Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*According to event organizer Lori Chandler, the Musicians for Molly benefit at Mod Gallery on Sunday, July 14, raised more than $20,000.

*Matt Otto is profiled by an in-house publication of the University of Kansas.

*The offerings of the 2019 edition of the Charlie Parker Celebration organized by KC Jazz Alive include a concert featuring locally based musicians at Liberty Performing Arts Theatre on August 23. 

*Tweet o’ the Week: Jazzy 88 WFSK- Tune-in on Thusdays to hear WFSK'S Artist of the Week! This week's Artist of the Week is Bassists Julian Vaughn, his new release is entitled "Supreme"! Although the bass is often associated with funk, Vaughn likes to play with more of a finesse style as well as some funk.

*From a press release: Join the American Jazz Museum for an entire month of programming celebrating Charlie “Bird” Parker… Charlie Parker’s plastic Grafton Saxophone, played in the now famous 1953 Jazz at Massey Hall concert, is on display in the Museum’s permanent exhibit. This August, the American Jazz Museum presents four free unique public programs, exhibits, and performances honoring Parker’s legacy.  Charlie Parker: Ready, Set, Bird! - Friday, Aug. 2nd; Charlie Parker: Bird’s The Word - Friday, Aug. 16th; Charlie Parker: Expectations of Bird - Saturday, Aug. 24th; Charlie Parker: Bird’s Fixings - Thursday, August 29th. Details are here.

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*Lori Chandler ponders the relationship between jazz performers and audiences.

*An outing by Havilah Bruders and Charles Williams is praised by a blogger.

*Chris Burnett is profiled by The Leavenworth Times.

*Joe Dimino documented the Yellowjackets’ concert at the Folly Theater.  He also attended a jam session hosted by the Waldo Jazz Collective.

*Dean Minderman of St. Louis Jazz Notes previews a performance by Jamie Branch.

*Tweet o’ the Week: KansasCityJazzCynic- It seems as though if it were not for the support from other jazz musicians, this city would have no support for their jazz musicians..

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Now's the Time: Weekly News & Notes

*Tim Finn reports on Lori Chandler’s new Take Five Music Productions endeavor.

*Calvin Wilson wrote a profile of Doreen Maronde for KC Studio.

*The Marcus Lewis Big Band’s appearance at the Open Spaces festival was documented by David Basse for University News.

*Winners in The Pitch’s annual poll include Green Lady Lounge (Best Blues Venue, Best Jazz Venue and Best Nightclub), Molly Hammer (Best Jazz Artist), A La Mode (Best Jazz Band) and the Kansas City Kansas Street Blues Festival (Best Jazz Event).

*Tweet o’ the Week: Kauffman Center- Don't miss The Kansas City Jazz Orchestra’s season-opener “Autumn In New York” on Oct. 12 at the Kauffman Center. The performance will feature classic charts by Stan Kenton, Woody Herman, Buddy Rich, and more! Tickets: (link)

*From a press release: New Originals for the Green Lady is the fourth album length release by the Kansas City group OJT (organ jazz trio).  This release features original compositions by Ken Lovern and Brian Baggett and one completely improvised piece titled Back Yard Improv Jam.  New Originals is the follow up album to New Standards for the Green Lady, a 2015 release that gave the group’s unique organ jazz treatment to pop tunes of the last few decades.  OJT now makes a more unique and personal musical statement with a full length album of original music.  Both of these releases feature Ken Lovern on hammond organ, Brian Baggett on guitar, and Kevin Frazee on drums… New Originals will be available on November 7, 2018 in collectible green vinyl, traditional black vinyl, CD, and downloads… OJT plays at Green Lady Lounge every Wednesday and Saturday, so if you are in Kansas City there are plenty of chances to catch the group.

*From a press release: The Carlsen Center at Johnson County Community College presents its ninth year of Winterlude, spotlighting jazz in full-length evening performances. The 2018-2019 season kicks off with Marilyn Maye, “90 at Last,” featuring the Kansas City Jazz Orchestra on Sunday, Nov. 11 at 7 p.m. in Yardley Hall… Local groups playing in the Winterlude series include: Angela Hagenbach Quintet: Dec. 2; Eddie Moore and Pamela Baskin-Watson: Jan. 20; Hot Club KC: Feb. 24; Cubanisms: March 17. These performances will take place at 7 p.m. in the Carlsen Center Polsky Theatre.

(Original image from a festival in Kentucky by Plastic Sax.)