Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*Joe Klopus previewed the Prairie Village Jazz Festival for The Kansas City Star.  The Pitch recommended Marilyn Maye’s headlining outing at the event.

*The Kansas City Business Journal reported that Kansas City is purchasing properties in the Jazz District.

*Jessie Riggins wrote an overview of the fall jazz agenda.

*Marcus Hampton was interviewed by Joe Dimino.

*Jeff Robinson, the man behind a play about Charlie Parker, was interviewed by Ron Knox.

*Nate Chinen highlighted Bobby Watson’s appearance at Smoke for The New York Times.

*Tweet o’ the Week: Bill Brownlee- 'll discuss second fiddles and the Prairie Village Jazz Festival with @stevekraske on @KCURUpToDate at 11:54 a.m. today.

*Comment o’ the Week: Mike Metheny- My apologies for the "wrath" once upon a time, Bill. I'm happy to report that I've mellowed considerably since the days when I was so full of myself and the master of overreaction and hyperbole. I must also add that my admiration for your skills as a music journalist has been at the highest level for 20-plus years now. Keep up the great work, and thanks for mentioning the new book. mm

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Book Review: Old Friends Are the Best Friends: The Letters of John McKee and Mike Metheny

Having incurred the wrath of Mike Metheny, I've learned that his eloquent rebukes can cut very deeply.  Until the release of Old Friends Are the Best Friends: The Letters of John McKee and Mike Metheny, I had no way of knowing that he’d been spent years honing his considerable wit in extensive correspondence with an even more expressive friend.

The new book reveals that John McKee is much more than the title of a compelling Pat Metheny composition.  Pat and his big brother Mike struck up a lasting friendship with their neighbor McKee as boys in Lee’s Summit, Missouri.

Old Friends Are the Best Friends collects a portion of the letters Mike Metheny and Mckee wrote to one another when the jazz musician lived in Boston and the latter man ran his family’s business in Lee’s Summit.  At more than 500 pages and almost four pounds, the volume looks imposing.  Yet the fascinating discourse of what McKee characterized as a “20-year bull session” is consistently delightful.

Jazz fans will appreciate McKee’s thoughtful reflections on musicians including Thelonious Monk (“full of the frightening dissonances of our time”) and Metheny’s colorful accounts of his career, such as his observation that the New York City venue Fat Tuesday’s was so intimate that “we trumpet players must be careful not to empty our spit valves onto a customer’s knees.”

The erudite pals also discuss books, movies, social issues and theology.  High-minded essays are balanced by lighter fare.  McKee’s dismissal of an inconsequential Farrah Fawcett film is hilarious.

The men were aware of the exceptional quality of their letters.  McKee speculated that “someday this ranting and raving might see the light of day with some sort of public printing.”  McKee died in 1989.  He was 44.  Old Friends Are the Best Friends is an entertaining and enlightening tribute to Metheny’s remarkable confidant.

Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*Cheptoo Kositany-Buckner, the new CEO of the American Jazz Museum, was interviewed by The Pitch.

*Live at Pilgrim Chapel, the new album by David Basse and Joe Cartwright, was reviewed by KCUR.

*Dominique Sanders was interviewed by Fountain City Frequency.

*Zach Albetta chatted with John Kizilarmut in a podcast for Working Drummer.

*The Kansas City Star and The Pitch highlight Ambrose Akinmusire’s return to Kansas City.

*Tweet o’ the Week: Amanda Graor- @KCCauldron I want to capo and do the occasional tap dance solo on the bar ala Lonnie McFadden thx

*Comment o’ the Week: Mike Metheny- Thank you, Mike Warren, for taking the time to review my sonic experiments, confounding as they admittedly are. Your words were thoughtful and honest, and that works for me. (Note: “Twelve” is the number of albums produced since 1982, as opposed to ten tracks on the CD. That's what I get for being too cryptic…)

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*Clint Ashlock was featured in a seven-minute segment of KCPT’s Arts Upload program.

*Larry Kopitnik ponders the print medium in a revealing KC Jazz Lark post.

*Mike Metheny’s Twelve For the Road was reviewed for KCUR by Mike Warren.

*The Pitch touts a performance by a band led by Nate Nall.

*Joe Klopus notes Kim Waters’ forthcoming appearance.

*Tweet o’ the Week: Brian Scarborough- Not even 11 AM and I've written and formatted a new tune for BSQ. Looking forward to debuting it next Wednesday! #KCJazz #Journeys

*From Paul Shinn: It's been a while since our trio has been at the Green Lady for an extended run, so we are very excited for this opportunity to provide you all with some new music as well as some older favorites as well! You can find us next weekend at the Green Lady at the following times: Saturday, February 13th 9pm-1am, Sunday, February 14th 530-830pm, Monday, February 15th 8pm-12am.  We are returning in celebration of our new album release entitled Into That Good Night. Funded by a grant received in the summer of 2014, this CD features six new compositions as well as a few select standards.

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*Steve Vockrodt wrote a thorough analysis of the latest funding initiative for the Jazz District for The Pitch.  A television report about the development suggests that "the historic Jazz District is in disrepair.” 

*Prohibition Hall, a new venue at 11th & McGhee, has jazz musicians booked on Wednesdays and Latin jazz and salsa bands booked on Thursdays through February.

*Mike Warren reviewed Mike Metheny’s Twelve For the Road album for KCUR.

*Jessie Riggins reviewed a Roger Wilder performance.

*Joe Klopus examines the week's jazz calendar in his latest column.

*KC Jazz Lark celebrates the 100th anniversary of Jay McShann’s birth.

*Paul Shinn has released the new album Into That Good Night.

*Vince Giordano and Molly Hammer are among Joe Dimino’s most recent interview subjects.

