Album Review: Brian Scarborough- Sunflower Song

I began tracking the steady ascent of Brian Scarborough even before I snapped the embedded photo of the young Kansas City trombonist at Homer’s Coffee Shop in 2017.  I’ve impatiently anticipated the release of his debut album since catching an astounding performance by Scarborough’s band at recordBar last year.  Released August 7, Sunflower Song is worth the wait.

Not only does the uncommonly elegant album showcase Scarborough’s talents as a trombonist and bandleader, Sunflower Song is an essential document of the artful component of Kansas City’s jazz scene.  In recruiting four of Kansas City’s most notable musicians- tenor saxophonist Matt Otto, guitarist Adam Schlozman, bassist Jeff Harshbarger and drummer Brian Steever- Scarborough is responsible for giving the rest of the world an opportunity to hear the magnificent sounds a small cadre of locally based fans of improvised music have enjoyed in recent years.  

Rather than dominating the nine tracks, Scarborough allows his bandmates equal footing.  The democratic collaboration pays homage to the cool West Coast jazz of the 1950s, an approach allowing Scarborough to honor the adventurous spirit of Bob Brookmeyer.  The late Kansas City native is Scarborough’s most obvious reference point.  The sound may be based on a venerable tradition, but there’s nothing stale about Sunflower Song.  

Serene on the surface, the album is deceptively subversive.  Otto invokes the underappreciated Jimmy Giuffre while Schlozman’s thorny solos reveal the influence of Thelonious Monk.  The stutter-step rhythms of “City Lights” highlight the synchronicity between Harshbarger and Steever.  Scarborough exhibits none of the youthful aggression you’d expect to hear on the debut album of a rising star.  

Immanuel Wilkins’ very fine Omega, the most prominent jazz album released August 7, is characterized by brash solos and innovative production tricks.  That’s clearly not Scarborough’s style.  Yet his reserved sensibility produced one of the most consequential acoustic jazz albums made entirely by Kansas City musicians in recent years.

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Now's the Time: Bob Brookmeyer

Trombonist Douglas Perviance insists that “Bob Brookmeyer has had an influence on every writer in the jazz idiom that came after him” in “A Suite for Three.”  The film documents the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra’s 2009 trip to Columbia, Missouri.  Brookmeyer, a Kansas City native, died in 2011.

Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*KCUR published a detailed examination of a new collection of 58 previously unreleased Charlie Parker recordings. 

*The Kansas City Business Journal and The Kansas City Star report on the $7 million compromise on additional funding for the Jazz District.

*The late Bob Brookmeyer, Pat Metheny, the Count Basie Orchestra, Logan Richardson, Bobby Watson, the late Kerry Strayer, Kevin Mahogany, Karrin Allyson and blues artist Danielle Nicole are among the Kansas City musicians nominated in the current Reader's Poll conducted by Downbeat magazine.

*Brandon Draper has released a live session from 2010 that features saxophonist Rich Wheeler, trombonist Kevin Cerovich, vibraphonist Peter Schlamb and basist Craig Akin.

*The Pitch recommends Kyle Turner’s appearance at the Blue Room.

*Marc Myers of JazzWax uncovers compelling Charlie Parker ephemera.

*Kansas City area resident and jazz enthusiast Teddy Dibble maintains the excellent music appreciation video channel eat.sleep.vinyl.

*Tweet o’ the Week: Legacy Recordings- MILES AHEAD, directed by & starring @DonCheadle, is out today on Blu-Ray, DVD, & digital!

*From a press release: David Basse and a seven piece band headed by pianist Joe Cartwright will perform at the one and only Blue Room in the Jazz District. Celebrate Kansas City’s legendary jazz and blues heritage and the release of Live at Pilgrim Chapel, the group's latest release. The band includes saxophonist Stephen Martin, trumpeter Nate Nall, trombonist Jason Goudeau, Seth Lee on bass, and drummer Taylor Babb. 8:30 p.m. Friday, August 5.

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Event Recap: Bobby Watson at the Black Archives

Bobby Watson, one of the most talented and quotable people in Kansas City, was featured in a Community Stories forum at the Black Archives on Thursday, June 30.  Eighteen people heard Glenn North interview the saxophonist and educator.  A few of Watson’s remarks follow.

