Album Review: Steve Cardenas- Blue Has a Range

Pat Metheny employs a vast sonic canvas on From This Place.  I praise Metheny's evocation of the “incalculable immensity of space” in my review of his new album.  Steve Cardenas, the second most artistically renowned living jazz guitarist from the Kansas City area, takes the opposite approach on Blue Has a Range.  Released on Sunnyside Records on July 10, the album is a dazzling miniature. 

Cardenas and his celebrated collaborators- pianist Jon Cowherd, bassist Ben Allison and drummer Brian Blade- prove that small-scale refinement can be just as profound as loud flamboyance.  The variations on the blues implied by the title may be subtly articulated, but they express enormous ideas.  Cowherd’s excellent playing emphasizes the influence of Thelonious Monk on Cardenas’ compositions.   All four members of the band leaven their knotty inclinations with thoughtful serenity.

Although “Reflector” is an undeniable earworm, the quiet gracefulness of tracks including “Language of Love” may struggle to capture the attention they deserve in a world dominated by flashiness.  Yet the stunning magnification of intimate beauty will be revealed to listeners willing to pay close attention to the hushed Blue Has a Range.

(Original image of the Mediterranean Sea by Plastic Sax.)

Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*Steve Cardenas’ new album Blue Has a Range will be released on July 10.

*Three news reports- here, here and here- document and analyze recent fatal shootings in the Jazz District.

*A city councilman lobbies for the relaxation of regulations in the Jazz District in an effort to attract party-minded revelers.

*Tweet o’ the Week: James De Noir- I want everybody to tune in this week for the @jazzwalkkc Jazzy Jamdemic Live Stream. I’ll be blessing the stage of the Historic Gem Theater. You don’t want to miss this!

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*Wynton Marsalis chatted with Steve Kraske about Rock Chalk Suite on KCUR’s Up To Date.

*Brandon McCray died from a coronavirus-related illness.  The saxophonist was 52.

*Brian Scarborough’s debut album will be released August 7.

*Joe Dimino interviewed Chris Burnett, Jeff Harshbarger and Matt Kane.

*Tweet o’ the Week: Green Lady Lounge- Steve Cardenas - RR (Composer: Steve Cardenas) #Jazz #NowPlaying #KansasCityJazz Green Lady Radio

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Plastic Fantastic

If someone absolutely had to appropriate the name of my Kansas City jazz blog, I’m glad the culprit is Ted Nash.  Beginning with his 2012 album The Creep, the outstanding saxophonist has issued recordings on his in-house record label label Plastic Sax.  (This site was founded in 2007.)  The new Plastic Sax album Somewhere Else is a trio recording featuring Nash, the Kansas City guitarist Steve Cardenas and bassist Ben Allison.  It features sublime interpretations of eleven selections from “West Side Story.”  The name of Nash’s record label may be borrowed, but the ideas explored on Somewhere Else are admirably original.

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Now's the Time: Adam Nussbaum's Lead Belly Project

Jazz renditions of songs associated with the blues icon Lead Belly doesn’t seem like a promising proposition.  Yet Adam Nussbaum validates the unusual concept with his Lead Belly Project.  The drummer will be joined by guitarist Steve Cardenas (his third Kansas City appearance in four months!), guitarist Nate Radley and saxophonist Ohad Talmor in the intimate Gospel Lounge at Knuckleheads on Thursday, March 21.  The performance is one of the date’s 19 shows listed on The Kansas City Jazz Calendar.

Concert Review: Ben Allison's Think Free at Mod Gallery

Ben Allison menacingly lurched toward Steve Cardenas at Mod Gallery on Sunday, February 17.  An instant before it seemed as if the bassist was about to strike the guitarist who was shredding with unconscious abandon, Allison pulled back and smiled.

The theatrical gesture reflected the threatening tone of the first set of the touring quartet from New York.  Violence was implied in Cardenas’ furious guitar attack.  Allison’s electric bass rumbled like a tank brigade while the drumming of Allan Mednard ricocheted off the bare walls of the room like the blasts of a machine gun.  Trumpeter Shane Endsley of Kneebody was often overpowered by his bandmates.  (Here’s a representative snippet.)

