Now's the Time: Charles Williams

The elegant pianist Charles Williams accompanies Eboni Fondren at the Phoenix on Thursday, May 23.  Williams will lead a trio at Eddie V's on the second, third and fourth Sundays in June.  Plastic Sax reviewed Williams' fine 2018 album Flavors of Jazz.

Now's the Time: Shay Estes

The engaging vocalist Shay Estes leads a band at The Phoenix on Saturday, July 2.  She belts out “C’est Si Bon” at the 2014 edition of the Prairie Village Jazz Festival in the embedded video.

Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*The Kansas City Star reports that the $27 million funding initiative for the Jazz District has stalled.

*The 2016 edition of the Parkville River Jam, an annual festival that has traditionally featured jazz and blues artists, has been cancelled.   The Parkville Rock & Roll festival has sprung up in its place. 

*A critic for The Kansas City Star reviewed last night’s concert by Béla Fleck & the Flecktones at Muriel Kauffman Theatre.

*The Pitch’s jazz columnist highlights Tim Whitmer’s longstanding association with the Phoenix.

*KC Jazz Lark promotes the 30th anniversary issue of Jam magazine.

*Chris Burnett continues his "real time album project release clinic" for the forthcoming album by the Dino Massa Kansas City Quartet.

*Tweet o’ the Week: Jay Farrar- Spending the weekend in the old Jazz District of KC and the hospitality of the locals is the antithesis of staying for Grand Prix in MTL.

*Comment o’ the Week: BGO- I hope you're right about Cheptoo. I met her in the summer of 1996 when I got my first part-time job at KCPL.

*From a press release: I am pleased to announce the forthcoming new CD by multi-talented contemporary jazz vocalist/pianist/composer/producer Carol Duboc, Open the Curtains, with an all star girl power cast of musicians celebrating the enduring power of women, scheduled for release August 19th, 2016.  Duboc, who has been first call for such heavyweights Maurice White, Teddy Riley and George Duke, has assembled a star-studded line-up of musicians, who not only happen to be women but who are also some of the baddest musicians to grace this planet --  including percussionist Sheila E., pianist/ vocalist Patrice Rushen, saxophonist Mindi Abair, guitarists Bibi McGill and Jennifer Batten, drummer Queen Cora Coleman, bassist Rhonda Smith and trombonist and singer Aubrey Logan.

*From the site of the Mutual Musicians Foundation: The Mutual Musicians Foundation International is excited to present the Legacy 627 Music Awards. This project is supported in part by an award from the National Endowment of the Arts, ART WORKS. Enjoy the night as we we gather together surviving musicians who once belonged to segregated musicians unions in America. As we honor  their presence, remember their journeys and their contributions to art and culture globally; we enshrine them in this ceremony to remember Local 627, now known as  the Mutual Musicians Foundation, 1823 Highland Avenue, Kansas City, Missouri, a National Historic Landmark.  Our night begins with heavy hors d'oeuvres and drinks from 6PM - 7PM; with the awards ceremony immediately following from  7PM - 9PM.  Friday, June 17, 2016. $30.

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Now's the Time: Alex Abramovitz

Alex Abramovitz and His Swing’n Kansas City Jazz Band will mark the release the new album “Ripe Off the Vine” at Broadway Kansas City on Saturday, August 15.  The retro-swing ensemble is best known for its brunch performances at the Phoenix. 

The Top Jazz-Related Stories and Trends of 2013

1.
Bird Lives. 
Two new biographies of Charlie Parker- Chuck Haddix's Bird: The Life and Music of Charlie Parker and Stanley Crouch's Kansas City Lightning: The Rise and Times of Charlie Parker- offered new insights into Kansas City's most famous son.

2.
On Broadway.
The recent opening of Broadway Jazz Club- a venue dedicated to mainstream Kansas City jazz- is enormously encouraging.