The first song I played for the church was “The Battle Hymn of the Republic.”  Everyone said “amen”- there wasn’t no applause.  - on his first public performance as a child

A lot of brothers at that time weren’t playing jazz, they were playing funk. - on why he regularly performed with white musicians such as Gary Sivils, Paul Smith and Tommy Ruskin in the 1970s

It was like a real scary drive, even for me.  It wasn’t happening. - on visiting the Jazz District in the 1970s

It was such a great feeling to leave a place knowing you hadn’t done anything wrong when the sun was coming up. - on spending an entire night jamming at the Mutual Musicians Foundation

Bob Brookmeyer is down- he’s passed away- but he’s still down.  -on how the late trombonist excelled in jam sessions at the Mutual Musicians Foundation

Gerald Wilson told me that was the first song that used the word “swing.” - on Bennie Moten’s “Moten Swing”

We have this heavy church influence in this part of the country. - on the soulfulness of Kansas City jazz

His sound had such an aura of optimism and hope, and triumph over adversity. - on Charlie Parker

It’s my night, I’m doing them a favor by mentioning their names. - retort to North when asked to elaborate on the achievements of his protégés

They’re like a bad penny, they just keep turning up. - on the hustle of young Kansas City jazz musicians

People need to get with it, quickly. Stop being wrong, stop being prejudiced… you’re sitting on a gold mine here. - on opponents of additional city funding for the Jazz District

Watson performs at the Blue Room on Friday, July 8.

(Original image of the Black Archives by Plastic Sax.)

Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*Tim Finn reports on Mark Lowrey's new album, the keyboardist's collaboration with Tech N9ne and a jazz-based benefit show on Saturday.

*Here's an advance peak at Dominique Sanders' new album.  Chris Mills of Demencha is driving the bandwagon.

*The Kansas City Star reviewed Karrin Allyson's concert at the Folly Theater.

*Steve Kraske chatted with Karrin Allyson on KCUR's Up to Date.  Recordings by the Project H, Peter Schlamb and the Jorge Arana Trio were featured on the program's year-end survey of the best music of 2014.

*KC Jazz Lark begins a recap of 2014.

*The Pitch recommends a couple jazz gigs.

*Vanguard Jazz Orchestra's Over Time: The Music of Bob Brookmeyer (#16) and the Pat Metheny Unity Group's Kin (#43) made the cut in the 2014 NPR Music Jazz Critics Poll.

*Joe Dimino interviewed Fred Hersch for his Neon Jazz podcast.

*Tweet o' the Week: Ryan Heinlein- It's festival submission season, followed by rejection letter season. Hopefully it's a shorter season than last year.

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*Bob Bowman was interviewed by Joe Dimino for the Neon Jazz podcast.

*KC Jazz Lark reviews new albums by Bob Bowman and Tyrone Clark.

*Book of Gaia appeared on a local television program.

*The Pitch recommends Tyrone Clark's gig at the Blue Room.

*The blog of Mills Record Company touts a concert featuring the Jorge Arana Trio.

*Hermon Mehari shared a sample of last Saturday's performance at the Blue Room.

*The Vanguard Jazz Orchestra's OverTime: Music Of Bob Brookmeyer was nominated for a Grammy award in the category of Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album.

*Tweet o' the Week: Green Lady Lounge- Jazz doesn't suck. Taking 25min set breaks and 10mins deciding what the next Jobim standard you're going to play sucks.

*Comment o' the Week: Anonymous- Nice to see Flying Lotus at the top of your list. Not my favorite of the year, but hats off to you and him for putting a needle in the arm of the current day jazz scene. (And aren't you an old dude? - ha!)

*From the American Jazz Museum: On Thursday, December 18, we will host the 7th Annual Musicians' Appreciation Day, in partnership with Truman Medical Centers, the Coda Jazz Fund, and Elder Statesmen of Jazz. Jazz musicians can take advantage of free health screenings and a mobile marketplace of fresh produce provided by Truman Medical Centers and enjoy a performance by Elder Statesmen of Jazz in the Blue Room.

*From the University of Kansas: The University of Kansas Jazz Ensemble I and the University of Missouri Concert Jazz Band will meet for two shows on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2014 at The Blue Room in the American Jazz Museum in Kansas City, MO… These unique concerts feature KU Jazz Ensemble I led by Dan Gailey, KU director of Jazz Studies, and MU Concert Jazz Band led by Dr. Arthur White, MU director of Jazz Studies.

