Concert Review: The Kansas City Jazz Orchestra at Muriel Kauffman Theatre

An admirable idea was exquisitely realized at Muriel Kauffman Theatre on Thursday, September 4.  Eight locally-based musicians were showcased in The Kansas City Jazz Orchestra's "Kansas City is Jazz" concert. 

Hermon Mehari, Allison Burik, Steve Lambert, Megan Birdsall, Dan Thomas, Matt Otto, Al Pearson and Bobby Watson demonstrated their talents for an audience of over 1,000.  Their efforts ranged from pleasing to spectacular. 

The virtuosic work of Lambert, Otto and Thomas thrilled unsuspecting listeners.  Mehari soared over a lush rendition of Frank Foster's "Simone."  I was brought to the verge of tears by Al Pearson's feature on a rapturously beautiful version of Pat Metheny's "Always and Forever."  The flamboyant brilliance of Watson, not surprisingly, stole the show.

Sound issues sullied the efforts of Birdsall and Burik.  Their vocals were distorted and blurry in the back of the venue where I was one of a couple dozen people who had purchased the least expensive tickets for $31.  Artistic Director Clint Ashlock also sounded as if he was speaking through a walkie talkie.  The glitches were an exception in an otherwise flawless concert. 

The big band has assumed a slightly different tone under Ashlock.  Renditions of "One O'Clock Jump" and "Swingmatism" possessed a newly acquired sense of informality.

Lest club owners hire additional staff to accommodate fledgling fans of the featured musicians, they should know that a significant portion of the audience was in town for a Rotarian convention.  Mayor Sly James read a portion of a proclamation prior to the concert designating the date as Rotary Day in Kansas City. 

The good news?  Hundreds of people from around the world were exposed to the ongoing artistic vitality of Kansas City's jazz scene.

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Now's the Time: New Jazz Order, Forward and Allie Burik

Megan Birdsall is putting on a show Saturday, August 17. Her performance space at MBird Media, 2936 Cherry, will host the New Jazz Order big band, Clint Ashlock's Forward and an ensemble led by Allie Burik. Joe Klopus provides additional details about the event in his weekly column. (Birdsall performs at a recent benefit concert in the embedded clip.)

Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*Harold O'Neal's Man On the Street album was released last week.  The Pitch recommends the pianist's performance at the Blue Room on Saturday, August 17.

*Jimmy Heath, Kenny Garrett, Lee Konitz, Christian Scott and Matt Wilson are among the jazz stars slated to perform at this month's Charlie Parker Jazz Festival.  Kansas City residents will need to book a flight.

*The People's Liberation Big Band took the top prize for best jazz ensemble and Mark Lowrey took the honors for top "jazz solo artist at the Pitch Music Awards.

*Here's a fresh video of Pat Metheny and his Orchestrion.

*The "other" Kansas City jazz blogger acknowledges his fourth anniversary.

*Jeff Tamarkin reviews both of Eldar Djangirov's new albums.

*All About Jazz offers a profile of Mike Dillon.

*The Mutual Musicians Foundation is involved in an effort to bridge the digital divide.

*Ben Van Gelder will perform at Take Five Coffee + Bar on October 4.

*Tweet o' the Week: Clint Ashlock- Peter Schlamb might be the best musician I've ever heard.

*Comment o' the Week: BGO- What was the median age of the crowd?

*From Clint Ashlock: I've got a pretty exciting concert coming up at mBird Media (Megan's new venue at 2936 Cherry) on August 17th, at 7:30. It's with my big band New Jazz Order, and also featuring my new quintet Forward and sax phenom Allie Burik's group, doing her tunes (instrumental as well as her killin vocals). It's $10 at the door to catch all three bands.

*From Steve Rigazzi: Please join us at Kansas City’s newest Jazz hotspot, Green Lady Lounge…  Owner John Scott and staff are the perfect hosts…  Joining me will be Paul Smith on piano and Tim Cambron on drums. Thursday, August 15, 8-11 p.m.

*From Take Five Coffee + Bar: Want to hear something new? Come hear Allie Burik at Take Five Coffee + Bar Friday night. Watchers of the New Jazz Order big band have seen Allie on the front line, growing in power and command of the alto sax. Here's the kicker: she also has a terrific voice and writes a lot of her own material. Don't miss this chance to enjoy her work before she goes off to Berklee to further hone her many crafts. In the first set Friday night, fronting of an all-star band, Allie will debut a new suite she wrote this summer.  Want to hear a legend? Bryan Hicks is making his Take Five debut Saturday night. Years ago, in college, Doug would drive from Lawrence to Milton's Taproom on Main for live jazz, and often it was the Bryan Hicks Trio. We're thrilled to close the circle and host Bryan at Take Five, backed by some serious power: TJ Martley on piano, Brian Steever on drums and Steve Lambert on sax.

*From Jim Mair: The Kansas City Jazz All Stars program and Kansas City Youth Jazz Orchestra will hold auditions on Monday August 19 and Wednesday August 21 from 3:00 to 4:30pm each day.  I'm looking for the very best kids who are reliable and want to become great players. This will be an intense program but it will be enjoyable at the same time.  I will be leading the group this year and would like to rehearse twice a week on Monday and Wednesdays from 3:30 to 5:00pm at KCKCC. Hermon Mehari will continue to assist.
The cost will be $100 per student…

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)