3,
Clubbed.
The maturation of the Green Lady Lounge into a popular establishment for jazz fans and upscale drinkers alike has been very satisfying.  And Take Five Coffee + Bar is now firmly established as one of the area's elite listening rooms.  The Kill Devil Club, however, shifted away from a jazz format.  Jazz has become a niche offering at the Phoenix.  The West Chase Grille closed this year while JJ's literally blew up.

4.
Mentor.
Kansas City became a lesser place when Kerry Strayer died on August 1.  He was an extraordinary baritone saxophonist, bandleader, teacher, and all-around great guy.

5.
Mired in minor festivals.
In a June editorial, KC Jazz Lark suggested that Kansas City is "mired in minor festivals."  He's right.  The Prairie Village Jazz Festival, the 18th & Vine Jazz and Blues Festival, the Corporate Woods Jazz Festival and Jazz Winterlude are terrific, but none is a "major" jazz-oriented festival. 

6.
Art jazz.
Commercially problematic but artistically fruitful aspects of jazz were explored at this year's Black Lab: A New Music Festival and monthly at the RecordBar and Grunauer.

7.
Struggling.
Atypical flareups of violence and a challenging business environment bedeviled the Jazz District in 2013.

8.
Series sustenance.
Every time I go to a poorly attended concert by a renowned artist in the Jammin' at the Gem and the Folly Jazz series, I consider it a small miracle that the programs continue in spite of the lack of support.  I'm very grateful for the organizers' perseverance. 

9.
Kids.
When Aryana Nemati served as a last-minute sub in Harry Connick's band at a concert at the Midland theater, she floored the star with a sterling solo.  Anyone familiar with the high quality of the artists who've honed their skills at the UMKC Conservatory in recent years wasn't surprised.  Nemati is just one of dozens of remarkable young players in Kansas City.

10.
Secret Story.
It seems silly to suggest that a man who won his twentieth Grammy Award this year is under-appreciated, but Pat Metheny still doesn't receive the respect he deserves from "serious" jazz listeners.  His 2013 releases Tap: The Book of Angels, Vol. 20 and The Orchestrion Project are extraordinary.

I conducted similar exercises in 2012 and 2011.

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*Matt Jones, the owner of the Phoenix, suggests that "“(i)t’s tough around Kansas City to be a jazz guy."

*A report in The Kansas City Star indicates that the Broadway Jazz Cafe "will offer live music five nights a week."

*Chuck Haddix was interviewed by KCPT about his his biography of Charlie Parker.  Here's footage from Haddix's reading at Unity Temple.

*NPR interviewed Stanley Crouch about his new biography of Charlie Parker.

*The Pitch recommends Friday's performance by the Jazz Disciples with Lisa Henry.

*The Kansas City Star offers a review of the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra's appearance at Helzberg Hall.  KC Metropolis' analysis of Saturday's concert is here.

*Kevin Mahogany recalls the time he spent at Baker University.

*Here's a new episode of 12th Street Jump's"Blues In the News."

*Joe Dimino interviewed Chicago-based trumpeter Marquis Hill.

*Tweet o' the Week: Anton Donaldson- Kansas City jazz legend Lonnie McFadden. #jazz #kansascity (Vine)

*Comment o' the Week: Timothy- If its not a greasy sound it must have been recorded at Soundtrek. No disrespect to Soundtrek but it is a notoriously polite sound. Maybe I'm wrong. Tim

*From Jim Mair: The Kansas City Kansas Community College Jazz Program will present a showcase at the Green Lady Lounge on Veteran's Day, Monday, November 11th from 7pm to 10pm.  Showcase will feature Jazz Band, Jazz Combos, Vocal Jazz Ensembles and Student Jazz Soloists. The showcase is free of charge and open to the public.

