Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*Joe Klopus’ latest column for The Kansas City Star focuses on Julian Lage’s upcoming concert at the Folly Theater.  The Pitch also recommends the show.

*Shades of Jade created a video for “That One.”

*Steve Waugh of the Topeka Jazz Workshop was featured on Talk About Topeka.

*Pat Metheny trainspotters are excited about the possibility of a new band lineup.

*Scott Yanow is among Joe Dimino’s most recent interview subjects.

*St. Louis Jazz Notes reports that Stanley Clarke and Eliane Elias will perform separate concerts in the Lou on Saturday.

*Tweet o’ the Week: Jack Childress- The Green Lady Lounge is playing jazz tonight.

*Comment o’ the Week: Anonymous- Glad to see Drew bringing some interesting stuff to KC. The local guys are too busy keeping their stuff boring so they can play at the Green Lady.

From a press release: To celebrate what would have been the 100th birthday of Frank Sinatra, the Kansas City Jazz Ambassadors (KCJA) is sponsoring a gala at the Uptown Theatre on December 12. The Dave Stephens Band is the music headliner. The Jazz Ambassadors will honor Mayor Sly James as the 2015 Kansas City Jazz Ambassador of the Year… Mayor Sly James was chosen the Kansas City Jazz Ambassador of the Year for his unequaled Ambassadorship to jazz and Kansas City… Many have heard the mayor’s “jazz chops” as he’s taken the mic around town… This event will raise funds to support the Kansas City jazz community. The mission of the 31-year-old nonprofit Kansas City Jazz Ambassadors is to promote Kansas City jazz, and raise funds to support Kansas City jazz musicians, jazz initiatives, and jazz education.

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

 *The Topeka Capital Journal reports that the 2015-16 season of the Topeka Jazz Concert Series (formerly the Topeka Jazz Workshop) includes an appearance by Karrin Allyson.

*A television station produced a glowing feature about the young saxophonist Houston Smith.

*The Pitch touts the final show at the second incarnation of Take Five Coffee + Bar.

*Eddie Moore was interviewed by a representative of KTBG.

*KC Jazz Lark commemorates his blog’s sixth anniversary with a set of photos.

*Paul Roberts lists his favorite albums.

*Marilyn Maye will perform seven shows at the Quality Hill Playhouse in September.

*Harold O’Neal’s new highlight reel includes his work on tracks for artists including Murs, Busta Rhymes and Angelique Kidjo.

*The members of a touring rock band documents their experiences in the Jazz District and at the Green Lady Lounge.  (The relevant portion of their adventure begins at around the 5:30 mark.)

*”Wavelength” is Carol Duboc’s latest music video.

*Mark Guiliana is among Joe Dimino’s recent interview subjects.

*Tweet o’ the Week: Brett Jackson- Thank you, wristband. Your approval means the world to me. #vip @ Green Lady Lounge (photo)

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*KC Jazz Lark took a self-guided tour of Charlie Parker-related sites.

*The Topeka Jazz Workshop's new season includes concerts by Bill Watrous, Bucky Pizzarelli and Harry Allen.

*The 2014-15 jazz recital series at Johnson County Community College has been unveiled.

*A television station produced a segment about this month's "A Charlie Parker Celebration" campaign.

*Joe Dimino interviewed Bobby Watson and Florida's Erica DiCeglie for Neon Jazz.

*The Pitch recommends the Count Basie Orchestra's appearance Saturday at the Gem Theater.

*Here's the schedule for this weekend's Charlie Parker Festival in New York.

*Tweet o' the Week: Broadway Jazz Club- Our house scotch is on special tonight for only $3!! #kc #kcmo #kcjazz

*Comment o' the Week: T.J. Martley- I have to give massive kudos to AJM and KCJazzAlive for their promotion of the Charlie Parker celebration month. I've had friends from outside KC contact me asking questions about it and the turnout at the first performance (Chaz with Todd Wilkinson) was excellent.

