Album Review: The Brandon Draper Quintet- Live 7/1-2/2010

Brandon Draper did connoisseurs of Kansas City’s jazz scene a tremendous favor on July 16 when he made thrilling music culled from a pair of live 2010 dates available as a free download.

Live 7/1-2/2010 features tenor saxophonist Rich Wheeler, trombonist Kevin Cerovich, vibraphonist Peter Schlamb, bassist Craig Akin and drummer/percussionist Draper collaborating at the since-shuttered Jardine’s.

The 80 minutes of stellar improvisations range from jubilant Kansas City swing to experiments that recall Alaturka, the Turkish jazz band that includes Draper and Wheeler.  The interplay between Wheeler and Schlamb occasionally evokes Out To Lunch, the 1964 masterpiece that featured Eric Dolphy and Bobby Hutcherson.

The newly unearthed recordings may be six years old, but music this good is timeless.

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Begin the Beguine: The Broadway Jazz Club

After attending a media event at the Broadway Jazz Club last week, I can confirm that the chatter about the resurrection of Jardine's is justified.  The new venue at 3601 Broadway has the look and feel of the shuttered jazz venue.  The Broadway Jazz Club officially opened on Friday, December 6.

Two prominent bloggers offer contrasting perspectives.  Paul Wilson's endorsement of the Broadway Jazz Club notes that the sound system is excellent.  I'll add that the food I sampled was tasty and that the staff was charming during my initial visit.

In a hypercritical editorial, Tony's Kansas City suggests that a "glut" of jazz venues showcase "Kansas City's signature but mostly dead art form."  While Tony is just trying to be funny, I am concerned that much the core constituency of Jardine's may be unwilling to drive 1.4 miles north into midtown.

The old Jardine's set could afford to dine at the Broadway Jazz Club.  I'm not in the market for a $29 dollar filet mignon or a $12 martini, but I might be tempted by the $11 pork tenderloin sandwich and a beer or a $14 roasted barbabietole salad and a glass of tap water.  I'm also eager to discover how jazz fans reluctant to order food will be treated.

I'm not likely to get an answer this week.   Because there are no calendar listings, I'm unable to plan my next visit. 

Footage of Megan Birdsall singing "Love For Sale" on Saturday captures of bit of the ambiance of the Broadway Jazz Club.

(Original image of Mark Lowrey, Dominique Sanders and Brian Steever by Plastic Sax.)

Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*Demencha published a review of Eddie Moore and the Outer Circle's Freedom of Expression.

*KCJazzLark suggests that the shuttering of Jardine's may have been a blessing in disguise.

*A blogger documented Sunday's tribute to Thelonious Monk at the RecordBar.

*Bobby Watson participated in a panel discussion titled “Art Blakey: The Jazz Message” at this month's Portland Jazz Festival.

*The Lawrence Journal-World offers an excellent profile of the Junkyard Jazz band.

*The Great Band Tribune reports that "KC jazz icon" David Basse will perform at the Great Bend Jazz Festival this weekend.

*A Topeka television station provides footage of Angela Hagenbach performing at a library function.

*The Black House Improvisors' Collective shares a new set of photos.

*Phonologotron's Soundcloud profile remains active.

*Cover Art, the debut album by the Next Collective, an all-star band that includes Kansas City's Logan Richardson, was released this week.

*A blog run by the Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation reminds readers that Charlie Parker's residence in the East Village is designated as an official historical landmark.

*Tonight's Tribute to J Dilla show at the Blue Room has been postponed.

*Tweet o' the Week: Clint Ashlock-"Snowed In At a Gas Station on K-10" #shouldabeencountrysong #nopeitstruelife

*Comment of the Week: Sid- Footnote to KC Star review: Kenny Garrett and Bobby Watson. Two virtuosos, brilliant artists and both sound innovators. (They changed the sound of the alto saxophone.)  Only one person sounds like Bobby Watson. In two notes you can identify him.  Kenny Garrett on the other hand used to be identifiable in one note but he has influenced an entire generation of players based on his tone itself. Now its harder to tell who you are listening to.  Not since David Sanborn in the 1970's has an alto saxophonists tone been imitated so much. Dozens of alto players sound similar to Kenny Garrett.  Similar comparison with tenor saxophone. Coltrane's tone influenced (and still does) several generations and the next guy to "change" the tone was Mike Brecker again in the 1970's and he influenced an entire generation.  The question that is interesting to me is that why has Kenny Garrett's sound been so enticing to copy and not Bobby's.  I personally enjoy both of them very much even though they are quite different in so many ways.  Anybody want to weigh in.  Thanks, Sid

*From Brad Cox: New York trumpeter Dave Scott will perform with The People's Liberation Big Band of Greater Kansas City at the RecordBar on Sunday, March 3rd at 8:00pm. The band will perform a night of compositions and arrangements by Scott, with the composer as featured soloist.

*A reminder from Michael Pagán: Jazz Jam Session every Saturday afternoon at Piropos Piano Bar in Briarcliff.

*From Kent Rausch: (T)he Vine Street Rumble concert (at Californos) has been postponed to Monday, March 11th.

*From a press release: A Night of Harmonious Horn. Stan Kessler, Trumpet performing with Tim Whitmer & The Consort Band.  Kansas City Jazz Legend Stan Kessler is not only a gifted performer but also wears the many hats of trumpet/flugelhorn instructor, bandleader, clinician, writer/arranger and educator. He performs, and leads, in numerous ensembles including the long-running Sons of Brasil, The Stan Kessler Quartet, Stan Kessler’s TV, HoraceScope, The Uncertainty Principle, Mistra Fina and Passport. Wednesday, March 6, 2013. 7:00 p.m. Unity Temple on the Plaza. Tickets at the door only $7.00. Children under 16 free.