*From Take Five Coffee + Bar: The power this weekend at Take Five Coffee + Bar comes from the depths- two outstanding shows led by two of the city's premier bassists. Come get that feeling down in your bones. Friday, October 25, 8pm: Ben Leifer's Plus Minus: Among his many ensemble affiliations, Ben Leifer is part of the trio, Diverse, that originally opened up Take Five to the idea of a coffeehouse hosting live jazz. Having him back in the room, leading a terrific quartet he calls Plus Minus, is a long-awaited treat: Andrew Ouellette on keys, Matt Hopper on guitar, and John Kizilarmut on drums. $5 cover. Saturday, October 26, 8pm:  Bill McKemy Quartet: As a composer, leader and sideman, bassist Bill McKemy has been tearing up the Kansas City jazz scene for years and continues to deliver surprises at every turn. In front of his own quartet of equally imaginative and powerful players - Brian Baggett on guitar, Rich Wheeler on tenor and Sam Wisman on drums - he'll take over Take Five this Saturday, much to our delight. $5 cover.

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

*Critics at The Pitch named Jeff Harshbarger, Plastic Sax's 2011 Person of the Year, as the Best Local Musician.  They awarded Take Five Coffee + Bar with the prize of Best Suburban Oasis.  Owners Doug and Lori Chandler were Plastic Sax's 2012 People of the Year.  The publication's readers- presumably fans of Tim Whitmer's Saturday afternoon gigs- voted The Phoenix as the Best Jazz Venue.

*Joe Klopus previews Saturday's 18th & Vine Jazz and Blues Festival in his weekly column.

*KC Jazz Lark considers the unusual challenges faced by the organizers of 18th & Vine Jazz and Blues Festival.

*A man has been charged with assault in connection to last month's shootings near 18th & Vine.

*Libby Hanssen reviewed Gretchen Parlato's concert at the Folly Theater.

*The Pitch recommends Brian Haas' performance Sunday, October 13, at the RecordBar.

*Howard Reich raves about Bobby Watson in The Chicago Tribune.

*Matt Otto and a cat issue a "30 day long tone challenge."

*"Kansas City Swing", a new play set in 1947 Kansas City, opens in New Jersey this week.

*Former Kansan Lisa Engelken's new album Little Warrior was reviewed by a California-based publication.

*Comment o' the Week: Gary- Went to Take Five Saturday night and heard James Isaac Group. Thanks for the tip, Plastic Sax.

*Tweet o' the Week: Follow dw6 and JAG- Spoken to some great musicians so far in KC! Spent some time at the American Jazz Museum and now we're about to interview Bobby Watkins!

*From a press release: The Jazz Program at Kansas City Kansas Community College will present their first concert of the season West Wyandotte Library on Wednesday, October 9th at 6:30pm. Directed by Jim Mair and John Stafford II, the concert will feature the KCKCC Jazz Band, Latin Band, Jazz Combos and Vocal Jazz Ensembles.  Open to the public, there is no charge although donations for student travel opportunities will be accepted.

*From Take Five Coffee + Bar: This weekend at Take Five Coffee + Bar we're offering the power and passion of high-flying ensembles featuring some of the best trumpet artistry you'll find anywhere… Friday, October 11, 8pm:  The Rob Scheps/Jim O'Connor Quintet.  Saxophonist Rob Scheps finds a way to ramble through Kansas City a couple of times a year... Trumpeter Jim O'Connor, his guest on this tour, has... a deep list of credits... The crew behind these two are some of KC's best: Roger Wilder on piano, Bob Bowman on bass and Brian Steever on drums. $5.  Saturday, October 12, 8pm:  The Hermon Mehari Trio with Anthony Saunders...  Featuring Ryan Lee on drums and Andrew Ouellette on keys, this show will also showcase Hermon's special guest, vocalist Anthony Saunders... $5 cover.

