ruth Rhoden, co-host of KCUR's Just Jazz show for 23 years, has died. Here's her obituary. This video captures much of her sensibility.

*From Alaadeen's (public) Facebook account on July 11: Greetings to all of our friends and loved ones. Some of you may know that Alaadeen has been engaged in a major battle with cancer for the last few months. We are asking you to join in thru prayer and and by sending all of the positive energy and love you have to help honor his fight. Alaadeen has shared that he still has work to do! We will keep you posted. Peace.

*Hermon Mehari placed second in the jazz improvisation competition of the International Trumpet Guild. His misspelled name is on the list of winners here. Mehari is pictured with the other finalists on page 9 of a PDF. (Tip and text courtesy of KCJazzLark.)

*Greg Carroll of the American Jazz Museum was interviewed by KMBC.

*Here's the schedule for January's Jazz Winterlude.

*CrossCurrent is featured by KCJazzLark.

*Former Canadian Jim Mair will lead the Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra in a performance of Benny Carter's "Kansas City Suite."

*Tim Finn composed an excellent review of Saturday's Hearts of Darkness concert. The Pitch posted pictures.

*The Pitch reviewed Mark Lowrey's tribute to Radiohead.

*Mike Malaker of Mixed Method is interviewed by Ink.

*An item in The Kansas City Business Journal suggests that jazz acts occasionally perform in a downtown clothing boutique.

*Here's a promotional video of sorts for an outfit called The Kansas City Jazz Machine.

*A set of Dave Stephens-related photos is provided by KC Dance. (Tip via Tony's Kansas City.)

*A lavish 16-page brochure for the 2010-11 season of Jazz St. Louis hit my mailbox today. Here's a partial list of artists appearing east of Kansas City: Kenny Barron with Mulgrew Miller, Regina Carter, Stanley Clarke, The Jazz Crusaders featuring Joe Sample, Wayne Henderson and Wilton Felder and jazz-artist-of-the-moment Chris Potter.

*While poking around at the American Jazz Museum's site I discovered that discounted tickets to the forthcoming Rhythm & Ribs Festival are on sale now.

*From Chris Ellman: The newly established Kansas City School of Indian Arts would like to invite you to our first event in August. Sandip Burman, an established Indian Classical Musician will be offering two Master Classes on Tabla, Sitar, and Voice. I've attended several of Mr. Burman's Master Classes; this is a wonderful opportunity to discover how Indian Classical Music can integrate with Western Music. All musicians are welcome. Space is limited; reserve your seat soon. Specific date/time to follow. For details regarding location, date/time, and cost, please contact Chris Ellman at chris@kcschoolofindianarts.org or (913) 568-8415.

*From a press release: Jardine’s Restaurant,Kansas City’s preeminent jazz venue, will be jumping to the sounds of The Wild Women of Jazz, along with special guests Chris Burnett (saxophone), Stan Kessler (trumpet), Jason Goudeau (trombone), Greg Richtor (keyboards) and others as they host a very special benefit concert in support of Kansas City Youth Jazz.

*From Chris Burnett: Just wanted to let you know that the KC Youth Jazz Program's Reno Band (Mr. Brady's top group) and the 12:30 Combo that I direct will be performing at the Kansas Bandmasters Convention in Wichita next Friday. I think this is pretty cool, particularly for the young kids that I teach there... Learning how to improvise is what the 12:30 Combo is about.

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*Here's an excerpt from an email sent by the American Jazz Museum last week: This email is a call to action. Recently the Missouri Senate recommended zero funding for the Missouri Arts Council for FY2011. This is a distressing recommendation as the Missouri Arts Council provides significant funding to arts organizations throughout the state. About a quarter of the American Jazz Museum's philanthropic support comes through the Missouri Arts Council.

*Prior to Christian McBride's concert last Saturday, Doug Tatum announced that Sachal Vasandani and Dave Brubeck have been booked as part of the Folly's 2010-11 jazz series.

*Mark Southerland and Shay Estes received a quick critique.

*"I wanted to see an area thriving with people, shops and things to do," a blogger writes about a visit to the Jazz District, "(A)nd what I saw were a lot of businesses that didn’t make it, closed up storefronts, lifeless streets, and the façade of a neighborhood that just doesn’t exist anymore."

*Michael Pagan posted an enthusiastic review of Mike Metheny's 60.1 at iTunes.

*Milton Morris is evoked by KCJazzLark.

*The Kansas City Kansan recaps the recent "Jazz Cabaret" concert by Kansas City Kansas Community College students.

*Sue Vicory provides additional details about her May 6 film premiere at the Gem Theater.

