Now's the Time: Dave Scott

The New York based trumpeter Dave Scott returns to his old stomping grounds for a couple appearances including a headlining show at RecordBar on Sunday, December 29.  His new album In Search of Hipness is one of the most intriguing releases of the year by a jazz musician affiliated with Kansas City.

Now's the Time: The Messthetics

Many longtime associates of the man behind the curtains at Plastic Sax know that the pursuit of a viable fusion of punk and jazz is his white whale.  The Messthetics, the trio of guitarist Anthony Pirog and Fugazi’s rhythm section of Joe Lally and Brendan Canty, come tantalizingly close to achieving a convincing version of that seemingly incongruous synthesis.  Messthetics performs at RecordBar on Tuesday, December 10.

Concert Review: The Brian Scarborough Quintet at RecordBar

Brian Scarborough has arrived.  Once a precocious boy wonder brimming with potential, the trombonist, composer and bandleader proved that he’s joined the ranks of Kansas City’s elite jazz musicians at RecordBar on Sunday, August 18. 

Scarborough possessed the assurance and advanced conception of a musician twice his age as he led a stellar quintet consisting of saxophonist Matt Otto, guitarist Adam Schlozman, bassist Jeff Harshbarger and drummer Brian Steever in a performance of original material.

I wasn’t surprised when he told the dozen people who paid the $5 cover to catch the first set that he’d been listening to Albert Mangelsdorff.  While decidedly thornier than his previous playing, Scarborough’s slightly left-of-center attack wouldn’t have caused conservative devotees of Bob Brookmeyer or J.J. Johnson to squirm.

Focusing solely on Scarborough would be imprudent.  Otto remains the best soloist in town not named Bobby Watson.  And the group’s sophisticated comping was frequently as intriguing as the individual solos.  Scarborough’s rapid evolution suggests that I’m likely to encounter a much different musician the next time I catch him.  I can hardly wait.

(Original image of Adam Scholzman, Brian Scarborough, Matt Otto and Brian Steever by Plastic Sax.)

Let Your Backbone Slip

A mild commotion broke out at Capsule on Thursday, July 25, when a phone started playing music during a performance by a trio led by Peter Schlamb.  The panic during the 15 seconds it took a woman to silence her device resembled a tense scene from a horror film in which bloodthirsty monsters are attracted to noise.

The ostensible goal of the monthly Spine Showcase recitals is to provide a forum for forward-thinking jazz artists to perform for attentive audiences.  The brief interruption caused by the noisy phone allowed the 50 other people in the room to silently castigate the embarrassed offender.  The excellent performance by Schlamb (keyboards and vibraphone), DeAndre Manning (electric bass) and Ryan J. Lee (drums) helped judgy patrons quickly forget about the disruption.  The free beer and the absence of a cover charge also helped to allay any grievances.

Following a break featuring complimentary cake, Lee led a group featuring Andrew McGhie (saxophone), Andrew Ouellette (keyboards) and DeAndre Manning (electric bass).  The quartet evoked the most compelling fusion groups of the late 1970s.  Even though Lee’s emphatic drumming recoiled off the concrete floor like dangerous shrapnel, the sound field for both sets was remarkably clear.

Spine’s proposition is less translucent.  The initiative, intent and effort of the primary organizer are undeniably commendable, but I’m less convinced about the master plan.  I’m not among the 59 people who donated $4,655 to Spine’s successful Kickstarter campaign.  The organization’s assertion that it’s “showcasing local musicians playing the original material they don't get to perform anywhere else” seems disingenuous.

A free-jazz freakout at the Brick and a jubilant brass band excursion at the Ship transpired on the same night as the concert by Schlamb and Lee.  I’m fairly certain the featured musicians weren’t given any directives at either venerable nightclub.  The people who operate Kansas City’s music venues might rightfully insist that competing directly against a non-profit project that offers free beer and free admission is decidedly unhelpful.

Spine’s most valuable mandate is the creation of another proper listening room.  Boorish gabbing during musical performances of any stripe is my biggest pet peeve.  The grievance is particularly painful during acoustic jazz performances.  I’m grateful for any opportunity to hear innovative musicians work in respectful environments.  That’s why I’ve been a regular at the improvised music showcases hosted by Westport Coffee House, RecordBar and the 1900 Building for years.  Talking is strongly discouraged during the frequent jazz performances at the establishments.