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Now's the Time: Mark Lowrey

Kansas Citians are blessed with recurring opportunities to chatter during dazzling performances by Mark Lowrey. Lowrey, bassist Gerald Spaits and drummer Matt Leifer interpret "Moanin'" at the Green Lady Lounge in the embedded video. Lowrey returns to the Green Lady Lounge on Friday, July 19. Lowrey performs a matinee show with Lonnie McFadden at the Phoenix every Friday. He appears at the Majestic every Sunday and Monday. Plastic Sax's 2010 Person of the Year released Tangos For 18th Street, one of 2013's most compelling albums, in January.

Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*The Orchestrion Project, a documentary about Pat Metheny's ambitious automated concept, hits movie theaters in fifteen states on Thursday, October 3.  No showings are scheduled in Kansas or Missouri.  Metheny is also interviewed by USA Today.

*Joe Klopus offers a survey of October's jazz events.

*The ongoing success of the Kansas City Jazz Orchestra is admired by KCJazzLark.

*Diverse will be among the performers at the opening reception for Prairie Logic on Friday, October 5.  The band is scheduled to perform at 7 p.m. at "Kansas City's newest public art project and performance venue."

*Phonologotronic offers an irritable examination of the Prairie Village Jazz Festival.

*The RecordBar promotes Sunday's show by the People's Liberation Big Band.

*Our Path to This Moment: the Rob Scheps Big Band Plays the Music of Ezra Weiss with Special Guest Greg Gisbert was released last month.  Scheps performs frequently in the Kansas City area.

*The Phoenix was a jazz club for much of its 22-year existence.  The 2012 Phoenix Fest on Saturday, October 6, features four rock bands, one blues band, an R&B act and two jazz-oriented acts that perform material by the likes of Gloria Gaynor and Bill Withers.

*The opening reception for the American Jazz Museum's Beyond Words: A Fusion of Poetry, Visual Art & Jazz is Friday, October 5, 2012, from 6-9 pm.

*I wish an animated video I made in 2010 was no longer applicable.

*Saturday's concert by Gary Burton, Chick Corea and the Harlem String Quartet was reviewed by The Kansas City Star.

*A blogger reviewed Nellie McKay's concert at Polsky Theatre.

*Mr. the Toad recently played "free form jazz" on his "plastic toy sax".

*Tweet o' the Week: ChrisHazeltonB3- The concert I saw last Friday was amazing! I think @BenFolds Five should hire me to play B-3 for the rest of the tour. #PipeDreams

*Comment o' the Week: Saul- So much of it is marketing and perception.  The Folly's marketing is antiquated. Even the free billboards they get don't help much.  Delfeayo and Sean Jones just were not advertised well. I found out about it too late.  Burton and Chick are an easy sell... even at the Gem Theater with its horrendous sound system operator.  If I were a Kansas City jazz presenter I would spend a couple of days with Jon Poses (We always Swing)in Columbia. I would visit with Tim Whitmer and the KCJO on how to market things. Go to the source! Model the masters.  In my opinion, a large part of the population that lives on Facebook doesn't have the dough to attend events. People with money are working one or two jobs, saving and have a time management plan in their daily lives and not killing time on Facebook. They paln things well in advance becauese their schedules are so full of commitments.  The JCCC stuff is not well publicized and the Winterlude dates are the Carlsen Center "left over" dates....possibly the least desirable dates of the year. Sure there are a few ads but you need a PR MACHINE.God bless Doreen Morande at JCCC. She does good work but she is retired for goodness sake. How can you expect Doreen to be responsible for getting people in the seats....she is just one person.  The Carlsen Center and Blue Room have minimal accountability because they are well funded by the government or an endowment. The KCJO, Jon Poses and Tim Whitmer have major accountability. If their programs don't draw the series' end.

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Album Review: Mille and Mike Live

Millie Edwards has been rewarded with standing ovations many of the times I've seen her perform in churches and in concert settings. She's a true audience-pleaser. People hearing her for the first time are invariably astounded that such a gigantic voice can emanate from such a diminutive person.

