Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*Chuck Haddix and Mitch Butler considered the legacy of Charlie Parker in an episode of KCUR’s Up To Date.

*Joe Dimino interviewed Brad Cox.

*Tweet o’ the Week: Ann Salo- Celebrating 65th birthday of Pat Metheny by listening to New Chautauqua, 1979

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*Laura Spencer of KCUR reports on the resolution of the lawsuit that’s tarnished the reputation of the Mutual Musician Foundation.

*Eddie Moore chatted with Brian Ellison on KCUR’s Central Standard program.

*Joe Dimino plugs the “Big Bands Are Better” revue and documents a performance by the Brad Cox Octet.

*Not a single Kansas City or Kansas City-affiliated artist is mentioned in JazzTimes’ 2018 Expanded Critics’ Poll Results.

*Tweet o’ the Week: Sarah Kelly- God Kansas City would be such a haven if I actually liked jazz music

*I booked one the last available rooms in the fancy convention hotel at the hub of the Big Ears Festival in Knoxville next month.  I still need a roommate.

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*Anne Kniggendorf of KCUR interviewed Brad Cox and Jeff Harshbarger in a preview of the People’s Liberation Big Band’s performance on Saturday, May 11.

*Doug Ramsey recommends Todd Strait’s new album There’ll Be Some Changes Made.

*Chuck Haddix considers the woes of the American Jazz Museum.

*Tweet o’ the Week: Phil Schaap- I get asked about the young musicians a lot and it’s possible that I diminish their propers by always pointing out that what’s desperately needed is young listeners  … and lots of them.

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Album Review: Matt Otto with Ensemble Ibérica- Ibérica

Ibérica, the new album by Matt Otto and Ensemble Ibérica, is so rapturously beautiful that sensitive listeners might be inclined to savor it only on special occasions.  The sublime recording would provide ideal accompaniment to the celebration of an anniversary or the homecoming of a newborn baby.

Limiting play of Iberica to extraordinary life moments would be a shame. Even though it might seem like an extravagant misappropriation of delicate artistry, Ibérica is capable of enlivening and elevating even the most mundane activities.  Otto, one of Kansas City’s most accomplished jazz musicians, and Beau Bledsoe the leader of the Latin-themed chamber group Ensemble Ibérica and the Turkish jazz band Alaturka, are proven creators of transcendent music.

Unlike many so-called third stream albums that seem stuffy or precious, Iberica is a consistently soothing aural balm that is nonetheless imbued with a sad awareness of the bittersweet truths of life.  Iberica echoes the most abstract works of the late jazz masters Jim Hall and Paul Desmond, but a handful of notable Kansas City musicians give the project a local flavor.

Brad Cox contributes keyboards and electronic effects.  Bledsoe, Michael McClintock and Jordan Shipley add a tasteful array of stringed instruments including guitars, oud and cavaquinho.  Cello and gently swinging bass are played by Karl McComas-Reichl.  The ethereal steel guitar work of Mike Stover adds earthy textures to the beguiling album.

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Fabricating a Festival

The transmutation of Jazz in the Woods into SoJo Summerfest is a disheartening blow to the jazz community.  Details about the 2016 editions of the one-day events The Prairie Village Jazz Festival and The 18th & Vine Jazz and Blues Festival are still under wraps.

Neglected jazz aficionados in Kansas City have been provided with plenty of reasons to eye the ambitious lineups of  large-scale, multi-day festivals in Chicago, Detroit and Iowa City.

Kansas Citians needn’t succumb to wanderlust.  With careful planning and a willingness to bar-hop, it’s possible to fashion makeshift jazz festivals.  That’s what I did on the opening night of Ink’s Middle of the Map Fest.   The four-day music portion of the festival has an indie-rock orientation, but I managed to catch three engaging left-of-center jazz sets on Wednesday.

The Jorge Arana Trio evoked the abrasive electric jazz associated with the late Sonny Sharrock at Mills Record Company.  The quartet of vocalist Annie Ellicott, the modified instrument master Mark Southerland, bassist Jeff Harshbarger and drummer John Kizilarmut veered between conventional jazz standards and wild flights of fancy at Californos.  Backed by elite musicians including keyboardist Brad Cox and guitarist Beau Bledsoe, the former Kansas City resident Krystle Warren performed a compelling blend of folk, gospel and jazz at the same venue. 

Devotees of small jazz ensembles could make a full night of sampling the offerings at the cocktail lounges of restaurants including The American, Cafe Trio, Chaz and Sullivan’s.  People who prefer not to drive could partake of the miniature festival that transpires at Green Lady Lounge every weekend.

Still not satisfied?  The three-day festival in the jazz capital of Iowa City features performances by bands led by heavy hitters including Edmar Castaneda, Vijay Iyer, Allison Miller, Poncho Sanchez and Miguel Zenón.  I may see you there.

