*A Canadian concert overseen by Jim Mair is favorably reviewed by the Winnipeg Free Press. The final item in today's Plastic Sax post contains startling breaking news regarding Mair.
*Dan Thomas' travel blog documenting the trip to Japan taken by Bobby Watson and his UMKC jazz students is magnificent.
*Sam Mellinger's column about the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum's woes is terribly depressing. Mellinger suggests that the museum will likely end up moving to either Cooperstown or Kauffman Stadium. Jazz fans are forced to wonder how the adjacent American Jazz Museum would be affected.
*The Branford Marsalis Quartet's concert at the Gem Theater was reviewed by the Star.
*KCJazzLark posts a great entry about the Reno Club.
*Joe Lovano's new album is a tribute to Charlie Parker. The saxophonist will perform at the Folly on April 2.
*The Leavenworth Times provides details about the November 13 concert at the Hollywood Theater featuring Sons of Brasil and the Roger Wilder Quartet.
*Tony's Kansas City reports that Dave Stephens and Lonnie McFadden will entertain during the Plaza lighting ceremony.
*Mark Edelman returns with a fresh column.
*Tweet of the week: The Majestic: Tonight $1 Wells & a Jam Session featuring more than 10 of KC's best Jazz musicians 5:30-9:30PM! No cover-$3 / 3 Can donation to Harvesters
*From Jim Mair: Dear KCJO musicians, I wanted to let you know that after the Christmas concerts in December, Mary and I will be resigning from The Kansas City Jazz Orchestra. It has been 8 years since we set out to make this project a reality and we feel like the organization needs some fresh ideas and new energy. I'm excited to announce that Kerry Strayer has been asked to serve as the new Artistic Director and Conductor... The Board of Directors is currently interviewing candidates for Executive Director... Although the economy has made obtaining funding over the past two years more difficult, the organization has remained financially sound with over $160,000 currently in the bank... It has been an honor for us to have worked with you, and for me especially to front an ensemble of your caliber and talent. Giving that up is tough, however we feel it is best for our family and best for the organization.
(Original image by Plastic Sax.)
In 1993, when it was decided the jazz museum and the Negro Leagues museum would share one building, a group tried hard to instead place the Negro Leagues museum at Kauffman Stadium. It was one of the stories I edited out of the series on the development of a jazz museum on my blog. The effort failed for financial and political reasons. I don't know the future of the Negro Leagues museum, but I doubt anyone will make happen today a move that failed before the museum was built.
ReplyDeleteIs the image above a comment on the Jim Mair situation? Is there something you're not telling us?
ReplyDeleteI hope you're right, KCJazzLark.
ReplyDeleteNo, Anon. I like and respect Mair. I'm merely paying tribute to the backside of one of KC's best barbecue joints.