*The Star summarized the $143,000 earmark presented to the Mutual Musicians Foundation at a ceremony Monday. Betty Crow and Rep. Emanuel Cleaver are interviewed in a companion video.
The Star indicates the funds "will be used to upgrade the video and still photography archives at the Mutual Musicians Foundation building." I'm not exactly sure what that means, but is there any reason not to begin uploading the archives to free services YouTube and Flickr? I'd be happy to help.
That way the money can be used for maintenance. Here's a Cleaver quote from a March press release: "If I can’t find money for the historic building that is crumbling on top of the players at the Mutual Musicians Foundation, where will it come from?"
*The KC Tribune published a lengthy story on the same topic. Their piece includes quotes from Lucky Wesley and Luqman Hamza.
*Public reaction has been overwhelming positive. My favorite comment comes via a Twitter user: "Keeping Jazz swinging Sen Cleaver donated 143,000 to the Mutual Musicians Foundation!" Um...
*The summer concert series at The Power & Light District stage has been announced. As I did in 2008, I'll enjoy several of the free shows by big-name talent. Unfortunately, not a single jazz act is scheduled to appear. Jazz fans shouldn't feel like they're being singled out. No soul, R&B or hip hop acts have been booked, either. If I didn't know better....
*The Plaza has published the initial round of their summer music schedule. Because I love these free shows, I took the time to add the jazz bookings- at least the artists with a home page or a MySpace account- to the Plastic Sax Event Calendar. The Plaza obviously doesn't make having any kind of web presence a requirement for securing the gig.
*Much is being made of the fiftieth anniversary of the release of Kind of Blue. An interesting Los Angeles Times analysis suggests that the album delivered jazz from a listlessness that began with Charlie Parker's death four years earlier.
*This epic press release from The Thelonious Monk Institute describes a series of "informances" taking place at Kansas City public schools.
*Here's the Star's story about "Gates Bar-B-Q Suite."
*Doug Ramsey took notes at a recent Karrin Allyson concert.
*Bill Caldwell's new album, Common Tones, is available at CD Baby and iTunes.
*I'm so eager to see the documentary Cowtown Ballroom... Sweet Jesus! that I studied the Kansas City venue's complete schedule. The only jazz act to play there during the hippie era was Charles Lloyd. He opened for King Crimson and Gentle Giant on April 22, 1973.
*The Pitch reports that The Marching Cobras are in a bit of pickle.
(Original image by Plastic Sax.)
And calling Charles Lloyd that night 'jazz' might be debatable among some. Most of the set consisted of the incoherent acid guitar of Blackbird McKnight. I was there and I remember it all really well.
ReplyDeleteOne of Zappa's shows had more 'jazz' content if that means anything, which to some I guess not.
Just saying...
Amazing, BGO! I can't imagine Robert Fripp in that setting, either. Freaky.
ReplyDeleteHIB,
ReplyDeleteFripp's cohorts that night were John Wetton, David Cross and Bill Bruford. They were top shelf and in fine form. The headliner and the best act of the night hands down.