Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*Ryan Heinlein surveys Kansas City’s jazz scene in Libby Hanssen’s feature for The Pitch.

*On the Lam, a 2010 recording by Todd Wilkinson & The Goombahles, was recently released.

*Joe Dimino documented a performance by Matt Kane and interviewed Jason Goudeau.

*Pat Metheny’s album From This Place will be released by Nonesuch Records on February 21.

*Tweet o’ the Week: Kansas City Latin Jazz Orchestra- Envienos sus consultas acerca de nuestros programas y actividades juveniles (conciertos y clases) para el verano de 2020. Envíe un correo electrónico a nuestro director ejecutivo a kclatinjazz@gmail.com para obtener información.

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*The Kansas City Jazz Orchestra announced that Benny Golson and Sean Jones will perform as guest artists in its upcoming concert season.

*An 11-minute video recaps recent activity at Chris Burnett’s KC Youth Jazz organization.

*A promotional video was created to solicit contributions to Spine Showcases.

*Tweet o’ the Week: Ryan Heinlein- My first book is out now. The next 75 books are $25 for the PDF version! Treble, Bass, B-flat and E-flat versions available! (link)

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*Ernest Melton is featured at the site of Quincy Jones' streaming entertainment startup Quest TV.  The photo that accompanies the article looks familiar.

*Not a single release by a Kansas City artist earned a spot on the list of the Top 50 albums in The 2018 NPR Music Jazz Critics Poll.

*The man behind Plastic Sax extolled Logan Richardson on KCUR’s Up To Date program last week.

*John Stafford spoke to Joe Dimino about the new album by a vocal ensemble at Kansas City Kansas Community College.

*In her guest editorial about the Open Spaces festival for The Kansas City Star, Anne Gatschet writes that “(t)ourists are unlikely to say, ‘I’m going to Kansas City. Can’t wait to see the Mutual Musicians’ Foundation.’”

*Tweet o’ the Week: Ryan Heinlein- Pretty remarkable to neither honor the tradition or be forward thinking at all. That’s how this dies.

*From a press release: The Kansas City Jazz Summit will take place April 23 - 26, 2019. This event caters to middle school, high school and college jazz bands, combos and jazz choirs and will take place at Kansas City Kansas Community College. The festival will highlight Kansas City's rich jazz heritage through the "Basically Basie" Jazz Heritage Competition. Bands are judged on their ability to capture the essence of the Kansas City style as best exemplified by the Count Basie Orchestra. There is also a non-competitive category (Summit) that allows bands to showcase their own unique style and personality.

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Album Review: The Project H- Everyday, Forever

Everyday, Forever, the fourth album by The Project H, comes with strings attached.  The signature components of the Kansas City instrumental band’s sound- bold horns, sturdy melodies and unwavering grooves- are supplemented by a string quartet on half of the album’s ten tracks.

The strings add subtle shadings to “Black Swan,” provide a rhapsodic introduction to “The Company You Keep” and help make “Ripple Effect” one of the most animated tracks in the Project H’s catalog.

Jazz enthusiasts will be thrilled by Everyday Forever’s soaring solos.  A few highlights: bandleader and trombonist Ryan Heinlein’s engaging statement on “Black Swan,” saxophonist Brett Jackson’s aggressive attack on “Don’t Call It That,” vibraphonist Peter Schlamb’s fiery guest appearance on “Planet Smasher” and bassist Andrew Stinson’s thorough domination of “Table Scraps.”

Yet the Project H’s emblematic good-time vibes are the most appealing aspect of Everyday, Forever.  Accessible but smart, the ensemble remains an elite party band for bacchanalian revelers as well as for members of Kansas City’s intellectual elite.

The Project H’s second and third albums were reviewed at Plastic Sax in 2012 and 2014.  Everyday, Forever will be released on March 23.  The band will celebrate the project at the Westport Coffee House on Wednesday, April 4.  A trio led by Mark Lettieri of Snarky Puppy will also perform.

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*Trevor Turla, a senior in UMKC’s Jazz Studies program, shares interesting insights into his prospects as a jazz musician in Kansas City with the student newspaper.

*Peter Schlamb created an amusing music video for the new track “Skylar’s View.”

*The Anat Cohen Tentet will perform at the Gem Theater on Saturday, April 7.  Tickets are available here.

