Now's the Time: Ahmaad Alaadeen

Goofy jazz enthusiasts exclaim “Bird lives” as they celebrate the centennial of Charlie Parker’s birth this month.  The spirit of Ahmad Alaadeen also continues to resound in Kansas City.  Logan Richardson is among the late saxophonist’s notable disciples.

Now's the Time: Montez Coleman

Montez Coleman will lead a band at the Blue Room on Friday, August 28.  He supports trumpeter Roy Hargrove in the embedded video.  The drummer from St. Louis has also collaborated with Kansas City’s Ahmad Alaadeen, Luqman Hamza and Bobby Watson.

Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*KC Jazz Lark documents the debut of the People's Liberation Big Band at Take Five Coffee + Bar's new location.

*Anita Dixon made a television appearance to promote the centennial anniversary of the Mutual Musicians Foundation.

*Jazz students representing UMKC's Conservatory of Music and Dance perform at the 3:50 mark on a televised news program.

*"A Risk I Take" , another track from Chris Burnett's forthcoming album, is available at CDBaby.

*The Pitch cosigns Rob Scheps' latest barnstorming tour of the Kansas City area.

*Christ Community church hosts the Brookside Jazz Festival on Friday, November 7.

*Joe Dimino interviewed Bob Mintzer for his Neon Jazz podcast.

*Tweet o' the Week: Pete Weber- Bucky Pizzarelli and Ed Laub were excellent on our show, and incredibly great guys off stage. #jazz #guitar

*From Fanny Dunfee: Jazz musician, composer, educator Donivan Bailey has been selected as a Master educator in the Alaadeen Jazz Master/Apprentice Program for 2014/2015. Bailey has chosen and  begun work with his Apprentice Jarred Stangohr. The Master/Apprentice pair has established a learning agreement to guide their work together through the Apprenticeship Program with activities scheduled throughout the year, based on the Alaadeen Method Of Instruction™...  The 2013 Program sponsored Donivan Bailey and Dennis Winslett as Masters.

*From Johnson County Community College: Chris Botti, who won a Grammy in 2013 for best pop instrumental album, will perform at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5, at Johnson County Community College… Tickets… are $120, $60 and $50… Botti is a multiple gold and platinum performer who has found a form of creative expression that begins in jazz and expands beyond the limits of any single genre. He has recorded and performed with artists who include Sting, Josh Groban, Yo-Yo Ma, Michael Bublé, Paul Smith, Joni Mitchell, John Mayer, Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler and Frank Sinatra.

*The Kansas City Jazz Calendar has been updated.

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*KC Jazz Lark documented the final night of the original location of Take Five Coffee + Bar.  The venue will reopen in a larger space later this month.

*100 Years of Jazz is a new site promoting The Art of Kansas City Swing: An International Jazz Education Festival at the Mutual Musicians Foundation in 2015.

*Kristin Shafel Omiccioli reviewed the Kansas City Jazz Orchestra's most recent concert.

*The Kansas City Star reviewed Marilyn Maye's collaboration with the Kansas City Symphony.

*Shades of Jade was featured on KCUR's Local Listen segment.

*The Pitch touts this weekend's 18th & Vine Jazz and Blues Festival.

*Joeless Shoe posted a "track rundown" of the band's new album Midsole.

*The Columbia Business Times published a love letter to the city's We Always Swing Jazz Series.

*Joe Dimino interviewed Ted Nash for his Neon Jazz podcast.

*Tweet o' the Week: American Jazz Museum- Great weather for a festival ... (link)

*From Fanny Dunfee: The year after Alaadeen passed, I wrote a book of poems titled "The Heartbeat Next To My Heartbeat." On October 25th, I am pleased to be part of Homegrown Reads, the Local Author Fair at the Kansas City, Kansas Public Library, South Branch, 3104 Strong Avenue in Kansas City, Kansas, from 1pm to 4:30pm… In addition to "The Heartbeat Next To My Heartbeat" I will have all of my books available for purchase including "Dysfunctional, life journeys of a second generation jazz musician," "The Rest Of The Story, Jazz Improvization and History" and "Alaadeen, The Complete Song Book."

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*Shay Estes won the Jazz Solo category and Project H claimed the prize for top Jazz Ensemble at Sunday's Pitch Music Awards ceremony.

*An Indiegogo campaign has been created to raise funds for the Alaadeen Jazz Master/Apprentice Program.

*A local television station produced a two-minute feature on Tim Whitmer.

*The Pitch recommends the Paul Shinn Trio's four-night residency at the Green Lady Lounge.

*"Do It Up & Do It Right" is another track from the Project H's forthcoming album.

*KC Jazz Lark commemorates his blog's fifth anniversary with a round of great photos.

*A new generation of plastic saxophones is being created.

*Dean Minderman of St. Louis Jazz Notes reports that Mary Halvorson, Roscoe Mitchell, Craig Taborn, Glenn Kotche and Tim Berne are among the artists featured in New Music Circle's 2014-15 season.

*Tweet o' the Week: Mills Record Company- Okay...Jorge Arana Trio and Temp Tat too. Haymaker Records Brenton has been tuning up the projector since 2 today. He has a video to show you

*Comment o' the Week: KC Jazz Lark: I was at The Phoenix about the same time, maybe a little earlier, with a couple of friends. The club was about half filled for Tim Whitmer & KC Express with Lori Tucker, with more people streaming in when we left. That's something The Phoenix has done well: Between Lonnie McFadden on Friday evenings and Tim on Saturdays, they have found a couple of popular and fun acts who have built a buzz and make people think of The Phoenix when conisdering where to get some drinks downtown on a weekend evening, I don't know which other musicians could build a similar buzz at other clubs, but it''s something Green Lady could use and Broadway Jazz Club needs.

