Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*Hermon Mehari spoke to Tim Finn about his victory at a trumpet competition in Texas.

*A large swathe of Kansas City’s jazz community will receive new grants from ArtsKC.

*Sam Mellinger comments on the Kansas City Royals’ new baseball youth academy in the Jazz District.  KC Jazz Lark speculates that the project could lead to a brighter future for the area.

*The Kansas City Star reports that four people were shot in the Jazz District early Sunday morning.

*The Kansas City Star reviewed Zappa Plays Zappa’s concert at Crossroads KC.

*Joe Dimino’s recent interview subjects include Ron Miles.

*Phil Woods, one of Charlie Parker’s most devoted acolytes, has died.

*Tweet o’ the Week: Tony Tixier- Playing a house concert with #Diverse on a beautiful lawn under the #lunareclipse @kctrumpeter (photo)

*Comment o’ the Week: Anonymous- Glad to have you back. Thrash metal and hip hop ain't got nothing on melodic bop!

*From a press release: The vivacious vocals of Lori Tucker performing with Tim Whitmer & The Consort Band, Wednesday, October 7, 2015, at Unity Temple on the Plaza.  Tickets at the door only $7.00.  The Pitch recommended the concert.

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Now's the Time: Scott Bradlee and Postmodern Jukebox

Scott Bradlee and Postmodern Jukebox have a profitable schtick.  The group specializes in performing contemporary hits in vintage styles.  The musicians do unnatural things to M.I.A.’s “Paper Planes” in the embedded clip.  The ensemble performs at Crossroads KC on Tuesday, June 2.

Now's the Time: Pat Metheny

Beyond the Missouri Sky (Short Stories) is the only Pat Metheny album a lot of people own.  The appeal of the lovely duet with bassist Charlie Haden extends well beyond jazz aficionados.  Haden died last week.  The Pat Metheny Unity Group collaborates with Bruce Hornsby at Crossroads KC on Saturday, July 26.

Now's the Time: Trombone Shorty

After returning from Jazz Fest last year, an associate breathlessly told me about a discovery he made while in New Orleans.  A young guy named Trombone Shorty, he said, was the most exciting musician he heard on his vacation.  It broke my heart to tell him that Trombone Shorty was already a familiar face in Kansas City.  The bandleader returns to Crossroads KC on Tuesday, June 17.  Joe Klopus previewed the show.