*From Dan Gailey: The KU School of Music is pleased to present the 36th Annual KU Jazz Festival on March 1-2, 2013, featuring notable guest artists Bob Sheppard, saxophone, and Kurt Rosenwinkel, guitar. Both concerts will be held at Free State High School Auditorium in Lawrence at 7:30 pm and are open to the general public…

On Friday, March 1 at 7:30 p.m. at the Free State High School Auditorium, saxophonist Bob Sheppard will be featured with the KU Jazz Festival All-Star Big Band... The Jazz Festival All-Star Big Band features KU School of Music faculty, along with some of the nation's finest jazz educators and prominent musicians from the Kansas City jazz community. The concert will open with Free State High School Jazz Ensemble I and the festival's chosen Outstanding High School Ensemble from the daytime performances.

The concert on Saturday, March 2nd features guitarist Kurt Rosenwinkel with KU Jazz Ensemble I, under the direction of Dan Gailey, director of jazz studies at KU… The performance will include new big band arrangements of Rosenwinkel's music written by KU Jazz Studies faculty, students and alumni. The concert will open with KU Combo 1 and the KU Jazz Singers, and the festival's chosen Outstanding College Ensemble….

KU Jazz Festival After Hours (featuring the Matt Otto trio) will be held at the Oread in the All Seasons Den following the evening concerts from 10:00 pm-12:30 am both evenings. Admission is free; a cash bar is available.

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*Hearne Christopher provides another extensive recap of the Jardine's saga.

*Brad Cox participates in a brief Q-and-A with The Kansas City Star.

*Mark Lowrey reinterprets the Republic Tigers' "Buildings and Mountains" on his forthcoming album.

*Tommy Johnson Jr.'s connection to Lawrence's jazz scene is examined by The Lawrence Journal-World.  (Via Offstage.)

*One of Marilyn Maye's recent performances with the Heartland Men's Chorus was reviewed by Paul Wilson. (Via Offstage.)

*Victor & Penny are featured in this week's new episode of 12th Street Jump.

*Is a blogger battle brewing?  KCJazzLark once again takes exception to a Plastic Sax post.

*The Marshall Democrat-News reports on plans for next year's Bob James Jazz Festival.

*Matt Otto has made two sets of tracks available as free downloads.

*The man known as Phonologotron has completely revamped his blog.

*Analogue Productions of Salina, Kansas, continues to delight audiophile jazz fans.  Here's a  clip touting new reissues of classic titles on the Prestige label.

*Tweet o' the Week: MayorSlyJames- Saw jazz Harpist Lori Andrews at Blue Room tonight. She couldn't get over how friendly folks in KC are. PROUD OF YOU KC!!

*Comment o' the Week: Michael- The day that music critics call me a "musician's musician" will be a career highlight for me.

*The Kansas City Jazz Calendar has been updated.

*From a press release: “Better to be lucky than smart” was a learning experience passed down from his father to local jazz and blues guitarist Tom DeMasters, as was DeMasters Insurance, LLC in Westport that Tom took over in 1983.  The CD Release Party for Better to Be Lucky will be December 10 from 7-10 p.m. at the Phoenix, 302 W. 8th St. in KCMO (no cover). Tom’s second CD features some of Kansas City’s finest, including internationally-recognized guitarist and KC transplant Jerry Hahn, Tim Whitmer, Wild Women Millie Edwards and Lori Tucker, Rick Huyett, Wayne Hawkins, Ray DeMarchi, Allen Fishell, Andy Hambleton, Bob Jolley, Mike Moreland and Joe Pruessner.

*Rob Scheps reports that he's booked the following dates for a band he'll co-lead with Jerry Dodgion: Thurs April 4- WestChase Grille; Fri. Apr. 5- Lucky Brewgrille; Sun. Apr. 7- House Concert; Wed. Apr. 10- Ottawa University; Thurs. Apr. 11- 12th St. Jump Recording Session; Thurs. Apr. 11- Take Five Coffee Bar; Fri. Apr. 12- Lucky Brewgrille; Fri. Apr 12- Blue Room; Sat. Apr. 13- Lucky Brewgrille with Ron Carlson.

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

 *A friend told me that he'd be a guest on Up To Date's "Best Music to Date of 2012" show on KCUR this Friday.  In an attempt to make Kansas City jazz a part of the conversation, I compiled this list of the Top Five Kansas City Jazz Albums of 2012 (So Far): 1. Matt Otto- Broken Waltz, 2. Project H- Become Light, 3. Pat Metheny- Unity Band, 4. Killer Strayhorn- One Begins to Wonder, 5. Chris Hazelton Trio- Peregrination.

*Jeneé Osterheldt concedes that Kansas City really isn't a jazz town.

*Hearne Christopher reports that Greg Halstead, the founder of Jardine's, has died.

*Neon Jazz conducted a 21-minute interview with Megan Birdsall.

*The Star provided a report on the All-Star game watch party at the American Jazz Museum.

*Inspired by coverage during the All-Star game broadcast, a television station talks to Ollie Gates about the renovation of the YMCA building in the Jazz District. (Via Tony's Kansas City.)

*The BBC highlights the Mutual Musicians Foundation in a travel piece about Kansas City's "renaissance."

*A Beach House concert caused Hunter Long to question the purpose of improvisation. 

*Here's Ben Kynard's official obituary.  A resident of Gladstone fondly recalls Kynard in a letter to The Star.  I couldn't help but notice, however, that the sad news of Kynard's death has been ignored by most national jazz publications.

*Sue Vicory's documentary on Kansas City jazz will be screened at the Kansas International Film Festival in October.

*KKFI's new internet presence allows for quick access to the playlists of the station's jazz programmers.  (Tip via RH.)

