Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*The Sextet uploaded a brief recap of its recent album release show and its Star Sessions appearance (here’s one of four segments) to YouTube.

*The Kansas City Star recommended a concert by the Branford Marsalis Quartet.

*“That’s My Jazz”, the 13-minute documentary about Milt Abel Jr. and his father first mentioned at this site in March, now streams online.

*Tweet o’ the Week: Johnson County Community College- We have your Thursday night plans! Brighten your mood with memorable melodies and toe-tapping jazz and blues from the Midnight Express Jazz Band and Faculty Quintet.

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*Since the founding of Plastic Sax in 2007, I’ve made a point of staying out of the business of The Kansas City Jazz Ambassadors.  With apologies to the Plastic Sax readers who have encouraged me to comment on the ongoing behind-the-scenes drama at the organization, I’m not about to start now.

*Justin Binek and John Stafford discussed Kansas City Kansas Community College’s jazz program on a morning television program.

*Jefferson City’s News Tribune published an article about Mike Ning.

*Milt Abel, Jr. recalls his father in a profile at The Daily Beast.

*Tweet o’ the Week: Drew Williams- How wild is it that in New York, there are entire jazz scenes that think music made after 1940 is way too hip??? Like, if your pants don’t go up to your nipples, what are you even doing?

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*That’s My Jazz, a short documentary in which “Milt Abel II, a world-renowned pastry chef, reflects on his relationship with his deceased father Milton Abel Sr., famed Kansas City jazz musician,” will be screened at a film festival in New York City next month.

*The Pitch reports that John Scott, the man behind the jazz venues Green Lady Lounge and Black Dolphin, has assumed control of operations at the midtown space formerly occupied by Uptown Arts Bar.

*KC Studio published a profile of Marcus Lewis.

*Alex Abramovitz chatted with Joe Dimino.

*The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis is returning to the Midland theatre to play a Christmas-themed concert on December 5.

*Tweet o’ the Week: Tony’s Kansas City- The Uptown Arts Bar Was Always Sketchy But Recently Denizens Of The Establishment Had Failed To Inspire Creativity And Now More Sober Management Hopes For A Turnaround. More Backhanded Hints About Why This Biz FAILED As Broadway Corridor Struggles

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*The Kansas City Jazz Orchestra unveiled its 2016-17 concert season.

*KCUR aired a segment about Matt Hopper.

*The Pitch plugged Hermon Mehari’s regular appearances at The Majestic.

*The Kansas City Star reviewed Roy Ayers’ concerts at the Blue Room.

*Marc Myers extols John Park’s If Winter Comes, an out-of-print album that includes tracks recorded in Kansas City in 1975 with George Salisbury, Milt Abel and Leon Brady.

*The Wichita Eagle published an interesting profile about a smooth jazz crusader.

*The Kansas City Star provides an update on the funding initiative for the Jazz District.

*KCUR examines a potential makeover for a few structures in the Jazz District.

*An editorial published by a libertarian think tank cites the public’s disinterest in jazz- “(w)e’re just not that into it”- as one reason the proposed funding for the Jazz District is ill-advised.

*The editorial board of The Kansas City Star questions the wisdom of the $27 million funding proposal for the Jazz District.

*“Jazz Speaks for Life: Discovering the Civil Rights Journey Through Visual and Musical Expression,” a new exhibit at the American Jazz Museum, is examined by The Kansas City Star.

*KC Jazz Lark highlights articles from the new edition of Jam magazine.

*A television station reports that several shots were fired in the Jazz District on Sunday night in an apparent robbery attempt.

*Tweet o’ the Week: Greg Franklin- Watched an incredible Roy Ayers set tonight in Kansas City. Turned around and Tyler The Creator was singing every song right behind me.

*Comment o’ the Week: Gary- Call me late to the party but "Shift" is really great. As always thanks, BB.

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

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)