*From Jim Mair: Jazz by the Lake so far: First Thursday of the Month noon to 1pm KCKCC Conference Center by the Lake. Thursday September 4:KCKCC Jazz Faculty Cuba Kick Off. Thursday October 2: Diana Herold/Grisha Alexiev Quartet from New York City. Thursday November 6: The Roberto Magris Trio (pianist from Italy and J Mood recording Artist).

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*KCUR reports that Ginny Coleman, the longtime cohost of the station's "Just Jazz" program, has died.

*KC Jazz Lark offers a history lesson about the Sunset Club.

*The Topeka Capital-Journal suggests that the city is a hotbed of jazz this month.

*The Pitch recommends Ida McBeth's forthcoming gig at the Blue Room.

*Tweet o' the Week: Bob McWilliams- Ticket giveaways galore from 9 to 11 tonight on #MyKPR for @PatMetheny plus @jaleelshaw and @dave_douglas at KU Jazz Fest.

*From Alaadeen Enterprises: Charts of Alaadeen's original compositions are now available for instant download. Richard White, Alaadeen's son and CEO of 'ASR Records, is responsible for this latest advancement in preserving Alaadeen's legacy.  Go to Alaadeen to download your favorite Alaadeen tune.  When you place your order, a link is sent to download and print your PDF files…

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Now's the Time: Najee

I've seen some of the most legendary figures in jazz perform to hundreds of empty seats at the Gem Theater.  Najee's appearance at the historic venue on Saturday, February 15, however, is a virtual sellout.  There's no shortage of fans of Najee's funk-infused version of smooth jazz.  Saturday's concert will include a tribute to the late Ahmad Alaadeen.  Joe Klopus spoke with Najee in advance of the concert.

Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*The American Jazz Museum has a free iPhone app designed to let users "always know what is going on in The Blue Room at the American Jazz Museum and at the American Jazz Museum."

*KC Jazz Lark reviews the A Kansas City Trumpet Summit album.

*The Prairie Village Post reports that the 2013 edition of the Prairie Village Jazz Festival lost money.

*The Kansas City Kansan provides news of an Ahmad Alaadeen-related event.  A press release for the Kansas City Kansas Public Library's "Bop In the Dotte" program contains additional details.

*A Matt Carrillo gig at Take FIve Coffee + Bar is recommended by The Pitch.

*Here's the latest episode of 12th Street Jump's "Blues In the News".

*Tweet o' the Week: KCK Public Library- Join us for a free Kansas City Jazz Orchestra Concert and Barbecue Dinner! Reserve your tickets now. #bopinthedotte

*From Take Five Coffee: Friday, November 15, 8 pm: MBird- …So many evenings singer Megan Birdsall has delighted us with her interpretations of jazz standards, but the songbird has a rock side, too. Fronting her alter-ego quartet MBird - featuring Michael Andrew Smith (guitar), Ben Leifer (bass) and Matt Leifer (drums)… $5 cover.  Saturday, November 16, 8:45 pm:  Matt Carrillo Quartet- Sax man Matt Carillo is back in Kansas City for a brief visit, and we have him at Take Five for his debut performance in the city's finest listening room. Matt's saxophone artistry will be supported by bassist Micah Herman, Mark Lowrey on keys and Brad Williams on drums… EDIT- SUNDAY'S EVENT HAS BEEN POSTPONED Sunday, November 17, 7 pm:  Shults and Schlamb- …Peter Schlamb on the vibraphone and Michael Shults on saxophone… $3 cover.

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Album Review: Harold O'Neal- Man On the Street

Harold O'Neal relocated to New York several years ago, but he still has Kansas City on his mind.

Man On the Street, O'Neal's new album, opens with a tune titled "The Deen of Swing."  The song is almost certainly a tribute to the late Ahmad Alaadeen, one of O'Neal's mentors as he grew up in Kansas City.

Bobby Watson also gave the young pianist's career a significant boost. "Is It This," the second track on the album, is a melodic tune in the style of Watson.  Other tracks, including "P.L.C,," advance the hard bop theme of Man On the Street. 

The most interesting tracks, however, are the least conventional selections.  The mystical "Childlike" is thoroughly enchanting.  The impressionistic solo piano piece "Gossamer's Lilt" is the highlight of the album.  O'Neal's band- saxophonist Marcus Strickland, bassist Joe Sanders and drummer Marcus Gilmore- is strong, but it's O'Neal's classically-inspired playing that differentiates his music.

In spite of the album's title, very few of the sounds of Man On the Street will jump out at listeners not already conversant in the jazz language.  Jazz hounds, however, will relish the project.

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*KCPT offers an eight-minute feature focused on the American Jazz Museum.

*The Kansas City Jazz Orchestra's 2013-14 season has been announced.

*The Pitch reports that the Broadway Jazz Club will open this fall.

*KC Jazz Lark explains how the lineup for the forthcoming Prairie Village Jazz Festival was assembled.

*The goal of a Kickstarter campaign for a musical about Myra Taylor is $14,000.

*Steve Lambert is the latest musician to be interviewed by Joe Dimino for Neon Jazz.

*The Green Lady Lounge has a Tumblr account.

*Here's an early review of Chuck Haddix's Bird: The Life and Music of Charlie Parker.

*The Pitch reminds readers that Lonnie McFadden appears every Friday at the Phoenix.

*The gist of a press release issued by the American Jazz Museum: "A portion of the proceeds" of the 2014 Jazz Cruise "will support The American Jazz Museum."

*Tweet o' the Week: kcjazzlark- No empty seats at Take Five for Andy McGhie, sax, Hermon Mehari, trumpet, Peter Schlamb, vibes, Karl McComas-Reichl, bass, Ryan Lee, drums

*Comment o' the Week: tjjazzpiano- Awesome line up at the PV festival. It's nice to see a great mix of local and national talent.