The volume was justified.  The longtime collaborators continue to make vital and consistently surprising music.  While I was eager to hear a few more selections featuring Allison on acoustic bass in subsequent sets, I abandoned the audience of about 60 at Mod Gallery for a different type of thrill a few blocks away.

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Concert Review: Steve Cardenas at Black Dolphin

The band dropped out as Matt Otto took a solo on a bracing version of Ornette Coleman’s “Congeniality” at Black Dolphin on Thursday.  The saxophonist’s statement was so enthralling that even an offensively inattentive person at the bar fell silent.  Otto’s incandescent statement was the standout moment of the 80-minute opening set of an ensemble led by the New York based guitarist Steve Cardenas.  He was accompanied by Otto, trumpeter Dave Scott, bassist Ben Leifer and drummer Marty Morrison.  A full house of about 100 attended the free show.  Otto’s solo was the most blatantly adventurous outburst of the set, but Cardenas’ thoughtful solos intimated similarly knotty concepts. Video snippets of the show were captured by Joe Dimino and Plastic Sax.

Setlist: Spring (Matt Otto), Congeniality (Ornette Coleman), Song For Janie (Dave Scott, title uncertain), Subconscious-Lee (Lee Konitz), New Moon (Steve Cardenas), Rhythm-a-Ning (Thelonious Monk).

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Now's the Time: Steve Cardenas

Steve Cardenas usually returns to his old stomping grounds in Kansas City during the holiday season.  The New York based guitarist will perform at Black Dolphin on Thursday, Dec. 27.  The selection featured in the embedded video is from Cardenas’ vinyl-only 2018 release Charlie & Paul.  The Kansas City Jazz Calendar compiles all of the area’s listings.

Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*Marcus Lewis is a recipient of a 2018 Generative Performing Artist Award from the Charlotte Street Foundation.

*Bill Frisell, Thomas Morgan and Rudy Royston will perform at the 1900 Building on April 8.  Tickets are available here.

*Share Valleau objects to the tone of an editorial about the Jazz District published by The Kansas City Star.

*Tweet o’ the Week: Pat Metheny News- A new Japanese book called 'Listen to Pat Metheny 1974->2017' will come out 03/07/2018 (thnksM)

*From a press release: The American Jazz Museum, in partnership with Kansas City Public Library and The Kansas City Jazz Orchestra, announces its first ever Jazz Wikipedia Edit-A-Thon, which takes place on Monday, March 5, from 3:00 to 7:00 pm in the Atrium of the American Jazz Museum. The goal of this event is to create and edit articles which preserve Kansas City jazz history, from local musicians, to historic jazz clubs in the 18th & Vine and the 12th & Vine districts, to the community leaders whose legacies continue to live on.

*From a press release: Steve Cardenas' “Charlie and Paul” kicks off Newvelle Records' Third Season. The recording is a deeply personal statement about his long standing band mates Charlie Haden and Paul Motian… Newvelle Records releases music exclusively on vinyl and in six record box sets. Members subscribe to a season and receive one record every two months over the course of a year.

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Now's the Time: Steve Cardenas

Steve Cardenas will perform with Forest Stewart and Brian Steever at the Green Lady Lounge on Wednesday, December 27.  After leaving Kansas City in the 1990s, the adventurous guitarist played in bands led by jazz luminaries including Paul Motian, Charlie Haden and Steve Swallow.  Cardenas has also released four albums as a leader.

Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*Plastic Sax is pleased to unveil the unveil the lineup of the 2015 edition of the Prairie Village Jazz Festival.  The September 12 event will be headlined by the pairing of the McFadden Brothers and the Kansas City Jazz Orchestra.  Angela Hagenbach, Matt Kane and the Kansas City Generations Sextet, Horacescope, Tyrone Clark and True Dig, the Peter Schlamb Quartet and the Shawnee Mission East Blue Knights round out the lineup.  Set times, complete personnel listings and details about the price of admission are at the conclusion of this post.

*The initial offerings at the new site Inside Jazz Kansas City include essays by Michael Shults on jazz pedagogy, Stan Kessler on versatility and Clint Ashlock on friendship.

*KC Jazz Lark documents a performance by the trio of Ben Allison, Steve Cardenas and Brian Steever at the Blue Room.

*The AM Trio was featured on KCUR’s weekly Local Listen segment.

*ARC Week at the Blue Room was highlighted by Joe Klopus. The Pitch also recommends the concert series.

