Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*The Pitch reports that Ray Reed, a prominent figure on Kansas City's jazz scene for decades, has died.

*Harold O'Neal is the subject of an expansive NPR feature.

*Hearne Christopher's coverage of the situation at Jardine's continued here, here and here. Tony's Kansas City provides a related update here.

*The December 9 concert by the Black House Improvisors' Collective is available as a free download.

*The staff of the Blue Room aids a crime victim.

*Jazz figures prominently in Steve Paul's recap of 2011. Tim Finn notes the trend of jazz musicians collaborating with artists rooted in other genres.

*KC Metropolis previews a few upcoming jazz concerts.

*A New Orleans Style Jazz Funeral March will take place under the auspices of Occupy KC at noon on December 30 at 12th and Oak.

*The Magic Jazz Fairy returns to KCJazzLark.

*Melissa Treolo wrote a remembrance of Myra Taylor.

*John Bishop has died.

*Tweet o' the Week: GrunauerKC: Last minute NYE plans: Snuff Jazz, light appetizers & champagne toast in Vienna Zimmer only $20. 10p-1a. Tix available at Birdies or here.

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*Norman Brown and Big Bad Voodoo Daddy are among the acts scheduled to perform at this year's Jazz In the Woods festival.

*The Kansas City Jazz Summit will be held at Kansas City Kansas Community College and Unity on the Plaza at the end of April.

*Steve Paul reviewed Benny Golson's performance at the Blue Room. So did Elgin Smith.

*Before Joe Lovano's concert Saturday, a representative of the Folly Theater announced that the following acts have been booked for the venue's 2011-12 jazz series: Nnenna Freelon, John Pizzarelli, the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra and the Yellowjackets.

*Chuck Berg raves about Kim Park.

*Doug Ramsey provides a troubling report on ailing Basie band alumnus Frank Foster.

*Another lesson in Kansas City jazz history is offered by KCJazzLark.

*Lawrence's Blueprint Jazz is featured in the University Daily Kansan.

*The new album by Clint Ashlock's New Jazz Order is now available at iTunes.

*Here's a nice new video feature about Pat Metheny's Orchestrion project.

*Performances by Snuff Jazz and the Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey were reviewed by The Star.

*An animated discussion about the merits of KKFI follow a letter from radio station personality Barry Jackson.

*Steve Penn provides an update on the health of Ray Reed.

*Tweet o' the Week: americanjazzkc: Taxes are never fun, but it's only through the E-tax that the AJM is able to stay open and provide the exhibitions and programming we do.

*Don't forget about the Kansas City Jazz Calendar.

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*Elke Mermis reviewed Arturo Sandoval's recent concert at the Folly Theater.

*KCJazzLark examines 2010 recordings by Pete Eye and Michael Pagan.

*You've probably never seen Mark Lowrey in this context. (He appears at the 0:33 mark.)

*Bill Blankenship offers a profile of HoraceScope.

*Remember last summer's ill-fated smooth jazz concerts at Crown Center? Here's a related story.

*Camp KC features an interesting preview of Marilyn Maye's March 26 appearance with the Heartland Men's Chorus at the Folly Theater.

*Steve Penn reports that Ray Reed is ailing.

*Mike Stover is interviewed at the site of the Black House Improvisors' Collective.

*The previous Plastic Sax post initiated a contentious conversation.

*Tweet o' the Week: KCJazzConnxn: Hangin at the Oread hotel and Dick Oatts is jammin with Christian McBride on drums. Yes drums. And he is killin it. #humbling

*From the American Jazz Museum: Stories From the Vine Session, Saturday, March 12 1:00 pm-2:30 pm; Celebrating Women in Jazz: Barriers and Inspirations with Howard Hesseman, Helen Sung & Mardra Thomas. Moderated by Greg Carroll.

*Plastic Sax will be on a two week hiatus starting... now."

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)