*From a press release: Few artists could record two albums over the course of one week in different musical genres, with disparate personnel, and at separate studios. Yet New York City-based pianist Eldar Djangirov has done just that, and proven himself musically ambidextrous as evidenced by two remarkable, self-produced recordings for his debut on the maverick, multi-Grammy nominated Motéma Music this April and May.  Eldar's Breakthrough, recorded at Avatar Studios in New York City, releases April 9. Like the 26-year-old's 2009 disc Virtue, it features his long-standing touring trio with bassist Armando Gola and drummer Ludwig Afonso. Breakthrough breaks through to reinforce just how powerful and poignant a road tested jazz trio of young lions can be…  Bach/Brahms/Prokofiev, recorded solo at Manhattan Center Studios and available May 14, marks the pianist's second solo release, and his debut album in the classical genre.

*From a press release: Alaadeen Enterprises Inc. (AEI) Jazz Education Re-Launch, 6 p.m. Wednesday, July 24, (the late and world renowned Alaadeen’s 79th birthday), under a tent next to the Charlie Parker Memorial at 18th and Vine.  This FREE event will have performances + a jam session (7 p.m.) + Najee, Kevin Mahogany & Matt Kane Skyping.  Others: Luqman Hamza, Bobby Watson, Dennis Winslett, Harold O’Neal, youth & many more esteemed musicians + Mayor Sly James + a Who’s Who of the cultural arts community.  Hot tunes & cool tents for shade!  Announcing major educational initiatives for music students.

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*Chris Robinson praises albums by Alaturka, Matt Otto, Eddie Moore, Chris Hazelton, T.J. Martley, Roger Wilder and Clint Ashlock in the August issue of Downbeat magazine.

*A cursory scan of the 2013 Downbeat’s Critics Awards revealed the following Kansas City-related winners: Pat Metheny- 2nd place, Guitarist; Bobby Watson- 16th place, Alto Saxophone; Pat Metheny- 15th place, Album (Unity Band); Karrin Allyson- 1st place, Rising Star, Female Vocalist.

*Three songs from Chris Hazelton’s Boogaloo 7- including a cover of “Suit & Tie”- are available at Bandcamp.

*KC Jazz Lark documents last weekend’s trumpet summit of Hermon Mehari, Stan Kessler and Mike Metheny at the Blue Room.

*John Elliott, a beloved instructor of many Kansas City musicians, has died.

*Black House Collective will host a "2 month long new music festival called Black Lab".

*The Pitch offers a lengthy feature on the “sophisticated dissonance” of the People’s Liberation Big Band in advance of the ensemble’s performance Sunday at the RecordBar.

*Stanley Crouch discusses his forthcoming book about Charlie Parker.  (Via Tony’s Kansas City.)

*Here’s a video preview of Harold O’Neal’s Man On the Street album.

*Ahmad Alaadeen, Matt Kane and Pat Metheny were among the artists discussed in a roundup of the The Best Kansas City Music of 2013 (So Far) on KCUR’s Up To Date.

*St. Louis Jazz Notes reports that Marilyn Maye will play an integral role at the 2013 St. Louis Cabaret Festival.

*Bobby Watson is a guest on Intuition, the new album by the Czech-based Libor Šmoldas Quartet.

*Pat Metheny accompanies Buika on ”No lo sé”, a track on the Spanish vocalist’s new album.

*Here’s the latest edition of 12th Street Jump’s ”Blues In the News”.

*Tweet o’ the Week: Ben Leifer- Deborah Brown is the baddest! Thank you for your wonderful spirit! #kcjazz #swinghard #jazztradition @GreenLadyLounge

*Comment o’ the Week: Sam- YES!  I'm not sure J.C. Deagan could've imagined this when he was making Xylophones in the '20's.

*Here’s a flyer touting the July Jazz Jam at Community Christian Church.

*From a press release (note change of venue from a previously published notice): Alaadeen Enterprises (AEI), the non-profit education organization founded in 1995 by the late Ahmad Alaadeen – jazz musician and educator – plans to re-launch its jazz educational initiative on Wednesday, July 24, 2013 (his 79th birthday) at the Jazz District Patio Terrace, next to the Charlie ‘Bird’ Parker Memorial, on 18th & Paseo.

*The Kansas City Jazz Calendar has been updated for July.

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*"Kansas City, this home to jazz with institutions and a tradition other cities can envy, is mired in minor festivals," KC Jazz Lark suggests in a powerful new post.

*The Kansas City Star reports that the Smooth J Cafe in Overland Park will have a smooth jazz theme.

*Here's footage of Winard Harper jamming at the Mutual Musicians Foundation earlier this month.

*Logan Richardson's talent as an actor is displayed in a clip from a new film.

*Tweet o' the Week: kellyurich- Jazz in the Woods cancelled. If you're a hipster you will have to find another place to pretend to like jazz music.

*Comment o' the Week: Tony DeSare- Lol, I would have expected exactly this reaction from the Journey cover from the jazzerati. You would have been slightly better off posting this one probably.

*From a press release: Alaadeen Enterprises (AEI), the non-profit education organization founded in 1998 by the late Ahmad Alaadeen – jazz musician and educator – plans to re-launch its jazz educational initiative on Wednesday, July 24, 2013 (his 79th birthday) at 11 AM at the Mutual Musicians Foundation, where he started his career as a Kansas City jazz musician.  The purpose of this event is to highlight AEI, its vision, and plans; to introduce its new Executive Director, Dennis J. Winslett, and to announce its major educational initiatives, including its Bird House Fellowship Program, which will develop a select group of music students through a comprehensive arts and humanities curriculum in workshops scheduled throughout the year, based on the Alaadeen Method of Instruction™…  The event is free to the public and is intended to attract local media coverage, to engage the broader jazz and arts community, and to launch a comprehensive strategic plan to revive jazz education in Kansas City.  The event will feature tributes from some of Kansas City’s most prominent jazz musicians and educators, who were taught and/or influenced by Ahmad Alaadeen, including Kevin Mahogany, Dennis Winslett, Logan Richardson, Bobby Watson, and more.  Several of their students, representing three generations of Kansas City jazz musicians, will perform Alaadeen's original compositions….