*Ink notes the return of Krystle Warren.

*Pat Metheny: The Unity Sessions will be released on DVD and Blu Ray on September 18.

*The Kansas City Star reports on a new study that examines the link between the Crossroads and Jazz districts.

*Tweet o’ the Week: Gaslight Grill- We have a few tables available for tonight's performance by The New Red Onion Jazz Babies! Call 913-897-3540 to make reservations!

*Comment o' the Week: Gary- It was nice of Charlie Watts to remind the city of its jazz heritage. I wonder if that many of the concert-goers realized that.

*The Prairie Village Jazz Festival
Saturday, September 12, 2015
$5 Admission (18 years of age and under, free)

2:30 – 3:00 p.m. Shawnee Mission East Blue Knights
This band’s rich tradition includes being named a finalist in the Essentially Ellington Jazz Band Competition, with an invitation to perform in Lincoln Center.
               
3:20 – 4:10 p.m. Peter Schlamb Quartet
Peter Schlamb, vibraphone, Hermon Mehari, trumpet, Karl McComas-Reichl, bass, John Kizilarmut, drums
These young Kansas City musicians have toured the Midwest performing original compositions and be-bop standards behind the unique voicing of trumpet and vibes.
               
4:30 – 5:20 p.m. Tyrone Clark and True Dig
Tyrone Clark, bass, Lisa Henry, vocals, Charles Williams, piano, Charles Gatschet, guitar, Michael Warren, drums
Tyrone played bass with both of last year’s headline acts. This year he brings his own stellar ensemble, including vocalist Lisa Henry.
               
5:40 – 6:30 p.m. Horacescope
Stan Kessler, trumpet, David Chael, saxophone, Roger Wilder, piano, James Albright, bass, Sam Wisman, drums
With a group of Kansas City jazz masters led by trumpeter Stan Kessler, Horacescope plays the music of noted pianist and composer Horace Silver.
               
6:50 – 7:40 p.m. Matt Kane and the Kansas City Generations Sextet
Matt Kane, drums, Michael Shults, alto saxophone, Steve Lambert, tenor saxophone and flute, Hermon Mehari, trumpet, Andrew Ouellette, piano, Ben Leifer, bass
Matt Kane saw the incredible young talent dominating KC jazz today and gathered some of the best into his Generations Sextet. Their new CD presents their take on compositions by Pat Metheny, Bobby Watson and Ahmad Alaadeen. This show is their exclusive Kansas City engagement.
               
8:00 – 8:55 p.m. Angela Hagenbach
Angela Hagenbach, vocals, Roger Wilder, piano, Danny Embrey, guitar, Zach Beeson, bass, Doug Auwarter, drums
Angela Hagenbach’s magnificent voice has been a Kansas City favorite for over two decades. It’s about time we showcase her in this festival!
               
9:15 – 10:30 p.m. The McFadden Brothers with The Kansas City Jazz Orchestra
Lonnie and Ronnie McFadden, tap dancers, with The Kansas City Jazz Orchestra directed by Clint Ashlock
The tap dancing McFadden Brothers, a Kansas City treasure, have toured with the Count Basie Orchestra. The Kansas City Jazz Orchestra is KC’s premiere big band, performing a subscription series at The Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. We put the McFaddens and the Orchestra together for a festival finale that promises to be loaded with energy and wildly fun, no subscription necessary.
           
(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Now's the Time: Ben Allison and Steve Cardenas

Several of the world’s most exciting jazz musicians will converge on Iowa City this weekend.  Rudresh Mahanthappa, Dave Douglas, Julian Lage and Becca Stevens are slated to perform at the Iowa City Jazz Festival.  Locally based jazz fans not making the 300-mile trip won’t be entirely left out.  Ben Allison and Steve Cardenas are playing at Take Five Coffee + Bar on Thursday, July 2, and at the Blue Room on Friday, July 3, before they share a stage with Charles Lloyd in Iowa City on Saturday.

Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*Joe Klopus notes the homecoming of Steve Cardenas in his latest column.  The Pitch also touts Cardenas’ shows at Take Five Coffee and the Blue Room.

*Charlie Watts visited the American Jazz Museum.

*Joe Dimino’s latest interview subjects include Matt Carrillo and Steve Rigazzi.

