Review: Sir Threadius Mongus at La Esquina

Imagine you intended to form a jazz-based band in Kansas City. Who would you pick to join your ensemble? Jeff Davis chose wisely. The version of Sir Threadius Mongus that performed Friday at La Esquina included Matt Otto, Russell Thorpe and Andrew McGhie on reeds, Stan Kessler on trumpet, Mike Stover on bass and Jonathan Taylor on drums. Davis plays guitar.

That band could play most anything, including Davis' dense Mingus-inspired compositions. Here's an example. Davis, to his credit, didn't take a single solo in the thirty minutes I was there. (First Friday's siren song is irresistible.)

Aside from the screech of trains slowing down as they passed through downtown ("coal-trains" a witty friend accurately observed), La Esquina served as an ideal performance space. Yet in spite of the free beer, absence of a cover charge and a promotional push by the Charlotte Street Foundation, only a handful of people attended.

Everyone else missed out on something special.

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Thriving On a Riff: Sir Threadius Mongus

This, my Kansas City jazz friends, is how it's done.

Sue Vicory's film aside, I've long lamented the lack of decent video documenting Kansas City's current jazz scene. The embedded clip- raw but professional- captures the essence of the Sir Threadius Mongus aesthetic. Although it looks like a lot of work went into it, the video probably didn't cost much to produce.

Recorded at the R Bar on December 16, 2010, the video serves as a teaser for the collective's forthcoming Threads release. Here's the lineup: Russell Thorpe- bass clarinet, Matt Otto- tenor, Patrick Ketter- tenor, Matt Hayes- bass, Annie Ellicott- vocals, Jonathan Taylor- drums and Jeff Davis- guitar and composition.

More like this, please.

Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*Jeff Davis, perhaps best known for his association with Sir Threadius Mongus, gave me permission to link to a new track titled "A Thread". The lineup is Matt Otto - tenor, Andrew McGhie - tenor, Russell Thorpe - bass clarinet, Jeff Davis - guitar and composition, Mike Stover - bass and Pat Adams - drums. This amazing music is particularly pertinent considering recent heated discussions like this about what constitutes the true sound of Kansas City jazz in 2011.

*Diana Krall and Itzhak Perlman will perform with the Kansas City Symphony on September 17, the "grand opening night" of Helzberg Hall at the Kauffman Center.

*Andrew Mcghie is featured in an interview at the Black House Improvisors' Collective site.

*The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum has a new president.

*Typically great photos of Matt Otto's group are shared by KCJazzLark.

*Bill Blankenship offers a roundup of live jazz in Topeka.

*Kansas City pianist Ronald Brown has died.

*Big show announcements and reminders: The Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey kick off a tour at Crosstown Station on Wednesday, March 30. The legendary Benny Golson will appear at the Blue Room on Friday, April 1. Joe Lovano plays the Folly Theater on Saturday, April 2. Kerry Strayer's 17-piece big band will be at Jardine's on Sunday, April 3. The Jeff Hamilton Trio perform at Jardine's on May 20 & 21. Marilyn Maye returns to Jardine's for an extended run June 14-19.

*We!, a jazz-related performance art piece, was reviewed by Tim Finn.

*An artist, an art gallery, a magazine and musician Sonny Simmons combine forces in an unusual homage to Charlie Parker.

*The Telegraph featured Joe Lovano's tribute to Charlie Parker.

*Tweet o' the Week: Kmahogany: Clyde Stubblefield is killing it on Jimmy Fallon show!!

*Nicholas Payton retweeted Clint Ashlock.

*Press release via Stan Kessler: The 4th Annual Masters of KC Jazz Fundraiser for Kansas City Youth Jazz is really going to be hopping this year as the organization is throwing a Big Band Dinner Dance featuring The Abel Ramirez Big Band, with special performances by the KCYJ Reno Band and combos. The dinner and dance will take place on Sunday, April 10, 2011, from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at The Madrid Theater... Details are here.

*From Jim Mair: The Kansas City High School All Star Jazz Ensemble will perform at Jardines on Tuesday April 5 at 5:30pm. Also included on the bill are “The Standard” Vocal Jazz ensemble from KCKCC and the KCKCC Jazz Combo. The Kansas City High School All Star Jazz Ensemble is made up of All State and All District Jazz students from across the metro. Although groups like this exist all over the continent this is actually a first for Kansas City...

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)