*Pat Metheny wrote a remembrance of his former collaborator David Bowie.

*Dogs, an album featuring Mike Dillon, Brian Haas, James Singleton and Johnny Vidacovich, will be released on Feb. 26.  Here’s ”Bongo Joe”.

*Tweet o’ the Week: Mark Peavy- @LynnHorsley “Cleaver testified…18th and Vine is the 3rd most recognized street in the U.S.” That’s ridiculous. Maybe 12th & Vine(& KC Wine)

*From a press release: The spring 2016 season of the JCCC Jazz Series will kick off Tuesday, March 1, with the Ben Leifer Quartet. The series, which showcases the talents of local jazz musicians, is free and open to the public. Performances will take place at noon on Tuesdays for seven consecutive weeks. They will be held in the Polsky Theatre of the Carlsen Center unless otherwise noted. March 1: Ben Leifer Quartet, Polsky Theatre; March 8: Megan Birdsall Quartet, Polsky Theatre; March 15: Kansas City Jazz Collective, Polsky Theatre; March 22: Bram Wijnands Trio, Polsky Theatre; March 29: Doug Talley, tenor saxophone and Rod Fleeman, guitar, Recital Hall; April 5: Charles Williams Trio, Recital Hall; April 12: Max Groove Trio, Polsky Theatre.

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Plastic Sax's Favorite Albums and Performances of 2015

Favorite Albums by Locally Based Musicians
1. Eddie Moore and the Outer Circle- Live In Kansas City (Plastic Sax review)
2. Matt Kane & the Kansas City Generations Sextet- Acknowledgement (Plastic Sax review)
3. Dominique Sanders- A True Story Based On… (Plastic Sax review)
4. Matt Villinger- All Night (Plastic Sax review)
5. Mike Metheny- Twelve For the Road (Plastic Sax review)
6. Julian Vaughn- Limitless (Plastic Sax review)
7. Paul Shinn Trio- Easy Now (Plastic Sax review)
8. Michael Pagan, Bob Bowman and Brian Steever- The Ottawa Sessions (Plastic Sax review)
9. Ron Carlson- Kind Folk (Plastic Sax review)
10. OJT- New Standards for the Green Lady (Plastic Sax review)

Favorite Albums by Musicians From Elsewhere
1. Rudresh Mahanthappa- Bird Calls (Plastic Sax review)
2. Marc Cary- Rhodes Ahead, Vol. 2
3. Matthew Shipp Trio- The Conduct of Jazz
4. Charles Gayle Trio- Christ Everlasting
5. Donny McCaslin- Fast Future
6. Charlie Hunter Trio- Let the Bells Ring On
7. Myra Melford- Snowy Egret
8. Kamasi Washington- The Epic
9. John Scofield- Past Present
10. Orrin Evans- The Evolution of Oneself

Favorite Performances by Locally Based Musicians
1. Bobby Watson Quartet- Folly Theater (Plastic Sax review)
2. Peter Schlamb’s Electric Tinks- RecordBar
3. Lauren Krum with the Project H- Westport CoffeeHouse (Plastic Sax review)
4. Eddie Moore and the Outer Circle- Take Five Coffee + Bar (Plastic Sax review)
5. Jorge Arana Trio- Riot Room patio
6. James Isaac Quartet- Take Five Coffee + Bar (Plastic Sax review)
7. Chris Hazelton’s Boogaloo 7- Green Lady Lounge
8. Jeff Harshbarger Quartet- RecordBar
9. Dojo- Green Lady Lounge (Plastic Sax review)
10. Shades of Jade- Coda (Plastic Sax review)

Favorite Performances by Musicians From Elsewhere
1. Mark Dresser, Myra Melford and Matt Wilson- Take Five Coffee + Bar (Plastic Sax review)
2. Avishai Cohen, Tal Mashiach and Nasheet Waits- Take Five Coffee + Bar (Plastic Sax review)
3. Diana Krall- Midland theater
4. Bill Frisell- White Theatre
5. Max Raabe & Palast Orchester- Helzberg Hall
6. Conrad Herwig’s Latin Jazz All-Stars- 18th & Vine Jazz and Blues Festival (Plastic Sax review)
7. Hot Sardines- Folly Theater
8. John Blevins and Drew Williams- Westport Coffeehouse (Plastic Sax review)
9. Trio Red- Blue Room (Plastic Sax review)
10. Earl Klugh- Folly Theater

Similar year-end listings were published at Plastic Sax in 2014 (albums and performances), 2013 (albums and performances), 2012, 2011 and 2010.

(Original image of Shades of Jade by Plastic Sax.)

Album Review: Mike Metheny- Twelve For the Road

Mike Metheny is very smart.  He’s also extremely funny.  It’s difficult to discern, consequently, if the press release that accompanies his new album Twelve For the Road is meant to be taken seriously.

My checkered career as a jazz soloist can be seen in two parts.  Part one: I’m getting away with this mostly because of my Pat connection- along with the support of some very talented colleagues and equally generous listeners- and part two: because the vote is in on part one, it seems like a good time to try something different.

With all but one of the ten selections consisting only of Metheny on keyboards, Twelve For the Road is not a “jazz” album.  Instead, much of the project resembles electronic space music in the vein of Steve Roach and Tangerine Dream.  Almost all of it is closer in spirit to the classical composer Erik Satie than to the jazz trumpet star Clifford Brown.

Is Metheny trolling?  I don’t think so.

As someone who occasionally enjoys listening to the syndicated radio program “Hearts of Space” and who frequently uses Satie’s “Gymnopédies” to calm himself, I’m not unaccustomed to the approaches Metheny employs on the album.