I also expect to pay a cover charge and buy my own drinks.  I voluntarily dropped a few bills in the bucket on Thursday.  I’d like to see Spine make the transition into a self-sustaining entity for which substantial ticket and drink sales cover all expenses.  A robust jazz scene should be rooted in organic audience development rather than in sympathetic handouts.

(Original image of Peter Schlamb, DeAndre Manning and Ryan J. Lee by Plastic Sax.)

Concert Review: The Marcus Lewis Big Band at RecordBar

I’m still marveling at a few of the solos played during the first set of the Marcus Lewis Big Band’s appearance at RecordBar on Sunday, June 3.  A good-natured saxophone battle between Mike Herrera and Stephen Martin was thrilling.  Clint Ashlock unleashed a trumpet solo that was as murderous as anything I’ve heard him play as the artistic director and conductor of the Kansas City Jazz Orchestra.  Additional prominent musicians including drummer Ryan Lee, keyboardist Eddie Moore and trombonist Jason Goudeau made similarly memorable statements.

It was a shame that less than two dozen people paid the $5 cover to hear the 18-piece big band.  A more robust audience would have undoubtedly propelled the ensemble to even greater heights.  I didn’t stick around to hear rapper Kemet the Phantom join the group in the second set, but the band’s new single “Fake It Til I Make It” gives me a good idea of what I missed. 

As he mentioned the forthcoming Brass & Boujee album, Lewis suggested that “it’s the first time ever that I know of that an 18-piece big band has played with two rappers fronting it… we’re combining jazz and hip-hop.”  While the first set didn’t feature any rapping, the big band’s stylish sound was entirely up to date.

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*Larry Kopitnik’s cogent analysis for The Pitch decries the lack of progress in the Jazz District on the 20th anniversary of the American Jazz Museum.

*Joe Klopus previews the Prairie Village Jazz Festival for The Kansas City Star.

*Matana Roberts, the Thing and an all-star band led by Steve Swell are among the left-of-center luminaries booked in the 2017-18 season of the New Music Circle in St. Louis.

*Tweet o’ the Week: Steve Paul- It's a People's Liberation Big Band of KC night at @recordBar. #jazz

*Comment o’ the Week: Chris Hazelton- Papa Lou is the best!

*From a press release: The fall Jazz Series at Johnson County Community College begins on Tuesday, Sept. 26, in the Carlsen Center Recital Hall… The free series features weekly noon-hour performances by outstanding local musicians in the 70-seat Recital Hall unless noted… Sept. 26: Danny Embrey/Rod Fleeman Duo; Oct. 3: Ron Gutierrez Quartet (Polsky Theatre); Oct. 10 : Todd Strait Quartet (Polsky Theatre); Oct. 17 : Tyrone Clark Trio; Oct. 24 : Steve Lambert Quintet; Oct. 31 : Bryan Hicks Duo; Nov. 7: Holeman, Hicks and Hill.

*From Doug Talley: Mark your calendar for the evening of September 15!! This is a special Silent Picture at the Colonnade with Music scored (and played live) by Doug Talley on woodwinds, Tim Brewer on bass, T.J. Martley on keyboard, Keith Kavanaugh on drums and Sam Platt on percussion… Admission is FREE… The band will play starting at 7:00 but Movie dark is not until 8:00 pm… The Movie will be shown at the Colonnade Building at St John and Gladstone Blvd...  This film is an early Alfred Hitchcock silent classic thriller, "The Lodger" 1927.

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Now's the Time: The Jorge Arana Trio

Jorge Arana Trio plays with the daring spirit if not the style of the Kansas City jazz innovator Charlie Parker.  The improvisatory instrumental group will celebrate the release of the new album Mammoth at RecordBar on Friday, September 2.  Oso, the Jorge Arana Trio’s previous recording, ranked #5 on Plastic Sax’s Top Kansas City Albums of 2014 list.

Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*The Kansas City Star reports that a coalition of non-profit organizations in the Jazz District are requesting $7 million in additional funding from the city.

*KC Jazz Lark looks back at 2015.

*Rich Wheeler is quoted in an article about the closing of the current incarnation of the RecordBar.

*Hermon Mehari will lead a band at Noce Jazz Cabaret, new jazz club in Des Moines, on January 7.