*Tony Botello posted several jazz-related items during the last week. He catches up on the controversy at the Mutual Musicians Foundation. He opined on the name and venue change of KCUR's 12th Street Jump. He also checked in with Jazzbo and noted that a progressive rock band has taken up residency at Jardine's on Monday nights. Finally, the prolific blogger was on hand for Reach's live album recording with jazz/jam band Mouth at the Record Bar.

*The Star reviewed the Christian McBride concert at the Folly Theater. Here's fan footage from the upper balcony.

*Bobby Watson and Horizon will perform at the Detroit Jazz Fest this summer. The stellar lineup also includes Allen Toussaint, Branford Marsalis and the Maria Schneider Orchestra.

*"To hell with practicality; if it’s something sweet to watch, it’s worth the challenge of creating and executing." A reviewer in San Diego is astounded by Pat Metheny's Orchestrion.

*It looks as if he and Fanny have been at it since last August, but I just discovered Alaadeen's blog.

*Megan Birdsall provides a new installment of her tour vlog. I've made fun of her video blogging, but seriously, similar efforts should be part of every performing artist's weekly routine.

*In a typically excellent post, St. Louis Jazz Notes heralds the May 1 performance of the Count Basie Orchestra in his town.

*Matt Chalk and Tim Whitmer lead groups at a May 7 charitable benefit at the American Jazz Museum.

*A full press release detailing the weekend's activities at the American Jazz Museum concludes this post, but those aren't the only significant jazz events in town this week. Here are a few additional listings:

4/30 The Kansas City Jazz Orchestra perform the complete Kansas City Suite- Folly Theater
5/01 The People's Liberation Big Band perform their original score for Battleship Potemkin- Paul Mesner Puppet studio
5/02 Diverse- Watson Park in Lawrence
5/02 KC Jazz Masters benefit for KC Youth Jazz with Diverse, Stan Kessler, Jim Mair and more- Madrid Theater
5/05 Bob Kindred- Jardine's
5/06 The film premiere of Sue Vicory's Kansas City Jazz & Blues: Past, Present & Future- Gem Theater

Check the Kansas City Jazz Calendar for additional listings.

*Via the American Jazz Museum:

Event Schedule:

Thursday, April 29, 2010, Panel Session: “(Ellington’s 111th Birthday)

10:00 AM Panel Session:

“Inspirations of the Duke”

Panelists: NEA Jazz Master Dan Morgenstern, Barrie Hall, Clark Terry and KC Legend Alaadeen.

Moderator: Steve Kraske, Kansas City Star Columnist & “Up to Date Host” on KCUR American Jazz Museum Blue Room

6:00 PM Duke Ellington Photo Exhibit and Film Exhibit Grand Opening Reception and unveiling of the Ellington bust, created by San Francisco artist, Howard Lazar.

American Jazz Museum, John Baker Collection Exhibit

7:00 Dan Morgenstern - “Celebrating Duke Ellington’s Legacy”.

American Jazz Museum, JBC Exhibit

Friday, April 30, 2010 Jammin’ at the Gem Day

10:00 AM Jazz Museum Tours for students w/ Dennis Winslett Glenn North.

American Jazz Museum – Permanent Exhibits

10:00 AM Jazz Storytelling featuring Lisa Henry & Brother John

American Jazz Museum Atrium

11:00 AM Instrumental Break-out Master Classes, featuring the following Ellington Clinicians:

Everette Freeman on Piano; Jeff Harshbarger on Bass; Brandon Draper on Drums; James Ward on Brass; Chris Burnet on Woodwinds.

1:00-2:15 PM Panel Session:

“The Genius of Duke Ellington: Goin’ to Graduate School – A Players Perspective”

Panelists: NEA Jazz Master Clark Terry, NEA Jazz Master Dan Morgenstern, Barrie Hall, KC Legend Alaadeen.

Moderator: Greg Carroll, American Jazz Museum Chief Executive Officer

6:30 PM Ellington Pre-Concert Reception & Jazz Conversation w/ Dan Morgenstern &

Clark Terry. Gem Theater Large Conference Room.

8:00 PM Ellington Tribute Concert featuring Clark Terry, Barrie Hall, the Ellington All-Star Big Band, the American Jazz Museum Institute Student All-Stars. Clark Terry and Alaadeen will be presented with the American Jazz Museum Lifetime Achievement Award.

(Original image of the Clayton Brothers by Plastic Sax.)

Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*KCJazzLark recovered and posted an invaluable four-minute peek at Kansas City's jazz scene in 1988. The blogger recounts the back story here. Give that man a medal!

*Will Friedwald offers what might be the definitive profile of Marilyn Maye. The New York Post also raves about the 81-year-old saloon singer.

*Here's a nice new promotional video for Diverse.