Much of Twelve For the Road possesses an ominous edge.  Guitar-like wailing makes “Catharsis” the album’s most conspicuously aggressive selection.  “Ostinato,” a comparatively conventional track, contains intriguing pairings of textures.  The odd lilt of “Carousel” evokes Antonio Carlos Jobim.

Metheny breaks out his signature flugelhorn only on the lush “Home.”  The closing selection “Amen” seems to allude to Bill Evans “Peace Piece.”

The unconventional approach of Twelve For the Road is decidedly offbeat, but it results in one of Metheny’s most artistically and emotionally compelling albums.

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*Feast reports that the jazz venue Broadway Kansas City may soon become a Scandinavian restaurant.

*Chris Hazelton’s Boogaloo 7 and Molly Hammer are among the critic’s picks in The Pitch’s Best of Kansas City awards.  The Green Lady Lounge, Mark Lowrey and the 18th & Vine Jazz and Blues Festival are among the reader’s picks.

*Mike Metheny created a video preview for his forthcoming album Twelve For the Road.

*The Count Basie Orchestra will release its first Christmas album on November 6.  Here’s a video trailer for A Very Swingin’ Basie Christmas.

*Christ Community is hosting the 2nd Annual Brookside Jazz Festival on November 7. 

*The Pitch recommends Ron Carlson’s series of gigs at the Art Factory.

*A critic for KCUR reviewed Hmph’s Headrush.

*Joe Dimino interviewed Leo Wadada Smith and Charles Tolliver.

*Tweet o’ the Week: Beth Hanson- Classy jazz joint with all the ambiance. #kansascity #vacation @ Green Lady Lounge (photo)

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*Eldar Djangirov promotes World Tour Vol. 1 album in a video. The new release that is “exclusively available” at his site.

*KC Jazz Lark foresees a bright future for the Kansas City Jazz Orchestra.

*Steve Lambert’s full calendar is noted by The Pitch.

*Danielo Perez’s forthcoming concert is highlighted in Joe Klopus’ latest column.

*Matt Kane’s album was featured on KCUR’s weekly Local Listen segment.

*Chris Burnett lists “6 Things You Can Do to Appreciate Jazz.”

*Joe Locke and Marc Cary chatted with Joe Dimino.

*St. Louis Jazz Notes reminds readers that Robert Glasper performs at Jazz at the Bistro tonight and tomorrow.

*Tweet o’ the Week: Adrienne B. Haynes- I had an impromptu history lesson about Kansas City's Historic Jazz District in the 30's tonight over senior coffee & strawberry creme pies

*Comment o’ the Week: Anonymous- Once you get past the tiresome and curmudgeonly reference to hard bop as an "inauspicious format," that wasn't a half bad review. Consider yourself chastised.

*From Mike Metheny: Exactly 100 years after the arrival of patriarch Harrison Metheny (1887-1980) in Lee's Summit MO, the story of the Metheny family is being told in an exhibit at the new Lee's Summit History Museum. What an honor it is for us to be included! The museum's grand opening is on Wednesday, April 22 at 5 p.m. And normal museum hours will be 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays. For more information, please visit the Museum's Facebook event page or the website.

*From Take Five Coffee + Bar: Thursday, April 23, 7pm: Marcus Lewis Big Band- …Ferocious swing the way only a high-caliber big band can deliver it… $5 cover.  Friday, April 24, 8pm: Schlambert- Vibraphonist Peter Schlamb and saxophonist Steve Lambert join forces… With Karl McComas-Reichl on bass and John Kizilarmut on drums… $5 cover.  Saturday, April 25- … closed this night for a private event. (A wedding!)  Sunday, April 26, 10am - 2pm: Sunday Jazz Brunch: Paul Roberts and Peter Schlamb… and bassist Forest Stewart for a tribute to the great Chick Corea/Gary Burton group… No cover.

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*KCUR aired a five-minute feature about the Kansas City Kansas Community College Jazz Ensemble's trip to Havana.

*Mark Lowrey reports that he'll perform in a benefit concert with Bill McKemy on bass and John Kizilarmut on drums at the Living Room on Saturday, December 27, from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.  $10 at the door.  All proceeds go to Holy Cross Elementary's music department.  Lowrey's new album Waltzes and Consolations will be released this week.   It was recorded live at the Majestic on September 8th with bassist Karl McComas Reichl and drummer Sam Wisman.

*KC Metropolis published a review of a "jazzy border war" event.

*The Pitch recommends New Jazz Order's appearance at Take Five Coffee + Bar.

*Joe Dimino interviewed Jack DeJohnette for his Neon Jazz podcast.

*Tweet o' the Week: Daniel Welch- #jazz deserves #monochrome @ Harling's Upstairs (photo)

*Comment o' the Week: Mike Metheny- Watching that great clip of Marilyn Maye brings to mind this question: Which of today's high profile musicians will be at, or near the top of their game -- and still relevant -- at age 86? It may be a case of apples and oranges, but either way, here's to longevity.

*From Take Five Coffee + Bar: Friday, December 19, 8pm: New Jazz Order Big Band Presents Ellington's Nutcracker Suite- Clint Ashlock and New Jazz Order performed Ellington’s Nutcracker Suite last year and the old coffee shop nearly burst at the seams with musicians, revelers and an enormous sound. This year, we have the space to present them properly – a full sixteen-piece big band of the Ellington style, packed with incredible players… $10 cover. Saturday, December 20, 8pm: Kessler-Embrey Conspiracy- Trumpeter Stan Kessler and guitarist Danny Embrey lead a powerhouse quartet – Jeff Harshbarger on bass, Todd Strait on drums… $5 cover. Sunday, December 21, 10am - 2pm: Sunday Jazz Brunch: TJ Martley- ...an amazing pianist… No cover.

