Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*The Kansas City Star published a review of Wycliffe Gordon's appearance with The Kansas City Jazz Orchestra.

*Hermon Mehari, Plastic Sax's 2009 Person of the Year, was awarded a $10,000 grant from the Charlotte Street Foundation.

*Crossroads KC has booked Trombone Shorty on June 17 and the Pat Metheny Unity Group with Bruce Hornsby on July 26.

*Road trip?  The Wayne Shorter Quarter- the legendary saxophonist, Danilo Pérez, John Patitucci and Brian Blade- will perform in Omaha on April 2.

*Last minute gig announcement: Todd Strait, Pete Rende, Jeff Harshbarger and Matt Otto will perform Wednesday, March 26, at Westport Coffee House.

*KCJazzLark provides a positive report about full clubs with diverse audiences.

*Chris Burnett announces the personnel of his new band.

*Tweet o' the Week: Green Lady Lounge- The Orion Room @ Green Lady Lounge: a 2nd Jazz stage n lower level w Knabe Baby Grand & house drums. Great listening rm opening n April.

*From a press release: Enjoy the multi-faceted music of the Kansas City Kansas Community College Jazz program with the award-winning KCKCC Jazz Ensemble, Vocal Jazz 1, the Bebop Combo as well as the relaxing rhythms of the Latin Band under the tutelage of Jurgen Welge. The KCKCC Jazz Ensemble, under the direction of Jim Mair, has earned the distinct honor of performing at the 30th Annual Havana (Cuba) Jazz Festival in December 2014 and the Vocal Jazz 1 Ensemble, directed by John Stafford, will be performing in April at the New York City Jazz Festival at the Lincoln Center…. Spirituality & All That Jazz. 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, April 2. $7.00

*From a press release: Community Christian Church… is pleased to host the inaugural presentation of the very first Big Band Boogie Bash,  with Tim Whitmer presenting the one and only Vine Street Rumble Jazz Orchestra, as they honor the legacy of Kansas City’s “Golden Era” of world renowned Jazz, on Sunday, March 30, 2014, at 4:00 p.m. The Vine Street Rumble performs exclusively the same exciting music that made Kansas City “the” place to be in the 1930’s, 40’s and beyond… Standards by Count Basie, Bennie Moten, and Mary Lou Williams/Andy Kirk, and many other “Big Band” impresarios will suffuse the performances by the VSR personnel, which includes: Kent Rausch (Musical Director), Mike Hererra (Alto Sax), Steve Lambert (Tenor Sax), Brett Jackson (Tenor Sax), Carl Bender  (Baritone Sax), Jay Sollenberger  (Trumpet), Barry Springer  (Trumpet), Al Pearson (Trumpet), Dan Strom (Trombone), Jason Goudeau (Trombone), Rod Fleeman (Guitar), Walter Bryant (Piano), Jeff Harshbarger (Bass), Jurgen Welge (Drums), with highlight participation by Tim Whitmer on the piano.  Tickets are $10 (prior to the concert), $15 (at the door).

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)