*Ensemble Ibérica shared insights into their rehearsal sessions for a concert featuring the music of Matt Otto.

*Tweet o’ the Week: Michael Shults- Tim Ries from the Rolling Stones sat in with us last night. So that was neat. (photo)

*From a press release: The American Jazz Museum in partnership with the ARC recording label will present two free master classes in the Blue Room jazz club on Tuesday, July 7, 2015 from 6-9pm. Admission is free and open to the public. Jazz pianist, composer and ARC cofounder, Sumi Tonooka will present an hour master class. Jazz percussionist, composer and ARC recording artist, Jeff “Siege” Siegel will also present an hour master class. There will be opportunity for Q and A sessions, as well as interacting with the artists in this context.

*From Take Five Coffee + Bar: Thursday, July 2, 7pm:  Steve Cardenas and Ben Allison Trio: It's a tremendous pleasure to welcome Kansas City native guitarist Steve Cardenas back to Take Five, and we're delighted that he's bringing with him superlative bassist Ben Allison for this show. Steve has risen in the jazz world to claim a spot as one of the most influential guitarists working today… (w)ith drummer Brian Steever… $10 cover.  Friday, July 3, 8pm:  Alyssa Murray's AM Trio: Pianist and vocalist Alyssa Murray brings her free-ranging and versatile sense of fun to the Take Five stage along with bassist Joel Stratton and drummer Josh Blythe for a mix of originals and standards. $5 cover.  Saturday, July 4: No music, closed early for Independence Day.  Sunday, July 5, 10am - 2pm:  Sunday Jazz Brunch, Bob Bowman and Friends: No cover.

*The Kansas City Jazz Calendar has been updated for the new month.

(Original image of the Arrowhead Stadium parking lot at Saturday’s Karl Denson and Tim Ries concert by Plastic Sax.)

Now's the Time: Steve Cardenas

Guitarist Steve Cardenas will lead bands at Take Five Coffee + Bar on Friday, December 20, and at the Blue Room on Saturday, December 21.  Saxophonist Matt Otto and bassist Bob Bowman perform with Cardenas on both nights.  Ryan Lee plays drums on Friday and Brian Steever plays drums on Saturday.  Cardenas is captured playing with an all-star band at this year's Heineken Jazzaldia in the oddly-edited embedded video. 

Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*Bobby Watson is slated to appear on KCUR's Up To Date program on Thursday, December 19.

*"It seems that right now, we have more places to hear music and more good bands than we had even a year ago," Joe Klopus asserted in his column last week.

*KC Jazz Lark places the significance of Paseo Hall into historical context.

*Steve Kraske interviewed Ben Sidran on KCUR's Up To Date.  A blogger reviewed Sidran's concert at White Theatre.

*The Pitch recommends upcoming performances by Steve Cardenas at the Blue Room and Take Five Coffee.

*Chris Burnett takes note of Google's free tools.

*Tweet o' the Week: Steven Lambert- Tonight 10 to 1 @thesoundkc plays @GreenLadyLounge for their 1 year anniversary!!!!

*Comment o' the Week: Mike Metheny- This is a very good band!

*From the American Jazz Museum: Thurs. Dec. 19 - KC MAD! Musician's Appreciation Day! Elder Statesmen of KC Jazz 5-7 p.m.; Carl McComas Reichl 7:30-11 p.m., Free. Fri. Dec. 20 - Charles Williams with Lisa Henry featuring the music of Ramsey Lewis, $10… Sat. Dec. 21 - Music of Thelonious Monk - Matt Otto Quartet featuring Steve Cardenas, $10. Mon. Dec. 23 - Everette DeVan, Free.

*From Take Five Coffee: Friday, December 20, 8 pm:  Steve Cardenas and Matt Otto- Kansas City native guitarist Steve Cardenas is legendary in the world of jazz. He has recorded with some of our favorites, such as Paul Motian, Charlie Haden and Joey Baron, just to name a few.  Tonight he's at Take Five with Matt Otto on sax, Ryan Lee on drums and Bob Bowman on bass, playing the music of Thelonious Monk, among others. Make plans accordingly. $5 cover.  Saturday, December 21, 8 pm:  Matt Chalk Trio-  A hearty welcome home for the holidays to sax wonder Matt Chalk, who is presently killing it in New York City. Tonight he's bringing Ben Leifer (bass) and Ryan Lee (drums) to round out an intimate trio with tremendous power. $5 cover.  Sunday, December 22, 8 pm:  New Jazz Order presents Ellington's Nutcracker- Clint Ashlock brings in the New Jazz Order Big Band (yes, a full big band) with an elite holiday treat for you. Come join us for Duke Ellington's brilliant interpretation of a holiday favorite, and let the Sugar Plum Fairies bounce! $10 cover.

