Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*The ambitious plans of the owner of the Green Lady Lounge are revealed in an enlightening report by David Hudnall of The Pitch.

*Parallax's recent performance at Take Five Coffee + Bar is documented by KCJazzLark.

*Michael Pagán lists eight jazz venues in the Kansas City area.

*Eddie Moore and the Outer Circle's The Freedom of Expression is slated for release this month.

*Chuck Berg reviewed David Basse's recent concert at the Topeka Jazz Workshop.  (Tip via Offstage.)  WIBW provides video of the event.

*Chris Burnett unveils plans to remaster his 1999 debut album.

*Tweet o' the Week: marklowreymusic- Last minute gig addition! Tonight solo piano at the Green Lady Lounge 7-11pm. This is my first time in this new space. Let's kick it.

*Comment of the Week: Lee- Does he have any plans to sell this online? There's an ominous lack of a "recordings" tab on the website you so kindly linked to. I had similar trouble trying to land a copy of "Live at Jardines." After several unanswered emails and Facebook posts, I finally gave up trying to get a copy sent to me in Seattle. And now I'm whinging on your blog like a moron.

*From Joe Athon: Kansas City Youth Jazz organizers in collaboration with Take 5 Coffee Bar have announced a Jazz Vocal Summit to be held January 20th, 2013 at 3pm to 6pm inside Take Five Coffee Bar in Leawood, KS.  The concert will last three hours. Participating in the event will be Angela Hagenbach, Wild Women of Jazz, Eddie Goss, Millie Nottingham, Laura Chalk, Bryan Hicks, Shay Estes and Joe Athon.  This will be a showcase of some of Kansas City's finest vocalists performing solo vignettes, duets and other configurations.  Proceeds will benefit Kansas City Youth Jazz… Tickets can be reserved in advance for $25 by calling 913-991-8225 or by emailing jathon@hotmail.com and for $35 at the door the day of the show. Seating is limited and advance purchase is strongly recommended. 

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*Pat Metheny's Unity Band was nominated for a Grammy Award in the category of Best Jazz Instrumental Album.

*A blogger compares Eddie Moore to "other great young and contemporary Houston-bred jazz pianists like Jason Moran and Robert Glasper."  Moore uploaded a track from his forthcoming album to SoundCloud.

*Opportunities for aspiring musicians abound at the Black House Improvisors' Collective.

*The eightieth anniversary of an important recording session by Bennie Moten's Kansas City Orchestra is noted by KCJazzLark.

*A new set of videos documenting a recent KC Youth Jazz performance is impressive.

*Here's another video of a 12th Street Jump "Blues In the News" segment.

*Kristin Shafel Omiccioli reviewed Marilyn Maye's appearance with the Heartland Men's Chorus at the Folly Theater and Project Trio's concert at Polsky Theatre.

*Here a clip of jazz students at Kansas City Kansas Community College playing a Stan Kessler arrangement of "We Three Kings".

*Side By Side, the new album by "antique pop" duo Victor & Penny, was recently released.

*Joe Dimino interviewed Gary Smulyan. 

*Frequent Kansas City visitor Rob Scheps is featured on Marvin "Bugalu" Smith's new album Majestic.

*Comment o' the Week: Anonymous- Thank god we have the Betty Carter jazz program to show us the way. I never realized that playing "All the Things You Are" really well was a solid business model.

*Tweet o' the Week: KCJazzOrch- The new KCJO/Kevin Mahogany Christmas CD is available for download: Itunes, Muve, Rdio, Deezer, Rhapsody, Amazon MP3, Spotify, &Google Play.

*From a press release issued by Take Five Coffee + Bar: Take Five Coffee + Bar brings you a packed calendar of stellar music this month from Kansas City and beyond… Friday, December 14, 8pm- Shades of Jade (and a barista competition!)… Saturday, December 15, 8pm- Snuff Jazz… Friday, December 21, 8pm- Matt Chalk with Diverse… Saturday, December 22, 8pm- Mandy Nousain and her Trio… Friday, December 28, 8pm- Parallax… Saturday, December 29, 8pm- Drew Williams Quartet… Friday, January 4, 8pm- The KC Sound Collective.