*Lonnie McFadden chatted with KCUR’s Chuck Haddix.

*Footage of a Tiny Desk concert featuring Logan Richardson and his band is slated to be uploaded by NPR on April 23.

*Ryan Heinlein was interviewed by Joe Dimino.

*Steve Kraske interviewed two members of the Hot Sardines for KCUR.  Jessie Riggins reviewed the band’s concert at the Folly Theater.

*Clint Ashlock and Jo Ann Daugherty made a television appearance to promote last weekend’s concert by the Kansas City Jazz Orchestra.

*Tweet o’ the Week: Jeff Shirley- March 30th - Album release!! April 13th - Release party/concert at Black Dolphin, 9PM, with Bob Bowman, Roger Wilder and Matt Leifer!!

*Comment o’ the Week: Anonymous- Interesting, Otto and Cardenas are the only musicians known internationally......

*From a press release: CinemaKC, a non-profit film organization which spotlights films and filmmakers in the Kansas City area, will partner with sponsor KC Film Office at VisitKC, to present a series of classic feature films that were filmed in the region, with Kansas City locations, cast and crew.  The screening series will be a reunion of personnel who worked on the projects, as well as an opportunity to introduce new audiences to the big-screen experience… The first film in the series, Kansas City... will screen on Sunday, June 10, 2018 at 3:30 PM at the beautiful Screenland Medallion Theater...  Prior to the screening, at 2:15pm, VIP ticket holders will enjoy live jazz music at a VIP jazz reception, co-sponsored by KC Jazz ALIVE and GreenLadyRadio.com. General Admission $10 – Open Forum, Screening and Q&A afterwards.  VIP $25 – VIP Jazz Reception, Open Forum, Screening and Q&A.

*From a press release: Artists Recording Collective (ARC) recording artist, Christopher Burnett has announced that his working Christopher Burnett Quintet (CbQ) comprised of Kansas City-based professional musicians will be going into the studio to record in the fall of 2018. He said this new recording project initiative corresponds with the ensemble’s monthly first Saturday residency at Black Dolphin… (Burnett) will manufacture a limited edition run of heavy-vinyl LP records for audiophiles who'd like to have a physical product.”

(Original image of Magnavox manual by Plastic Sax.)

Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*Diana Krall will perform at Muriel Kauffman Theatre on June 16.

*The Kansas City Jazz Orchestra will entertain at the free A Night at the Savoy celebration at the main branch of the Kansas City Kansas Public Library.

*Tweet o’ the Week: Ryan Heinlein- Record number 4 comes out in exactly two months!

*From a press release: The Marcus Lewis Big Band will present “Brass & Boujee”, at The Record Bar, February 1, 2018 at 7:00 PM, $8 cover charge. The collaborative performance will combine hip hop and big band jazz sounds. Marcus Lewis, a trombonist who has performed with stars such as Aretha Franklin and Janelle Monae, will be presenting full jazz band arrangements of original songs from Kansas City emcees Kemet The Phantom and Kadesh Flow.

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*Eddie Moore was awarded an unrestricted $10,000 cash grant from the Charlotte Street Foundation.

*Soliloquy, a new album by a group led by Matt Otto, was released this week.

*Representatives of the American Jazz Museum were interviewed by a television reporter.

*Marcus Lewis was interviewed by Joe Dimino.

*The Pitch recommends Bram Wijnands’ weekend residency at the Majestic.

*Chris Burnett made a presentation at the Self-Employment in the Arts Lecture Series at Drury University.

*Cheptoo Kositany-Buckner of the American Jazz Museum shared her vision for the institution with KMBZ.

*Peter Schlamb's Electric Tinks was featured on KCUR’s Local Listen segment last week.

*Tweet o’ the Week: Ryan Heinlein- So you don't get pinched next week. (photo)

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*KC Jazz Lark suggests that the audience at last month’s Prairie Village Jazz Festival numbered 5,000 in the text accompanying a second photo set documenting the event,

*Michael Pagán is among Joe Dimino’s recent interview subjects.

*Ryan Heinlein was interviewed by Wichita’s NPR station.

*A blogger shares his notes about his favorite R&B and blues performances at the 18th & Vine Jazz and Blues Festival.  A commenter disagreed with the plea for more jazz: "To much Jazz outside stage, needed more up beat music… Seemed like to much music for such a small attendance."