*Tweet o’ the Week: St. Louis Jazz Notes- Updated today w/ 18 more lists! - Rounding up the "Best Jazz of 2015" lists: (link)

*Comment o’ the Week: KC Jazz Lark- Wow. Sure didn't see this coming. Thank you. And let me note that putting Joe Lovano with her group was all Deborah's brilliance. The festival just gave her the opportunity to do so.

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*The People’s Liberation Big Band’s final show at the current incarnation of the RecordBar attracted the biggest crowd I’ve encountered for the ensemble at the venue.  KC Jazz Lark documented the show.

*Joe Klopus previews the week’s events in his latest column.

*Jessie Riggins reviewed the Kansas City Jazz Orchestra’s most recent concert at Helzberg Hall.

*Eboni Fondren is among Joe Dimino recent interview subjects.

*Tweet o’ the Week: DalTee- Check Eddie Moore & the Outer Circle "@PLATINUMVOICEPR: What happened to jazz’s popularity in the black community?

*Comment o’ the Week: Anonymous- Congratulations to Tim Whitmer. His concert series Spirituality and all that Jazz has run the first Wednesday of the month since 1994. Several hundred people attend every month. The audience may be dying off but numbers have remained consistent for 21 plus years. His Jazz Carol Fest and July Jazz Jam concert productions are consistently well attended and feature many musicians.

*From Lisa Engelken: It's all sort of sudden, but I was delighted when I was requested to perform at MOODS- an art gallery and performance space that is brand spankin' new, and is the hottest new addition to Northern Topeka (NOTO)'s Art District! This will be my first concert in Topeka-- and it's so close to where I grew up!  The Lisa Engelken Quartet in concert featuring: Joe Schoonover (gtr), Kurt Morrow (bass) & David Liston (drums). Saturday, December 19th! Two Sets: 8pm & 9:15pm. $10 in advance (highly recommended) / $15 at door.

(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.)

Now's the Time: Jazz Discharge

Jazz Discharge is expected to commandeer the stage of the RecordBar during a performance by the People’s Liberation Big Band on Sunday, April 5.  The embedded mockumentary captures Jazz Discharge- an obscure ensemble that “received every bit of recognition they deserved”- crumbling under “a rockslide of tragedy followed by an avalanche of terror.”

Now's the Time: Eric Johnson and Mike Stern

Eric Johnson and Mike Stern- two of the world’s most renowned guitarists- will perform at the RecordBar on Friday, February 13.  The duo trades flashy licks in the embedded video.

Now's the Time: Alaturka and Mike Dillon

Aside from their adventurous approaches to jazz, Alaturka and Malachy Papers wouldn’t seem to have much in common.  Alaturka favors a chamber music approach while Malachy Papers brings the noise.  Yet members of both Kansas City bands wound up sharing the stage of a midtown barroom during a 2011 double bill.  Alaturka performs Tuesday, Feb. 10, at the RecordBar.  The peripatetic percussionist Mike Dillon, a member of the dormant Malachy Papers collective, leads a band at the Brick on Sunday, Feb. 8.

Now's the Time: Peter Schlamb

Peter Schlamb is the featured artist at two very different shows this weekend.  On Saturday, January 17, the vibraphonist will perform in his "Electric Tinks" format at MiniBar.  On Sunday, January 18, Schlamb will play all original material in a quartet setting at the RecordBar.

Now's the Time: Elliott Levin

Jazz bohemian Elliott Levin will appear at Take Five Coffee + Bar on Saturday, November 22, and at the RecordBar on Sunday, November 23.  A press release from the Johnson County venue suggests that "this will be some of the wildest, most intense music we’ve ever had at Take Five."

EP Review: Jorge Arana Trio- Oso

In constant jeopardy of lapsing into staid routine, jazz needs an occasional swift kick in the pants.  The Jorge Arana Trio is providing the uncomfortable wallop to Kansas City's jazz scene.  The band will celebrate the release its new EP Oso at the RecordBar on Saturday, July 19.  Haymaker Records describes the band's approach as "an avant-garde geometry of rock, jazz, classical, punk, electronic, experimental, and incidental music."  I detect traces of James "Blood" Ulmer, Ennio Morricone and the noisy jazz guitar of Greg Ginn.  It's bracing stuff that's every bit as significant as the mainstream efforts of more conventional musicians.