*From Michael Shults: (W)anted to tell you about a new project I'm working on, playing duets with Peter Schlamb.  Our first gig is Sunday (June 23) at Take Five at 7 PM. We'll do some originals by Peter and I, probably cover "Vaal" from Logan Richardson's album "Ethos", and some standards. It's definitely at the experiment stage right now, but it's a lot of fun and I think alto+vibes is a really unique sonority.

*From Kerry Strayer: Because of health concerns related to my cancer treatments I will not be able to appear with Barissentials this Friday, June 21, 2013 at Take 5 from 8-10pm.  However the band will appear with tenor saxophonist Steve Lambert subbing for me. I may stop by and sit in on a few tunes if I feel up to it but I will not be able to play the entire gig.  Please support the band and the venue. I hope I feel well enough to stop by and hope to reschedule this date at another time.

*From Mike Metheny: A KC Trumpet Summit at The Blue Room with: Stan Kessler, Hermon Mehari & Mike Metheny, featuring: TJ Martley, piano, Gerald Spaits, bass, Brian Steever, drums,  Saturday, June 29, 2013, 8:30pm - 12:30am.

*From Jazz Winterlude: Here's news: Jazz Winterlude and the JCCC Performing Arts Series invite you to two jazz performances in June: The Tyrone Clark Trio will perform on Monday, June 24 at noon to 1:00 p.m. in the Regnier Center Atrium on campus. On Wednesday, June 26, Gerald Spaits and Charles Perkins will perform from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. in that space. The concerts are free, and Cafe Tempo will offer a free drink to those who purchase an entree (delicious!) between noon and 1:00 p.m. on those days. Join us for some fun!

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*Joe Dimino posted new interviews with Jeff Harshbarger and Clint Ashlock at Neon Jazz.

*KCJazzLark alerts his readers to a BBC report about Herb Jeffries and shares a vintage photograph of the Mutual Musicians Foundation.

*The Grand Marquis created a new Kickstarter campaign.

*Jeneé Osterheldt spoke to Fanny Dunfee, Ahmad Alaadeen's widow, about her new book of poetry.

*Diana Krall's concert at the Midland theater was reviewed by The Kansas City Star.

*A critic raves about a Kansas City-inspired band's performance at a British jazz festival.

*Tweet o' the Week: parkavepirate- Easy Listening Jazz is like the Kansas City Royals...unobtrusive and yet secretly enjoyable with no real threat.

*Comment o' the Week: Russell- Time is no longer linear anymore.. it's a retrovirus

*From Rob Scheps: Early Notice: The Rob Scheps / Jim O'Connor Quintet- Rob Scheps - tenor sax, Jim O'Connor - trumpet/ flugelhorn, Roger Wilder - piano, Bob "Dwight" Bowman - bass, Brian Steever - drums, makes its Kansas Debut in these shows: Thursday October 3, 2013- Jazz On The Lake, Kansas City Kansas Community College, 12 pm - 1 pm.  Friday October 11, 2013- Take Five Coffee Bar, 7 pm - 10 pm…  Jim O'Connor is one of the greatest jazz trumpeters I've ever heard.

*From Doug Talley: This Friday, May 10, 8:30pm, we'll be performing the music of Wayne Shorter at the Blue Room, 18th and Vine, KCMO.  Don't miss this opportunity to hear pianist Sean Giddings, Shawnee Mission Northwest graduate currently living in Texas. Doug Talley - saxes, Joe Parisi - trumpet and flugelhorn, Sean Giddings - piano, Tim Brewer - acoustic and electric bass, Keith Kavanaugh - drums and cymbals.

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*Tim Finn provides insights into Friday's performance of Beck's Song Reader by Mark Lowrey, the Project H, Jeff Harshbarger and Shay Estes.

*Kenny G will appear with the Kansas City Symphony on January 17-18, 2014.

*Craig Glazer lambasts the Jazz District as a "total and complete, unadulterated failure."

*Libby Hanssen reviewed concerts by Bobby McFerrin and Bach Aria Soloists.

*Here's a peek at Bobby Watson rehearsing with the Kansas City Ballet.

*Logan Richardson was a guest on an episode of the JazzWatch podcast.

*Joe Straws was featured in The Kansas City Star.

*Tweet o' the Week: mbirdmusic- Singing about Paris #paris #sprinbird #springtime #Bored Vine.

*Comment o' the Week: Anonymous- You say "anachronistic" like it's a bad thing ;)

*From a press release: Students in the KU School of Music Jazz Studies program received five awards from DownBeat magazine’s 36th Annual Student Music Awards.  Four students won awards in the following categories: Original Composition – Lead Sheet (undergraduate division), Original Composition – Orchestrated Work (graduate division) and Jazz Arrangement (graduate division).  David von Kampen, a doctoral student pursuing a music composition degree and previous DownBeat award recipient, was the recipient of two awards received top prize in the graduate division. He is the winner in the Original Composition -  Orchestrated Work category for “Soft Glow, Sharp Edges” and received an Outstanding Performance Award in the Jazz Arrangement category for “The Tourist.”  Clint Ashlock, pursuing a Doctorate of Musical Arts in trumpet, was named the winner of the Jazz Arrangement category (graduate division) for “Nebula.”  In the undergraduate division, Brock Chart (“Northern Lights”) and Devin Wright (“Imploding Man”) both received Outstanding Performance awards in the Original Composition – Lead Sheet category. Chart is a senior pursuing a bachelor degree in music composition, while Wright was a senior pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in jazz studies in 2012.  All of the winning compositions and arrangements were written for and recorded by the top ensembles within the KU Jazz Studies Program:  Jazz Ensemble I, Combo I, and the Jazz Singers.  The program is under the direction of Dan Gailey, director of jazz studies at KU. Under Gailey’s leadership, the program has received 17 DownBeat awards since 1992.