*A video for “Slow” provides another preview of Logan Richardson’s forthcoming album Shift.

*Angela Hagenbach is participating in the Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition.

*Dominique Sanders has released X-Life, a collaboration with Leonard Dstroy that’s billed as “an amazing journey between Hip-Hop, Jazz, Soul, and R&B."

*Tweet o’ the Week: John Hilderbrand- A belated RIP to Larry Rosen. I was such a huge fan of GRP Records.

*Comment o’ the Week: Anonymous: I don't get it. Conrad Herwig is one heck of a trombonist but he is not going to sell a single ticket to the 18th and Vine Festival. Well, maybe one or two and thats a big maybe.

*From Ron Carlson: The new seven part Fall Jazz Series starts this week at The Art Factory!  The Art Factory is located at 5621 W 135th St in Overland Park, KS (at the SouthWest corner of 135th and Nall Ave).  Bob Bowman is featured on four of the seven events, each time with different groups.  The full calendar is available at The Art Factory.

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*Jazz scholar Scott DeVeaux was a guest on KCUR’s “Central Standard.”

*Joe Klopus runs down this week’s Charlie Parker Celebration events.

*The presence of Clay Jenkins at this year’s Charlie Parker Celebration is endorsed by KC Jazz Lark.

*The Pitch interviewed Ryan Heinlein and previewed a show by his Kansas City Bone Company.

*The annual visit of Kim Parker is noted in a television report.

*Pat Metheny created an extended promotional video for his upcoming release.

*Joe Dimino’s recent interviews include a chat with Joanne Weaver.

*Nate Chinen focused on performances by bands led by Joe Lovano, Myra Melford and Rudresh Mahanthappa in a review of the Charlie Parker Jazz Festival in New York.

*Tweet o’ the Week: Eldar- 6 years ago today I released the album "Virtue." Time flies! I was 21 years old when I recorded it - I'm proud of it.

*Comment o’ the Week: Anonymous- It's an interesting question. I don't have an answer either but I would rather listen to Bird than Lovano anytime. For me the Savoy and Dial recordings are timeless and exciting. Despite his obvious talent and creativity, I just don't enjoy Lovano's work as much.

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*A day after suggesting that change may be afoot at the American Jazz Museum, The Kansas City Star reported that Greg Carroll resigned from his position as the CEO of the institution.

*KC Jazz Lark offers context for the change at the American Jazz Museum.

*Shades of Jade have issued a single titled "That One".

*Ryan Heinlein interviewed Eddie Moore for Inside Jazz Kansas City.  Paul Roberts compares the jazz community in Kansas City to the atmospheres in other cities.  Stan Kessler selects ten of his favorite albums.

*The Pitch recommends a pair of Cannonball Adderley/Nancy Wilson tribute concerts.

*A portion of Ensemble Ibérica’s “Music of Matt Otto” concert was filmed by Steve Paul.

*Larry Carlton will perform at the Gem Theater on October 1.

*Addison Frei is among Joe Dimino’s recent interview subjects.

*Paul Shinn is included in Colorado radio station KUVO’s 30 Under 30 roundup of notable young artists.

*Chris Robinson questions the process of the Downbeat Critics Poll.

*Tweet o’ the Week: Dominique Sanders- need to get some swag back into jazz.

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*Recently at Inside Jazz Kansas City: John Kizilarmut encourages listeners “on the fence” about jazz to embrace the music.  Clint Ashlock comments on cell phone usage.  Ryan Heinlein praises Kansas City’s jazz scene and lists his favorite albums.

*The Pitch reports that New Jazz Order’s weekly sessions have moved to Broadway Kansas City.

*KCUR interviewed Lisa Henry about an upcoming performance piece titled "Dear White People: The Racism Monologues Set to Music."

*Nicholas Payton performed with the Dave Matthews Band at Cricket Wireless Amphitheater on Tuesday.  The Kansas City Star reviewed the concert.

*Bram Wijnands was featured in an extended KCUR profile.

*The Pitch spotlights a recording of 12th Street Jump at Broadway Kansas City.

*Bill Frisell will perform at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art on February 21, 2016.  Diana Krall will return to the Midland theater on November 21.