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*The Pitch reports that Take Five Coffee + Bar is moving to a larger space in Johnson County in a few months.  (See Take Five's full press release below.)

*Opera Philadelphia is producing an opera based on the life of Charlie Parker.  Here's a brief report in The New York Times.

*Bobby Watson, Willard Jenkins and Bret Primack discuss Watson's Check Cashing Day album in a 50-minute video chat.

*KC Jazz Lark makes a happy return to the Broadway Jazz Club.

*Project H created a Kickstarter campaign to finance its third album.

*Hermon Mehari posted a video of a performance of "Night and Day."

*Magician Tommy Terrific will perform magic tricks "inspired by" Louis Armstrong during four performances at branches of the Kansas City Public Library this week.

*Lisa Engelken was interviewed by Joe Dimino of Neon Jazz.

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

*A gig led by Peter Schlamb is touted by The Pitch. 

*The Pat Metheny Unity Group's Kin was released this week.

*Here are details on Kansas City Kansas Community College's forthcoming trip to the Havana Jazz Festival.  Friends and sponsors are invited to join the ensemble.

*Tweet o' the Week: Meghan Flavin- @VisitKC Broadway Jazz Club is open and has good live music.

*Comment o' the Week: Mike Metheny- I'll tell you one thing from the '60s Stan DOES remember: our time together in the trumpet section of the KC Youth Symphony in 19 sixty (cough). He was an excellent trumpet player back then, as he is now. Bravo, Stanton. Well deserved.

*From Jim Mair: Jazz by the Lake at Kansas City Kansas Community College.  All dates are noon to 1 p.m. at the Conference Center.  Thursday February 6- Mike Ning Trio "tribute to Bill Evans" with James Albright and Victor Perelmuter. Thursday March 6- Society Red with Brett Jackson and Ryan Thielman playing the music of Dexter Gordon.  Thursday April 3- Passport.  Thursday May 8- KCKCC Big Band and Combos (outdoors).

*From Take Five Coffee + Bar: Our new home at 135th and Metcalf in Overland Park will have more room for live music and a full kitchen for an expanded menu, with all the comfort, intimacy and great coffee drinks our friends have come to expect over the past four years.  Take Five Coffee + Bar is delighted to announce its plans to move to a new location this summer. After four years of growth and metamorphosis that saw a small suburban coffee shop become one of the Kansas City area's premier destinations for live jazz, Take Five will close at 151st and Nall sometime in late June or early July and reopen in a new space at Corbin Park shopping center at 135th between Metcalf and Lamar in Overland Park, Kan.  "We had clearly outgrown our existing space. Most evenings when we have music we quickly run out of places to sit. With a larger space and a stage we'll be able to host more music lovers and also feature some of the larger ensembles we've never been able to fit into the corner of our little coffee shop," said owner Lori Chandler.  Chandler is determined to preserve the intimacy and comfort for which Take Five has become known. Working with Kansas City Repertory Theater chief sound engineer John Story, as well as Corbin Park architect Jeff DeGasperi, Take Five's new home at the park will be built from the ground up with careful attention to live sound and intimate spaces as well as comfortable seating for eating, meeting and spending time with friends.  The focus on excellent hand-crafted coffee drinks and teas from Kansas City's own Broadway Coffee Roasters and Hugo Tea will naturally continue, as well as desserts from Golden Boy Pies. The expansion to a full kitchen will allow Take Five to offer an expanded menu of breakfast items, sandwiches and more throughout the day. Tracy Allen of Brewed Behavior is helping with the design of the complete coffee shop experience.  "We are thrilled to be joining businesses such as Sprouts Farmer's Market, Brew Top Pub & Patio, Firebirds Wood Fired Grill as well as Von Maur, Life Time Fitness, Scheels All Sports and all the other businesses at Corbin Park, where we hope to play an important role in creating a great destination for people throughout the city," Chandler said.  We look forward to welcoming you to our new home. Details on our house warming will come your way as we get closer to the date.

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*Bobby Watson is slated to appear on KCUR's Up To Date program on Thursday, December 19.

*"It seems that right now, we have more places to hear music and more good bands than we had even a year ago," Joe Klopus asserted in his column last week.

*KC Jazz Lark places the significance of Paseo Hall into historical context.

*Steve Kraske interviewed Ben Sidran on KCUR's Up To Date.  A blogger reviewed Sidran's concert at White Theatre.

*The Pitch recommends upcoming performances by Steve Cardenas at the Blue Room and Take Five Coffee.

*Chris Burnett takes note of Google's free tools.

*Tweet o' the Week: Steven Lambert- Tonight 10 to 1 @thesoundkc plays @GreenLadyLounge for their 1 year anniversary!!!!

*Comment o' the Week: Mike Metheny- This is a very good band!

*From the American Jazz Museum: Thurs. Dec. 19 - KC MAD! Musician's Appreciation Day! Elder Statesmen of KC Jazz 5-7 p.m.; Carl McComas Reichl 7:30-11 p.m., Free. Fri. Dec. 20 - Charles Williams with Lisa Henry featuring the music of Ramsey Lewis, $10… Sat. Dec. 21 - Music of Thelonious Monk - Matt Otto Quartet featuring Steve Cardenas, $10. Mon. Dec. 23 - Everette DeVan, Free.