(Original image of Krystle Warren and Brad Cox by Plastic Sax.)

Concert Review: The James Isaac Quintet at Take Five Coffee + Bar

I visited an arty cafe in Copenhagen on Friday.  Or maybe it was a refined jazz club in London.  It seems almost inconceivable that the adventurous sounds I heard were performed at a shopping center in Leawood, Kansas. 

The first set of the debut performance of the James Isaac Quintet bridged the divide between the sounds heard in European concert halls and at the Village Vanguard.  A receptive audience of about three dozen attended the recital at Take Five Coffee + Bar.

They heard cerebral interpretations of two Wayne Shorter compositions, a nod to Miles Davis, a U2 cover and a reading of a piece by the French composer Gabriel Fauré. 

Saxophonist and clarinetist James Isaac was joined by vocalist Courtney Williams, pianist Brad Cox,  bassist Andrew Stinson and drummer Sam Wisman. 

Cox rarely performs as an accompanist in jazz-oriented settings.  His demure solos evoked the work of André Previn.  Williams often sang in the wordless style employed by the likes of Gretchen Parlato.  Isaac explained that the Fauré selection was among the pieces that reflected "the blending of jazz and classical we're trying to accomplish here." 

Mission accomplished.

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*The Pitch heralds the new version of Take Five Coffee + Bar.

*KC Jazz Lark reviewed albums by Diverse, the Project H and Shades of Jade.

*Pat Metheny won the Guitar category and the The Pat Metheny Unity Group took the honors in the Jazz Group and Jazz Album categories of the 2014 DownBeat Readers Poll.

*The Kansas City Star previewed a concert featuring Imani Winds and the Harlem Quartet.

*KCPT aired a nice feature on Brad Cox and Jennifer Owen.  (It starts at the 8:30 mark.)

*Joe Klopus previews Miguel Zenón's return to the Blue Room.

*Chris Burnett considers the concept of balance.

*Jack Wilkins is among Joe Dimino's latest interview subjects for Neon Jazz.

*Tweet o' the Week: Next On TCM- The jazz band's leader gets mixed up with gangster in '20s Kansas City. [Off topic: Go Royals!] #TCM

*From the KU School of Music: The University of Kansas Jazz Ensemble I will collaborate with the Kansas City-based group The Sons of Brasil for a special performance at 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 5, 2014, at Lawrence Arts Center. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for seniors and students… For this extraordinary concert event, KU faculty, current and former student composers have written new arrangements of selections from The Sons of Brasil’s catalog to include a big band…

*From Take Five Coffee + Bar: Here it is, the weekend we've been working toward for months, when we all get to find out together just how much musical energy the new Take Five Coffee + Bar can generate. We have three high-energy jazz performances, a showcase of the kind of fun you'll find nowhere else on the planet. This weekend is our statement, our offering, and our best explanation of why we love Kansas City and its jazz community most of all… Friday, November 31, 8pm: Parallax Costume Party. $5 cover… Saturday, November 1, 8 pm: The People's Liberation Big Band of Greater Kansas City. No cover. Inaugural Jazz Brunch, Sunday, November 2, 10am - 2pm: Jazz Brunch with the Mark Lowrey Trio. No cover for brunches.

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*Charlie Parker's daughter Kim was interviewed on local television programs here and here.  KCUR's Up to Date also spoke to Kim Parker.

*Steve Lambert performed during a television station's Parker-related segment.

*The Kansas City Star documented Friday's gravesite tribute to Charlie Parker.

*Paul Mesner and Elroy Hawkins spoke to a television personality about a Charlie Parker-themed puppet show.

*KC Jazz Lark looks forward to hearing Deborah Brown perform with Joe Lovano and Terell Stafford at this weekend's Prairie Village Jazz Festival.  The Prairie Village Post and The Pitch also previewed Saturday's event.

*"Firebird," a track from Chris Burnett's forthcoming album, is available at CD Baby.

*Shades of Jade's new single is titled "Where's My Tea."

*OJT's version of "I Kissed a Girl" is available at CD Baby.

*Steve Paul captured a portion of a performance featuring Mark Southerland and Hermon Mehari.

*Here are details on Everette DeVan Support Week.

*Joe Dimino interviewed Jimmy Cobb for his Neon Jazz podcast.

*Tweet o' the Week: T. White- Props to the @ESPN staffer responsible for pairing the Royals/Indians promo with Now's the Time by KC's own Charlie Parker. #BirdLives

*From Brad Cox: The People's Liberation Big Band of Greater Kansas City will celebrate the sixth anniversary of the "Jeff Harshbarger Presents" jazz series on Sunday, September 7 with an 8:00 pm performance at the RecordBar.  The night will feature a "year in review" of the band's 2013-2014 compositional output featuring works by Patrick Alonzo Conway, Brad Cox, Forest Stewart, Nick Howell, Matt Otto, and Gerald Spaits. Cover price at the door is $5.