*A set of wonderful photos of Claude "Fiddler" Williams is posted by KCJazzLark.

*Tweet o' the Week: @MBIRDMUSIC- This is KC jazz at its finest. Hatzzz Instagram

*Comment o' the Week: Sid Vicious- Hey happy, How can you recognize the superior musicianship of Bobby Watson and Matt Otto but then call the PLBB "arguably the best ensemble in the city"?  Thats like saying the best three soprano saxophonists to ever play the instrument are Trane, Branford and Kenny G.  You lose any kind of credibility when you make bone head assessments like that.  Sid

*From a UMKC press release: The University of Missouri Board of Curators has approved UMKC's Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies. This addition to the Conservatory's degree program underlines the importance of the jazz program at the UMKC Conservatory. Directed by Bobby Watson, the jazz studies program at the Conservatory provides students with rich and varied experiences and opportunities to perform, travel, and work with some of the most important jazz artists working today, including Mel Martin, Donal Fox, Benny Golson, Roy Hargrove, the Mason Brothers, and many others.  The Conservatory Concert Jazz Band was number four on the national airplay charts with the recording of Bobby Watson's The Gates BBQ Suite. Jazz students are Betty Carter Fellows, teaching assistants at leading jazz programs throughout the country, Banff Artist Residents, recording artists and have won many of the world’s most prestigious jazz competitions.

*From Upper Room: The Swope Corridor Renaissance/Upper Room’s Eddie Baker School of Music will present Music Matters to benefit the children of its Music Program.  The musical event will be at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, July 27, at the Church of the Resurrection, 13720 Roe, Leawood, Kansas 66224… Featured performers of Music Matters are Mark Pender, Trumpet Virtuoso/TV personality from the Conan O'Brien Show; Lonnie & Ronald McFadden aka: The McFadden Brothers, celebrated dancer/singer/instrumentalists from the Wayne Newton Review; David Basse, nationally known recording artist; and Pamela Baskin-Watson, New York singer/songwriter.  Other performers are the children and staff from the Upper Room’s Music Program.

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*Tony's Kansas City highlighted an intriguing item published by the city clerk's office.  Dated June 7, it's titled Authorizing the City Manager to enter into a Management Agreement with the American Jazz Museum, in the amount of $647,363.00, from the American Jazz Museum account, for management and operations of the 18th and Vine Project. Readers are welcome to explain the implications of this proposal.

*Kansas City needs to "re-embrace jazz," Chad Harris tells The Pitch.  "We are known for it, yet I fear it is leaving our community, and fewer and fewer venues seem to offer it on a regular basis." (Tip via Plastic Sax reader Gary.)

*Hearne Christopher suggests that an expiring liquor license associated with the site that once housed Jardine's could spell the end of the tired saga.

*KCJazzLark laments the "dearth" of young musicians performing traditional Kansas City jazz.

*"Maybe I hate jazz," Hunter Long confesses in an excellent blog post.

*A lengthy story in the Columbia Tribune details the work of Jon Poses. 

*Columbia's Blind Boone Ragtime and Early Jazz Festival is noted by the Columbia Missourian.

*The first big review of the new Pat Metheny album comes from The Guardian.  Reviews from All About Jazz and Peter Hum are also overwhelmingly positive.  Metheny refers to the project as a "straight-ahead jazz quintet" album in a video stream of a new podcast.

*The New York Times's Stephen Holden raves about an appearance by Karrin Allyson at Birdland.

*Joyce Smith reports on a new black history tour that includes stops at the American Jazz Museum and the Mutual Musicians Foundation.

*Mike Hendricks wrote an interesting article about a new push to sell real estate near the Jazz District.

*Comment o' the Week: Anon- Bill - I didn't go to the gig, but your review is kind of a bummer... one wonders if was a necessary to post anything.

*Tweet o' the Week: Jaleel Shaw- @benwmsonbass: The new Pat Metheny album "Unity Band" is out TODAY!!! Downloading noooow. @PatMethenyNews

*Road trip alert: Sonny Rollins, the Wynton Marsalis Quintet, the Pat Metheny Unity Band, Chick Corea/Gary Burton, Wayne Shorter, Joe Lovano/Dave Douglas, Fred Hersch, Donald Harrison, Kenny Garrett and David Binney are among the acts performing at the free Detroit Jazz Festival.

*From a press release: The Marr Sound Archives’ Chuck Haddix discusses the city’s contribution to this most American of musical forms in Kansas City Jazz: From Ragtime to Bebop at the annual meeting and party of the Friends of the Kansas City Public Library. Haddix is one of the leading authorities on the subject, having authored biographies of local jazz players Jay McShann and Claude “Fiddler” Williams, the section on Kansas City jazz in the New Grove Dictionary of Music, and (with Frank Driggs) Kansas City Jazz: From Ragtime to Bebop. A Friends membership is required to attend and may be purchased either in advance or at the door. The event is Wednesday, June 13, at 6 p.m.

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*From a flyer provided by a friend: Welcome to the Gold Star Lounge, the "New Home for Metro K.C. Jazz". Our opening night will be May 5, 2012 at 7pm with Sons of Brasil opening our new Jazz Venue.  Please come and join us for our Happy Hour from 5:00pm to 6:30pm and our outstanding food selections on our newly created menu which will be offered from 6:00pm to 7:30pm.  Suggested donation for show is $5.00. We will also be selling ticket at $35.00 per person for our Dinner Shows featuring such performances from the McFadden Brothers, Angela Hagenbach and so many more.  I've added the the shows listed on the flyer- including a Bob James gig on May 20- to The Kansas City Jazz Calendar.  Alas, the venue lacks a web site and Facebook account.  Here we go again.

*Hearts of Darkness has a Kickstarter campaign to help raise funds for its second album.