*From the Midwest Music Foundation: Local jazz legend, Everette DeVan, has been struggling during his recent medical battles with a stroke and now kidney failure. The Midwest Music Foundation has been helping with emergency health care grants, but there is a continued need for support until Everette is well enough to perform again. The family has been working hard to get assistance through many channels, but those are all taking some time before any financial relief will arrive. The family sincerely appreciates all those who have stepped up to donate and organize benefits in the past. Please consider making a donation to Everette or purchasing a CD. Donations can be mailed to: Everette DeVan, 7243 Highland, Kansas City MO 64131.

(Original image of Vine Street Rumble by Plastic Sax.)

Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*George Duke, the headliner of the forthcoming 18th & Vine Jazz and Blues Festival, died Monday.  From the American Jazz Museum: The American Jazz Museum Staff and Board of Directors send deepest sympathies to the family and friends during this time of enormous loss. Mr. Duke was slated to be our headliner for Kansas City’s 18th & Vine Jazz and Blues Festival on October 12. With the advent of this news, our festival management team is in the process of adjusting our 2013 talent lineup accordingly. A festival talent line up update will be announced as soon as possible. Thank you for your kind consideration.

*The Topeka Jazz Workshop has announced its 2013-14 schedule.  The Topeka Capitol-Journal has the story.

*Joe Klopus' acknowledgement of the scorn heaped upon Charlie Parker by many area residents has gained a lot of traction.

*Kerry Strayer is remembered by KC Jazz Lark.

*Sarah Gish of The Kansas City Star wrote a feature about Take Five Coffee + Bar.

*Chris Burnett reconnects with a friend and mentor.

*T.J. Martley demonstrates a practice exercise based on Charlie Parker's "Chi-Chi."

*12th Street Jump offers another episode of "Blues In the News."

*Harry Connick, Jr. will perform at the Midland on November 17.

*Tweet o' the Week: MBIRDMUSIC: Im sad but grateful for life...appreciating the legacy and inspiration left by a friend and fellow musician #kerrystrayer

*Comment o' the Week: Peter Lawless: There is also an assumption in this piece that the rock musicians are not in "for the music. Period." It's a common form of jazz snobbery, saying, "if they really cared about music, they'd be playing jazz."  Jake played in several rock bands in KC and Lawrence while he was here. My guess would be that, at that time, he probably made more money playing jazz gigs than rock shows.  You're comparing playing local restaurants and jazz clubs to touring internationally with one of the most famous rock bands in the world. You're sort of saying, "I'm so glad people commit themselves to playing week nights at the Blue Room, instead of touring with Herbie Hancock."  Jake is in a special position. There are plenty of locally-based rock musicians who play for small crowds and make little money, and they are just as committed as the jazz musicians playing for crowd and making little money.

*From Paul Shinn: It pleases us to announce the release of the trio's first studio album entitled "Reason Pure." This album contains solely original music music and arrangements that the trio has been working on for the past few months. We will be playing music from the album throughout the night and CDs will be available for purchase ($15) that we can sign copies of during set breaks.  This will be the final performance of the Paul Shinn Trio in the Kansas City area for a while as Paul will be re-locating to Colorado to continue his studies; however, the group plans to stay together for tours and festivals throughout the KC area and elsewhere. Unlike the video performance recording, this will be a public event, so feel free to stop by anytime between 7 and 10pm and invite anyone you think would enjoy this music!

*From a press release: Piropo’s Piano Bar in Briarcliff Village will be the site of the second annual Dueling Piano Summit to be held Sunday, September 8th 2012 at 3:00 PM. The two-piano concert will last two hours. Participating in the event will be the same musicians as last year – pianists Roger Wilder, Joe Cartwright, Michael Pagán, and Bram Wijnands. The performers will match up in different combinations and play two-piano jazz for approximately two hours. Proceeds will benefit Alzheimer’s Association Heart of America Chapter…  Tickets can be reserved in advance for $50.00 by calling 816.589.9384 or by emailing michaelpagan6@gmail.com and for $60.00 at the door the day of the show. Seating is limited and cannot be guaranteed for those buying tickets at the door.  Advance purchase is strongly recommended...