*The Kansas City Jazz Calendar has been updated for September.

(Original image of Saturday's ceremony at Lincoln Cemetery by Plastic Sax.)

Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*In another discerning editorial, KC Jazz Lark raises questions about the scope of a new locally-based jazz organization.

*The "Jazz Bloggers Tour of KC" featuring an appearance by author Stanley Crouch is scheduled for June 19-20.  A link is not available.

*Josh Williams' jazz mentorship efforts are documented in an article in The Kansas City Star.

*The Pitch touts an appearance by Will Matthews at the Blue Room.

*Clint Ashlock muses about the creative process.

*The Topeka Capital-Journal surveys the town's summer concert offerings.

*Tweet o' the Week: Steven Lambert- Great shot of the 627 Big Band from @GreenLadyLounge. Every Sunday from 9-12 see you there! #kcjazz (photo)

*From Brad Cox: The People's Liberation Big Band of Greater Kansas City performs Sunday, June 8th at the RecordBar. The band will play new instrumental compositions by Matt Otto and Nick Howell, and will be joined by guest vocalist Shay Estes for new compositions by band leader Brad Cox.

*From a press release: The Summer Sounds of the Caribbean & Kansas City. Scott Prebys, Steel Drummer/Percussionist with Special Guest Rod Fleeman, Guitar featuring the Tim Whitmer & The Consort Band... Spirituality & All That Jazz, Unity on the Plaza, Wednesday, June 4.

*From a press release: Heartland Films, Inc. announces the world premiere of its newest documentary film “One” at the 10th Anniversary of the KC Fringe Festival. Sue (Vicory)’s previous feature documentary film, “Kansas City Jazz & Blues; Past, Present & Future,” will also screen at the festival…

*From a press release: Anyone ever wishing to visit the intriguing country of Cuba, Kansas City Kansas Community College is offering a once in a lifetime opportunity.  The KCKCC Jazz Band will be performing in the 30th Annual Havana Jazz Festival Dec. 16-22 and members of the community are invited to go along… A complete and comprehensive itinerary can be found on-line (here)…  

*The Kansas City Jazz Calendar has been updated for June.

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Now's the Time: Krystle Warren

Earlier today I told a fan of experimental rock and female singer-songwriters that if he attends one jazz concert in 2013, its should be Gretchen Parlato's appearance Saturday at the Folly Theater. Here's why. That said, I'm choosing to shine Plastic Sax's dim spotlight on Krystle Warren's return to Kansas City. The modern day version of Nina Simone is better known in France than in her hometown.  Warren, Brad Cox, Jeff Harshbarger and Mike Stover play the KC Live stage in the Power & Light district on Sunday.  Solomon Dorsey, another native of Kansas City, accompanies Warren in the embedded clip.

Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*Chuck Haddix discussed his new biography of Charlie Parker with Steve Kraske on KCUR's Up to Date.

*NPR offers a review Stanley Crouch's biography of Charlie Parker.

*Megan Birdsall interviewed Andrew Ouellette for the Green Lady Lounge's Tumblr.

*Four people were shot last week near the Mutual Musicians Foundation.  A lengthy report in The Kansas City Star examines the consequences of the incident.

*Black House Collective is one of four Kansas City-based organizations to receive SEED grants from the Robert Rauschenberg Foundation. "(T)he grantees will receive $10,000 per year for three years."  The collective shares another round of photos from its new music festival.

*The day after I published Monday's editorial about the fractured jazz community, Kansas City Jazz A.L.I.V.E., "a new Jazz catalyst organization," came to my attention.

*Photos of Jon Faddis and Marilyn Maye are among the second set of images captured by KC Jazz Lark documenting the 2013 edition of the Prairie Village Jazz Festival.

*Nicolay of the Foreign Exchange recalls performing for a tough audience at the Blue Room.

*Krystle Warren will make a rare appearance in her hometown on Sunday, October 6, at the KC Live stage.

*Here's the latest episode of 12th Street Jump's "Blues In the News."

*Comment o' the Week: Anonymous- The first time I heard about the Blvd. charity project was a couple days before it ended. I had seen no advertising whatsoever until a last minute half-***** attempt at getting AJM audience members to vote. Of course they lost! The AJM marketing team needs some serious rethinking. Just trying to negotiate the website gives me headache. See for yourself by trying to find out who is playing at the Blue Room in October. Just being honest here. Does Myra Taylor's life story really warrant a musical production?  Mr. Butler has big ideas but unfortunately none of them are very good. The incentives were poor and the project was poorly outlined. "The majority of the over 1,000 people who attend every concert by the Kansas City Jazz Orchestra at Helzberg Hall probably aren't terribly concerned with the legacy of Charlie Parker."  Really? Did you ask them individually? They, unlike the younger musicians in town, actually grew up when Parker's music was being produced. I think they might surprise you. "Most of the supporters of the jam sessions at YJs don't feel a strong connection to the American Jazz Museum" Absolutely incorrect.