*Ashley Hirt is the subject of an excellent Black House Improvisors' Collective interview.

*The People's Liberation Big Band is admired by KCJazzLark.

*Here's more from the recent I Rock Jazz interview with Bobby Watson.

*Michael Shults is pictured and interviewed in the June edition of Downbeat magazine.

*A California-based publication interviews Deborah Brown.

*T.J. Martley and Bill McKemy go hard at a Barnes & Noble in Leawood.

*Pop star Kenny Loggins and songwriter Arthur Hamilton sat in with David Basse and Mark Pender at a recent gig in California.  Sue Vicory  
filmed the encounter.

*Hearne Christopher reports on activity in the space once occupied by Jardine's.

*Lisa Henry is quoted in a preview of Aretha Franklin's appearance at Helzberg Hall.

*Carmen Bradford discusses her initial encounter with Count Basie.

*Here's a track from the forthcoming Pat Metheny album.

*The Bob James Jazz Festival is Saturday, May 19, in Marshall, Missouri.

*Tweet o' the Week: Django McTunes- It is a little known fact that Chris Getz of the Kansas City Royals is the son of jazz legend Stan Getz. #FakeRoyalsFacts

*Comment o' the Week: Matt Leifer- Uhhh...I'm not one to defend politicians, but I believe that the bridge leads somewhere, specifically, the other side of Brush Creek. Since when is infrastructure a waste of money? Get a grip.

*From Stan Kessler: We are having a joyous celebration of the life of Bill Caldwell, May 20, 2pm at The Blue Room. This is for those of us who knew & loved Bill, but could not make it to the funeral… Here's the format: Short set of tunes recorded by Bill by host band-Me, Kerry Strayer, Everett Devan, Bob Bowman, Mike Warren, (Jerry Hahn?). Remarks & stories by friends & family. Jam session  Tunes from Bill's CD projects played intermittently throughout.  The idea is for this to be fun and light, as Bill would have wanted it. This will last about 2 hours. There will be his CDs for sale, and part of the proceeds go to his wife, Kim, to help defray funeral costs.

*From Michael Pagan: Kansas City Youth Jazz organizers have re-set their annual MASTERS OF JAZZ fundraiser for 6:30 PM on Sunday, June 10, 2012 in Room 19 of the Education Center on the Metropolitan Community College Penn Valley campus… The event will include dinner and music provided by the Abel Ramirez big band and KCYJ groups for listening and dancing. Tickets cost $75 per person. A Patrons’ Party/reception will take place at 6:00 PM for donations of $150 or more. Dance only tickets will be available for $20. All proceeds will benefit Kansas City Youth Jazz.

(Original image of the new Troost Avenue bridge by Plastic Sax.)

Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*Doug Ramsey provides an invaluable wrap up of Bob Brookmeyer's memorial service.  John Scofield pays tribute to Brookmeyer in a post by Marc Myers.

*R Bar, a restaurant that regularly featured live jazz, has closed.

*The latest column from Joe Klopus previews a gig by Crosscurrent and reminds readers of this week's Kansas City Jazz Summit at Kansas City Kansas Community College.

*Hearne Christopher reminds readers that Jardine's is still closed.

*The Pitch interviews the American Jazz Museum's Haleigh Harrold.

*The Star reminds readers that the corner of 12th Street and Vine no longer exists.

*Dick Oatts' recent appearance at the Topeka Jazz Workshop is reviewed by Chuck Berg.  (Tip via KC Stage Blog.)

*KCJazzLark remarks on a tool that provides insights into the history of the Jazz District. He also notes an upcoming benefit concert and an International Worker's Day event.

*The Kansas City Jewish Chronicle details the April 29 JazzBEATS benefit for pancreatic cancer research.

*Matt Chalk posted a track at Soundcloud.

*It's no secret that Plastic Sax is infatuated with Krystle Warren.  Here's why.

*Teddy Charles, the vibraphonist who played with the likes of Charlie Parker and Bob Brookmeyer, has died.  The title track of his 1957 album Word From Bird was reportedly inspired by "Parker's Mood."

*Diverse is included in a nice video survey of last month's Middle of the Map festival.

*The American Jazz Museum has announced the ticket prices for the 2012-13 season of its Jammin' at the Gem concert series.

*The author of St. Louis Jazz Notes lists his city's Jazz at the Bistro summer series.  Charlie Hunter and Tim Warfield are among the highlights.

*Tweet o' the Week: Radiovixen- Flirtini time! Kansas City jazz? Great time! @ Phoenix Jazz Club Instagram photo

*Comment o' the Week: Matt Leifer- I only accept two comparisons, and those are Neil Peart and Travis Barker.

*From Dan Gailey: Two University of Kansas music recently took home top awards from the coveted DownBeat magazine’s annual Student Music Awards. This marks the 35th year for the publication’s notable contest. David von Kampen, a doctoral student studying for a music composition degree, won for his original composition/orchestrated work in the Graduate Division for his work “Sneak Out.” Brian Scarborough, an undergraduate student pursuing a trombone performance degree, received the Outstanding Performance distinction in the Jazz Instrumental Soloist/Undergraduate Division. Both students study with Professor Dan Gailey, Director of Jazz Studies at KU.  Gailey added that the "KU Jazz Studies Program has now been the recipient of 12 of these awards since 1992."

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Revisiting The Majestic

"We heard you had some good steaks here," a jovial patron told a waiter as he and a large party were being seated Sunday at The Majestic. 

The restaurant's emphasis on fine dining is precisely why I hadn't patronized the downtown establishment in months.  Sadly, I'm not in the market for a dry-aged porterhouse.  Sunday's visit proved that I can (not) have my steak and eat it too.  With the closure of Jardine's at end of 2011, The Majestic moved up a notch in the hierarchy of Kansas City's jazz establishments.  Many would suggest that it trails only the Blue Room as the most important jazz venue in town.