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

My occasional public spats with KC Jazz Lark in no way diminish my ongoing admiration of the man.  For one thing, he clearly knows how to book a world-class jazz festival.  The lineup of The Prairie Village Jazz Festival is extraordinary.  The free event is Saturday, September 7, at Harmon Park.  Here are the details, along with one Plastic Sax annotation for each performance:

Bobby Watson All-Star Big Band with Special Guest Jon Faddis 9:00-10:30 p.m.
Bobby Watson, alto saxophone, Jon Faddis, trumpet, plus a big band
(Watson is Plastic Sax's Person of the Decade.)

Marilyn Maye 7:40-8:40 p.m.
Marilyn Maye, vocals, Tedd Firth, piano, Gerald Spaits, bass, Jim Eklof, drums
(Plastic Sax documented an appearance by Maye at the Gem Theater in 2010.) 

Everett DeVan – Chris Hazelton Quartet 6:30-7:20 p.m.
Everett DeVan and Chris Hazelton, Hammond B3 Organs, Matt Hopper, guitar, Danny Rojas, drums
(Plastic Sax reviewed a performance by Hazelton last year.)

Mutual Musicians Foundation All-Stars 5:20-6:10 p.m.
Steve Lambert, tenor saxophone, Mike Herrera, alto saxophone, Peter Schlamb, vibraphone, Chris Clarke, piano, Dominique Sanders, bass, Brad Williams, drums
(Plastic Sax reviewed a performance by Lambert in 2011.)

Parallax 4:10-5:00 p.m.
Stan Kessler, trumpet, Roger Wilder, piano, Bill McKemy, bass, Ryan Lee and Brian Steever, drums
(The most recent Plastic Sax review of a Parallax performance was published in January.) 

Andy McGhie Quintet 3:00-3:50 p.m.
Andy McGhie, saxophone, Hermon Mehari, trumpet, Andrew Ouelette, piano, Karl McComas-Reichl, bass, Ryan Lee, drums
(Mehari was Plastic Sax's Person of the Year in 2009.) 

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The nominees for the Pitch Music Awards in the category of "Jazz Ensemble" are Alaturka, Diverse, KC Sound Collective, Parallax, People's Liberation Big Band and Shades of Jade.  The "Jazz Solo" nominees are Brandon Draper, Eddie Moore, Hermon Mehari, Jeff Harshbarger and Mark Lowrey.

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KCJazzLark takes a dig at Plastic Sax as he lauds the current big band renaissance in Kansas City.

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Joe Dimino interviews Brian Steever for Neon Jazz.

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Joe Klopus chats with Kent Rausch of Vine Street Rumble.

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T.J.Martley's excellent improvisation lesson series continues.

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The Kansas City Star offers a review of last week's Francois Rabbath concert.

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The Pitch recommends a gig by the Andy McGhie Ensemble.

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"A Night At The American Jazz Museum" resembles an 80-second sprint through the facility.  (Tip via Tony's Kansas City.).

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Steve Cardenas performs on the new album by the Steve Swallow Quintet.

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Tweet o' the Week: Julian Vaughn- OJ Simpson payback!

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From Take Five Coffee + Bar: Friday evening saxophonist Andy McGhie is bringing a select group of Kansas City's young powerhouse players: Hermon Mehari on trumpet, Peter Schlamb on vibraphone, Karl McComas-Reichl on bass and Ryan Lee on drums. (Someday, when fantasy jazz leagues replace sports betting, this will be recognized as a dream team with future All-Stars at every position.)  Saturday evening it's Mardi Gras in July with drummer Arny Young's Necessity Brass Band bringing the second-line funk. Jack Blackett on sax, Nick Howell on trumpet, Pat Conway on sax and percussion and Bill McKemy on sousaphone. There may be marching, probably Hurricanes, definitely beads.  Join us, bring friends, tell the world. Cover is $5, shows start at 8.