*Tweet o' the Week: Matthew Kassel- Traffic was thick as freckles on the face of a redheaded cracker." (One of many choice lines in Stanley Crouch's new Charlie Parker bio.)

**From Brad Cox: Wednesday, October 2--Jeff Harshbarger--The Music of True Grit, Plaza Library, Truman Forum at 7:00pm. Free (not jazz).  Thursday, October 3--Solo Keyboard, Computer and Social Media Performance, Paragraph Gallery from 7:30-9:30pm. Free. Sunday, October 6-Krystle Warren, Power and Light Live at 6:00pm. Free. Sunday, October 6--People's Liberation Big Band, RecordBar at 8:00pm, $5. Tuesday, October 8-People's Liberation Big Band-The Valdislav Starevich Project,
Kansas City Art Institute at 7:30pm. Free.

*From Take Five Coffee: The October music lineup at Take Five Coffee + Bar features a mix of artists from far-off lands and world class talent from right here in KC. We kick it off this week with Paul Zaborac, a saxophonist from Australia, and then Ben Van Gelder, a saxophonist from The Netherlands by way of New York City, comes in to spar with Hermon Mehari. Wrap it up with James Isaac's ensemble of versatile KC masters, and you'll have a weekend to remember.

Thursday, October 3, 7pm:  The Paul Zaborac Trio- On tour from Sydney, Australia, the Paul Zaborac Trio is sure to blow our little room away… $5 cover.  Friday, October 4, 8pm:  Hermon Mehari with special guest Ben Van Gelder-… Widely recognized among the best and most distinctive sax players under 30 in the world, Ben is a captivating performer. $5 cover… Saturday, October 5, 8pm:  James Isaac Group- With Jeff Harshbarger on bass, Mike Stover on guitar and/or pedal steel, and Scotty McBee on the drums, Isaac will take us places none of us can guess. $5 cover. This just ahead: Rob Scheps and Jim O'Connor Quintet; Hermon Mehari Trio; singer/songwriter Kate Cosentino; Parallax; the Mike Herrera Quintet; Ben Leifer Quartet; Bill McKemy. Thinking out to November? Here are some teasers: David Basse; Jeff Harshbarger; KC Sound Collective; Interstring; M-Bird; Project H; Peter Schlamb; Shay Estes.

*The Kansas City Jazz Calendar has been updated.

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*Over twenty years after releasing her debut album, former Kansas City resident Karrin Allyson received the “Rising Female Vocalist” award from Downbeat magazine last week. 

*KC Jazz Lark hopes for a more ambitious jazz festival at 18th & Vine.

*Here’s a taste of Michael Shults and Peter Schlamb performing at Take Five Coffee + Bar earlier this week.

*Ben Sidran will be featured on December 15 as part of the 2013-14 Season at the White Theatre.

*The Pitch highlights this weekend’s “Trumpet Summit” starring Mike Metheny, Stan Kessler and Hermon Mehari.

*Bebopifed reports that the Alan Ferber Nonet was awarded a grant by Chamber Music America.  Ferber recently played a series of gigs with Matt Otto in the Kansas City area.

*Tweet o' the Week: Christian McBride- I got to open for Mr. Bland at the Kansas City Jazz Festival in 2011. It was a great honor to be in his presence and see him perform.

*Via Smooth J Cafe’s Facebook account: We are so pleased to announce that Julian Vaughn, Top 20 Billboard recording artist and smooth jazz legend, will be performing at our Grand Opening on July 30th! Attendance is by invitation only but we have reserved a limited number of invitations for guests who visit our web page and sign up for pre-opening offers. We can't invite everyone (the fire department won't let us pack too many people into the restaurant) so if you haven't signed up you should do so now! You do not want to miss this show! Most important, we want to meet you and welcome you to our new restaurant!

*From Brad Cox: The People's Liberation Big Band of Greater Kansas City will celebrate the fifth anniversary of the "Jeff Harshbarger Presents" jazz series on Sunday, July 7 with an 8:00 pm performance at the RecordBar (1020 Westport Rd, Kansas City, MO). The first set of the night will feature a "year in review" of the band's 2012-2013 compositional output, including excerpts from Patrick Alonzo Conway's music for Voyeur, a short play written with Heidi Van. The second set will feature PLBB's "greatest hits" of the previous five years. Cover price at the door is $5.  As a result of its monthly RecordBar engagement, The People's Liberation Big Band has created more than fifty new original large ensemble jazz works over the past five years, including large-scale work such as the ensemble's original film score for Battleship Potemkin.  The group's July 7 RecordBar performance will feature such fixtures of the Kansas City jazz community as Roger Wilder, Matt Otto, Jeff Harshbarger and Rich Wheeler, as well as guest vocalist Shay Estes.