*The ARC label offers a recapitulation of its concert series at the Blue Room.

*Tweet o’ the Week: Libby Hanssen- New Jazz Order sounds like they've been playing at The Broadway Kansas City for years.

*From a press release: KC Jazz meets Broadway as Tim Whitmer presents the Fifth Annual July Jazz Jam at Community Christian Church. The Wild Women of Kansas City, featuring Millie Edwards, Lori Tucker and Geneva Price, join the always amazing Tim Whitmer and The KC Jazz All-Stars- Jurgen Welge, James Albright, Rod Fleeman and Jim Mair,- for an evening of Broadway standards and jazz classics... Sunday, July 26, 2015, 7 p.m. at Community Christian ChurchTickets are available at www.community-christian.org for $10/advance or $15/door.

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Now's the Time: The Project H

The Project H, the ensemble responsible for my favorite jazz-oriented performance by Kansas City musicians of the first few months of 2015, returns to the Westport Coffee House on Thursday, May 7.

Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*Lori Chandler of Take Five Coffee + Bar implores jazz musicians to "stop questioning the art form’s relevance" in her contribution to a "Kansas City Art Community's 15 Wishes For 2015" report compiled by C.J. Janovy.

*Alan Hoskins reports on the Kansas City Kansas Community College Blue Devil Jazz Band's trip to Cuba.

*KC Jazz Lark continues his year-end recap.

*Pam Hider Johnson remembers Horace Washington at KCUR's KC Currents.

*Dean Minderman has aggregated over 100 "Best Jazz of 2014" lists at St. Louis Jazz Notes.

*Tweet o' the Week: Ryan Heinlein- May start a handle called "jazz is the worst is the worst." @clintashlock @michaelshults are right. Joke or not time to stop selfdeprecation

*From a press release: The Celestial Strings of Michael O'Shiver, Harpist, performing with Guitarist Max Berry and The Consort Band.  Spirituality & All That Jazz.  Wednesday, January 7, 2015. Unity Temple on the Plaza.  $7.00.

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*Tim Finn reports on Mark Lowrey's new album, the keyboardist's collaboration with Tech N9ne and a jazz-based benefit show on Saturday.

*Here's an advance peak at Dominique Sanders' new album.  Chris Mills of Demencha is driving the bandwagon.

*The Kansas City Star reviewed Karrin Allyson's concert at the Folly Theater.

*Steve Kraske chatted with Karrin Allyson on KCUR's Up to Date.  Recordings by the Project H, Peter Schlamb and the Jorge Arana Trio were featured on the program's year-end survey of the best music of 2014.

*KC Jazz Lark begins a recap of 2014.

*The Pitch recommends a couple jazz gigs.

*Vanguard Jazz Orchestra's Over Time: The Music of Bob Brookmeyer (#16) and the Pat Metheny Unity Group's Kin (#43) made the cut in the 2014 NPR Music Jazz Critics Poll.

*Joe Dimino interviewed Fred Hersch for his Neon Jazz podcast.

*Tweet o' the Week: Ryan Heinlein- It's festival submission season, followed by rejection letter season. Hopefully it's a shorter season than last year.

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*Ryan Heinlein is featured in a compelling profile in The Pitch.

*KC Jazz Lark implies that his Magic Jazz Fairy is no longer necessary.

*Here's a clip from the forthcoming album by the Kansas City ensemble Forward.

*Chris Botti's upcoming appearance at Yardley Hall is acknowledged by The Pitch.

*Chris Burnett assesses the cultural relevance of jazz and lists his favorite albums of 2014.

*Tweet o' the Week: Reach- Thursday Night ::: The Project H ft. Reach. WCH Theater (4010 Pennsylvania). Hip Hop. Jazz. Show from 8-10. $5 cover.

*Comment o' the Week: Anonymous- That's a good list, but if it were me, I'd put Bob Bowman's new CD right at the top - check it out.

