Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes






















*I've intentionally let KCJazzLark's Twitter posts on the matter pass without comment, but now that the author has blogged about his plans, I'll share the news here: I’m working now to open a new jazz club in KC. I don’t know if I’ll be successful (lately I’ve faced more discouragement than encouragement). Read the entire post for context. The blogger also plays NPR's "five recent jazz albums" game.

*According to a painfully convoluted press release promoting an October 11 event in Washington D.C.: The concert will also feature the winner of the Thelonious Monk International Composers Award, sponsored by BMI. This year's winner is Joseph Johnson of Kansas City, Mo., who will perform his winning composition, “Shepherd's Song." The Composers Award, which carries a prize of $10,000, is presented to a composer who best demonstrates originality, creativity and excellence in jazz composition.

*Joe Klopus offers a history of the Kansas City Jazz Orchestra.

*UMKC's public relations department issued a press release and an accompanying video touting the institution's jazz program.

*Ben Ruth of Grand Marquis is interviewed by the Pitch.

*Here's the site for October 3's Excelsior Springs Jazz & Wine Festival. And details concerning UMKC's Jazz & BBQ benefit on October 4 are here.

*Mark Edelman surveys the week in live jazz.

*The Wayward Blog found a video I'd missed. Here's the scene in Leon Brady's Saturday morning classroom.

*From a press release: NYC-based jazz violinist Christian Howes will offer a pair of events in the Kansas City area October 4th and 5th. On Sunday... Howes will present a clinic from 2-4 p.m. ...(at K.C. Strings). On Monday... Howes will perform a concert from 6-10 p.m. with a jazz quartet (at Jardine's)... “I thought this tour would be the perfect excuse to visit Kansas City and present not only a concert for the community, but offer a clinic for locally-based musicians whom have perhaps rarely had the opportunity to be exposed to jazz strings.”

*Contemporary cabaret act Alacartoona will host a DVD release party October 17 at Screenland Theater.

*Steve Penn supports Rep. Emanuel Cleaver's actions on behalf of the American Jazz Museum.

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

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