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*Joe Klopus previewed Thursday's Pat Metheny concert and Saturday's Prairie Village Jazz Festival.

*The namesake of this site is shown at the 1:52 mark in another Buick-sponsored video featuring Hermon Mehari.

*Hunter Long announced that the Black House Improvisors' Collective has been "renewed for another year of residency" with the Charlotte Street Foundation.

*KCTV5 aired a feature about the charitable efforts of Mike Corrigan's Horn Doctor.

*Bill McKemy's 2002 album Duende is praised by KCJazzLark.

*Joyce Smith reports on renovations at the Drum Room. 

*Tweet o' the Week: brandondraper- My trio this Friday!-!-! @take5coffeehouse in leawood KS. Leifer/draper/brewer. Gonna get very funky on this session 8pm -free

*Comment o' the Week: Sid- Recording engineer Chad Meise did a masterful job makingan otherwise sloppy band sound good and tight with digital editing. He should have run the voices through auto-tune though. The intonation or lack there of really exposes the mediocrity of the players in this group. Technically the sax solo is not fine. Are you deaf dude?  This might be a good party band but so were the Bay City Rollers.

*Information gleaned from the program of last weekend's Kansas City Irish Fest: 2011 Irish Fest attendees: 97,000.  Volunteers: 1,100.  Hotel room nights booked: 2,400.  Admission to the three-day event was $5 on Friday and $15 on Saturday and Sunday.

*From Dan Thomas: On September 20 I'll be releasing an album with my new band Voyage (Me, Wayne Hawkins, Forest Stewart, and Mike Warren) at the Blue Room.

*From Michael  Pagán: Swing into the Beginning of Fall KCYJ Style... “Fall Jam 2012”- A Benefit for Kansas City Youth Jazz at the Hotel Phillips.  Hosted By Millie Edwards, featuring KCYJ Students • Instructors • Alumni. Musicians Welcome!  Cash Bar • Hors d’oeuvres • Dinner Menu Available  • Raffle Prizes • Silent Auction • Suggested Donation $25.  Saturday September 22nd 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM Hotel Phillips Mezzanine.  Info Call (816) 523-9024 or visit http://kcyouthjazz.org.

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Introducing D'Anthoni Wooten

I accidentally stumbled upon this footage of D'Anthony Wooten's recent recital  at UMKC.  I'm impressed by the 17-year-old's melodic sensibility and confidence.  At his Reverb Nation account, Wooten cites Herbie Hancock as his "sounds like."  It's not surprising that the Olathe North student been involved with KC Youth Jazz. 

Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*Clarence Smith and two students enrolled in KC Youth Jazz chatted with Jabulani Leffall on KCUR's Central Standard program.

*KCJazzLark cleverly chastises himself.

*Kevin Mahogany is featured on the Pace Report.

*Chris Burnett considers the concept of competitiveness.  He also cites KC Youth Jazz as an positive indicator of jazz's future.

*Lee Langston, an R&B artist who performs frequently at the Blue Room, is the subject on an excellent feature on KCUR's KC Currents. 

*KC Metropolis offers a review of the Experimental Music Showcase at last week's Fringe Festival.

*Pauly Cohen recalls a dispute with Count Basie.

*Bobby Watson received another positive review from a jazz critic in London.

*Gigs by Pat Metheny's Unity Band and Harold O'Neal were previewed by the New York Times.

*The Kansas City Jazz Calendar has been updated.  It looks thinner than usual in part because Kansas City's best jazz club is one of several venues that have yet to publish dates for August.

*Tweet o' the Week: Brandon Draper- Cicadas make the most dope rhythms

*Comment o' the Week: Anonymous- Hey folks, Three givens in Kansas City. KCJO concerts always sell.  Jazz in the WOODS always attracts large audiences.  Tim Whitmer productions have longevity and huge followings.  Get out of your own miopic worlds. Not everything in Kansas City Jazz is a downer.