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From a press release: Bird: The Life and Music of Charlie Parker artfully weaves together firsthand accounts from those who knew him with new information about his life and career to create a compelling narrative portrait of a tragic genius.

While other books about Parker have focused primarily on his music and recordings, this portrait reveals the troubled man behind the music, illustrating how his addictions and struggles with mental health affected his life and career.  He was alternatively generous and miserly; a loving husband and father at home but an incorrigible philanderer on the road; and a chronic addict who lectured younger musicians about the dangers of drugs.  Above all he was a musician, who overcame humiliation, disappointment, and a life-threatening car wreck to take wing as Bird, a brilliant improviser and composer.

With in-depth research into previously overlooked sources and illustrated with several never-before-seen images, Bird: The Life and Music of Charlie Parker corrects much of the misinformation and myth about one of the most influential musicians of the twentieth century.

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*The American Jazz Museum has announced its 2011-12 Jammin' at the Gem season. It's good. (Look for a thorough examination in this space soon.)

*The 2011-12 season of the Topeka Jazz Workshop includes Kenny Barron and Sara Gazarek.

*Hard feelings and ill will are aired out in a fascinating update on the Prairie Village Jazz Festival.

*Hearne Christopher reports that the 12th Street Jump radio show will move from the downtown Marriott to Jardine's.

*Ernie Andrews' recent appearance at The Blue Room is documented by KCJazzLark. It's another amazing post by the jazz blogger.

*Pat Metheny is featured in an intriguing episode of Echoes.

*"I was overjoyed and impressed by River Cow Orchestra's performance," Nihan Yesil raves at KC Metropolis. "It was one of the best spontaneous musical creations I experienced."

*A show preview New York Times calls Logan Richardson's sound "intricate but untroubled."

*Peter Hum calls Steve Cardenas' most recent album "earthy, funky and sophisticated all at once." Read the full review here.

*A critic in Seattle raves about Karrin Allyson.

*Via the Drum Room's Facebook page: Join us on Friday night for our grand reopening after an expansive renovation providing more dining space, elevated live performance stage, new decor, lighting and much more. Unfortunately, I can't determine exactly who's playing in the revamped space. (Tip via Chris Burnett.)

*The Star offers a nice feature about an initiative for "youth community instrumental programs."

*Gene McDaniels has died. He was born in Kansas City in 1935.

*The contentious comments following Monday's post is worth a look.

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

*Consumer tip: Today's KC-area Groupon is a 52% discount on a ticket to the George Duke, Marcus Miller, and David Sanborn concert at the Uptown Theater on August 8.

*Tweet o' the Week: bandcalledmouth: Yo! We just thought we would share a SAMPLE of the video we're working on with Fenton Design Studio.

*From a press release: Every 3rd Sunday of the month, Hidden In Christ Ministries… celebrates the Sabbath with a Gospel Jazz Buffet. The event, which is open to the public, is held in the Trade Winds Restaurant at the Holiday Inn, 9103 E. 39th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64133. The hotel is located near Interstate 70 and Interstate 435 across the street from the Truman Sports Complex. The cost for food, fun and music is $15 for adults and $10 for children.

*From Black House Improvisors' Collective: The Black House Improvisors' collective will be concluding its second year and eighth new music workshop with its most ambitious performance to date. With the help of fellow Charlotte Street resident, Christina Dostaler, Black House is taking over the La Esquina art space on Friday, August 19. The show will begin at 7:00 p.m. and admission is free. In continuing with its mission to promote new Kansas City music, Black House will be featuring three of this workshop's participants' own groups. (Hominid Quartet, Project H and Phonologotronic.) These groups represent the new directions that jazz is taking in Kansas City. Each group will play a short twenty minute set before the BHIC performs at 8:25 p.m.

(Original image of Dan Gailey performing with Tim Doherty's 9 + 1 (+7) on August 1 at Intentions by Plastic Sax.)

Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*A water main recently broke at 18th & Vine. According to this account, neither the American Jazz Museum nor the Gem Theater were damaged. Additional reports are here and here.

*Excellent insights and images related to the new Friday night jam session downstairs at the Mutual Musicians Foundation are provided by KCJazzLark.