Others have accurately observed that The Majestic's basement resembles a speakeasy.  The candlelit room's excellent sound is less frequently noted. It's a decent spot for jazz.  And should the tables fill up- as they almost did at 7:30 p.m. on Sunday- there are six stools at the bar for listeners who don't want to invest in dinner.

Sunday found three of Kansas City's smartest and most creative musicians- Mark Lowrey, Sam Wisman and Ben Leifer- playing top-flight renditions of jazz standards.  While all three bearded men regularly play in other contexts, each obviously relished the opportunity to perform with like-minded jazz-based musicians.  Although it took liberties with "Body and Soul," the trio played classic material by the likes of Bill Evans and Charles Mingus in relatively straightforward fashion.

The retrenchment of Kansas City's jazz venues saddens me.  Yet the prospect of spending a few summer evenings listening to jazz in the basement at 931 Broadway alleviates some of my sorrow.

(Original 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

*An essay published by The Atlantic is titled "The Jazz District Authenticity Problem."

*Hearne Christopher reports on possible progress at the location once occupied by Jardine's.

*Behind the Music: Jazz Discharge.

*Diverse appeared on a morning news broadcast on Fat Tuesday.

*Chuck Berg reviewed a concert by Tim Doherty's Nine + One.

*Sue Vicory is uploading unedited interview and performance segments related to her documentary Kansas City Jazz & Blues; Past, Present & Future at her YouTube channel.

*KCJazzLark compiles quotes about Kansas City's jazz heyday.

*The 2012-13 season of the Harriman-Jewell Series includes a Bobby McFerrin concert.

*A blogger posted a photo of Fat Tuesday's parade. (Via Tony's Kansas City.)

*Miguel Zenon's new Charlie Parker-inspired project is examined by Howard Reich.

*Two Kansas City-area musicians participated in a poll about jazz musicians' income.

*Bob Brookmeyer's Kansas City Revisited album has been reissued on vinyl.

*The Kansas City Kansan provides an update on KCKCC's jazz program.

*Tweet o' the Week: TheMajesticKC- MARK LOWREY JAZZ TRIO OPEN JAM SESSION COMING TO THE MAJESTIC JAZZ CLUB EVERY SUNDAY EVENING STARTING IN MARCH. Starting March 4, 5PM-9PM.

*Comment o' the Week: Anonymous- … I love hearing about how much you sacrifice for jazz, with your wife, kids and job with the KC Star. Try dedicating your life to playing it rather than criticizing it from a proudly un-learned point of view. THEN talk to us about sacrifice. Jesus.

*From KU School of Music: The KU School of Music is pleased to present the 35th Annual KU Jazz Festival on March 2-3, 2012, featuring notable guest artists Donny McCaslin (saxophone), Alex Sipiagin (trumpet) and Randy Klein (piano)… Evening concerts are open to the general public. On Friday, March 2 at 7:30 p.m. at Lawrence High School Auditorium, saxophonist Donny McCaslin will be featured with the KU Jazz Festival All-Star Big Band… Saturday, March 5 features trumpeter Alex Sipiagin in concert with KU Jazz Ensemble I, under the direction of Dan Gailey, Director of Jazz Studies at KU. This performance also takes place at Lawrence High School Auditorium at 7:30… Tickets to this year's evening concerts are free. Details are available here.

*From JCCC: Students and faculty from the Music and Theatre Department at Johnson County Community College will perform several concerts in March. The concerts are free and open to the public. All of them will take place at 7:30 p.m. in the Carlsen Center in Polsky Theatre... March 7 –JCCC Jazz Night will feature the "For Musicians Only" Community Jazz Ensemble, which is the special guest for the concert; the JCCC Midnight Blues Jazz Choir and the JCCC Midnight Express Jazz Ensemble. A wide variety of jazz styles will be performed.

*From Take Five Coffee: Introducing Take Five Second Set: Saturday night we have Brandon Draper's jazz quartet in our usual time slot, but it will be followed by Miles Bonny in the first ever Take Five Second Set. Saturday, February 25. 11pm Miles played music for Take Five's grand opening back in 2010. We are elated to have him back to host the first of an occasional series of Second Set shows. We're going to open up the room for a 21-and-over crowd and keep the coffee and martinis and the music flowing until 2 in the morning. Brandon Draper is going to stick around and join Miles in this inaugural Take Five event. Bonny's "second set" is scheduled to begin at 11 p.m.

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*"I like jazz but I didn't really like performing it," Krystle Warren tells the Australian. "That's why I left Kansas City." The full story is here. (Registration required.)

*A Ph.D. candidate at the University of Kansas is doing research on a project titled “Weird Bodily Noises: Race, Gender, and Alternative Jazz History in Kansas City”.

*Pat Metheny won the Grammy award for, ahem, Best New Age Album for What's It All About at Sunday's ceremony.

*KCJazzLark misses Jardine's.

*Whither Jardine's? Hearne Christopher provides another update.

*The Star provides a review of Roy Ayers' concert at the Gem Theater.

*KCTV offers a report on the status of the John Baker film collection at the American Jazz Museum.

*The new incarnation of the Black House Improvisors' Collective will be a full-on big band.

*The Prairie Village Jazz Festival has a new chairman.

*"He's one of the most intense people you will ever meet," George Colligan notes in his appreciation of frequent Kansas City performer Rob Scheps.

*A new three-song EP by funk/jazz/techno/jam act Mouth is streaming at Soundcloud.

*Robert Trussell curates a fine playlist of Kansas City jazz and blues clips at YouTube.

*Libby Hanssen recalls a People's Liberation Big Band's performance of John Cage's "4'33"."