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*Hearne Christopher provides another extensive recap of the Jardine's saga.

*Brad Cox participates in a brief Q-and-A with The Kansas City Star.

*Mark Lowrey reinterprets the Republic Tigers' "Buildings and Mountains" on his forthcoming album.

*Tommy Johnson Jr.'s connection to Lawrence's jazz scene is examined by The Lawrence Journal-World.  (Via Offstage.)

*One of Marilyn Maye's recent performances with the Heartland Men's Chorus was reviewed by Paul Wilson. (Via Offstage.)

*Victor & Penny are featured in this week's new episode of 12th Street Jump.

*Is a blogger battle brewing?  KCJazzLark once again takes exception to a Plastic Sax post.

*The Marshall Democrat-News reports on plans for next year's Bob James Jazz Festival.

*Matt Otto has made two sets of tracks available as free downloads.

*The man known as Phonologotron has completely revamped his blog.

*Analogue Productions of Salina, Kansas, continues to delight audiophile jazz fans.  Here's a  clip touting new reissues of classic titles on the Prestige label.

*Tweet o' the Week: MayorSlyJames- Saw jazz Harpist Lori Andrews at Blue Room tonight. She couldn't get over how friendly folks in KC are. PROUD OF YOU KC!!

*Comment o' the Week: Michael- The day that music critics call me a "musician's musician" will be a career highlight for me.

*The Kansas City Jazz Calendar has been updated.

*From a press release: “Better to be lucky than smart” was a learning experience passed down from his father to local jazz and blues guitarist Tom DeMasters, as was DeMasters Insurance, LLC in Westport that Tom took over in 1983.  The CD Release Party for Better to Be Lucky will be December 10 from 7-10 p.m. at the Phoenix, 302 W. 8th St. in KCMO (no cover). Tom’s second CD features some of Kansas City’s finest, including internationally-recognized guitarist and KC transplant Jerry Hahn, Tim Whitmer, Wild Women Millie Edwards and Lori Tucker, Rick Huyett, Wayne Hawkins, Ray DeMarchi, Allen Fishell, Andy Hambleton, Bob Jolley, Mike Moreland and Joe Pruessner.

*Rob Scheps reports that he's booked the following dates for a band he'll co-lead with Jerry Dodgion: Thurs April 4- WestChase Grille; Fri. Apr. 5- Lucky Brewgrille; Sun. Apr. 7- House Concert; Wed. Apr. 10- Ottawa University; Thurs. Apr. 11- 12th St. Jump Recording Session; Thurs. Apr. 11- Take Five Coffee Bar; Fri. Apr. 12- Lucky Brewgrille; Fri. Apr 12- Blue Room; Sat. Apr. 13- Lucky Brewgrille with Ron Carlson.

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Review: The Owen/Cox Dance Group at H&R Block City Stage Theater

The People's Liberation Big Band's monthly residency at the RecordBar is one of the most consistently rewarding events in Kansas City.  The opportunity to hear Brad Cox lead an inventive band of forward-thinking musicians in an exemplary listening room is deeply fulfilling. 

Only one thing is lacking- patrons of the Westport venue tend to sit passively even when the music demands movement.  That's just one reason the three performances by The Owen/Cox Dance Ensemble at the H&R Block City Stage Theater in Union Station during the last weekend of October were so essential. 

Motion provided the central theme of the ensemble's showcase.  Titled Theme and Variations, an all-star band led by Brad Cox performed bracing jazz-based compositions as dancers including Cox's partner Jennifer Owens displayed stunning athleticism.

The world premiere of "Theme and Variations for Nine Dancers and Nine Musicians" was the highlight of the program.  Filled with surprises, the multifaceted piece included segments with free jazz, space-age bop and exuberant studies in rhythm.  George Russell and Sun Ra would have been delighted by the contributions made by co-bassists Ben Leifer and Jeff Harshbarger.  And the choreography?  Spectacular!

Saxophonists Matt Otto and Rich Wheeler stood out on "A Tree that is a Tree is not a Tree."  The piece ranged from Gil Evans-esque passages to noisy nods to No Wave.  Fluid blue-clad dancers added congruency.  The introspective minimalism of "Long Day/Good Night" was my favorite selection while the frolicsome skronk of "I Scream, You Scream, We All Scream for Ice Cream" served as a colorful send-off.