Edwards' brassy approach- she sounds like Liza Minnelli with a hint of Mahalia Jackson thrown into the mix- is more Broadway than Birdland. While I don't particularly care for her style, my bias didn't prevent me from giving CD versions of the 2011 release Mille and Mike Live to friends and family last Christmas. I know plenty of people who enjoy Edwards' renditions of familiar material like "Sweet Home Chicago," "Someone To Watch Over Me" and "I've Got You Under My Skin."

When I listen to the live recording I prefer to focus on the astoundingly versatile pianist Michael Pagan. He can play stride, show tunes and blues with equal adroitness. Edwards and Pagan perform every Monday at The Phoenix. Here's live footage of the duo shot at Jardine's in 2010.

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

A Jazz Checkup

This is going to hurt a little bit.

I ran a detailed analysis of the March music calendars for Kansas City's three most recognized jazz clubs. The results raise a few interesting questions. When is a jazz club no longer a jazz club? What's the difference between jazz and R&B? And what would I do without my calculator?

The Blue Room, Jardine's and The Phoenix have a combined 96 events in March. Of these, 46 are mainstream jazz, 6 are experimental jazz, 21 are R&B, 5 are international music and 18 are rock, folk or blues. That means that only 54% of the bookings are mainstream or experimental jazz. Some might argue that the Phoenix has evolved into a blues club. Fair enough. Remove the Phoenix from the equation and the combined jazz bookings at the Blue Room and Jardine's rises to a modest 61%.

Although the Gaslight Grill and the Majestic offer live jazz, I didn't include them in my calculations because they seem to emphasize the restaurant aspect of their businesses. A couple other rooms that feature live music couldn't be included because, well, you know.

I don't begrudge clubs for expanding their reach. With the possible exception of the Blue Room, which is at least partially publicly-funded, these establishments are businesses that need to turn a profit. Besides, I'm hardly a purist. I've lobbied for a weekly jazz-meets-hip hop night at the Blue Room. And I'm a big fan of a folk artist who regularly performs at Jardine's.

Just five years ago, any one of these non-jazz bookings would have raised eyebrows. Yet if this trend continues- and there's no reason to believe that it won't- jazz will eventually become a secondary consideration in these rooms.

The fate of live jazz in Kansas City, of course, doesn't hinge on a single venue. Also noteworthy are the occasional jazz bookings at rock emporiums like the Brick and the Record Bar, JCCC's noontime series, Tim Whitmer's monthly Spirituality and All That Jazz, the efforts of the Kansas City Jazz Orchestra and the excellent jazz series at both the Folly and the Gem.

Would you like a Band-Aid?

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*A surly weirdo caught Bobby Watson jamming with his UMKC students at GiGi's Jazz Inn last week. Here are his notes and photos.

*Common posted performance footage of Diverse and Les Izmore at his blog. That's the good news. The bad news? The rest of the world will hear how many people in Kansas City (don't) listen to live music.

*KCJazzLark has the "Saturday Night Blues".

*Ben Ratliff of The New York Times reviewed the new album by pianist Harold O'Neal.

*The Pitch gave Diverse and Les Izmore the "Best Tribute" award for their Common collaboration. Mark Lowrey was acknowledged for "Best Collaboration."

*This footage of the Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey's performance Saturday at Jardine's is just one of several fine videos recently uploaded by Steve Paul.

*Here's Downbeat's review of Bobby Watson's The Gates BBQ Suite. Audiophile Audition also evaluates the release.

*Hermon Mehari and The Sound are hosting a block party in front of the Mutual Musicians Foundation on Friday, October 22, from 8 p.m. to midnight. KCJazzLark commends the initiative.

*The new roster of the Black House Improvisors Collective is announced in an amusing post.

*KC Free Press investigates the possible presence of a ghost at the Phoenix.

*A critic in Syracuse mentions that "Kansas City" is in the repertoire of Max Weinberg's big band. The ensemble performs at Jardine's on Halloween.