*Jacob Fred Odyssey will issue a series of demos and remixes from Plastic Sax's #1 album of 2011.

*Miles Bonny provides a neo-soul valentine.

*Here's an update on St. Louis' new blues museum.

*Tweet o' the Week: NextOnTCM- The jazz band's leader gets mixed up with gangster in '20s Kansas City. #TCM

*Plastic Sax Comment o' the Week: tjjazzpiano- Listen to any of the Bill Evans' Trio live records (especially the 1960 Birdland Sessions). Those audience members weren't exactly whispering behind the performance of arguably one the greatest piano trios ever. I'm not saying I don't despise the noise too, but it certainly isn't a recent epidemic.

*From the Kauffman Center For the Performing Arts: The GRAMMY Museum's Music Revolution Project, a new education initiative developed by The GRAMMY Museum has been announced by Bob Santelli, Executive Director of The GRAMMY Museum... Scheduled to debut as a pilot program in Kansas City, Mo. in June 2012, The GRAMMY Museum's Music Revolution Project will offer talented youth the opportunity to engage in musical discourse and performance with other peers from across the country, spurring innovative ideas within the realm of American music. Read the entire press release here.

(Original image of the Will Matthews Quartet performing at Jazz Winterlude by Plastic Sax.)

The Ghost of a Jazz Club Past

The specter of Jardine's loomed large Friday at Kansas City Academy.

"When I got the idea for this concept," Brandon Draper explained before Alaturka's performance. "This is what I had in mind."

Draper said that the ensemble's monthly gig at Jardine's had been a staple of Alaturka's schedule. The new Grassoots Concert Series was partly inspired as a response to that loss. The gambit seems to be working. A full house of over 75 paid $10 and $15 each for the performance.

Because I've written extensively about Alaturka at Plastic Sax and elsewhere I'll simply suggest that its performance was no less exceptional than usual. Beau Bledsoe, Draper, Rich Wheeler and 2011 Plastic Sax Person of the Year Jeff Harshbarger are four of Kansas City's premier musicians. Tamam Abi was my fourth favorite "jazz" album of 2010. I also interviewed Alaturka founder Beau Bledsoe a couple years ago.

The performance space at 7933 Main Street features bleacher-style seating, fine acoustics and a family atmosphere. Rather than being nuisances, the children on hand Friday were among the most attentive and enthusiastic members of the audience. The sole distractions were occasional ambient noises from the halls of the school and a piercing light above the venue's main entrance.

A question-and-answer segment- often a dubious proposition- was excellent. Harshbarger and Wheeler are remarkably adept at articulating complex ideas.

Sure, I miss Jardine's. I like Beena, the club's owner. And I enjoy adult beverages. Even so, from an obsessive music fan's perspective, the performance space at Kansas City Academy represents an upgrade.

(Original pre-show image by Plastic Sax.)

Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*The 2012 season of noon jazz concerts at Johnson County Community College has been announced.

*Hearne Christopher files an update on the status of Jardine's. Tony's Kansas City suggests that Jardine's "15 minutes are up."

*The Matt Otto Quintet is admired by KCJazzLark.

*Tim Finn's story about women in Kansas City's music scene contains a bit of jazz content.

*The Star provides a nice feature on ailing pianist Dan DeLuca. (Tip via Jim Mair.)

*Diverse posted an interactive guide to a recent performance.

*UMKC's student newspaper checks in on the jazz program.

*The Los Angeles Times published a profile of Pete O'Neal, the uncle of pianist Harold O'Neal.

*KCTV reports on progress at the Black Archives.

*Tweet o' the Week: Alaadeenswife- I'm listening to Kansas City's Seth Lee and Michael Warren on Najee's new CD, "The Smooth Side of Soul."

*Plastic Sax Comment o' the Week: Anonymous- Looks like you really did your homework on this one. (These words broke Plastic Sax's sarcasm meter.)

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Album Review: Mille and Mike Live

Millie Edwards has been rewarded with standing ovations many of the times I've seen her perform in churches and in concert settings. She's a true audience-pleaser. People hearing her for the first time are invariably astounded that such a gigantic voice can emanate from such a diminutive person.

Edwards' brassy approach- she sounds like Liza Minnelli with a hint of Mahalia Jackson thrown into the mix- is more Broadway than Birdland. While I don't particularly care for her style, my bias didn't prevent me from giving CD versions of the 2011 release Mille and Mike Live to friends and family last Christmas. I know plenty of people who enjoy Edwards' renditions of familiar material like "Sweet Home Chicago," "Someone To Watch Over Me" and "I've Got You Under My Skin."

When I listen to the live recording I prefer to focus on the astoundingly versatile pianist Michael Pagan. He can play stride, show tunes and blues with equal adroitness. Edwards and Pagan perform every Monday at The Phoenix. Here's live footage of the duo shot at Jardine's in 2010.

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*The January 24 edition of KCUR's weekly KC Currents program features a segment titled "Where To Next For KC Jazz?". (Full disclosure: the halting, stilted voice is mine.)

*KCJazzLark challenges the premise of a January 15 Plastic Sax post. While he makes several well-reasoned points, I still think the music would be best served by a gradual shift away from increasingly irrelevant terminology.

*The KC Sound Collective are the subject of a nice introductory video.

*KCUR's Jabulani Leffal spoke to Mark Lowrey and Hermon Mehari about Kansas City's jazz scene. The conversation streams here.

*Hearne Christopher checks in with Jardine's Beena. He also provides another update on the ongoing ownership saga. And Christopher assesses the health of Kansas City's jazz scene.

*The apparent absence of progress at Jardine's is noted by Tony's Kansas City.

*Here's a review of last weekend's three-day Jazz Winterlude festival. Libby Hanssen reviewed the performance by Poncho Sanchez and his Latin Band.