*From Brad Cox: The People's Liberation Big Band of Greater Kansas City celebrates the fourth anniversary of Jeff Harshbarger’s Jazz Series at the RecordBar with a “Year in Review” performance Sunday, August 5, at 8:00pm at the RecordBar (1020 Westport Rd, Kansas City, MO). Admission is $5.  The performance will feature material written for People's Liberation Big Band within the past year by composers Patrick Alonzo Conway, Brad Cox, Hunter Long, and Matt Otto, as well as arrangements of music by Virgil Thomson, and an appearance by The People’s Liberation Big Band of Greater Kansas City’s Special Mobile Tactical Unit.

*From Michael Pagán: Kansas City Youth Jazz organizers in collaboration with Piropos have announced a Dueling Piano Summit to be held Sunday August 19th 2012 at 3:00 PM inside Piropos Piano Bar in Briarcliff. The concert will last two hours. Participating in the event will be four of the Kansas City region’s premier jazz pianists – Roger Wilder, Joe Cartwright, Michael Pagán, and Bram Wijnands. The pianists will match up in different combinations and play two-piano jazz for approximately two hours. Proceeds will benefit Kansas City Youth Jazz...

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*The Star reports that Skies and Benton's, two hotel restaurants that featured jazz musicians but didn't actively promote the music, are closing.

*Stan Kessler via Facebook: The Kansas City Youth Jazz Reno Combo that I instruct is appearing on GOOD MORNING AMERICA from The Kauffman Performing Arts Center, Thursday Morning at 7am.

*A very fine 45-minute documentary about Kansas City's place in jazz history was just posted to YouTube. Talking heads include Jay McShann, Lisa Henry, Herbie Hancock, T.S. Monk, James Moody, Wayne Shorter, Stanley Jordan and Bobby Watson. Most of the footage seems to be circa 2004.

*The latest blog post by Hunter Long is loaded with good news for fans of Black House Improvisors' Collective.

*Just how off-putting is the word "jazz"? This 30-second promotional video for Herbie Hancock's upcoming appearance at the Lied Center avoids using the word.

*Chris Burnett ponders the "what is jazz" question in a thoughtful blog post.

*David Hudnall wrote a lengthy feature about the Eddie Baker School of Music.

*New albums by Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey, Laura Chalk, Sir Threadius Mongus and River Cow Orchestra are considered by KCJazzLark.

*Ben Ratliff reviews a new solo piano album by Harold O'Neal.

*The headline of a Kansas City Business Journal article tells a sad story: "Jazz District TIF nears final note after generating little cash or change".

*Chuck Berg reviews a Topeka Jazz Workshop performance led by Ted Howe.

*Watch Joe Athon's October 13 performance at Jardine's here.

*Candace Evans is featured in 435 South magazine.

*A niece shares childhood memories of her uncle Ahmad Alaadeen.

*Tony's Kansas City plugs a Dave Stephens gig.

*St. Louis Jazz Notes points to a site that provides access to an out-of-print 1965 album featuring Bob Brookmeyer and Clark Terry.

*A critic for Jazz Times reviewed a concert by Pat Metheny and Larry Grendadier concert.

*Drummer George Reed died in New York. He was 89.

*Tweet o' the Week: paynic: @KCTrumpeter I love trio too, except I'll just hire anywhere from 3-21 people and have most of 'em to lay out. What's your instrumentation?

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Kansas City's Jazz Geniuses

Jazz percussionist and composer Dafnis Prieto was awarded the MacArthur Foundation's so-called "genius grant" last week. Who on Kansas City's jazz scene qualifies as a potential recipient? The MacArthur Foundation rewards "talented individuals who have shown extraordinary originality and dedication in their creative pursuits and a marked capacity for self-direction." I'm nominating ten individuals accordingly. A brief explanation follows each selection.

1. Black House Improvisors' Collective- aggregated creativity (I'm not entirely certain who's responsible for the collective.)