*Hermon Mehari assumes the role of Dizzy Gillespie Saturday, October 16, at 12th Street Jump.

*Renee Fleming performed jazz last week at The Folly Theater. Sort of. Here's The Star's review.

*Tweet o' the Week: kcrhythmandribs: Thanks to everyone who came out for the fest on Sat! Keep an eye on this space for an upcoming Twitter account for AJM events year-round!

*From a KCKCC press release: Kansas City Kansas Community College Jazz Band Director Jim Mair is going home to conduct the Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra. Canadian born and raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Mair will direct the Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra in two performances of the “Kansas City Suite” on Nov. 7, 2010.

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Now's the Time: Everette DeVan

I didn't give much thought to the man with a video camera at last week's Crosscurrents performance. It's not uncommon to see someone filming jazz musicians in area clubs. Very rarely, however, is the documentation uploaded to sites like Vimeo and YouTube. So this footage of Eboni Fondren, Matt Hopper and Everette DeVan at the Phoenix is most welcome. Watch the generous man's footage of Crosscurrent here and here. DeVan performs at The Phoenix every Tuesday in September.

Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*Marc Myers chats with Phil Schaap about Charlie Parker's 1945 "Ko-Ko" session. Schapp goes on to suggest that Parker's institutionalization in 1946-47 extended Parker's life by eight years. The story behind Parker joining Miles Davis' band is told here.

*"Who is Charlie Parker?" asks a columnist in the Carolinas.

*I like it when KCJazzLark gets angry. The hot streak by the "other" Kansas City jazz blogger continues.

*Steve Penn reports that a bakery and coffee shop will soon open near the corner of 18th and Vine.

*A popular blogger wonders why a proposed building on The Plaza is the subject of intense debate while the Jazz District "crumbles."

*Candace Evans possesses "a sweet, yet sultry voice that pours into a room like rich, warm cognac coating the inside of a wine glass," according to a profile of the artist in The Lake Today.

*Joel Francis chats up The Budos Band.

*"Jazz is dead," writes an angry commenter in a vulgar dismissal of Kansas City.

*Accomplished jazz drummer Allison Miller performed in Kansas City as part of Brandi Carlile's band Thursday at the VooDoo.

*Megan Birdsall, on behalf of her MBird project, is featured at an NPR blog. (Tip via AZ.)

*The Phoenix is hosting an outdoor "block party" on September 18. Jazz-related performers include D.J. Sweeney, the Wild Women of Kansas City, Tim Whitmer, Eboni Fondren, The Scamps and Lonnie McFadden.

(Original image of The Dead Kenny G's performing at The Uptown Theater by Plastic Sax. Mark Southerland is to the left and Mike Dillon is to the right.)

Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*Valuable information about the American Jazz Museum and the Mutual Musicians Foundation is provided by Steve Penn. (Can any Plastic Sax readers offer additional insights into the reference to the album collection from Milton's?)

*The Phoenix might be remodeled according to Hearne Christopher.

*Ken Peplowski's tribute to Benny Goodman is previewed by The Kansas City Jewish Chronicle. The show is at the Folly Theater on December 18.

*AfterGroove has an impressive new promotional video.

*A Diverse gig is reviewed at a senior citizen's blog. Awesome.

*Sue Vicory has announced that her Kansas City jazz and blues documentary will have its official premiere on May 6.

*Ten live performance videos by the Kansas City Jazz Orchestra were recently uploaded at YouTube.

*Tony of Tony's Kansas City continues his Dave Stephens coverage here and here. Hearne Christopher chimes in here.

*Between Kevin Mahogany, Mark Pender and the Hatchlings, the Cherokee Jazz & Blues Festival in Iowa has strong ties to Kansas City.

*Mouth may or may not be a jazz band, but they sure work hard to promote their gigs. "Everything that you wish that the jazz bands had- they've got it," a reggae musician says of Mouth in this promotional video for their Funk & Reggae Dance Summit at the Beaumont Club on December 18.