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*The Kansas City Business Journal reports that "jazz isn't dead in KC."

*Rick Hellman reviewed Bobby Watson's recent performance at the Blue Room for Downbeat.

*The Pitch recommends a gig led by Matt Otto.

*Jon Poses praises the Prairie Village Jazz Festival in a roundup of upcoming jazz events.

*A one-man show titled Bird Lives! is playing in Los Angeles.

*Marc Myers offers a consumer guide to recordings of Charlie Parker's Rockland Palace concert.

*The Vanguard Jazz Orchestra's new album is titled OverTime: Music of Bob Brookmeyer.

*Tweet o' the Week: Mayor Sly James- Count Basie Orchestra at the Gem! (video)

*From a press release: The versatile vocals of Dan Doran, pianist, performing with Tim Whitmer & The Consort Band, Spirituality & All That Jazz, Unity Temple on the Plaza... Wednesday, September 3, 2014... Tickets at the door only - $7.00… .  Dan Doran has been a major presence on the Kansas City music scene for more than 30 years...

*From Rob Scheps: Baritone Sax Master Roger Rosenberg will give a Clinic with the Quintet including Rob Scheps, Roger Wilder, Bob Bowman and Brian Steever. Sunday October 26th, 3-6 pm, Take Five Coffee Bar… Roger Rosenberg, one of the greatest Baritone saxophonists in the History of Jazz, will: 1. Perform with the Quintet; 2.  Discuss his amazing career with Steely Dan (he is on a 3 month National tour with them right now); 3. The clinic is open to musicians who want to sit in, and receive constructive advice and criticism from Mr. Rosenberg.

(Original image of a window display in Westport by Plastic Sax.)

Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*Doug Ramsey provides an invaluable wrap up of Bob Brookmeyer's memorial service.  John Scofield pays tribute to Brookmeyer in a post by Marc Myers.

*R Bar, a restaurant that regularly featured live jazz, has closed.

*The latest column from Joe Klopus previews a gig by Crosscurrent and reminds readers of this week's Kansas City Jazz Summit at Kansas City Kansas Community College.

*Hearne Christopher reminds readers that Jardine's is still closed.

*The Pitch interviews the American Jazz Museum's Haleigh Harrold.

*The Star reminds readers that the corner of 12th Street and Vine no longer exists.

*Dick Oatts' recent appearance at the Topeka Jazz Workshop is reviewed by Chuck Berg.  (Tip via KC Stage Blog.)

*KCJazzLark remarks on a tool that provides insights into the history of the Jazz District. He also notes an upcoming benefit concert and an International Worker's Day event.

*The Kansas City Jewish Chronicle details the April 29 JazzBEATS benefit for pancreatic cancer research.

*Matt Chalk posted a track at Soundcloud.

*It's no secret that Plastic Sax is infatuated with Krystle Warren.  Here's why.

*Teddy Charles, the vibraphonist who played with the likes of Charlie Parker and Bob Brookmeyer, has died.  The title track of his 1957 album Word From Bird was reportedly inspired by "Parker's Mood."

*Diverse is included in a nice video survey of last month's Middle of the Map festival.

*The American Jazz Museum has announced the ticket prices for the 2012-13 season of its Jammin' at the Gem concert series.

*The author of St. Louis Jazz Notes lists his city's Jazz at the Bistro summer series.  Charlie Hunter and Tim Warfield are among the highlights.

*Tweet o' the Week: Radiovixen- Flirtini time! Kansas City jazz? Great time! @ Phoenix Jazz Club Instagram photo

*Comment o' the Week: Matt Leifer- I only accept two comparisons, and those are Neil Peart and Travis Barker.

*From Dan Gailey: Two University of Kansas music recently took home top awards from the coveted DownBeat magazine’s annual Student Music Awards. This marks the 35th year for the publication’s notable contest. David von Kampen, a doctoral student studying for a music composition degree, won for his original composition/orchestrated work in the Graduate Division for his work “Sneak Out.” Brian Scarborough, an undergraduate student pursuing a trombone performance degree, received the Outstanding Performance distinction in the Jazz Instrumental Soloist/Undergraduate Division. Both students study with Professor Dan Gailey, Director of Jazz Studies at KU.  Gailey added that the "KU Jazz Studies Program has now been the recipient of 12 of these awards since 1992."