*From Take Five Coffee: Friday evening, we have a trio of KC jazz masters delivering the truth in sound. Bassist Gerald Spaits continues to be one of the standard-setters in a town packed with outrageous talent on the instrument. His trio with Charles Perkins on saxophone and Arnold Young on drums and cymbals shows what happens when artists of that caliber work together over many years - intuitive interplay seasoned with complete command of the material.  Saturday evening, singer Shay Estes brings the Latin spice. Fresh back from her travels in Portugal with Fado Novato, Shay will lead us deep into the bewitching melodies of Brazilian jazz. With Mark Lowrey and Doug Auwater as guides, we're likely to find the flavors only the locals know.

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*A saxophone once owned by Charlie Parker will be auctioned June 8. The instrument is "expected to sell for $30,000-$35,000."

*Here's a slideshow commemorating the life of the late Bill Caldwell.

*The Topeka Jazz Workshop has unveiled its 2012-13 season. Highlights include Byron Stripling, Marilyn Maye, Harry Allen and Wycliffe Gordon. Chuck Berg reviewed Sunday's performance by the Kenny Barron Trio in Topeka, the final concert of the 2011-12 season.

*Passport, the duo of Beau Bledsoe and Stan Kessler, is releasing an album. Here's the trailer.

*The new release by the Chris Hazelton Trio is reviewed by KCJazzLark.

*Michael Pagan is profiled by Eric Crump of the Marshall News.

*Bobby Watson is among the Kansas City Symphony's guests at Celebration at the Station on May 27.

*A set of videos documents a Brothers Leifer performance at Take Five Coffee. Check 'em out here, here, here and here.

*Here's footage of Diverse performing at the Middle of the Map festival.

*TJ Martley filmed his piano trio from an odd angle.

*Roger Lewis of the Dirty Dozen Brass Band is interviewed by The Pitch in advance of his band's concert Thursday at Crossroads KC.

*Chris Lewis of Killer Strayhorn blogs at his band's site. He recently reviewed the new ECM release by the Marcin Wasilewski Trio.

*Glenn North provides insights on the history of cakewalking.

*I heard a DJ spin vinyl versions of tracks by Duke Ellington and Eric Dolphy at last weekend's Psychfest. The festival, which featured about fifty acts, was precisely the sort of enthusiasm-driven, forward-thinking event I recently proposed for Kansas City's jazz scene.

*Phonologotronic comments on his recent activity.

*The entertainment at the 2012 edition of Jazzoo includes an R&B band, a hip hop act, a Jimmy Buffet tribute band and Ida McBeth.

*Miles Bonny and Brandon Draper discuss Kansas City Academy's Grassroots Concert Series with Sam Wisman. (Via KC Stage Blog.)

*A fan uploaded ten minutes of shaky footage of last weekend's Ramsey Lewis concert at the Gem Theater.

*Tweet o' the Week: EldarMusic- New Yorkers! Come out to Blue Note: MAY 20- ELDAR + guest CHRIS POTTER MAY 22- ELDAR + guest KARRIN ALLYSON MAY 23- ELDAR + guest JOE LOCKE

*Comment o' the Week: Clint Ashlock- There were a bunch of things going on Sunday night, and I think you can look at it in a different perspective - that over half of the crowd were musicians shows how much respect these five guys have. There's another show Thursday night at the Blue Room if you happened to miss the Record Bar hit.

*From Lisa Engelken: Extraordinary singer, songwriter & arranger Lisa Engelken returns to Kansas City to perform at the Blue Room on Friday, June 22, 2012… Lisa is thrilled to Kansas City after last Summer’s sold-out performances, and to be joined once again by the powerhouse combo that includes Kansas City’s own Roger Wilder on piano, Gerald Spaits on bass and trumpeter Stan Kessler. Rounding out the quintet is San Francisco drummer Matthew Swindells. The program includes the premiere new works from Lisa’s upcoming album Anima Explorations and selections from Engelken’s Caravan, named to the “Best of 2010” List by the Jazz Journalists Association. Engelken is a Kansas-born straight-shooter, known for a fearless stage presence that has garnered her comparisons to Evel Kneivel, Janis Joplin and a roaring Harley Davidson.

(Original image of Psychfest by Plastic Sax.)