*From Take Five Coffee: Friday, December 20, 8 pm:  Steve Cardenas and Matt Otto- Kansas City native guitarist Steve Cardenas is legendary in the world of jazz. He has recorded with some of our favorites, such as Paul Motian, Charlie Haden and Joey Baron, just to name a few.  Tonight he's at Take Five with Matt Otto on sax, Ryan Lee on drums and Bob Bowman on bass, playing the music of Thelonious Monk, among others. Make plans accordingly. $5 cover.  Saturday, December 21, 8 pm:  Matt Chalk Trio-  A hearty welcome home for the holidays to sax wonder Matt Chalk, who is presently killing it in New York City. Tonight he's bringing Ben Leifer (bass) and Ryan Lee (drums) to round out an intimate trio with tremendous power. $5 cover.  Sunday, December 22, 8 pm:  New Jazz Order presents Ellington's Nutcracker- Clint Ashlock brings in the New Jazz Order Big Band (yes, a full big band) with an elite holiday treat for you. Come join us for Duke Ellington's brilliant interpretation of a holiday favorite, and let the Sugar Plum Fairies bounce! $10 cover.

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Album Review: A Kansas City Trumpet Summit

A void that remains unfilled was created when KCUR's weekly show "Just Jazz" ended its long run in 2005.   Co-hosts Ginney Coleman and Ruth Rhoden valued swing above all else.  Their unwavering advocacy of locally-produced mainstream jazz is sorely missed.

The women would have almost certainly championed A Kansas City Trumpet Summit as one of the most important albums to emerge from the regional scene in years.  Gorgeous even on the uptempo selections, the project is unflaggingly tasteful.

The showcase for Stan Kessler, Hermon Mehari and Mike Metheny doesn't feature fiery battles.  Instead, it's an elegant exercise in cooperation.  Pianist T.J. Martley, bassist Gerald Spaits and drummer Brian Steever provide support.

The liner notes of the CD indicate the order of solos, but anyone who's logged much time in Kansas City's jazz venues won't need to consult them.  Each man has a clearly defined approach.  (The distinction is made even clearer when Metheny picks up his EVI.)

The playing is uniformly impeccable.  In fact, the absence of grit is a bit disarming.  The flawless sheen of the production may disappoint anyone who prefers a greasier sound.  Even a version of Jimmy Smith's "Back at the Chicken Shack" is as clean as a whistle.  The production and the material align on the ballads.  The Metheny feature "For Parkville," the album's closing track, is rapturously beautiful.

It's a shame that Ginney and Ruth aren't around to broadcast the good word. 

Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*Joe Dimino interviews Abel Ramirez for his Neon Jazz program.

*The Kansas City Star published a review and a report about the 18th & Vine Jazz and Blues Festival.

*KC Jazz Lark ponders the public's perception of the Jazz District.

*Stanley Crouch promoted his new biography of Charlie Parker on PBS.  (Tip via Tony's Kansas City.)

*Lee Hartman reviewed a performance by the People's Liberation Big Band.

*A van owned by trumpeter George Robinson was stolen. 

*The Pitch recommends Parallax's performance at Take Five Coffee + Bar.

*The Black House Collective shares another round of photos documenting its new music festival.

*The $14 million National Blues Museum opens in St. Louis next year.

*Tweet o' the Week: ashley- At the 18th & Vine Jazz and Blues Festival with my grandma..

*From Mike Metheny: It's always a pleasure (and a challenge!) to be on the same stage with such outstanding musicians as Stan Kessler (tpt), Hermon Mehari (tpt), TJ Martley (p), Gerald Spaits (b) and Brian Steever (dr). And how's this for a bona fide Kansas City Trumpet Summit: the equally outstanding Clint Ashlock (tpt) will be a special guest during each set at the Blue Room on Saturday, Oct. 26, 8:30-12:30. (That's Clint's photography on the cover of the new CD that will be available at the gig.) Hope to see you there!

*From a press release: Annual birthday bash celebrating & featuring Tim Whitmer with party revelers the Wild Women of Kansas City, guitarist Rod Fleeman & the Consort Band. Wednesday, November 6, 2013. 7:00 p.m.  Unity Temple on the Plaza.  $7.00. Children under 16 free.

*From 12th Street Jump: This week on 12th Street Jump we celebrate the birthday of Lee Konitz with our special guest Rob Scheps. The gang sees "Who's Got the Blues" in South Bend, IN and offers a little help to the President.

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*Over twenty years after releasing her debut album, former Kansas City resident Karrin Allyson received the “Rising Female Vocalist” award from Downbeat magazine last week. 

*KC Jazz Lark hopes for a more ambitious jazz festival at 18th & Vine.

*Here’s a taste of Michael Shults and Peter Schlamb performing at Take Five Coffee + Bar earlier this week.

*Ben Sidran will be featured on December 15 as part of the 2013-14 Season at the White Theatre.

*The Pitch highlights this weekend’s “Trumpet Summit” starring Mike Metheny, Stan Kessler and Hermon Mehari.

*Bebopifed reports that the Alan Ferber Nonet was awarded a grant by Chamber Music America.  Ferber recently played a series of gigs with Matt Otto in the Kansas City area.

*Tweet o' the Week: Christian McBride- I got to open for Mr. Bland at the Kansas City Jazz Festival in 2011. It was a great honor to be in his presence and see him perform.

*Via Smooth J Cafe’s Facebook account: We are so pleased to announce that Julian Vaughn, Top 20 Billboard recording artist and smooth jazz legend, will be performing at our Grand Opening on July 30th! Attendance is by invitation only but we have reserved a limited number of invitations for guests who visit our web page and sign up for pre-opening offers. We can't invite everyone (the fire department won't let us pack too many people into the restaurant) so if you haven't signed up you should do so now! You do not want to miss this show! Most important, we want to meet you and welcome you to our new restaurant!