The Owen/Cox Dance Group will reprise their acclaimed version of The Nutcracker and the Mouse King with the People's Liberation Big Band on December 22 at the Folly Theater.

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*The Kansas City Star reviewed the Rhythm & Ribs Jazz and Blues Festival.  KCJazzLark provides an account.  UMKC's University News reported on Saturday's event.

*The Pitch named Hermon Mehari "Best Collaborator".  (The publication didn't have any categories dedicated to jazz in its popular annual "Best of" edition.)

*Here's a 15-second video promoting Vijay Iyer's upcoming concert at the Folly Theater.

*Sue Vicory made an appearance on Fox 4 News to promote her Kansas City jazz and blues documentary.  Vicory was also interviewed by Steve Kraske.

*Esperanza Spalding's concert at Helzberg Hall was reviewed by Kristin Shafel Omiccioli.  Mark Edelman also offers an appreciation.

*A nice profile of Marlin Cooper was published by the Wyandotte Daily News.

*The Kansas City Star reviewed Norah Jones' concert at the Midland Theatre.

*Ben Ratliff of The New York Times reviewed a concert by Pat Metheny's Unity Band.

*Tweet o' the Week: Chris HazeltonB3- Hey @MayorSlyJames, we need to start advertising #KCJazz on a national level. Seriously, we've got something special going on in this city.

*Comment o' the Week: Matt Leifer- Anon, I'm not trying to undermine the importance of subtlety of phrasing and dynamics but not everything taught in school is relevant all the time. Maybe part of the reason younger generations don't listen to jazz is because it's too academic too much of the time. 

High artistic standards are a must, and there's a time and place for everything, but I feel that sometimes "piss and vinegar," volume and balls are more called for than the alternative. Especially at a bar marketing toward a younger demographic. Nobody at Kill Devil is listening for subtlety of phrasing, they're looking for a kickass, swinging good time and loud is par for the course in a situation like that. 

That's just my take on things.

*From Bad Cox: Composer and pianist Brad Cox will present a night of music written for his nine-piece ensemble on Sunday, October 21 at 8:00 p.m. at the RecordBar as part of Jeff Harshbarger’s twice-monthly jazz series.  The Brad Cox Nonet consists of a "double trio" configuration (two drum sets, two basses, and two tenor saxophones) augmented by three additional musicians playing percussion and keyboards… The musicians involved include saxophonists Rich Wheeler and Matt Otto, bassists Jeff Harshbarger and Ben Leifer, drummers Scotty McBee and Kent Burnham, percussionists Sam Wisman and Patrick Alonzo Conway, and Brad Cox on Rhodes electric piano.  Much of the music to be performed on the October 21 RecordBar date was written for Owen/Cox Dance Group’s upcoming fall performance, which will take place on October 26, 27 & 28 at the H&R Block City Stage Theater.

*From Take Five Coffee + Bar: Thursday, October 18, 7pm. Rob Scheps with special guest Shunzo Ohno. SPECIAL ENGAGEMENT: New York sax-man Rob Scheps has played at Take Five several times to outrageously big crowds and great reviews. This could be the best yet, as with him will be trumpeter Shunzo Ohno. Shunzo, a luminary in his own right, has played with Art Blakey, Gil Evans, Herbie Hancock and Wayne Shorter. And if you aren't a jazz historian, he's also played with Sting, Dave Matthews and David Byrne. If that wasn't enough, this man has overcome serious adversity to stay one of the best in the business. Go read his story at www.shunzoohno.com, then make absolutely sure you get to Take Five early to get a seat for this performance. Roger Wilder on piano, Bob Bowman on bass, Ryan Lee (back in town for a visit) on drums. No reservations accepted.

Friday, October 19, 8pm. Matt Otto Trio.  Saxophonist Matt Otto’s intensity and command as an improviser, composer and leader will keep us rolling into the weekend in the company of Ben Leifer, bass, and Mike Warren, drums.

Saturday, October 20, 8pm.  Jerry Hahn and Friends.  Renowned jazz guitarist Jerry Hahn will grace Take Five with his trio, featuring Everette DeVan on the organ and Mike Warren on drums. If you haven't seen him yet, do so. You’ll hear stories spun on guitar strings in a way few others can do.

*From Fanny Dunfee: Alaadeen Enterprises Inc. announces two recipients of this year's annual Alaadeen Awards of Excellence. The outstanding achievements of these individuals were acknowledged at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts in Kansas City, Missouri on September 14, 2012. Kerry Strayer, artistic director for the Kansas City Jazz Orchestra, presented the awards during the band's Tribute to the Count Basie Orchestra. The Alaadeen Awards Of Excellence include Jazz awards in two categories: The Alaadeen Achievement of Excellence Award and The Alaadeen Educator of Excellence Award. The recipients are recognized for their creative approach, originality and their ability to reach beyond technical excellence in Jazz music. 