*Footage of an excellent band led by Brandon Draper is featured in a video showcasing the new venue at the Kansas City Academy. (Via Tony's Kansas City.)

*Steve Kraske interviewed Chris Brubeck.

*Bobby Watson will be featured in a concert during the 2012-13 season of the Kansas City Symphony.

*Hermon Mehari is interviewed here.

*Will Combs of the American Jazz Museum talks about his job.

*A soprano sax mouthpiece once owned by the late Alaadeen is for sale at eBay.

*West Coast drummer Bill Goodwin will be part of David Basse's band on February 3 at BB's Lawnside BBQ.

*Black House Improvisors' Collective is soliciting a new round of participants. And Hunter Long throws down a challenge.

*Here's the new 45 from Hearts of Darkness.

*The second annual Bob James Jazz Festival will take place in Marshall, Missouri, on May 19.

*Jon Poses reports on the recent JEN convention.

*Anyone remember Dry Jack? Here's a '70s-tastic slide show.

*Two notable Kansas City musicians contribute to the mayhem in an appearance at an Apple Retail Store.

*Tweet o' the Week: KCJazzConnxn- I never get sick of bragging about KC jazz. So many good players from here or cleaning up abroad! Despite club downfall, music keeps coming.

*The Plastic Sax comment of the week: Be-Bop- What's the matter? Swing too much? Not enough multimedia for you? Don't play sloppy and work with little tin drums? Don't have a dancer or little hats to wear? You're slippin' Bill. Been reading too much Nick Payton's crap. Hate to tell you, most of the shit being played in this poor town has got boring written all over it. Watched and listened to some of your "J" word picks of the year... let's talk boring. Garage band bullshit. My opinion, that's all. As for Anonymous asking if it was PBT? Let's chalk that comment up to musical ignorance. Instead of asking for a "Disney on Ice" experience of self gratifying "jazz" that you find playing at your weekly gigs in KC to keep you visually entertained, how about remembering the music comes first. I admire the cats in this town that DO remember that. Oh, and I've seen you close your eyes at gigs and concentrate on the music.

*From the American Jazz Museum: Benny Golson Quartet- 2 Shows: 8:00 & 9:30. $25 One Show- $40 Both Shows. (Student Pricing - $20 One Show. $30 Both Shows). Buster Williams- Bass, Carl Allen- Drums, Mike LeDonne- Piano. (Saturday, February 25.)

*From Jim Mair: Information about the 11th Annual Kansas City Jazz Camp is here.

*From Mike Ning: Michael Feinstein performed a concert with the Kansas City Symphony on February 11th, 2011. He came with a film crew for a documentary for PBS. Among the numerous stops, he paid the Mutual Musicians Foundation at 18th and Vine a visit during its early morning Jazz Jam (Saturday morning on the 12th of February from 1-5 am, to be specific). The place was jam packed with fans from the concert and regular patrons. Michael was urged to sit in with the house band: Denyse Walcott - Host / Vocalist, Mike Ning - Pianist, Joe Straws - Bass, Victor Perelmuter - drums. He did a few numbers and brought the house down. Proceedings were taped for the documentary to be aired on Friday, February 3rd, on PBS, Channel 19, Kansas City.

(Original image of the Matt Otto Quintet with Shay Estes performing January 201 by Plastic Sax.)

Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*This weekend's Jazz Winterlude festival is touted by KCJazzLark.

*Here's the skinny on the new performing arts space at 7933 Main.

*Mary Sanchez encourages community support of the Mutual Musicians Foundation.

*Tony's Kansas City notes that Jardine's remains dark. (I've noticed that the venue's name has been removed from the awning above the front door.)

*Jazz Video Guy gives Bobby Watson and his UMKC program a shout-out at the 2:55 mark in his wrap-up of the JEN convention. (Tip via Dominique Sanders.)

*Here's a video "teaser" from the forthcoming Project H album.

*A version of a new song from Diverse streams here.

*Mouth posted 32 minutes of live footage. Hermon Mehari makes an appearance at the 3:00-minute mark.

*Kevin Mahogany serves as the headliner of the Great Bend Jazz Festival.

*Tweet o' the Week: HitShohin- アマゾンヒット商品 MP3 アルバム 2位 The Frank Wess Quartet |形式:MP3ダウンロード

*From Mark Lowrey: Tuesday, January 31st, 2012. Price: $3. Mark kicks off a new series at downtown Kansas City's Czar Bar. Each Tuesday, Mark hosts a rotating lineup of some of Kansas City's finest jazz, improv, electronic, and classical musicians for a special, unpredictable night of music and fun.

*From Mille Nottingham: January 20th, Tribute to Myra Taylor and Pearl Thuston Brown, Wild Women the Blue Room, 8:30-12:30 (Via Connie Humiston.)

*From Knuckleheads' site: Sun 2/19. Today's jam will be a In harmony jam mixing Blues and Jazz jams on 2 stages and A Celebration of Life (would have been Myra's 95th birthday) as on 12/9/12 we lost our Kansas City Legend… 2pm til 7pm No Cover Charge.

*From Hearts of Darkness: Hearts of Darkness and The Good Foot announce the release of their first collaborative project, a split single 7” record titled “Numeration / Bad Way”. 7" vinyl records with digital download cards will release to the public and be available for sale on Saturday, February 18 at the Carnivàle du Soul show at The Uptown Theater...

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*KCJazzLark is a man with a (business) plan.

*Tony's Kansas City chronicles the Jardine's saga here. Hearne Christopher tracks the story here.

*Finally! A Kansas City jazz video. (Sort of.)

*From the American Jazz Museum: The American Jazz Museum’s Blue Room jazz club is the first among two Kansas City venues to be named to Down Beat Magazine’s “212 Great Jazz Rooms - An International Listing of the Best Places to See and Hear Live Jazz”.