*From Take Five Coffee + Bar: Thursday, December 4, 8pm: Miguel Mambo DeLeon and Carte Blanc: Carte Blanc is Pat Conway on congas and other percussion, Alyssa Murray on piano, Steve Lambert on saxophone and Dominique Sanders on bass…$5 cover.  Friday, December 5, 8pm: Megan Birdsall: (S)he'll have a stellar band around her – Ben Leifer on bass, Steve Lambert on saxophone, TJ Martley on piano and John Kizilarmut on drums. $5 cover. Saturday, December 6, 8pm: Rich Wheeler Quartet: his quartet – kindred spirits and co-conspirators TJ Martley on piano, Bill McKemy on bass and Sam Wisman on drums.. $5 cover. Sunday, December 7, 10am - 2pm: TJ Martley: ... with bassist Andrew Stinson in a duo format… No cover.

*The Kansas City Jazz Calendar has been updated for December.

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*Anita Dixon of the Mutual Musicians Foundation was interviewed by Joe Dimino for his Neon Jazz podcast.  The interview was also filmed.

*KC Jazz Lark praises and criticizes last month's jazz campaigns.

*A television station interviewed Kevin Mahogany at the Prairie Village Jazz Festival.  The Prairie Village Post provides a recap of the event.

*A music blog suggests that the new single by Chris Hazelton's Boogaloo 7 is "a freight train of real deal jazz."

*The Project H was featured on the Local Listen segment of KCUR's Up to Date program.

*Gerald Wilson, an occasional Count Basie collaborator, has died.

*Tweet o' the Week: Ryan Heinlein- Thought you should know that we are still not on the iTunes jazz charts. Our CD is still very good.

*From Chris Hazelton: New release!  “The Chartreuse Woman” b/w “The Grand Avenue Get-Down,” 7-inch 45rpm single.  Chris Hazelton’s Boogaloo 7 is a funky, organ-driven, soul-jazz group that focuses on grooves reminiscent of the late-1960’s Blue Note and Prestige recordings. These grooves have been the backdrop for what has become a weekly sensation at Kansas City’s Green Lady Lounge on Friday nights. The two Hazelton originals featured on this new 45rpm single are salutes to the hip venue the group calls home.
Street Date: October 17th, 2014.

*From Jim Mair: Kansas City’s own Kicks Band will be headlining a big band benefit later this month to support the Kansas City Kansas Community College Jazz Band.  The “Tea Dance” is from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 14 in the ballroom of the Historic Lake of the Forest Club House, 100 Lake Forest in Bonner Springs... Tickets are $15 per person; $25 per couple or $100 for a table of eight… Proceeds from the event will help with costs of the KCKCCC Jazz Band's upcoming trip to the 30th-annual Havana Jazz Festival this December…

*From the Project H: As you may know, we are fortunate enough to be a part of Matt Otto's "Jazz Underground" series at the Westport Coffee House. We generally play the first Thursday of every month. We figured that there is so much talent in Kansas City (jazz and beyond) that we would like to start working with other musicians in the scene that we might not normally get to work with. We are excited to announce that out the October 2nd show will feature Miss Kelley Gant!

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Album Review: The Project H- We Live Among the Lines

Become Light, the effervescent second album by The Project H, was Plastic's Sax's top release by a locally based ensemble in 2012.  The new album We Live Among the Lines is even better.

Without sacrificing its knack for crafting ingenious melodies, the Project H has evolved into a tighter and tougher band.  The solos on We Live Among the Lines are more direct and the rock elements have been been accentuated.  The exhilarating "A Bear's Cage" is among the tracks that prominently features distorted guitar and keyboards.  "Do It Up & Do It Right" finds the sweet spot between the classic R&B of the 1970s and contemporary groove-oriented ensembles.

We Live Among the Lines indicates that the members of the Project H- trumpeter Clint Ashlock, trombonist Ryan Heinlein, saxophonist Brett Jackson, guitarist Jeff Stocks, keyboardist Andrew Ouellette, bassist Dominique Sanders and drummer Matt Leifer- understand that musical daring and fun aren't mutually exclusive concepts. 

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*Details about the Mutual Musicians Foundation's “Jazz: No Language Required Bloggers Tour" are available here.  KC Jazz Lark opines on the event.

*The Kansas City Star notes the new legal status of The Ship.

*Doug Talley reports that The Chess Players: The Music of Wayne Shorter, his quartet's fifth album, will be released on June 21.   The band performs at Zona Rosa on Thursday, June 19, at Take Five Coffee + Bar on Saturday, June 21, and at the Blue Room on July 5.

