Album Review: The Brandon Draper Quintet- Live 7/1-2/2010

Brandon Draper did connoisseurs of Kansas City’s jazz scene a tremendous favor on July 16 when he made thrilling music culled from a pair of live 2010 dates available as a free download.

Live 7/1-2/2010 features tenor saxophonist Rich Wheeler, trombonist Kevin Cerovich, vibraphonist Peter Schlamb, bassist Craig Akin and drummer/percussionist Draper collaborating at the since-shuttered Jardine’s.

The 80 minutes of stellar improvisations range from jubilant Kansas City swing to experiments that recall Alaturka, the Turkish jazz band that includes Draper and Wheeler.  The interplay between Wheeler and Schlamb occasionally evokes Out To Lunch, the 1964 masterpiece that featured Eric Dolphy and Bobby Hutcherson.

The newly unearthed recordings may be six years old, but music this good is timeless.

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*Bobby Watson will participate in a Community Stories event at the Black Archives on Thursday, June 30.

*The Pitch and The Kansas City Star recommend Allison Miller’s Boom Tic Boom show at the Blue Room.

*The Los Angeles Times catches up with Kansas City native Betty Bryant.

*A television station reported on a screening of a documentary titled “18th Street Lives.”

*KC Jazz Lark continues to promote the most recent issue of Jam magazine.

*Tweet o’ the Week: Joe Dimino- My new sounds: Former KC & Current NYC Jazz Bassist Craig Akin Plugs Neon Jazz on SoundCloud

*From a press release: Chris Hazelton clearly represents the next generation of Kansas City Jazz greats. He’s had the honor of honing his skills on the Hammond B-3 organ with mentoring by legendary musicians both on the local scene and in New York City… Be prepared to boogie down with one of the best! 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 6, 2016. Unity Temple on the Plaza. $7.

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)