Concert Review: Matt Otto Septet at the Blue Room

A friend suggested that Kansas City’s jazz scene is in the midst of the summer doldrums during the set break of Matt Otto’s album release show for Soliloquy at the Blue Room last Thursday.  While I didn’t disagree with him, I should have countered that the magnificent performance by Otto’s septet should satiate the members of the audience of about 50 for a few weeks.

My detailed review and audio commentary about Soliloquy are posted here.  Rather than repeat my lavish praise, I’ll share a few additional insights gleaned during the gig that featured the contributions of Gerald Dunn, Shay Estes, Jeff Stocks, T.J. Martley, Jeff Harshbarger and Mike Warren.

*The performance affirmed the strength of Soliloquy’s compositions and arrangements.

*Estes’ wordless vocals and Dunn’s alto sax tone were occasionally indistinguishable from each other.  It’s a nifty trick.

*Relegated to a supporting role on the album, guitarist Stocks’ more prominent playing on Thursday was welcome.

*Otto brings out the best in Dunn.

*The undervalued pianist Martley and drummer Warren make a formidable tandem.

*One of my kids sampled this festival in Vienna last week, but the superlative quality of Thursday’s free show partly validates my decision to remain in Kansas City.

(Original images by Plastic Sax.)

Now's the Time: The Project H

The Project H, the ensemble responsible for my favorite jazz-oriented performance by Kansas City musicians of the first few months of 2015, returns to the Westport Coffee House on Thursday, May 7.

Album Review: The Project H- We Live Among the Lines

Become Light, the effervescent second album by The Project H, was Plastic's Sax's top release by a locally based ensemble in 2012.  The new album We Live Among the Lines is even better.

Without sacrificing its knack for crafting ingenious melodies, the Project H has evolved into a tighter and tougher band.  The solos on We Live Among the Lines are more direct and the rock elements have been been accentuated.  The exhilarating "A Bear's Cage" is among the tracks that prominently features distorted guitar and keyboards.  "Do It Up & Do It Right" finds the sweet spot between the classic R&B of the 1970s and contemporary groove-oriented ensembles.

We Live Among the Lines indicates that the members of the Project H- trumpeter Clint Ashlock, trombonist Ryan Heinlein, saxophonist Brett Jackson, guitarist Jeff Stocks, keyboardist Andrew Ouellette, bassist Dominique Sanders and drummer Matt Leifer- understand that musical daring and fun aren't mutually exclusive concepts. 

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Now's the Time: The Black House Quartet

A recently completed opera project offered further evidence that the Black House Collective is one of Kansas City's most multifarious ensembles.  Four musicians affiliated with the collective- saxophonist Hunter Long, guitarist Jeff Stocks, bassist Andrew Stinson and drummer Matt Leifer- will return to their foundation in forward-thinking jazz on Saturday, May 25, at Take Five Coffee + Bar.

Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*Mark Lowrey, Hermon Mehari, Jeff Harshbarger and representatives of the Project H and the People's Liberation Big Band are among the musicians who participated in Q-and-A sessions for The Pitch.

*Marilyn Maye will receive the "2012 Outstanding Kansas Citian Award” from The Native Sons and Daughters of Kansas City on September 18 at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts.

*"I really idolize Matt Otto for his playing and writing.  He just epitomizes everything I love about music," Jeff Stocks says in a Black House Improvisors' Collective interview.

*Set times for the Prairie Village Jazz Festival have been published.

*T.J. Martley's Meditations Vol. 1 has been released.

*KCJazzLark marks his third anniversary as a jazz blogger.

*The Topeka Capital-Journal offers a preview of the forthcoming Topeka Jazz Workshop series.  (Via KC Stage Blog.)

*Touring band conflict alert- Skerik's Bandalabra performs at The Brick and Todd Clouser appears at the RecordBar on September 19.

*Comment o' the Week: Anonymous- what the HELL is with all these photos you post? Also, please, enough with this Unity Band stuff already. Cheers.

*Tweet o' the Week: yurishimojo- Pat Metheny Unity Band を聴きに行きました　Upstateの森の中　古いオペラハウス　音楽好きなともだちと　お弁当つくってピクニック　豊かな一日　わたしって大人　 帰りはヤンキース試合後の渋滞に巻きこまれました　わたしってニューヨーカー

*From Joe Powers: Harmonica virtuoso, Joe Powers makes his debut performance in Kansas City with guitarist Beau Bledsoe. Powers is known for bending and blending genres from jazz to classical, hip-hop to world music, and Argentine Tango. Since gaining a music degree from the University of Oregon he has performed around the world, from Paris to Tokyo to tango-crazy Buenos Aires… His latest album, "Just Duet!" (2012) features eclectic harmonica duos with 12 different instruments. Kansas City Arts Academy, Grassroots concert series Saturday, August 11th, 8pm, 7933 Main St. KC, MO 64114  Ticket $10 and $15 for preferred seating.

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)