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*I stumbled across this hidden gem at the Phoenix's site while dutifully adding dates to the Kansas City Jazz Calendar: The Roberto Magris Quintet featuring Albert "Tootie" Heath, Logan Richardson, Elisa Pruett and Brandon Lee will perform at the club on December 13. Here's a related video featuring the Italian pianist. Shh- it's a secret.

*The Rhythm Lounge was "temporarily" closed according to this report.

*KCJazzLark turns out to be quite a photographer. Here are his shots of Megan Birdsall, Bob Bowman and Paul Smith.

*Horace Washington and Garland Smith tell stories at KCUR.

*A local television station catches up with Oleta Adams. (Link via Tony's Kansas City.)

*Have you seen the The Jazz Baroness? The character of Charlie Parker is disparaged in the documentary. Here's a trailer of sorts.

*Steve Penn reports on efforts to assist Lucky Wesley of the Scamps.

*Pete Dulin previewed a performance by Malachy Papers and Mike Dillon.

*Eldar is featured at NPR.

*A Bob Brookmeyer gig in New York is previewed by an interesting interview. Here's another piece about his December 2 concert.

*This is promising: The Owen/Cox Dance Group and The People's Liberation Big Band present The Nutcracker and the Mouse King, December 11-13, at the H&R Block City Stage Theater in Union Station. Details are here.

*The "grand opening event" of the exhibit Jam Session: America's Jazz Ambassadors Embrace the World is December 3 at the American Jazz Museum. From the museum's site: Join us in the Changing Gallery from 6:00- 8:00 pm. Admission is free- suggested donation of $10 to support education programs at the American Jazz Museum. Kicking off our series of public programs and free concerts supporting (t)his exhibit is Jazz as an Instrument for Cultural Diplomacy American Ambassador Kenton Keith will be accompanied by American Jazz Museum Chief Executive Officer, Greg Carroll and world renowned jazz vocalist, Deborah Brown for an inspiring discussion exploring the history, present and future of jazz as an instrument for cultural diplomacy. To RSVP contact Glenn North.

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Now's the Time: Lonnie McFadden

Only locals will fully appreciate this informal footage of Lonnie McFadden. It was filmed by one of the most unlikely Kansas Citians imaginable. Jason Nivens, the radio personality best known for his work on 98.9 The Rock, captured a bit of an afternoon session at The Phoenix six months ago. The seasonal sunshine casts an unsettling light on the jazz audience. Organist Everette DeVan watches as pianist Mark Lowrey accompanies McFadden. Outsiders should know that the raucous spirit captured in this footage is pure Kansas City. The versatile entertainer's busy schedule, including his weekly Friday afternoon gig at the Phoenix, is listed here.

Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*Joe Klopus interviewed Eldar. On a related note, don't miss the contentious discussion at the previous Plastic Sax post.

*Based on the thirty-second clips streaming at Amazon, Angela Hagenbach's new album The Way They Make Me Feel is amazing. The Resonance Records title was released yesterday.

*An outstanding track from Alaadeen's Blues For RC and Josephine is available for free download here. (Tip via the New Low Down.)

*Ink published a profile of the Rhythm Lounge, a "new jazz club on Broadway." Loren Pickford's endorsement aside, it doesn't really look like a jazz club based on their Facebook account.

*UMKC's student newspaper previews Jimmy Cobb's Kind of Blue tribute show. As of Wednesday afternoon, tickets remain for Saturday's show at the Gem. It's rather shocking that the Gem's 500 seats aren't already spoken for.

*Plastic saxophones are in vogue in London.

*Here's fan footage of the fabulous Mariyln Maye in action last week.

*It's great for Jardine's that a Tori Amos-style artist, Julia Othmer, recently filled the club for several shows. If I was a jazz artist, however, I might start worrying about the implications of that success...