*From Brad Cox: The People's Liberation Big Band of Greater Kansas City will celebrate the fifth anniversary of the "Jeff Harshbarger Presents" jazz series on Sunday, July 7 with an 8:00 pm performance at the RecordBar (1020 Westport Rd, Kansas City, MO). The first set of the night will feature a "year in review" of the band's 2012-2013 compositional output, including excerpts from Patrick Alonzo Conway's music for Voyeur, a short play written with Heidi Van. The second set will feature PLBB's "greatest hits" of the previous five years. Cover price at the door is $5.  As a result of its monthly RecordBar engagement, The People's Liberation Big Band has created more than fifty new original large ensemble jazz works over the past five years, including large-scale work such as the ensemble's original film score for Battleship Potemkin.  The group's July 7 RecordBar performance will feature such fixtures of the Kansas City jazz community as Roger Wilder, Matt Otto, Jeff Harshbarger and Rich Wheeler, as well as guest vocalist Shay Estes.

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*"Kansas City, this home to jazz with institutions and a tradition other cities can envy, is mired in minor festivals," KC Jazz Lark suggests in a powerful new post.

*The Kansas City Star reports that the Smooth J Cafe in Overland Park will have a smooth jazz theme.

*Here's footage of Winard Harper jamming at the Mutual Musicians Foundation earlier this month.

*Logan Richardson's talent as an actor is displayed in a clip from a new film.

*Tweet o' the Week: kellyurich- Jazz in the Woods cancelled. If you're a hipster you will have to find another place to pretend to like jazz music.

*Comment o' the Week: Tony DeSare- Lol, I would have expected exactly this reaction from the Journey cover from the jazzerati. You would have been slightly better off posting this one probably.

*From a press release: Alaadeen Enterprises (AEI), the non-profit education organization founded in 1998 by the late Ahmad Alaadeen – jazz musician and educator – plans to re-launch its jazz educational initiative on Wednesday, July 24, 2013 (his 79th birthday) at 11 AM at the Mutual Musicians Foundation, where he started his career as a Kansas City jazz musician.  The purpose of this event is to highlight AEI, its vision, and plans; to introduce its new Executive Director, Dennis J. Winslett, and to announce its major educational initiatives, including its Bird House Fellowship Program, which will develop a select group of music students through a comprehensive arts and humanities curriculum in workshops scheduled throughout the year, based on the Alaadeen Method of Instruction™…  The event is free to the public and is intended to attract local media coverage, to engage the broader jazz and arts community, and to launch a comprehensive strategic plan to revive jazz education in Kansas City.  The event will feature tributes from some of Kansas City’s most prominent jazz musicians and educators, who were taught and/or influenced by Ahmad Alaadeen, including Kevin Mahogany, Dennis Winslett, Logan Richardson, Bobby Watson, and more.  Several of their students, representing three generations of Kansas City jazz musicians, will perform Alaadeen's original compositions….

*From Michael Shults: (W)anted to tell you about a new project I'm working on, playing duets with Peter Schlamb.  Our first gig is Sunday (June 23) at Take Five at 7 PM. We'll do some originals by Peter and I, probably cover "Vaal" from Logan Richardson's album "Ethos", and some standards. It's definitely at the experiment stage right now, but it's a lot of fun and I think alto+vibes is a really unique sonority.

*From Kerry Strayer: Because of health concerns related to my cancer treatments I will not be able to appear with Barissentials this Friday, June 21, 2013 at Take 5 from 8-10pm.  However the band will appear with tenor saxophonist Steve Lambert subbing for me. I may stop by and sit in on a few tunes if I feel up to it but I will not be able to play the entire gig.  Please support the band and the venue. I hope I feel well enough to stop by and hope to reschedule this date at another time.

*From Mike Metheny: A KC Trumpet Summit at The Blue Room with: Stan Kessler, Hermon Mehari & Mike Metheny, featuring: TJ Martley, piano, Gerald Spaits, bass, Brian Steever, drums,  Saturday, June 29, 2013, 8:30pm - 12:30am.

*From Jazz Winterlude: Here's news: Jazz Winterlude and the JCCC Performing Arts Series invite you to two jazz performances in June: The Tyrone Clark Trio will perform on Monday, June 24 at noon to 1:00 p.m. in the Regnier Center Atrium on campus. On Wednesday, June 26, Gerald Spaits and Charles Perkins will perform from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. in that space. The concerts are free, and Cafe Tempo will offer a free drink to those who purchase an entree (delicious!) between noon and 1:00 p.m. on those days. Join us for some fun!

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*A contributor to UMKC's student newspaper reviewed a recital.   (Via Offstage.)

*A commentator admires the "seriously beautiful music" contained on Alaturka's new Yalniz album.

*A review of Eddie Moore and the Outer Circle's The Freedom of Expression at Nextbop notes that the album is "straight-ahead in the contemporary sense."  Another reviewer suggests that the project possesses a "combustible energy."

*The Kansas City Star offers a review of Randy Brecker's appearance with the Kansas City Jazz Orchestra.  Anthony Rodgers also reviewed the concert.

*Bill Blankenship provides background on Bob Bowman, Todd Strait and other participants in the latest Topeka Jazz Workshop concert.  Chuck Berg reviewed the show.  (Via Offstage.)

*The man behind Phonologotron enjoys a current project.

*A writer for a British newspaper opines that Kansas City's "jazz district today is sadly a shadow of its former self."

*Here's the trailer for a new documentary about former Count Basie sideman Pauly Cohen.

*Comment o' the Week: Anonymous- I'm afraid you're just showing your ignorance. Yes, jazz in Kansas City is on the rise....in Kansas City. When you and Jazzlark write about how local artists are world class it's just sad. The artistic distance between Matt Otto and Chris Potter, or Mark Lowry and Brad Mehldau, is vast. Yes the scene is drastically improving, but let's not fool ourselves into thinking that the music can compete on a national level. Go to New York for awhile and learn what good really is.