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*Tim Finn checks in with BCR on the band's 30th anniversary.

*KCJazzLark laments the premature death of Bill Caldwell and the absence of Jardine's in a typically excellent post.

*The Wichita Eagle notes the passing of Bill Caldwell.

*Bobby Watson, Book of Gaia and the David Basse Orchestra are scheduled to perform at the Meet Me at the Bridge Street Festival at 48th & Troost on May 5.

*The 2nd Annual KCKCC Jazz Summit at Kansas City Kansas Community College will conclude with a concert by Lisa Henry and an all-star band.

*A new Ella Fitzgerald-themed exhibit at the American Jazz Museum is noted by The Star.

*The People's Liberation Big Band's score for Battleship Potemkin will be performed on May 1 at the Plaza branch of the Kansas City Library.

*A critic declares that Chris Hazelton's new album is the greatest thing since sliced bread. (Link removed at request of critic.)

*KJHK's audio archives include a few jazz sessions. (Tip via Lucas Homer.)

*Kansas City native Halbert White has died. The noted economist performed with Eddie Baker's New Breed Orchestra in the '60s.

*Black House Improvisors' Collective is hosting a "sound painting" workshop.

*A publication in Iowa notes the current Midwestern barnstorming tour of the Rob Scheps/Frank Basile Quintet.

*Doug Ramsey reports on plans for a memorial service for Bob Brookmeyer.

*A few jazz-related acts are participating in KKFI's band auction.

*Hey, Ted Nash! What's the big idea of naming your new record label Plastic Sax?

*Tweet o' the Week: Alaadeenswife- Thank you Bobby Watson for honoring Alaadeen last night at the Spring Concert of your Concert Jazz Band - University of Missouri-KC

*Comment o' the Week: Anonymous- we all know what happens when you assume things dont we?

*Don't forget about the Kansas City Jazz Calendar.

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

The situation at Jardine's continues to dominate Kansas City's jazz scene.

*Tim Finn filed a report.

*Tony's Kansas City covers the story here, here and here.

*Hearne Christopher provides bulletins here, here and here.

*Mark Edelman lobbies for a truce.

*Charles Ferruzza has a fresh perspective.

*Yael Abouhalkah editorializes about the turmoil among "the small world of KC jazz enthusiasts."

*The Kansas City Business Journal took notice.

*Kansas City native Bob Brookmeyer died December 15. He was 82. The New York Times, the Los Angeles Times and the Guardian offer obituaries. Doug Ramsey is hosting a dialogue about Brookmeyer's contributions.

*Tony Botello suggests that a notable trend was overlooked in Plastic Sax's year-end survey. He has a point.

*Libby Hanssen reviewed Mark O'Connor's concert at the Folly Theater.

*Seven jazz albums are recommended by KCJazzLark.

*A six-minute video lists January's events at The American Jazz Museum. (I believe this is the same video that will run during breaks at the Blue Room.)

*Wayward Blog reports that Kansas Public Radio will broadcast a recent holiday concert by The Kansas City Jazz Orchestra.

*An appearance by Bobby Watson is mentioned in an recap of the year in jazz in Ireland.

*Berklee boasts an ensemble titled The Pat Metheny Ensemble. (Via Pat Metheny News.)

*Tweet o' the Week: mattwilsonjazz: Bob Brookmeyer was truly a hipster!

(Original image of high school jazz students at Kansas City Kansas Community College by Plastic Sax.)

Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*The Jazz Masters concerts at Crown Center featuring George Benson, David Sanborn, Manhattan Transfer and John Pizzarelli have been canceled. Billboards like the one pictured above apparently didn't create enough demand.

*The Mutual Musicians Foundation is hosting the "2010 Charlie Parker Festival and Memorial Tribute to Edward B. 'Eddie' Baker" on August 29.

*Bobby Watson's long-awaited The Gates BBQ Suite will be self-released on September 14, according to a press release.

*The Majestic finally has an online entertainment calendar. It's viewable as a PDF under the "special events" tab. (Tip via KCJazzLark.)