*From Jim Mair: For most of the 700 musicians from three states, the 3rd Annual Kansas City Jazz Summit provided them with their first look at Kansas City Kansas Community College.  “It had a real impact on those who had never been here,” said Jim Mair, Director of Jazz Music at KCKCC and founder and organizer of the three-day Jazz Summit that attracted 35 middle school, high school and college bands from three states… The Summit was highlighted by the Kansas City Jazz Heritage “Basically Basie” competition won for the third straight year by Blue Valley Northwest High School. The championship was decided by members of the audience who were able to text their votes.  Mair said the 35 bands which competed came from as far away as Springfield and St. Louis in Missouri, Iowa and western Kansas and represented a 15 percent increase in participants. Participating bands included four college bands, Johnson County Community College, Penn Valley, Southwestern Iowa and Washburn University along with KCKCC.

*From a press release: The Heartbeat Next to My Heartbeat is a collection of writing over three years by Victoria “Fanny” Alaadeen. She chronicles the time she devoted as her husband’s full-time caretaker on a slow journey through cancer and shares the process of her recovery after his death. Fanny was wife, business manager, inspiration and personal savior to celebrated saxophonist and educator Ahmad Alaadeen… She lays bare the anguish of losing him through musings that she calls ”beats” – poem/essay hybrids that strike at the emotions like beats on a drum or the rhythmic pulsing of a heartbeat… The American Jazz Museum will host a book signing with Fanny Alaadeen and has selections of Ahmad Alaadeen’s discography available in the Swing Shop.  The Heartbeat Next to My Heartbeat is available through Fandeen publishing and the Swing Shop in the American Jazz Museum… and online at alaadeen.com, smashwords.com, and amazon.com.

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Album Review: Matt Kane Trio- Suit Up!

First impressions in jazz aren't very reliable.  I spent the first ten minutes of my initial audition of Suit Up!, the new album by the Matt Kane Trio, wondering why another relatively young musician would choose to make an anachronistic organ trio album.

Hip details soon began to grab my attention.  Not only is the trio of drummer Kane, organist Kyle Koehler and guitarist Dave Stryker extraordinarily tight, all three men contribute sly flourishes that give the recording a covert layer of depth. 

"I wanted a response from the folks, wanted them to party and have fun and groove but at the same time I wanted to play music I loved with great players," Kane writes in a blog post about the making of Suit Up!.

The range of the album is revealed by its opening and closing tracks.   Suit Up! begins with Pat Metheny's persuasive melody "John McKee" and ends with a funky rendition of Earth, Wind & Fire's "That's the Way of the World."  The two most interesting tracks, however, are Ahmad Alaadeen's "Big Six" and "21st Century Ragg."  As Chuck Haddix documents in the liner notes, Kane honed his chops in Kansas City with the McFadden Brothers, Ida McBeth and Alaadeen before relocating to New York. 

Suit Up!'s most challenging selections, "Big Six" and "21st Century Ragg" allow Kane to reaffirm his Kansas City roots and remind listeners of Alaadeen's greatness.

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*The 2013 lineup for the Jazz In the Woods festival has been announced.  Greg Adams and East Bay Soul, Tony DeSare and Marc Antoine will perform on Friday, June 14.  Peter White, Julian Vaughn, the David Wells/Chris Geith Project and Vincent Ingala will perform on Saturday, June 15.

*Joe Dimino of Neon Jazz interviewed Stan Kessler.

*Breakthrough, the new album by the Eldar Djangirov Trio, was released this week.

*Matt Kane writes about Ahmad Alaadeen, Take Five Coffee, Ben Leifer, Hermon Mehari, Roger Wilder, Steve Lambert and his favorite spots in Kansas City in an entertaining blog post.

*Joe Chambers' appearance with the 18th & Vine Big Band is documented by KCJazzLark.

*The Kansas City Star offers reviews of the Kansas City Jazz Orchestra's tribute to Benny Goodman's Carnegie Hall concert and the Dave Douglas Quintet at the Blue Room.

*Brandon Draper's weekly gig at the Kill Devil Club is the subject a four-minute video.  (Via Offstage.)

*Frank Driggs' collection of jazz photos has been donated to Jazz at Lincoln Center.  Driggs and Chuck Haddix cowrote Kansas City Jazz: From Ragtime to Bebop: A History.  (Via Steve Paul.)

*A critic characterizes The Freedom of Expression by Eddie Moore and the Outer Circle as an "auspicious debut."

*Tweet o' the Week: Lauren Paasch: have you ever seen an 80 year old jazz musician cuter than jerry dodgion? i doubt it #fact #oldpeopleareadorable

*From Brad Cox: I wanted to let you know that the next People's Liberation Big Band show at the RecordBar will take place Sunday, April 14. We have a lot of new music to try out. I mean there's really a lot. I'm not too sure of the proper unit of measure, but I'm pretty sure it is either a sh#t ton, or a metric ton, whichever is greater. We will also be joined by guest vocalist Shay Estes, which is always a treat.

*From Neill Smith: I am super excited to announce that we are starting a music appreciation night starting this Sunday at The Riot Room! Each week will feature a different guest DJ playing their personal music collection + from midnight to close you can get all the PBR you can drink for $10!  The series begins April 15.  Hermon Mehari is the guest DJ on May 26.