*Tweet o' the Week: Kevin Mahogany- Finished 5 nights at Birdland with 5 different bands!!

*From the Folly Theater: Eliane Elias will be backed by Marc Johnson and Mauricio Zottarelli at her concert on Saturday, April 13.

*From Ron Carlson: One update to the calendar. The Rob Scheps / Jerry Dodgion Quintet will now be playing the Blue Room on Friday, April 12th, so we have moved the Lucky Brewgrille date from Friday to Saturday, April 13th 7-10pm.  This will be a musical party event to close out Rob and Jerry's two week tour of the region.

*From Mike Metheny: The Metheny Music Foundation has awarded its first college scholarship. The news item can be found here. Since 2007 the Foundation has also been offering summer music camp scholarships to Lee's Summit students and will do so again in '13. Those winners will be announced in May.

*From the Kansas City Jazz Orchestra: The Kansas City Jazz Orchestra has an important concert coming up (Thursday, April 4th, 2013 – Muriel Kauffman Theatre/KCPA) which celebrates the 10th Anniversary Performing Arts Season by paying tribute to the “75th Anniversary” one of the most famous/important jazz events of all-time:  Benny Goodman’s historic 1938 Carnegie Hall Jazz Concert.

*From 12th Street Jump: This week we celebrate the music of Randy Brecker with our special guest, Randy Brecker himself!  The gang plays "So, What's Your Question" and reveals even more about this jazz great.

*From the American Jazz Museum #1: Jammin' at the Gem.  Saturday, March 23, 8 p.m.  The Gem Theater.  The Monterey Jazz Festival, the longest continuously-running jazz festival in the world, has presented nearly every major jazz star—from Billie Holiday and Louis Armstrong to Esperanza Spalding and Trombone Shorty—since it was founded in 1958. World-renowned for its artistic excellence, sophisticated informality, and longstanding mission to create and support year-round jazz education and performance programs in local, regional, national, and international venues, Monterey Jazz Festival on Tour 55th Anniversary Celebration continues this commitment in 2013 with its third North American Tour. Featuring leading critically-acclaimed, GRAMMY®-winning jazz artists, the all-star band consists of bassist and musical director Christian McBride, vocalist Dee Dee Bridgewater, saxophonist Chris Potter, trumpeter Ambrose Akinmusire, pianist Benny Green, and drummer Lewis Nash. Embracing the past, present, and future of jazz, Monterey Jazz Festival on Tour 55th Anniversary Celebration will perform an assortment of classic jazz repertoire and original compositions by band members.

*From the American Jazz Museum #2: Thursday, April 4.  6:00pm until 7:00pm.  Free Conversation with Jazz Violinist, Regina Carter in The Atrium - a special Take Five event! During Carter's visit, a variety of topics may be addressed. They may include how our history can inform our personal creative works and an exploration of jazz music. Yacouba Sissoko, a master Kora player, will join Carter.  Attendees are invited to attend the Blue Room performance by Matt Kane's KC Generations Quintet at 7:00 p. m. following this special Take Five event.

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*Eldar Djangirov is the subject of an excellent new 30-minute video profile produced by the Voice of America.

*Chuck Haddix of KCUR and the Marr Sound Archives was interviewed by The Kansas City Star.

*KCJazzLark provides a comprehensive survey of last Saturday's performances at Jazz Winterlude.

*The Kansas City Star published a review of the James Carter Organ Trio's appearance at the Folly Theater.  Kristin Shafel Omiccioli's review notes that the concert was "woefully under-attended."

*Chris Burnett laments the sheepish promotional approach of many jazz musicians.

*T.J. Martley's "Jazz Piano Lesson #38" is the 108th video uploaded to his YouTube channel. 

*A new segment of 12th Street Jump's Blues In the News sends up current events.

*Tweet o' the Week: RappersIKnow- Stream Dat! Eddie Moore and the Outer Circle — The Freedom of Expression for stream now, for download Friday! (link)

*Comment of the Week: Mike Metheny- Stan has been an important friend and colleague since our student days as trumpeters in the KC Youth Symphony 46 years ago (I look my age, Stan does not). And like I told him recently, he is now at the top of his game and playing better than ever. This is a beautiful CD. (And bravo, Beau.)

*From Michael Pagán: Remember those jazz jam sessions in Kansas City on Saturday afternoons? They're back!  Piropos Piano Bar (in Briarcliff shopping center).  4141 N. Mulberry Dr. KCMO.  Saturdays 2pm-5pm.  Beginning this Sat. Feb. 2nd 2013.  Michael Pagán, piano.  Bob Bowman, bass.  Brian Steever, drums.  Singers, horn players, all instrumentalists are welcome! Full bar and menu.

*From a press release: The lineup for the free JCCC Jazz Series for Spring 2013 has been announced by Johnson County Community College. The performances, which display the talents of some of the best local jazz musicians, will take place at noon Tuesday for six weeks from Feb. 26-April 2. All performances are held in the Recital Hall of the Carlsen Center unless otherwise noted. Here's the lineup: Feb. 26- Greg Meise Trio; March 5-  Danny Embrey, guitar; Jerry Hahn, guitar; March 12- Horacescope; March 19- Bram Wijnands Trio; March 26- Andre Ouellette Trio; April 2- Paul Smith, Bob Bowman and Brian Steever.

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Review: The 2012 Prairie Village Jazz Festival

After captivating an audience of about 3,000 at the Prairie Village Jazz Festival with a wondrous version of "In a Sentimental Mood," Bobby Watson asked a rhetorical question.

"Who said ballads don't work at festivals?"

