The 2012 Live at Hollywood Theater Season

Plastic Sax is honored by the opportunity to be the first to announce the 2012 season of "Live at the Hollywood Theater." All events in the prestigious Leavenworth, Kansas, concert series start at 8 p.m. Receptions before each event allow guests to "meet and mingle" with the performers. More information is available at Leavenworth Concert Series.

Saturday, March 17, 2012
Double bill: The duo of Mike Pagan and Millie Edwards and the Will Matthews Quartet with Reggie Thomas.

Saturday, May 12, 2012
Double bill: The Makuza Latin Jazz Ensemble and the Toni Gates Ensemble.

Saturday, November 17, 2012
The Bobby Watson Quartet.

Two concerts- The Elders on May 14 and Angela Hagenbach on November 17- remain in the 2011 season.

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Now's the Time: Fourplay

Smooth jazz supergroup Fourplay is scheduled to perform Saturday at the 40 Acres and a Mule campus as part of the Family Reunion Festival. The band's current members are Bob James, Nathan East, Chuck Loeb and Harvey Mason. Former Kansas Citian Kevin Mahogany and Makuza are also on the bill. The price of a ticket is an astoundingly low ten dollars.

Now's the Time: Makuza

I have a Fania problem. I just can't lay off the constant stream of reissues from the famed salsa label. My addiction only enhances the appeal of Kansas City's Makuza. While I'm sure members of the band would agree that they're not the equals of Willie Colon and Ruben Blades, they're capable of capturing much of the exuberance associated with the music's top stars. Makuza performs Thursday, May 27, at the Blue Room.