*Will Matthews, President of the Mutual Musicians Foundation, reports that "90% of the membership is delinquent in their dues."

*Here's the entire Jazz Session podcast interview with Steve Cardenas. The special Plastic Sax version is still available here.

*Here's another rave review of Alaturka's debut album. The band performs at the Turkish Days In New York festival September 16-17.

*Steve Penn shares his impressions of the most recent Charlie Parker memorial service.

*Ink provides pictures of a recent Lonnie McFadden set. (Log-in required.)

*Via Twitter: Starting Sept. 20 The Majestic will serve breakfast everyday @7AM including Sunday Jazz Brunch every Sunday. That sounds good, but what I really want is a listing of their September jazz bookings. The Majestic's online calendar hasn't been updated since last month.

*A local jazz festival has quietly disappeared. Grandview's annual Jazz Blast has been renamed Music On Main.

*The next week is particularly appealing for Kansas City jazz fans. In addition to the Prairie Village Jazz Festival (9/11), the Crossroads Music Festival (9/11) and the start of the Kansas City Jazz Orchestra's new season (9/10), the following dates merit special notice:

*From Michael Pagan: Mike will pay tribute to jazz piano master Bill Evans, who passed away on September 15, 1980 by playing 3 hours of Bill Evans compositions and arrangements (at Cafe Trio on September 15). Additional details are at MySpace.

*Via Facebook: Pianist Josh Nelson and bassist Ryan McGillicuddy visit from Los Angeles to team up with saxophonist Matt Otto and drummer Zack Albetta for two nights of jazz at Jardine's. Thursday 9/9 will feature all original compositions by all four members and Friday 9/10 will feature all jazz standards with arrangements by all four members.)

*Mixed Method plays its final show of 2010 at Jardine's on Saturday.

*Winard Harper returns to The Blue Room on Saturday.

*Kerry Strayer leads a 17-piece band Sunday, September 12, at Jardine's.

*Don't forget about the Kansas City Jazz Calendar.

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Mashup! Plastic Sax vs The Jazz Session

Exclusive preview of a Steve Cardenas podcast (MP3).


Jason Crane of The Jazz Session has provided Plastic Sax readers with an exclusive preview of a forthcoming interview with guitarist Steve Cardenas. The entire podcast will be available September 6.

West of Middle, Cardenas' intriguing new trio album, features Ben Allison on bass and Rudy Royston on drums. While the former Kansas Citian has developed a unique approach, fans of Bill Frisell and Pat Metheny will find a lot to love in Cardenas' adventurous sound.

Plastic Sax readers are also encouraged to check out Crane's extensive archive. Podcasts-on-demand include interviews with Karrin Allyson, Eldar, Christian McBride, Sonny Rollins and Henry Threadgill.

Thanks Jason!

Update: Here's the entire Steve Cardenas podcast at The Jazz Session.

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*It almost sounds too good to be true. Ten dollars buys a ticket to see Fourplay, Kevin Mahogany and three local openers at the 40 Acres & a Mule campus on August 7. Details are here. Steve Penn previewed the event.

*An invaluable history lesson on the Jazz District is offered by KCJazzLark in his endorsement of the proposed reconstruction project on Highland Avenue.

*KCUR's Up To Date featured Alaturka on July 23. Download the podcast here. The Star reviewed Alaturka's July 25 performance at Jardine's.

*All About Jazz conducted an interview with guitarist Steve Cardenas.

*The Pitch catches Pearl Thuston-Brown at GiGi's.

*The challenges facing the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum are detailed by a Canadian newspaper.

*A blogger notes his/her attendance at a lecture held at the American Jazz Museum.

*Here's the lastest dispatch from Black House Improvisors Collective.

*Listen to Bobby Watson working through an Ornette Coleman composition in 1985.

*I received the following message from a reader last week.

I have a problem with the Plastic Sax site. Too many of the links are outdated. I've spent way too much time this morning chasing dead ends. Any chance you can update them? Also, will you please add (my site) to you links?

Can you believe this guy? Still, I suppose he has a good point. I'm putting the local jazz community on notice- I've started the process of reviewing every link in the right-hand column. The dead links will be deleted accordingly. If you've migrated from MySpace, for instance, please email me your preferred address. Thanks in advance.

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)