The Alaadeen Achievement of Excellence Award recognizing artistic excellence in Jazz performance was presented to Dennis Winslett. Winslett began his study of the saxophone at the age of 9 in the historic jazz town of Kansas City. Upon moving to Chicago, his full intense sound and high energy free swinging style of improvisation quickly earned him a reputation as an exciting young player to watch. Returning to Kansas City he served as director of education at the American Jazz Museum. Alaadeen and Dennis spent many hours together in which Alaadeen passed on an enormous amount of information to Dennis; passing the torch, so to speak to the next generation. Alaadeen writes about Dennis in his autobiography "Dysfunctional/life journeys of a second generation jazz musician:" "I first taught him when he was in Junior High in Olathe, Kansas and now he's become an excellent saxophonist. One time he played a solo for me. He thought he really killed it. And he did, too, but I told him, 'Yeah, that's Cannonball…now I want to hear Dennis.'

The Alaadeen Educator of Excellence Award recognizing excellence in Jazz education was presented to Kevin Mahogany for his role as a teacher in developing each student's uniqueness. Mahogany began his study of music as a child with piano and later learned to play the clarinet and baritone saxophone, performing with jazz bands and teaching music while still in high school.

A former student of Alaadeen's at The Charlie Parker Foundation, Mahogany exemplifies Alaadeen's belief that the role of the teacher should help the student gain the ability, technique and knowledge to put together a convincing story to tell. With eleven CD's as a leader, and quite a few as a sideman, he has proved to be the quintessential jazz vocalist. Newsweek describes him as " the standout jazz vocalist of his generation." New Yorker magazine writer Whitney Balliet writes, "There is little Mahogany cannot do." Says the LA TIMES, " Mahogany is one of the first truly gifted male vocalists to emerge in years." As a jazz educator, Mahogany has taught at the Berklee College of Music in Boston and the University of Miami.

On presenting the awards, Kerry Strayer the Artistic Director for the Kansas City Jazz Orchestra, commented: “The Kansas City Jazz Orchestra was honored to present the Alaadeen Awards of Excellence at our concert. Alaadeen was a vital part of the Kansas City jazz scene for many decades. His legacy will live on in the works and deeds of his many students and colleagues as they follow his example of passing this music on by sharing it freely with others. Congratulations to Kevin and Dennis.”

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Review: Music for Owen/Cox Dance Group, Vol. 1

The People's Liberation Big Band is arguably the best musical ensemble in Kansas City.  Although it's substantially less popular than Hearts of Darkness, Tech N9ne or the Kansas City Symphony, the band invests an incomparable level of sonic creativity and reckless joy into each of its frequent performances.  That's why a new album with only one track featuring PLBB is noteworthy to fans of adventurous jazz. 

"12 Miniature Blues," the first of three selections on the 2012 release Music for Owen/Cox Dance Group, Vol. 1, contains most of the elements that make PLBB so appealing.  The freewheeling composition is filled with surprises, humor and wondrous waves of sound.  It manages to be entirely original even as it references Thelonious Monk. 

Accordion and drums are the sole instruments on PLBB bandleader Brad Cox's "Shenker's Last Stand."  The rendering resembles jazz accordionist Richard Galliano less than it does the artier works of Astor Piazzola.

To paraphrase a vulgar saying, "Hong Kong Audio Diary" is a 25-minute mind-mess.  Loud, abrasive and freaky, the sound collage includes contributions from a a few members of PLBB along with prominent Kansas City musicians including Beau Bledsoe and Gregory Sandomirsky.  As if Cox is using a remote control rather than a conductor's wand, the piece wobbles from blasts of feedback to Chinese folk  to lounge music to Mars Volta-style prog-rock.  The disorienting piece might be too extreme for even the most open-minded fans of experimental film composers like Ennio Morricone.

Music for Owen/Cox Dance Group, Vol. 1 may not have much of a beat, but the members of the Owen/Cox collective can dance to it.

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

Enough already! I lost the taste for the biggest music-related story in Kansas City on Thursday after calling Jardine's and chatting with Beena (seen here in 2010) about the rumors that were already lighting up the internet. The difficult and complicated situation seems to elicit the worst traits of otherwise decent people. Here's a list of related links:

*Tony Botello notes the story here and here.

*Hearne Christoper covers the story here and here.

*A television reporter filed a story.

*Here's a take sympathetic to Jardine's former staff.

*Charles Ferruza chimes in.

*A former employee created a Help the Jardine's 15 Have a Merry Christmas Facebook group.

*KCJazzLark prudently looks at the big picture.

*The Star reports that the Terpsichore installation in the garage at the Kauffman Center made its official debut last week. It contains a contribution from Bobby Watson.

