Now's the Time: Richard Ross

Joe Cartwright recently made the world a better place with his upload of a jubilant 1984 performance by the Richard Ross Trio.  The invaluable footage features the late drummer, vocalist and bandleader, pianist Cartwright and bassist Gerry Leonard tearing into a blues number.  Ruth Rhoden, the co-host of KCUR’s sorely missed program Just Jazz, eggs them on.

Album Review: A Kansas City Trumpet Summit

A void that remains unfilled was created when KCUR's weekly show "Just Jazz" ended its long run in 2005.   Co-hosts Ginney Coleman and Ruth Rhoden valued swing above all else.  Their unwavering advocacy of locally-produced mainstream jazz is sorely missed.

The women would have almost certainly championed A Kansas City Trumpet Summit as one of the most important albums to emerge from the regional scene in years.  Gorgeous even on the uptempo selections, the project is unflaggingly tasteful.

The showcase for Stan Kessler, Hermon Mehari and Mike Metheny doesn't feature fiery battles.  Instead, it's an elegant exercise in cooperation.  Pianist T.J. Martley, bassist Gerald Spaits and drummer Brian Steever provide support.

The liner notes of the CD indicate the order of solos, but anyone who's logged much time in Kansas City's jazz venues won't need to consult them.  Each man has a clearly defined approach.  (The distinction is made even clearer when Metheny picks up his EVI.)

The playing is uniformly impeccable.  In fact, the absence of grit is a bit disarming.  The flawless sheen of the production may disappoint anyone who prefers a greasier sound.  Even a version of Jimmy Smith's "Back at the Chicken Shack" is as clean as a whistle.  The production and the material align on the ballads.  The Metheny feature "For Parkville," the album's closing track, is rapturously beautiful.

It's a shame that Ginney and Ruth aren't around to broadcast the good word. 

Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*KCJazzLark tells the story behind a historic facade in the Jazz District.

*The 2010-11 season of the Kansas City Jazz Orchestra has been announced.

*KCUR's KC Currents eulogizes Ruth Rhoden. She's also remembered by KCJazzLark.

*A visit to the American Jazz Museum rates on JazzTimes' jazz bucket list. (Tip via AZ.)

*The Pitch chats with Mark Lowrey.

*A blogger is mystified by fresh digging at the Charlie Parker grave site. I provided my best guess in his comment section but I suspect I'm wrong.

*Barbara Thomas of the American Jazz Museum is interviewed by the local NBC affiliate.

*KMBZ covered the "piano-thon" at the Mutual Musicians Foundation.

*The latest album from Michael Pagan's trio is characterized as an "exceedingly pleasant release" by a California publication.

*Mike Metheny created an atmospheric video for a track from his new album. He chats about Miles Davis in this podcast. "It was great music to make out to," Metheny says of Kind of Blue. All of Metheny's commentary is fascinating.

*A blogger reports on his first visit to the American Jazz Museum.

*Here's a fan video of Orrin Evans' recent appearance at the Blue Room.

*Pete Dulin profiled Mixed Method.

*Playboy magazine listed the Mutual Musicians Foundation in its "Guide to America’s Greatest Bars."

*"If Charlie Parker seems a less filthy racket today than he did in 1950 it is only because... much filthier rackets succeeded him." The Independent examines poet Phillip Larkin's difficult relationship with jazz.

*The following notice about a July 25 appearance by Pearl Thuston-Brown was posted at the Facebook account of GiGi's on Troost: Kansas City's Own Legendary Jazz Pianist, Vocalist, and Song Stylist invites YOU to celebrate another fabulous birthday. Come dressed in roaring 20's attire and be transported to the GOLDEN AGE of Jazz and American Song.

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*Ruth Rhoden, co-host of KCUR's Just Jazz show for 23 years, has died. Here's her obituary. This video captures much of her sensibility.

*From Alaadeen's (public) Facebook account on July 11: Greetings to all of our friends and loved ones. Some of you may know that Alaadeen has been engaged in a major battle with cancer for the last few months. We are asking you to join in thru prayer and and by sending all of the positive energy and love you have to help honor his fight. Alaadeen has shared that he still has work to do! We will keep you posted. Peace.

*Hermon Mehari placed second in the jazz improvisation competition of the International Trumpet Guild. His misspelled name is on the list of winners here. Mehari is pictured with the other finalists on page 9 of a PDF. (Tip and text courtesy of KCJazzLark.)

*Greg Carroll of the American Jazz Museum was interviewed by KMBC.

*Here's the schedule for January's Jazz Winterlude.

*CrossCurrent is featured by KCJazzLark.

*Former Canadian Jim Mair will lead the Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra in a performance of Benny Carter's "Kansas City Suite."

*Tim Finn composed an excellent review of Saturday's Hearts of Darkness concert. The Pitch posted pictures.

*The Pitch reviewed Mark Lowrey's tribute to Radiohead.

*Mike Malaker of Mixed Method is interviewed by Ink.

*An item in The Kansas City Business Journal suggests that jazz acts occasionally perform in a downtown clothing boutique.

*Here's a promotional video of sorts for an outfit called The Kansas City Jazz Machine.

*A set of Dave Stephens-related photos is provided by KC Dance. (Tip via Tony's Kansas City.)

*A lavish 16-page brochure for the 2010-11 season of Jazz St. Louis hit my mailbox today. Here's a partial list of artists appearing east of Kansas City: Kenny Barron with Mulgrew Miller, Regina Carter, Stanley Clarke, The Jazz Crusaders featuring Joe Sample, Wayne Henderson and Wilton Felder and jazz-artist-of-the-moment Chris Potter.

*While poking around at the American Jazz Museum's site I discovered that discounted tickets to the forthcoming Rhythm & Ribs Festival are on sale now.

*From Chris Ellman: The newly established Kansas City School of Indian Arts would like to invite you to our first event in August. Sandip Burman, an established Indian Classical Musician will be offering two Master Classes on Tabla, Sitar, and Voice. I've attended several of Mr. Burman's Master Classes; this is a wonderful opportunity to discover how Indian Classical Music can integrate with Western Music. All musicians are welcome. Space is limited; reserve your seat soon. Specific date/time to follow. For details regarding location, date/time, and cost, please contact Chris Ellman at chris@kcschoolofindianarts.org or (913) 568-8415.

*From a press release: Jardine’s Restaurant,Kansas City’s preeminent jazz venue, will be jumping to the sounds of The Wild Women of Jazz, along with special guests Chris Burnett (saxophone), Stan Kessler (trumpet), Jason Goudeau (trombone), Greg Richtor (keyboards) and others as they host a very special benefit concert in support of Kansas City Youth Jazz.

*From Chris Burnett: Just wanted to let you know that the KC Youth Jazz Program's Reno Band (Mr. Brady's top group) and the 12:30 Combo that I direct will be performing at the Kansas Bandmasters Convention in Wichita next Friday. I think this is pretty cool, particularly for the young kids that I teach there... Learning how to improvise is what the 12:30 Combo is about.

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Emily Remler Talks To Ruth Rhoden

The YouTube treasures just keep on comin'. Here's beloved Kansas City jazz personality Ruth Rhoden interviewing guitarist Emily Remler in 1989. Unlike Rhoden's infamous exchanges with Ginny Coleman on KCUR's Just Jazz, her conversation with Remler is merely mildly awkward. Here's some live footage from the Boulevard Beat, which I believe was located in the space now occupied by Lulu's Thai Noodle Shop at 333 Southwest Boulevard. Remler died the following year.