*From Johnson County Community College: A protégé of the legendary jazz master Dizzy Gillespie, (Arturo) Sandoval has evolved into one of the world's most acknowledged guardians of jazz trumpet and flugelhorn as well as a renowned classical artist, pianist and composer. He will appear as part of the college's annual Jazz Winterlude festival (on) Saturday, Jan. 25 (in) Yardley Hall.

*From Ron Carlson: Saturday, April 13th @ Lucky Brewgrille, 7-10 pm. Rob Scheps (sax), Jerry Dodgion (sax), Bob Bowman (bass), Ron Carlson (guitar), Brian Steever (drums).  Sunday, April 14th @ Murray's (12921 State Line), 6-9pm. Rob Scheps (sax), Jerry Dodgion (sax), Roger Wilder (piano), Ron Carlson (guitar) then a regular schedule of Fridays at Lucky Brewgrille and Saturdays at Murray's with my trio format and featuring great local musicians!

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*The Kansas City Star reviewed the Rhythm & Ribs Jazz and Blues Festival.  KCJazzLark provides an account.  UMKC's University News reported on Saturday's event.

*The Pitch named Hermon Mehari "Best Collaborator".  (The publication didn't have any categories dedicated to jazz in its popular annual "Best of" edition.)

*Here's a 15-second video promoting Vijay Iyer's upcoming concert at the Folly Theater.

*Sue Vicory made an appearance on Fox 4 News to promote her Kansas City jazz and blues documentary.  Vicory was also interviewed by Steve Kraske.

*Esperanza Spalding's concert at Helzberg Hall was reviewed by Kristin Shafel Omiccioli.  Mark Edelman also offers an appreciation.

*A nice profile of Marlin Cooper was published by the Wyandotte Daily News.

*The Kansas City Star reviewed Norah Jones' concert at the Midland Theatre.

*Ben Ratliff of The New York Times reviewed a concert by Pat Metheny's Unity Band.

*Tweet o' the Week: Chris HazeltonB3- Hey @MayorSlyJames, we need to start advertising #KCJazz on a national level. Seriously, we've got something special going on in this city.

*Comment o' the Week: Matt Leifer- Anon, I'm not trying to undermine the importance of subtlety of phrasing and dynamics but not everything taught in school is relevant all the time. Maybe part of the reason younger generations don't listen to jazz is because it's too academic too much of the time. 

High artistic standards are a must, and there's a time and place for everything, but I feel that sometimes "piss and vinegar," volume and balls are more called for than the alternative. Especially at a bar marketing toward a younger demographic. Nobody at Kill Devil is listening for subtlety of phrasing, they're looking for a kickass, swinging good time and loud is par for the course in a situation like that. 

That's just my take on things.

*From Bad Cox: Composer and pianist Brad Cox will present a night of music written for his nine-piece ensemble on Sunday, October 21 at 8:00 p.m. at the RecordBar as part of Jeff Harshbarger’s twice-monthly jazz series.  The Brad Cox Nonet consists of a "double trio" configuration (two drum sets, two basses, and two tenor saxophones) augmented by three additional musicians playing percussion and keyboards… The musicians involved include saxophonists Rich Wheeler and Matt Otto, bassists Jeff Harshbarger and Ben Leifer, drummers Scotty McBee and Kent Burnham, percussionists Sam Wisman and Patrick Alonzo Conway, and Brad Cox on Rhodes electric piano.  Much of the music to be performed on the October 21 RecordBar date was written for Owen/Cox Dance Group’s upcoming fall performance, which will take place on October 26, 27 & 28 at the H&R Block City Stage Theater.

*From Take Five Coffee + Bar: Thursday, October 18, 7pm. Rob Scheps with special guest Shunzo Ohno. SPECIAL ENGAGEMENT: New York sax-man Rob Scheps has played at Take Five several times to outrageously big crowds and great reviews. This could be the best yet, as with him will be trumpeter Shunzo Ohno. Shunzo, a luminary in his own right, has played with Art Blakey, Gil Evans, Herbie Hancock and Wayne Shorter. And if you aren't a jazz historian, he's also played with Sting, Dave Matthews and David Byrne. If that wasn't enough, this man has overcome serious adversity to stay one of the best in the business. Go read his story at www.shunzoohno.com, then make absolutely sure you get to Take Five early to get a seat for this performance. Roger Wilder on piano, Bob Bowman on bass, Ryan Lee (back in town for a visit) on drums. No reservations accepted.

Friday, October 19, 8pm. Matt Otto Trio.  Saxophonist Matt Otto’s intensity and command as an improviser, composer and leader will keep us rolling into the weekend in the company of Ben Leifer, bass, and Mike Warren, drums.

Saturday, October 20, 8pm.  Jerry Hahn and Friends.  Renowned jazz guitarist Jerry Hahn will grace Take Five with his trio, featuring Everette DeVan on the organ and Mike Warren on drums. If you haven't seen him yet, do so. You’ll hear stories spun on guitar strings in a way few others can do.

*From Fanny Dunfee: Alaadeen Enterprises Inc. announces two recipients of this year's annual Alaadeen Awards of Excellence. The outstanding achievements of these individuals were acknowledged at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts in Kansas City, Missouri on September 14, 2012. Kerry Strayer, artistic director for the Kansas City Jazz Orchestra, presented the awards during the band's Tribute to the Count Basie Orchestra. The Alaadeen Awards Of Excellence include Jazz awards in two categories: The Alaadeen Achievement of Excellence Award and The Alaadeen Educator of Excellence Award. The recipients are recognized for their creative approach, originality and their ability to reach beyond technical excellence in Jazz music. 