*The Dead Kenny G's played to one of the largest audiences any jazz band has enjoyed in Kansas City all year at The Uptown Theater on Tuesday. Here's a review. The band is at the Czar Bar tonight, August 11.

*Bob Brookmeyer is interviewed by a journalist in Rhode Island.

*Jazz fans will have tough decisions to make on September 11. In addition to the Prairie Village Jazz Festival and the Wynard Harper Sextet's gig at The Blue Room, it's the date of the 2010 edition of the Crossroads Music Fest. Diverse, Hearts of Darkness and Mark Lowrey are among the jazz-related artists scheduled to perform. Here's Wayward Blog's notice.

*Joe Johnson, the winner of the 2009 Thelonious Monk Institute’s Composers’ Competition, is interviewed by Andrew Zender. Johnson attended Rockhurst High School.

*Analogue Sounds of Salina, Kansas, is one of the subjects of a New York Times article about jazz reissues on vinyl.

*Kansas City native Frank Wess is honored by Saint Peter's Church in New York City.

*The Star offers a remembrance of Ruth Rhoden.

*KKFI radio personality Barry Jackson has a blog titled Fusion Funk Radio.

*The Star featured the KC Strip trolley service.

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*Bobby Watson shares his thoughts on the jazz scene with the Columbia Tribune. He performs at Murray's on New Year's Eve.

*The photographs of a recent Shay Estes gig by KCJazzLark are stunning.

*The Count Basie Orchestra is under new management. Here's the press release. There's a vastly superior new site as well. Before it disappears, I suggest taking one last look at the organization's absolutely brutal old site. (Tip via KCJazzLark.)

*Darcy James Argue offers an elegant appreciation of Bob Brookmeyer.

*Pat Metheny obsessives will want to take a look at this Flickr photostream chronicling his ambitious new project.

*Pat Metheny ranks #21 on Billboard's chart of the 25 best-selling jazz artists of the decade. A Swingin' Christmas, by Tony Bennett and the Count Basie Orchestra, ranks #40 on Billboard's chart of the best-selling jazz albums of the decade. And Ray Sings, Basie Swings comes in at #47 on the same chart. No other artists with Kansas City ties are listed. It's telling that not a single living purely acoustic jazz instrumentalist made either list.

*Mark Edelman runs down the week in live jazz.

*From Bram Wijnands' site: Bram Wijnands is back at the Majestic... In January, Bram Wijnands Trio will be performing at the Majestic on Friday and Saturday, 7-11 pm (except Friday 1-8 when Paul Shinn's Trio fills in).

*Mouth, the band that's not really a jazz band, offers yet another free download containing selections from a recent performance. How does this relate to "real" jazz musicians? Well, Darcy James Argue (referenced above), developed interest in his big band by disseminating live recordings. His proper 2009 release ranks highly on the year-end lists of many jazz critics. I implore local jazz artists to consider following this lead.

*Here's an amended version of a comment I left at KCJazzLark's site in response to his reference to the commonly cited statistic that three percent of music sales are jazz.

That 3% statistic is horribly misleading. Here's Billboard's ten best-selling jazz artists of 2009, in order: Michael Buble, Harry Connick, Jr., Diana Krall, Chris Botti, Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Barbra Streisand, Melody Gardot, Nat King Cole and Boney James. And here are the ten best-selling jazz artists of the decade, in order: Norah Jones, Diana Krall, Michael Buble, Kenny G, Harry Connick, Jr., Chris Botti, Tony Bennett, Boney James, Dave Koz and Herbie Hancock. My hunch is that these 14 crossover artists account for 90% of all jazz sales. If I'm correct, the so-called long tail of jazz is exceedingly thin and malnourished.

*Unlike previous years, I'm not dedicating a post to live jazz on New Year's Eve. Here are a few options:

-The Blue Room- Everette DeVan and Greg Carroll perform from 8-10:00. The James Ward Band plays from 10:30-12:30.
-Davey's Uptown- Plastic Sax favorites Hearts of Darkness will be the life of the party.
-Jardine's- The Wild Women of Kansas City go on at 6:00 and Ida McBeth performs at 9:00.
-Lucky Brewgrille- AfterGroove will make for a smooth celebration.
-The Majestic- The Bram Wijnands Quartet performs.
-Candace Evans plays the Lodge of Four Seasons in the Ozarks.
-Bobby Watson and Horizon bring in the new year in Columbia.