*A track from the forthcoming Project H album is streaming here.

*Roy Hargrove will appear at UMKC Jazz Festival on February 3.

*A Lee's Summit publication features Clarence Smith.

*"Meet Chris Burnett."

*T-shirts, gigs and ideas are on tap at the latest post at the site of the Black House Improvisors' Collective.

*Miles Bonny has a new Kickstarter campaign.

*An exhibit at UMKC includes items related to Kansas City's jazz legacy. (Via KC Stage.)

*The title of the January 18 edition of KCUR's Central Standard Time is "Kansas City Jazz with musician Mark Lowrey."

*The Sun Session, the new album by Grand Marquis, has been released.

*The Glenn Miller Orchestra is performing at Shawnee Mission West on February 11.

*Tweet o' the Week: americanjazzkc- Count down to Benny Golson in the Blue Room 2.25.12...let us know your favorite Benny Golson tune!

*From Doug Talley: As you probably know, Westport Presbyterian Church suffered fire damage a couple of weeks ago. So our annual Martin Luther King Day concert has been relocated to Community Christian Church, 4601 Main Street Kansas City, MO 64112… As always, the concert will begin at noon on Martin Luther King Day, next Monday, January 16.

*From Central Seminary: Please be our guest at Central Seminary this year for the Sacred Arts Recital Series which began last fall in the Baugh-Marshall Chapel. These complimentary recitals feature some of Kansas City’s finest musicians. The spring series, which will be held on the third Sundays of the month at 4:00 p.m. begins this Sunday, January 15… This Sunday’s recital will feature jazz keyboardists Dr. Michael Pagan, Roger Wilder, and Joe Cartwright for a keyboard “play-off.”

(Original image of Russell Thorpe by Plastic Sax.)

Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*"Let’s not have another jazz year like 2011," Joe Klopus pleads in a year-in-review column.

*Charles Feruzza reports that Jardine's has been sold to a new ownership group. Tony's Kansas City covers the kerfuffle over Jardine's here, here and here. Hearne Christopher writes about Jardine's here, here and here.

*KCJazzLark captures a remarkable Celebration of Life jam session.

*The Marshall Democrat-News offers a profile of Clarence Smith.

*"It's hard to own and operate a business promoting one of the least popular forms of music in our country," T.J. Martley says in a preview of a gig at the Blue Room.

*Will Matthews is interviewed.

*Mambo DeLeon is the subject of a video interview.

*An audio interview with Karrin Allyson was conducted by the pop group Mulberry Lane.

*Here's 66 minutes of excellent footage from Mark Lowrey's December 21 gig at the Record Bar.

*Kansas City native Frank Wess celebrates his 90th birthday today.

*The author of Outside-Inside-Out solicits the input of his friends in a review of the Owens/Cox Dance Group's most recent collaboration with the People's Liberation Big Band.

*The Star reports on Occupy KC's "jazz funeral."

*Hunter Long addresses a number of topics in a Black House Improvisors' Collective post.

*Howard Reich reports that Miguel Zenon will "re-examine" the Charlie Parker With Strings album in Chicago on February 24.

*Tweet o' the Week: paynic- @Toure The j word has oppressive overtones. It was the name for the white caricaturization of Black music.

*I'll gladly pay $30 for a two-day pass (and $35-$45 more to see Poncho Sanchez) at the Jazz Winterlude festival later this month. But man, $45 buys a two-day pass for this weekend's Winter Jazzfest in New York. It features hundreds of musicians including Marc Cary, Julian Lage, Lionel Loueke, Rudresh Mahanthappa, Mostly Other People Do the Killing, Marc Ribot, Wallace Roney, Ben Williams and Bernie Worrell.

*Road trip alert: The Robert Glasper Experiment performs February 10-11 at St. Louis' Jazz at the Bistro.

*Alas, the month of January looks slight at The Kansas City Jazz Calendar.

*From Drew Williams: The Drew Williams/Tim AuBuchon Quartet play music that is loose but accessible. Their compositions draw on musical inspirations as diverse as Ornette Coleman, Paul Motian, Igor Stravinsky, and Wilco... Drew Williams is a saxophonist and a composer originally from Kansas City, Missouri. He is currently pursuing a Masters degree in Jazz Composition from NYU… Saxophonist and composer Tim AuBuchon... is currently Professor of Jazz Studies at Truman State University... The pair performs with Bill McKemy and Matt Leifer on Friday, January 6, at Take Five Coffee Bar, Leawood, Kansas.

(Original image of Customer Quintet performing at Great Day Cafe by Plastic Sax.)

Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*The Pitch reports that Ray Reed, a prominent figure on Kansas City's jazz scene for decades, has died.

*Harold O'Neal is the subject of an expansive NPR feature.

*Hearne Christopher's coverage of the situation at Jardine's continued here, here and here. Tony's Kansas City provides a related update here.

*The December 9 concert by the Black House Improvisors' Collective is available as a free download.

*The staff of the Blue Room aids a crime victim.

*Jazz figures prominently in Steve Paul's recap of 2011. Tim Finn notes the trend of jazz musicians collaborating with artists rooted in other genres.

*KC Metropolis previews a few upcoming jazz concerts.

*A New Orleans Style Jazz Funeral March will take place under the auspices of Occupy KC at noon on December 30 at 12th and Oak.

*The Magic Jazz Fairy returns to KCJazzLark.

*Melissa Treolo wrote a remembrance of Myra Taylor.

*John Bishop has died.

*Tweet o' the Week: GrunauerKC: Last minute NYE plans: Snuff Jazz, light appetizers & champagne toast in Vienna Zimmer only $20. 10p-1a. Tix available at Birdies or here.

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)