*Here's Mark Edelman's weekly list of live jazz events.

*Nebraska's Beatrice Daily Sun covered a jazz-backed poetry reading by Dan Jaffe.

*From Tim Whitmer: On Saturday, October 17th, Tim Whitmer will return to perform at the Phoenix Jazz Club... This is the First Time that Whitmer has played at the Phoenix for nearly 5 years! Tim and his band the KC Express were the house band from 1990-2006, a 16 year run that included Tim being part owner from 1998-2004.

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Phoenix Rising

It's an extremely limited sample size, but I'm very pleased to report that every time I've visited The Phoenix I've encountered a very lively environment. The jazz bar's seemingly successful second life is a great thing for the jazz scene, downtown's denizens and for Kansas City as a whole. And it's so reassuring to see a reconstituted version of The Scamps back on the club's calendar. Oh, happy day! The only potential sore spot, at least for purists, is that the venue seems to be more oriented to socializing than to serious listening. But then again, it's always been that way at the Phoenix. And if forced to choose, I'd rather see a packed jazz club filled with people who are ignoring the band than a nearly empty jazz club populated by a handful of intent listeners.

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*KCUR aired a compelling interview with Bobby Watson. Steve Paul covered the Watson show previewed on the radio broadcast. Paul also took notes at a performance by Jake Blanton. A Star reader enjoyed Watson's gig.

*Celebrated Kansas City blogger Midtown Miscreant reports on some troubling trash near Charlie Parker's grave in Lincoln Cemetery.

*The battle over the estate of bandleader Billy Tipton has a Kansas City connection. I'm so confused! Here's Tipton's rendition of "Sweet Georgia Brown."

*Kansas City-related jazz artists received seven Grammy nominations. Steve Paul lists the nods to Pat Metheny, Karrin Allyson, Count Basie and Lester Young. Bob Brookmeyer was also recognized.

*An interesting story about the former programming director of Warrensburg's KTBG touches on the station's abandonment of a jazz format in 2001.

*The Pitch gives Plastic Sax a generous shout-out regarding our updates on the Phoenix jazz club. Can a Pulitzer be far behind?

*Thursday's Al Jarreau concert at the Midland has been canceled.

*Here's the complete text of an email sent by Jardine's this week:

Jardine's Thanks You!

To all of you who purchased a piano "key" we invite you to the first official Society Charter Member of the New Piano appreciation party Sunday December 14 from 5 to 7 with Bram Wijnands' Trio.

Appetizers and Soft Drinks Provided! The first half of the evening will be exclusive to those who have contributed to the new piano, then we will open up to the public (minus the free stuff!!) at 7pm. If you know of someone who would like to contribute bring them along.

Anyone who would like to become a member come on by and put your name on a key! The contribution is $100.

We plan on holding these events once a month. Eventually we will have an actual keyboard on the wall with all the members names on the keys.

Many "special" keys have been spoken for (Marilyn Maye got middle C!) but maybe yours is still available. Here is our Current List of Contributors:

Craig Akin, Karrin Allyson, Roger Atkinson, David Basse, Megan Birdsall, Miles Bonny, Carrie Brockman,Walter Bryant, Demasters Insurance, Kay Dennis, Tim Doherty, Dan Doran, Bill Doty on memory of Ed Fenner, Millie Edwards, Sharon Eiker, Christine Garvey, Angela Hagenbach, Greg and Kathy Halstead, Mike Kaplan, Suhud Koker, Howard Lay, Ken Lovern, Mark Lowrey, Doreen Maronde, Marilyn Maye, Erin McGrane, Janet Miller, Michael Pagan, Steve Rigazzi, Kim Sivils, Paul Smith, Gerald Spaits, Mandy Stever, Mike White, Tim & Patti Whitmer, Roger Wilder, Todd Wilkinson, Lori Tucker & Ham, Sonya Yarmat, Eric Smith

(Original photo by Plastic Sax.)