2. Beau Bledsoe- musical brilliance, musical proselytism

3. Leon and Linda Brady- music education, moral guidance, musical proselytism

4. Chris Burnett- economic applications, musical proselytism

5. Brad Cox- musical brilliance

6. Jeff Harshbarger- musical brilliance, musical proselytism

7. Larry Kopitnik- historic preservation, institutional memory, musical proselytism

8. Hermon Mehari- musical brilliance, musical proselytism

9. Matt Otto- musical brilliance

10. Bobby Watson- musical brilliance, music education

Feel free to disparage my picks or suggest who I have incomprehensibly overlooked. (I ruled out artists including Bob Brookmeyer, Pat Metheny, Harold O'Neal and Logan Richardson on the basis that they don't reside in the area.)

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Review: Masters of KC Jazz Benefit at the Madrid Theater

The epiphany struck me in a most unlikely moment.

As a handful of high school kids and gray-haired couples shared the dance floor Sunday at the Madrid Theater, a member of Kansas City Youth Jazz's Reno Band took a painfully mediocre solo during "Kansas City." The kid's pedestrian effort stood out because the majority of the teenagers in the band were exceptionally talented.

"Everybody deserves a chance," founder and musical director Leon Brady later explained while noting that every member of the group took a solo on the Leiber and Stoller staple.

Only then did I come to understand the essence of Kansas City Youth Jazz. It's not just about the attempt to instill a passion for jazz in young musicians. The real value of the organization, I realized, lies with Brady's quiet dignity. His leadership, characterized by an unflagging expectation of excellence, has an enormous impact that transcends the arts.

I attended Sunday's fundraiser as a guest of board member Antwaun Smith. (He and his wife Annie are pictured above. She's also an enthusiastic blogger.)

Students from Jim Mair's jazz program at Kansas City Kansas Community College, an ensemble composed of KC Youth Jazz instructors and Diverse also performed Sunday. David Basse served as the night's master of ceremonies. The music, needless to say, was quite fine.

Before Plastic Sax readers get the impression that I'm recanting my unpopular positions on jazz education, I'll note that I still advocate teaching turntablism and incorporating hip hop and rock elements into programs like KC Youth Jazz. Encouraging students to write jazz arrangements of contemporary hits by Beyonce, Lady Gaga and MGMT will ultimately lead to a genuine appreciation of Count Basie and Charlie Parker.

I suspect that Brady disapproves of such notions. Perhaps the impressive staff he's assembled- they include Chris Burnett, Stan Kessler, Jason Goudeau, Greg Richter and Clarence Smith- are more sympathetic to such ideas. Because Brady won't be around forever, I sincerely hope that Smith and the current faculty can find a way to ensure that Brady's legacy endures.













(Original images of Sunday's event by Plastic Sax.)

Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*Here's an excerpt from an email sent by the American Jazz Museum last week: This email is a call to action. Recently the Missouri Senate recommended zero funding for the Missouri Arts Council for FY2011. This is a distressing recommendation as the Missouri Arts Council provides significant funding to arts organizations throughout the state. About a quarter of the American Jazz Museum's philanthropic support comes through the Missouri Arts Council.

*Prior to Christian McBride's concert last Saturday, Doug Tatum announced that Sachal Vasandani and Dave Brubeck have been booked as part of the Folly's 2010-11 jazz series.

*Mark Southerland and Shay Estes received a quick critique.

*"I wanted to see an area thriving with people, shops and things to do," a blogger writes about a visit to the Jazz District, "(A)nd what I saw were a lot of businesses that didn’t make it, closed up storefronts, lifeless streets, and the façade of a neighborhood that just doesn’t exist anymore."

*Michael Pagan posted an enthusiastic review of Mike Metheny's 60.1 at iTunes.

*Milton Morris is evoked by KCJazzLark.

*The Kansas City Kansan recaps the recent "Jazz Cabaret" concert by Kansas City Kansas Community College students.

*Sue Vicory provides additional details about her May 6 film premiere at the Gem Theater.

*Tony Botello posted several jazz-related items during the last week. He catches up on the controversy at the Mutual Musicians Foundation. He opined on the name and venue change of KCUR's 12th Street Jump. He also checked in with Jazzbo and noted that a progressive rock band has taken up residency at Jardine's on Monday nights. Finally, the prolific blogger was on hand for Reach's live album recording with jazz/jam band Mouth at the Record Bar.