The Alaadeen Achievement of Excellence Award recognizing artistic excellence in Jazz performance was presented to Dennis Winslett. Winslett began his study of the saxophone at the age of 9 in the historic jazz town of Kansas City. Upon moving to Chicago, his full intense sound and high energy free swinging style of improvisation quickly earned him a reputation as an exciting young player to watch. Returning to Kansas City he served as director of education at the American Jazz Museum. Alaadeen and Dennis spent many hours together in which Alaadeen passed on an enormous amount of information to Dennis; passing the torch, so to speak to the next generation. Alaadeen writes about Dennis in his autobiography "Dysfunctional/life journeys of a second generation jazz musician:" "I first taught him when he was in Junior High in Olathe, Kansas and now he's become an excellent saxophonist. One time he played a solo for me. He thought he really killed it. And he did, too, but I told him, 'Yeah, that's Cannonball…now I want to hear Dennis.'

The Alaadeen Educator of Excellence Award recognizing excellence in Jazz education was presented to Kevin Mahogany for his role as a teacher in developing each student's uniqueness. Mahogany began his study of music as a child with piano and later learned to play the clarinet and baritone saxophone, performing with jazz bands and teaching music while still in high school.

A former student of Alaadeen's at The Charlie Parker Foundation, Mahogany exemplifies Alaadeen's belief that the role of the teacher should help the student gain the ability, technique and knowledge to put together a convincing story to tell. With eleven CD's as a leader, and quite a few as a sideman, he has proved to be the quintessential jazz vocalist. Newsweek describes him as " the standout jazz vocalist of his generation." New Yorker magazine writer Whitney Balliet writes, "There is little Mahogany cannot do." Says the LA TIMES, " Mahogany is one of the first truly gifted male vocalists to emerge in years." As a jazz educator, Mahogany has taught at the Berklee College of Music in Boston and the University of Miami.

On presenting the awards, Kerry Strayer the Artistic Director for the Kansas City Jazz Orchestra, commented: “The Kansas City Jazz Orchestra was honored to present the Alaadeen Awards of Excellence at our concert. Alaadeen was a vital part of the Kansas City jazz scene for many decades. His legacy will live on in the works and deeds of his many students and colleagues as they follow his example of passing this music on by sharing it freely with others. Congratulations to Kevin and Dennis.”

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*The outstanding lineup for the Prairie Village Jazz Festival- the Karrin Allyson Quintet, the Bobby Watson Quartet, the Megan Birdsall Quartet, the Mike Metheny Quartet, the Rich Wheeler Quartet and Diverse- is revealed by KCJazzLark.

*A collection of Ahmad Alaadeen's "arrangements, manuscripts and recordings" has been donated to UMKC. A related press release is posted below.

*The Financial Times calls Logan Richardson a "cerebral improviser with a tough-toned veneer" in a review of a gig in London.  Richardson appears understandably displeased at the 1:59 mark in a brief appearance with Tony Tixier on French television.

*KCTV5 "investigates" an alleged lack of progress in the Jazz District.  Mike Hendrick's piece on Ephren Taylor Jr. offers insights into stalled plans for one high-profile development.

*Hermon Mehari promoted last Friday's concert at Crossroads KC on a television station's morning show.  Over 1,000 people attended the event that featured Diverse, Making Movies and Hearts of Darkness.

*Jeneé Osterheldt suggests that Hearts of Darkness offers a "true taste of Kansas City."

*A story about preparations for the All-Star Game includes references to the American Jazz Museum.

*The New Music Summer Festival takes place July 23-28 in Columbia.  Stephanie Berg, a graduate of Park Hill South High School, is among this year's resident composers.

*Bobby Watson will perform in Europe later this month.  The Star offers a photo of Watson playing with his big band Monday at the Blue Room.

*The saga of the namesake of this site is revisited at the American Jazz Museum's Tumblr account.

*Marc Myers' interview with Ed Shaughnessy contains several Charlie Parker-related insights.

*A couple years ago I proposed an initiative to have locally-based artists perform on the national broadcast of last night's MLB All-Star game.  I failed.  The broadcast featured performances by Tennessee-based bluesman Arthur Adams, current American Idol winner Phillip Phillips (the Georgian played a rootsy pop song), country's "platinum-selling superstar" Luke Bryan (another Georgia native) and country vocalist and Georgia native Kellie Pickler.  Alas- no Bobby Watson, Pat Metheny or Tech N9ne.

*Tweet o' the Week: Clint Ashlock- You could be hearing Bobby Watson for $5 right now. #KCJAZZ

*Comment o' the Week: Matt Leifer- Voyager!!!  This show would make the season worthwhile even if every other act was terrible. 2:00 of a quiet buildup on youtube doesn't do it justice. Buy the album: Voyager, Live by Night and get excited. Walter Smith III makes me giddy.

*From Michael Pagan: The Jazz in the Weeds Festival.  A $10 donation gets you 4 hours of live jazz, food, beverages and ice cream. An indoor facility provided in case of rain.  7607 E. 65th St., Kansas City, MO 64133.  July 21: Monte Musa Duo, Bill Crain Quartet, James Ward Band, Sons of Brazil.  July 28: Ken Loverns Organ Jazz Trio, Moon City Big Band, Killer Strayhorn, Michael Pagan Quartet.

*From UMKC: The collection of saxophonist, composer, and educator Ahmad Alaadeen has been donated to the LaBudde Special Collections and Marr Sound Archives in the Miller Nichols Library at the University of Missouri-Kansas City.

Fanny Dunfee, widow of the acclaimed Kansas City jazz icon, donated the collection, which includes arrangements, music manuscripts, photos, memorabilia, performance videos and audio tapes along with other material related to Alaadeen's life and career.

Renowned musician and producer Najee applauded the gift. "This is a wonderful effort to preserve the legacy of one of our jazz legends," Najee said. "I am pleased that the Marr Sound Archives will safeguard this legacy of one of the profound influences on the history of Kansas City jazz."