*Pat Metheny's What's It All About received a Grammy nomination in the Best New Age Album category and Karrin Allyson's 'Round Midnight is up for Best Jazz Vocal Album. Here's the complete list of nominees.

*Patrick Neas cites The People's Liberation Big Band's version of The Nutcracker Suite.

*Brad Cox is interviewed by The Pitch.

*Charles Ferruza laments the shuttering of Benton's and Skies, two restaurants that featured live jazz.

*Leah Sproul Pulatie is interviewed at the site of the Black House Improvisors' Collective.

*Phonologotronic shares his appreciation of Nine Inch Nails.

*Locally-based jazz critic Chris Robinson posts his top ten albums of 2011.

*David Basse hosted a celebration of Mike Melvoin's career in California.

*A new version of the Charlie Parker-inspired Super Sax concept has sprung up in New Mexico.

*Joe Klopus reports that an injury will prevent Kevin Mahogany from performing with The Kansas City Jazz Orchestra this weekend.

*Tweet o' the Week: KCTrumpeter- Defending @paynic to no end on FB! Trying to understand him and myself at the same time. #mfconpn

*From KTWU via Sue Vicory: The documentary Kansas City Jazz & Blues: Past, Present & Future will be aired on January 1, 2012 at 4:55pm. It is repeating on our digital channel 11.3 (KTWU Enhance) on Friday, January 6th at 7pm.

*From Michael Pagan: Reflections of Jazz Trilogy Receives Encore Presentation In The Blue Room December 15th. Jazz pianist/composer Michael Pagán will join forces with bassist Bob Bowman, drummer Ray DeMarchi, and saxophonist David Chael for a reprise performance of three jazz compositions inspired by artwork recently shown at the American Jazz Museum.

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Kansas City's Jazz Geniuses

Jazz percussionist and composer Dafnis Prieto was awarded the MacArthur Foundation's so-called "genius grant" last week. Who on Kansas City's jazz scene qualifies as a potential recipient? The MacArthur Foundation rewards "talented individuals who have shown extraordinary originality and dedication in their creative pursuits and a marked capacity for self-direction." I'm nominating ten individuals accordingly. A brief explanation follows each selection.

1. Black House Improvisors' Collective- aggregated creativity (I'm not entirely certain who's responsible for the collective.)

2. Beau Bledsoe- musical brilliance, musical proselytism

3. Leon and Linda Brady- music education, moral guidance, musical proselytism

4. Chris Burnett- economic applications, musical proselytism

5. Brad Cox- musical brilliance

6. Jeff Harshbarger- musical brilliance, musical proselytism

7. Larry Kopitnik- historic preservation, institutional memory, musical proselytism

8. Hermon Mehari- musical brilliance, musical proselytism

9. Matt Otto- musical brilliance

10. Bobby Watson- musical brilliance, music education

Feel free to disparage my picks or suggest who I have incomprehensibly overlooked. (I ruled out artists including Bob Brookmeyer, Pat Metheny, Harold O'Neal and Logan Richardson on the basis that they don't reside in the area.)

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Jazz Is Up to Date

"The impact that someone like John Coltrane had on the music... has jazz had anyone one like that in the last decade or even fifteen years, because I'm thinking, 'Not really.'"

Steve Kraske, my favorite radio talk show personality, posed that question on his KCUR program last week. (Download a podcast of the April 29 show here.) Although Kraske's query wasn't directed at me, I'm compelled to respond.

Jazz's diminished popularity means that it's simply no longer possible for a jazz artist to have the impact Coltrane had in the '60s. That doesn't mean, however, that quiet revolutions aren't occurring at this very moment. Two contemporary trends, I believe, qualify.

The first is the exciting wave of classically-influenced jazz that's presented and recorded with a rock sensibility. Key figures in this movement are the Esbjorn Svensson Trio, The Bad Plus, James Farm, and Brad Mehldau. Kansas City's Brad Cox is part of this scene.

The second "new thing" is the ongoing integration of hip hop and jazz. Robert Glasper and Nicholas Payton are obvious examples. Ryan Lee, Ben Leifer and Hermon Mehari of the locally-based Diverse are also in this camp. Kansas City's Mark Lowrey does a bit of both.

I'm certainly not the first to identify these developments but I probably qualify as one of the most enthusiastic advocates of both new schools. That said, my favorite jazz album of 2011 is Joe Lovano's Bird Songs. It has nothing to do with either trend.

(Original image of Ambrose Akinmusire sign by Plastic Sax.)

Now's the Time: The People's Liberation Big Band

International Workers' Day is a big deal for the People's Liberation Big Band. As its current Kickstarter campaign suggests, the collective engages in the "occasional encouragement of class warfare." PLBB demonstrates Sunday, May 1, at the Record Bar.