*The Star reviewed the Christian McBride concert at the Folly Theater. Here's fan footage from the upper balcony.

*Bobby Watson and Horizon will perform at the Detroit Jazz Fest this summer. The stellar lineup also includes Allen Toussaint, Branford Marsalis and the Maria Schneider Orchestra.

*"To hell with practicality; if it’s something sweet to watch, it’s worth the challenge of creating and executing." A reviewer in San Diego is astounded by Pat Metheny's Orchestrion.

*It looks as if he and Fanny have been at it since last August, but I just discovered Alaadeen's blog.

*Megan Birdsall provides a new installment of her tour vlog. I've made fun of her video blogging, but seriously, similar efforts should be part of every performing artist's weekly routine.

*In a typically excellent post, St. Louis Jazz Notes heralds the May 1 performance of the Count Basie Orchestra in his town.

*Matt Chalk and Tim Whitmer lead groups at a May 7 charitable benefit at the American Jazz Museum.

*A full press release detailing the weekend's activities at the American Jazz Museum concludes this post, but those aren't the only significant jazz events in town this week. Here are a few additional listings:

4/30 The Kansas City Jazz Orchestra perform the complete Kansas City Suite- Folly Theater
5/01 The People's Liberation Big Band perform their original score for Battleship Potemkin- Paul Mesner Puppet studio
5/02 Diverse- Watson Park in Lawrence
5/02 KC Jazz Masters benefit for KC Youth Jazz with Diverse, Stan Kessler, Jim Mair and more- Madrid Theater
5/05 Bob Kindred- Jardine's
5/06 The film premiere of Sue Vicory's Kansas City Jazz & Blues: Past, Present & Future- Gem Theater

Check the Kansas City Jazz Calendar for additional listings.

*Via the American Jazz Museum:

Event Schedule:

Thursday, April 29, 2010, Panel Session: “(Ellington’s 111th Birthday)

10:00 AM Panel Session:

“Inspirations of the Duke”

Panelists: NEA Jazz Master Dan Morgenstern, Barrie Hall, Clark Terry and KC Legend Alaadeen.

Moderator: Steve Kraske, Kansas City Star Columnist & “Up to Date Host” on KCUR American Jazz Museum Blue Room

6:00 PM Duke Ellington Photo Exhibit and Film Exhibit Grand Opening Reception and unveiling of the Ellington bust, created by San Francisco artist, Howard Lazar.

American Jazz Museum, John Baker Collection Exhibit

7:00 Dan Morgenstern - “Celebrating Duke Ellington’s Legacy”.

American Jazz Museum, JBC Exhibit

Friday, April 30, 2010 Jammin’ at the Gem Day

10:00 AM Jazz Museum Tours for students w/ Dennis Winslett Glenn North.

American Jazz Museum – Permanent Exhibits

10:00 AM Jazz Storytelling featuring Lisa Henry & Brother John

American Jazz Museum Atrium

11:00 AM Instrumental Break-out Master Classes, featuring the following Ellington Clinicians:

Everette Freeman on Piano; Jeff Harshbarger on Bass; Brandon Draper on Drums; James Ward on Brass; Chris Burnet on Woodwinds.

1:00-2:15 PM Panel Session:

“The Genius of Duke Ellington: Goin’ to Graduate School – A Players Perspective”

Panelists: NEA Jazz Master Clark Terry, NEA Jazz Master Dan Morgenstern, Barrie Hall, KC Legend Alaadeen.

Moderator: Greg Carroll, American Jazz Museum Chief Executive Officer

6:30 PM Ellington Pre-Concert Reception & Jazz Conversation w/ Dan Morgenstern &

Clark Terry. Gem Theater Large Conference Room.

8:00 PM Ellington Tribute Concert featuring Clark Terry, Barrie Hall, the Ellington All-Star Big Band, the American Jazz Museum Institute Student All-Stars. Clark Terry and Alaadeen will be presented with the American Jazz Museum Lifetime Achievement Award.

(Original image of the Clayton Brothers by Plastic Sax.)