Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*John Scott of the Green Lady Lounge and Deborah Brown, Chuck Haddix and Bobby Watson were guests on KCUR’s Up to Date on Monday and Tuesday.

*Clint Ashlock discussed an upcoming concert by the Kansas City Jazz Orchestra on KCUR’s Central Standard.

*Bram Wijnands chatted with Joe Dimino.

*Giovanni Russonello of The New York Times praised an outing by the Logan Richardson Quartet.

*Tweet o’ the Week: Ryan Hennessey- My favorite Jazz has some funk in the sound. Good segment. I was at the Green Lady on Saturday. Always a good time. Anxious to try the Black Dolphin.

*From a press release: ‘Ask a Jazz Dude’, a live talk show/vlog presented by KKFI 90.1 FM and Marcus Lewis, where Marcus and selected guests answer questions about music, performing, the music business, social media, and pop culture, will take viewers on the bandstand and backstage into the mind of working musicians and creators.  The Facebook Live format gives viewers an easy way to interact with Marcus and his guests and ask questions in real time.  ‘Ask a Jazz Dude’ kicked off February 5 and can be found at facebook.com/askajazzdude Mondays at noon. 

*From a press release: Jazz vocalist Kathleen Holeman and her band will perform on Sunday evening, February 11, 6:00 pm at Kansas City Jazz Vespers, held at the historic First Baptist Church of Kansas  City...  KC Jazz Vespers features 100 minutes of professional jazz in two acts… There is no entry charge though a free-will offering is taken. 

*From a press release: The American Jazz Museum is expanding its Kansas City Jazz Academy by launching a partnership with the Charlie Parker Memorial Foundation’s Kansas City Arts Outreach, an established music education program with mission similar to that of the Museum’s Jazz Academy...  The Kansas City Jazz Academy (KCJA), the museum’s most comprehensive music education program, completed its first year in May 2017. The program was successful in bringing 150 K-12 students together every Saturday for hands-on classes in Big Band, Combos, Improvisation, and more… Beginning in 2018, KCJA will be led by Mr. Clarence Smith

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Album Review: Kathleen Holeman- Live at Corbin Theater

Kathleen Holeman is adored by jazz enthusiasts in Kansas City who prefer the tried-and-true swing of vocalists like June Christy to the contemporary innovations associated with artists such as Gretchen Parlato.  Holeman is a first-call vocalist for The Kansas City Jazz Orchestra and regularly collaborates with other prominent area ensembles.  Her new album Live at Corbin Theater is a convincing showcase for her vivacious approach.  Saxophonist Doug Talley, guitarist Rod Fleeman, keyboardist Walter Bryant, bassist Bob Bowman and drummer Al Wiley accompany Holeman on a dozen standards.  I know a few people who might weep with appreciation at the band’s interpretation of “Skylark” and jump for joy upon hearing the arrangement of “Almost Like Being in Love.” 

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*Gina Kauffman conducted a Portait Session with Krystle Warren for KCUR.

*Jessie Riggins reviewed a recent concert by the Kansas City Jazz Orchestra.

*C.J. Janovy reported on the American Jazz Museum’s new First Friday initiative.

*Joe Klopus anticipates a handful of forthcoming concerts in his column for The Kansas City Star.

*The Pitch recommends a Jammin’ at the Gem concert featuring Ida McBeth and the McFadden Brothers.

*Kathleen Holeman has released a new album.

*Tweet o’ the Week: @CJ Janovy- First Friday at @americanjazzkc #18th&Vine (video)

*From a press release: The KC Bass Workshop will be held July 15­19 2016, at Shawnee Mission North High School 7401 Johnson Dr. Overland Park, KS 66202… This world­class symposium is in its seventh year of inspiring an artful future in playing the double and electric basses…  We proudly welcome the return of maestro ​François Rabbath, ​a famed bassist known for his work with Michel Legrand, Edith Piaf and Jacques Brel, whom jazz master Ornette Coleman dubbed as the "inventor of free jazz". We welcome the amazing ​Mark Dresser​, one of the most unique voices on the Double Bass in the past 20 years. ​For more information, visit​ Kansas City Bass Workshop.

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Album Review: Ron Carlson- Kind Folk

Ron Carlson’s new album Kind Folk is dedicated to Charlie Haden and Kenny Wheeler. 

The title track of the project would almost certainly have pleased both jazz legends.  The core band of saxophonists Rob Scheps and Roger Rosenberg, guitarist Carlson, bassist Bob Bowman and drummer Brian Steever interpret Wheeler’s composition with the elegant finesse associated with the late bassist and trumpeter.

Scheps and Rosenberg shine on John Abercrombie’s “Soundtrack” and Haden’s exquisite ballad “First Song.”  Rosenberg’s bass clarinet gives the latter selection an old world feel.

Kind Folk provides valuable documentation of the New York based Scheps’ annual collaborations with Kansas City jazz musicians.  The pairing of Bowman, a Kansas City institution in the midst of a late career renaissance, and the energetic young Steever, reflects Carlson’s savvy as a bandleader.

Three prominent Kansas City jazz vocalists- Shay Estes (“A Felicidade”), Angela Hagenbach (“Bye Bye Country Boy”) and Kathleen Holeman (“A Beautiful Friendship”)- are also featured on Kind Folk.

Carlson is content to let his consistently tasteful Kenny Burrell-style playing augment the contributions of his bandmates.  His thoughtful statement on “J.S.”, the album’s gorgeous closing track, lasts less than a minute.

In electing to act in a complementary role, Carlson has overseen the creation of a solid album of  mainstream jazz.

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Now's the Time: Stan Kessler and Kathleen Holeman

The duo of trumpeter Stan Kessler and vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Kathleen Holeman perform in the lounge of the EBT Restaurant on Saturday, August 16.  Both musicians have personality to spare.  They're accompanied by pianist Roger Wilder and bassist Bob Bowman in the embedded video.