*The Michael Pagan Trio's latest CD is admired by a critic at AllMusic.

*An excellent video of Alaadeen telling stories was recently posted at YouTube.

*A recording of a gig by Black House Improvisors' Collective can be purchased here.

*A reviewer for the Star praises Dave Frishberg's recent concert at the Folly Theater.

*The Unthinking Lemming offers a nice review of Saturday's appearance by Charlie Hunter. The Pitch was also on hand.

*"I personally consider (Bobby Watson) to musically be the “Bird” figure of our times," Chris Burnett suggests at his blog.

*Krystle Warren garners a Guardian review.

*It's short but sweet. Oklahoma City Community College provides a wonderful video promoting Dan White's traveling exhibition of photographs depicting Kansas City jazz musicians.

*A Star story about Matt Chalk is examined.

*Here's a brief interview with Angela Hagenbach.

*Mark Edelman breaks down the week in live jazz.

*According to their site, The Phoenix will be closed for remodeling March 22-25

*Prairie Village's forthcoming jazz festival has a dedicated site and a Facebook fan page.

*Here's a great video of Millage Gilbert playing the blues at the Mutual Musicians Foundation.

*I heard a radio advertisement for a Jazz Outreach benefit at the Beaumont Club. Details are posted at Swope Health Services' site.

*Some of Pat Metheny's fans scare me.

*Metheny is on the cover of the March issue of Jazz Inside magazine.

*The indie rock and hip hop communities in Kansas City have combined forces to showcase their talents at SXSW this month. Check out Midwasteland Takeover. The Midwest Music Foundation, one of the entities behind that effort, also has a lot to offer area jazz musicians.

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*Here's a little history of the St. Joseph Coleman Hawkins Jazz Festival. The 2008 edition takes place this weekend.

*Sometime jazz cat Bill Caldwell made the cover of the Star in a very interesting story about the increasingly prevalent use of prerecorded music at Branson's theaters.

*"Will the 18th & Vine District Survive?" A pretty rough headline is attached to Marissa Cleaver's KSHB piece on Rhythm & Ribs.

*Tim Finn makes the rounds Saturday, including a stop at Rhythm & Ribs.

*A saxophone museum in St. Louis? I don't see any Graftons listed.

*Our friend Lee Ingalls laments the loss of Esbjorn Svensson.

*Alaadeen received a grant.

*The Plastic Sax staff continues to mourn the loss of Ed Fenner. Selfishly, we shed a new tear each time we check to see if the Jazz Ambassador's calendar is still blank.

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Confirmation: Weekly News and Notes

*Lee Ingalls put together a wonderful feature about Gregory Hickman-Williams for KCUR. His notes on the project are here.

*The Star is host to a readers' debate about the Congressional earmark providing additional funds for the American Jazz Museum.

*A new profile of Alaadeen is up at All About Jazz.

*Present magazine offers a fine video of jazz poet Kemet Coleman at the Blue Room. He's backed by drummer Brandon Draper. Fans of Gil Scott-Heron will appreciate it.

(Photograph taken by Plastic Sax earlier this week.)

Confirmation: Weekly News and Notes

*She's big in France. Dee Dee Bridgewater, who goes all Jacques Brel and Edith Piaf in this video, will perform with a ten-piece band October 13 at the Gem Theater.

*Lee Ingalls interviews Eldar here. Lee also recorded a compelling conversation with Alaadeen about the saxophonist's new album.

*UMKC's student newspaper dared to highlight the school's jazz program. (Link via Tony's Kansas City)

*Joe Klopus' interview with Greg Abate is here.

*The American Jazz Museum's Dennis Winslett and Greg Carroll get a little ink for their efforts in jazz education here.

*Reminder: The City Light Orchestra reunites for a jazz brunch Sunday, October 14, at the Athenaeum.

*An advertisement for "Johnson County's Premier Jazz Event" recently began appearing in the Star. It states that Joe Cartwright and Roger Wilder will appear Sunday afternoon at the Overland Park Marriott. I've asked the contact person for further details and I'll provide an update when I receive a response.

Update- Russell Simmons, the event's organizer, responded to Plastic Sax with the following information about Sunday's 4 p.m. concert:
*Seating capacity is limited to 300. It's table seating in the hotel's ballroom.
*Smoking is not allowed. Two cash bars are available.
*Tickets are $20, and can be obtained at the Marriott or directly from Simmons (913/226-8401). Simmons recommends the latter option.
*"I see this as an opportunity to present the best KC jazz to Johnson County," Simmons said via email.  "I believe there is substantial interest in live jazz music in Jo Co.  However, people can't/won't always go downtown. We'll determine what we do regarding future events based upon the response we get to our offer."