Me? I'm celebrating New Year's Eve a day early with Hot Club of Cowton at Knuckleheads.

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*I stumbled across this hidden gem at the Phoenix's site while dutifully adding dates to the Kansas City Jazz Calendar: The Roberto Magris Quintet featuring Albert "Tootie" Heath, Logan Richardson, Elisa Pruett and Brandon Lee will perform at the club on December 13. Here's a related video featuring the Italian pianist. Shh- it's a secret.

*The Rhythm Lounge was "temporarily" closed according to this report.

*KCJazzLark turns out to be quite a photographer. Here are his shots of Megan Birdsall, Bob Bowman and Paul Smith.

*Horace Washington and Garland Smith tell stories at KCUR.

*A local television station catches up with Oleta Adams. (Link via Tony's Kansas City.)

*Have you seen the The Jazz Baroness? The character of Charlie Parker is disparaged in the documentary. Here's a trailer of sorts.

*Steve Penn reports on efforts to assist Lucky Wesley of the Scamps.

*Pete Dulin previewed a performance by Malachy Papers and Mike Dillon.

*Eldar is featured at NPR.

*A Bob Brookmeyer gig in New York is previewed by an interesting interview. Here's another piece about his December 2 concert.

*This is promising: The Owen/Cox Dance Group and The People's Liberation Big Band present The Nutcracker and the Mouse King, December 11-13, at the H&R Block City Stage Theater in Union Station. Details are here.

*The "grand opening event" of the exhibit Jam Session: America's Jazz Ambassadors Embrace the World is December 3 at the American Jazz Museum. From the museum's site: Join us in the Changing Gallery from 6:00- 8:00 pm. Admission is free- suggested donation of $10 to support education programs at the American Jazz Museum. Kicking off our series of public programs and free concerts supporting (t)his exhibit is Jazz as an Instrument for Cultural Diplomacy American Ambassador Kenton Keith will be accompanied by American Jazz Museum Chief Executive Officer, Greg Carroll and world renowned jazz vocalist, Deborah Brown for an inspiring discussion exploring the history, present and future of jazz as an instrument for cultural diplomacy. To RSVP contact Glenn North.

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Bob Brookmeyer: An Appreciation

Bob Brookmeyer was born in Kansas City, Missouri, in 1929. Although he turns 80 next month, the trombonist continues to make his presence felt. "We're up to our necks in repertory groups and you can't recreate dead people," Brookmeyer complains in a recent interview. Talk like that makes Plastic Sax swoon with admiration. The embedded video shows Brookmeyer performing about fifty years ago (!) with Gerry Mulligan's groundbreaking band. A true artist, Brookmeyer continues to explore news sounds. This fascinating video shows him working on innovative material with Kenny Wheeler. Happy Birthday, Bob, and keep giving 'em hell.

Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*This site is dedicated to music. Nevertheless, when a horrific and mysterious crime scene is discovered just a block from the American Jazz Museum at the Jazz District Apartments, it merits a mention in this space.

*KCUR's KC Currents talked to local jazz fan Elmer Jackson. Download the program here. The jazz segment begins around the 44:00 mark. Look for Plastic Sax's assessment of the Blue Note Records listening party at the Blue Room in a post next week.

*Of the seven Kansas City-related jazz nominees at this year's Grammy Awards, only Bob Brookmeyer triumphed Sunday. He contributed to the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra's Monday Night Live.

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*The Columbia Tribune offers a detailed story about the Village Vanguard's February 18 concert in Columbia, Missouri. Its twists and turns touch on NEA grants, Bob Brookmeyer and Columbia jazz promoter Jon Poses.

*The American Jazz Museum will host "Stories From the Vine" a "history of 18th & Vine as told by those who lived it." The series begins February 14.

*The Pitch reports that Dwight Frizzell will host a KKFI show dedicated to Sun Ra.

*The Star ran a lovely tribute to Joan Kent Dillon, the woman who spearheaded the restoration of the Folly Theater.

*The Blue Room will host a plethora of performances by female artists in March in recognition of Women's History Month.

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)