Almost everything worked Saturday at the suburban event. The weather was gorgeous. The food vendor's offerings were delicious. The set changes were efficient. And most importantly, the music was incredible. I caught all eight hours of Saturday's festival. My impressions of each act follow.

Diverse opened shortly after 3 p.m. Working as a trio and concentrating on standards, Hermon Mehari, Ben Leifer and Brad Williams played with subtle authority. With Williams replacing drummer Ryan Lee, the band has an entirely new feel. It's not better or worse- just different.

A few people whined on Facebook that the People's Liberation Big Band weren't given the opportunity to perform this year after a storm canceled most of last year's acts. Such complaints were silly. Saxophonist Wheeler and drummer Sam Wisman are members of PLBB. They were joined by the forward-thinking tandem of T.J. Martley and Bill McKemy. Anyone looking for subversiveness would have been satisfied by a set-closing cover of a Tortoise tune. Wheeler's set was my favorite of the day.

Mike Metheny's set, however, was the best received outing of the day. His commitment to swing elicited ecstatic sighs from many people seated near me. It didn't hurt that Metheny employed bassist Gerald Spaits and drummer Todd Strait. Bringing Mehari and Wheeler back to the stage for a burning version of Jimmy Smith's "Back At the Chicken Shack" was another smart move.

Fronting a band of ringers, Megan Birdsall was her usual delightful self.

Supported by keyboardist Richard Johnson, longtime bassist Curtis Lundy and drummer Mike Warren, Watson was also predictably excellent. Johnson's funk-infused keyboard work on"Lemoncello" added a new dimension to Watson's sound.

Aside from her relentless chiding of the sound men, Karrin Allyson was a joy in her role as headliner. I was almost moved to tears during her heartbreaking version "I'm Always Chasing Rainbows." Watson and bassist Bob Bowman sat in for a closing rendition of "Well, You Needn't." It was a fine conclusion to a festival that was easily the area's single best large-scale jazz event of the last five years.

(Original images by Plastic Sax.  From left to right in top photo- T.J. Martley, Hermon Mehari, Gerald Spaits, Rich Wheeler, Mike Metheny, Todd Strait.)

Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*KCJazzLark objects to changes recently made at the Mutual Musicians Foundation.

*Chris Lewis conducted an excellent interview with Stan Kessler.

*Here's the EPK for T.J Martley's new Meditations Vol. 1 album.

*Pat Metheny is interviewed at All About Jazz.

*KCUR's 12th Street Jump conducted an online cutting contest.

*St. Louis Jazz Notes reports that Mike Metheny will perform in St. Louis on October 22.

*Road trip alert- Christian Scott, the artist responsible for Plastic Sax's probable pick for the best jazz album of 2012, will perform at St. Louis' Jazz at the Bistro on October 17-20.

*Tweet o' the Week: ShadesofJade4- Where is a good place preferably in KC to do a photoshoot for an album?

*Comment o' the Week: Sam- I don't think Brian is "fronting"....I think he is enjoying Ryan's amazing playing/keeping the bass drum from sliding across the floor.

*From UMKC: The 11th annual Jazz & BBQ benefit for the UMKC Jazz Studies program is Sunday, October 14, 2012. Legendary jazz trumpeter Gerald Wilson will receive a lifetime achievement award. The event, which is extremely popular and typically sold out, begins at 6 p.m. with a silent auction and buffet dinner. The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. with Bobby Watson and Dan Thomas leading the UMKC Conservatory Concert Jazz Band and the 11 O'Clock Jazz Band, respectively….  The event is in the UMKC Student Union, fourth floor multipurpose room, 5100 Cherry St., KCMO. Ticket prices: Patron levels $1,000, $500, $250, $175 and $100. Concert and buffet, $75 Concert only, $30.  A VIP reception is 5–6 p.m. preceding the event, on the rooftop of the Student Union.

*From the Prairie Village Jazz Festival: The third annual Prairie Village Jazz Festival takes place on Saturday, September 8, 2012 in Harmon Park, at 77th and Mission Road, in Prairie Village, Kansas. Admittance to the festival is free.  The first festival, in 2010, drew an audience of 7000 fans to Harmon Park. Last year’s event was rained out after the second act. With dual headliners of internationally renowned vocalist Karrin Allyson and saxophone star Bobby Watson, this year’s festival promises to be the biggest yet.  The Prairie Village Jazz Festival is presented by BRGR Kitchen + Bar, and hosted by the Prairie Village Municipal Foundation and the City of Prairie Village. Proceeds from the event go to Heartland Habitat for Humanity. The Schedule:

3:00 – 4:00 p.m.: Diverse, Hermon Mehari, trumpet, Ben Leifer, bass, Brad Williams, drums

4:20 – 5:20 p.m.: Rich Wheeler Quartet 
Rich Wheeler, tenor saxophone, T.J. Martley, piano, Bill McKemy, bass, Sam Wisman, drums

5:40 – 6:40 p.m.: Mike Metheny Quartet
 Mike Metheny, trumpet and flugelhorn, T.J. Martley, piano, Gerald Spaits, bass, Todd Strait, drums

7:00 – 8:00 p.m.: Megan Birdsall Quartet
 Megan Birdsall, vocals, Wayne Hawkins, piano, Bob Bowman, bass, Matt Leifer, drums

8:20 – 9:20 p.m.: Bobby Watson Quartet
 Bobby Watson, alto saxophone, Chris Clarke, piano, Curtis Lundy, bass, Michael Waren, drums

9:40 – 10:55 p.m.: Karrin Allyson Quintet
 Karrin Allyson, vocals and piano, Bob Sheppard, tenor saxophone and flute, Rod Fleeman, guitar, Gerald Spaits, bass, Todd Strait, drums

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)