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Concert Review: Ingrid Laubrock and Tom Rainey at the RecordBar

I stood in mud for 11 hours with 50,000 people at Rockfest on Saturday.  Attending the heavy metal blowout makes me as happy as a pig in slop.  Experiencing amplified, regimented music as part of a vast throng is liberating.

On Sunday I sat amid an audience of 20 for a set of acoustic, improvised jazz performed by saxophonist Ingrid Laubrock and drummer Tom Rainey.

Rather than militant blast beats, Rainey's imaginative playing didn't include a single repeated pattern during the 40-minute opening set.  Laubrock was similarly ingenious on tenor and soprano.  Compared to the previous day's offerings, the New York-based duo's free jazz was entirely soothing. 

I was so relaxed that I went home early to bask in sweet avant-metal dreams.

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Now's the Time: Ingrid Laubrock and Tom Rainey

Lovers of skronk, rejoice!  Saxophonist Ingrid Laubrock and drummer Tom Rainey will perform at the RecordBar on Sunday, June 1.  Both musicians are imposing figures in the esoteric realm of free jazz.  Many of the people who don't flee in terror are likely to consider Sunday's performance one of the musical highlights of 2014.

Now's the Time: Josh Quinlan

The Denver-based saxophonist Josh Quinlan will perform at Take Five Coffee + Bar on Saturday, February 1, and at the RecordBar on Sunday, February 2.  His 2013 album Open Space is an impressive outing that should please fans of Kansas City-based saxophonists such as Bobby Watson and Michael Shults.

*Critics at The Pitch named Jeff Harshbarger, Plastic Sax's 2011 Person of the Year, as the Best Local Musician.  They awarded Take Five Coffee + Bar with the prize of Best Suburban Oasis.  Owners Doug and Lori Chandler were Plastic Sax's 2012 People of the Year.  The publication's readers- presumably fans of Tim Whitmer's Saturday afternoon gigs- voted The Phoenix as the Best Jazz Venue.

*Joe Klopus previews Saturday's 18th & Vine Jazz and Blues Festival in his weekly column.

*KC Jazz Lark considers the unusual challenges faced by the organizers of 18th & Vine Jazz and Blues Festival.

*A man has been charged with assault in connection to last month's shootings near 18th & Vine.

*Libby Hanssen reviewed Gretchen Parlato's concert at the Folly Theater.

*The Pitch recommends Brian Haas' performance Sunday, October 13, at the RecordBar.

*Howard Reich raves about Bobby Watson in The Chicago Tribune.

*Matt Otto and a cat issue a "30 day long tone challenge."

*"Kansas City Swing", a new play set in 1947 Kansas City, opens in New Jersey this week.

*Former Kansan Lisa Engelken's new album Little Warrior was reviewed by a California-based publication.

*Comment o' the Week: Gary- Went to Take Five Saturday night and heard James Isaac Group. Thanks for the tip, Plastic Sax.

*Tweet o' the Week: Follow dw6 and JAG- Spoken to some great musicians so far in KC! Spent some time at the American Jazz Museum and now we're about to interview Bobby Watkins!

*From a press release: The Jazz Program at Kansas City Kansas Community College will present their first concert of the season West Wyandotte Library on Wednesday, October 9th at 6:30pm. Directed by Jim Mair and John Stafford II, the concert will feature the KCKCC Jazz Band, Latin Band, Jazz Combos and Vocal Jazz Ensembles.  Open to the public, there is no charge although donations for student travel opportunities will be accepted.

*From Take Five Coffee + Bar: This weekend at Take Five Coffee + Bar we're offering the power and passion of high-flying ensembles featuring some of the best trumpet artistry you'll find anywhere… Friday, October 11, 8pm:  The Rob Scheps/Jim O'Connor Quintet.  Saxophonist Rob Scheps finds a way to ramble through Kansas City a couple of times a year... Trumpeter Jim O'Connor, his guest on this tour, has... a deep list of credits... The crew behind these two are some of KC's best: Roger Wilder on piano, Bob Bowman on bass and Brian Steever on drums. $5.  Saturday, October 12, 8pm:  The Hermon Mehari Trio with Anthony Saunders...  Featuring Ryan Lee on drums and Andrew Ouellette on keys, this show will also showcase Hermon's special guest, vocalist Anthony Saunders... $5 cover.

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)