A 2010 recipient of the American Jazz Museum's Lifetime Achievement Award, Alaadeen was born and came of age musically in Kansas City. He first picked up the saxophone when he was in sixth grade, and later studied with Leo H. Davis, a revered music teacher at R.T. Coles High School.

Alaadeen's professional debut was with Davis' concert band when he was 14, playing E-flat horn. His first major job was playing baritone sax with the great pianist-bandleader Jay McShann.

Alaadeen attended the Kansas City Conservatory of Music, now the UMKC Conservatory of Music and Dance, and continued his education at St. Mary's College and DePaul University. He served in the military during 1957-59, taking on the job of jazz saxophonist and principal oboist with the 4th Army Band.

Over the course of his performing career, he worked with such jazz luminaries as Miles Davis, Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, the Count Basie Orchestra, Della Reese, Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson, T-Bone Walker, Claude "Fiddler" Williams, and also alongside noted R&B stars, including Rufus Thomas, Carla Thomas, Gladys Knight, Smokey Robinson, the Temptations, Four Tops and Sam Cooke.

After returning to Kansas City, Alaadeen became a well-respected educator, teaching jazz in both the school system and privately. In 2009, Alaadeen authored The Rest of the Story: Jazz Improvisation and History, a method manual in which he shares the secrets of how he learned music, passed down to him by the masters.

Alaadeen was the recipient of the Jazz Heritage Award, the Missouri Humanities Council's Community Heritage Award, and the Missouri Arts Award. In 2004 he was presented Kansas City's Lifetime Achievement Award.

Alaadeen passed away from cancer on August 15, 2010 at the age of 76.

(Original All-Star image by Plastic Sax.)

Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*Radio program 12th Street Jump is the subject of a lengthy feature in KC Studio magazine.

*The Jardine's (non-)story won't go away. Hearne Christopher and Tony Botello provide updates.

*The Star reviewed Saturday's concert by the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra. Libby Hanssen also wrote a review.

*Benny Golson's recent appearance at the Blue Room is documented by KCJazzLark.

*Seventeen minutes of footage documenting the opening ceremonies of the new Ella Fitzgerald exhibit at the American Jazz Museum are posted at the institution's site.

*Topeka seems to be Carol Welsman's kind of town.

*Radio station 1660AM, formerly known as KXTR and Radio Bach, dumped its classical format. I believe the station broadcast a weekly dixieland program.

*The Star provides a survey of jam sessions in Kansas City.

*Ahmad Alaadeen is recalled in a blog post.

*Hey! It seems as if Californo's films performances that take place in the Westport venue. Here's David Basse performing with an all-star band.

*The Dirty Dozen Brass Band will perform May 24 at Crossroads KC.

*A Harold O'Neal gig is previewed by Time Out: New York.

*The Kansas City Jazz Calendar has been tweaked.

*Tweet o' the Week: Katie Ferrell- First Lady Michelle Obama has landed in KC, now on her way to American Jazz Museum. (Photo at airport).

*Comment o' the Week: Anonymous: Well, crap. It'd been an audience of at least 26 if I'd known about it. C'mon jazz dudes promote your gigs - at least a little!

*Via Facebook: Battle of the Big Bands! New Jazz Order & Boulevard Big Band. Thursday, March 22, 2012. 8:00pm until 11:00pm. Come check out two of KC's top big bands squaring off on March 22nd! You'll get a chance to hear some of the best talent the city has to offer - two bands, one bill, swinging all night long. Come hang! $5 cover.

*From Jim Mair: KCKCC Jazz Ensembles in concert. Monday March 12, 4:30-8:30pm. Jazz: A Louisiana Kitchen at The Legends/Speedway in KCK. No cover. Groups under the direction of Jim Mair, John Stafford II and Jurgen Welge. Dinner and Drink Specials.

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*Here are words I never expected to type: Listen to Roy Hargrove's solo on a song by Kansas City hip hop artist Reach. It was recorded last weekend at a jam session at YJ's. Hargrove isn't visible in a video clip of the unlikely event. And here's footage of Hargrove jamming with Hermon Mehari at the Foundation.

*Take Five Coffee + Bar is featured in an article about the arts in Johnson County.

*An awful chapter in Kansas City's history is recounted by Robert Trussell. The story about a 1945 incident was first published in 1988.

*Bob McWilliams reports on Diverse's recent performance at Kansas City Academy.

*The University of Kansas' annual jazz festival takes place March 2-3. It will feature Donny McCaslin and Alex Sipiagin. Follow the links from here.

*Additional images from Jazz Winterlude are posted by KCJazzLark.

*T.J. Martley's YouTube channel is exceptional. Here's a clip of Crosscurrent performing at Jazz Winterlude.

*Gamelans figure in the future of Black House Improvisors' Collective.

*Steve Wilson's new take on Charlie Parker's strings album is streaming at NPR.

*Universal France has issued a 13-disc Charlie Parker set titled: The Complete Masters 1941-54.

*Tweet o' the Week: Alaadeenswife- Marr Sound Archives is now the home of the Alaadeen Collection. It includes open reel live recordings + other items documenting his career

*Comment o' the Week: "Nicholas Payton" or Nicholas Payton (I can't be sure)- #1 Best living trumpeter: Nicholas Payton

*From Dan Gailey: -The University of Kansas School of Music and Hall Center for the Humanities are co-presenting pianist Randy Klein's Two Duos in concert on Saturday, February 11, at 7:30 p.m. in Swarthout Recital Hall. Admission is free. Klein is the 2011-12 Hall Center Simons Public Humanities Fellow and will be in residence at the University of Kansas for most of February. The February 11 concert will also feature trombonist Chris Washburne and saxophonist Ole Mathesin.

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)