*The Pitch recommends Brian Steever's gig at Westport Coffee House.

*Clint Ashlock posted another interesting entry to his blog.

*Earlier this week, Chris Burnett advised Plastic Sax that "(w)e are going into the studio this morning. We will begin recording my new CD."

*Todd Wilkinson uploaded a 53-minute video of a 1998 Boko Maru performance at Fedora's to YouTube.

*KCUR offers a timeline of the Black Archives of Mid-America.

*Joe Dimino interviewed Tampa-based vocalist for his Neon Jazz podcast.

*Tweet o' the Week: Ryan Heinlein- Wow! @PorchFestKC was wonderful. Highlight of the year for us. It was everything we love about our city. Thank you for having us!

*Comment o' the Week: Gary- it's a weekly hour but below it states the event is 7:30-9, the time must fly!

*From a press release: This summer nineteen University of Kansas students will share their extraordinary talents on the international stage when they embark on a whirlwind European tour.  In early July, KU Jazz Ensemble I will play eight shows in eleven days, with dates in France, Germany and Switzerland - including appearances by invitation at two of the world’s most prestigious jazz festivals - the Montreux Jazz Festival and the Jazz À Vienne Festival. The ensemble and its director, Dan Gailey, will be joined on all performances by two very special guests - celebrated Kansas City-based jazz vocalist Deborah Brown and Steve Leisring, world-renowned trumpeter and KU faculty.  Local audiences can preview selections from the repertoire for the European dates at a special kick-off concert at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 3 at the Lied Center of Kansas, sponsored by the KU School of Music and the Lied Center of Kansas. The event is free and open to the public. No tickets are required…

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*KCPT's "The Local Show" aired a seven-minute feature about The Kansas City Jazz Orchestra.

*Drew Williams of Wing Walker Music and Joe Dimino of Neon Jazz interviewed Hermon Mehari.

*The Kansas City Star published a review of John Scofield's concert at the Folly Theater.

*The Pitch recommends the Massey Hall 60th Anniversary tribute concert at the Gem Theater on Saturday.

*Obscure but fascinating details about Kansas City's jazz history are uncovered by KCJazzLark.

*Plans for moving UMKC's Conservatory of Music to the Crossroads District advanced.

*Charlie Hunter with Scott Amendola and the Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey will perform at The Brick on June 19.

*Tweet o' the Week: Ryan HeinleinWe're a 7 piece group. Sometimes 6, rarely a 5 piece group. We don't really hold back. We're not dinner music, not background music.

*Comment o' the Week: tjjazzpiano- Fred Hersch is take a night off from gig worthy. Can't wait to see him live.

*From Paul Shinn: We are pleased to inform you that the Paul Shinn Trio -- featuring Dominique Sanders on bass and Ryan Lee on drums -- will be in Kansas City performing May 15th-18th at the Green Lady Lounge downtown (18th & Grand beginning at 9pm each night). Our trio will be featured these nights in the newly opened Orion Room stage that is located in the lower level of the club. This should be a great opportunity to hear the band in a pristine listening environment…

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*The American Jazz Museum has unveiled the lineup for the 2013-14 season of Jammin' at the Gem.  It includes, Poncho Sanchez, Najee, the Newport 60th Anniversary Tour, Curtis Fuller and Bill Charlap.

*Leon Brady's new Kickstarter campaign is titled The Kansas City Percussion Project: Educating and Creating Musical Collaborations for Children and Seniors.

*Ryan Heinlein was interviewed by Joe Dimino of Neon Jazz.

*The history of The Pla-Mor is recounted by KCJazzLark.

*Nate Chinen provides insights into the interview he conducted with Pat Metheny and John Zorn.

*The one-time Oklahoman Champian Fulton recalls her relationship with Jay McShann in her entertaining blog.

*Ed Shaughnessy, a popular drummer who played with the likes of Count Basie,  has died.

*Tweet o' the Week: Dana A. Coleman- TODAY IN BLACK HISTORY: Andy Kirk was born on this date in 1898. He was an African American musician, composer…

*Comment o' the Week: Toby Tucker- Very well said Hap!
Toby

*From Jim Mair: Dan DeLuca lost his battle with Leukemia on Saturday May 25. Dan had an encyclopedic knowledge of the American Popular Songbook. He new the original changes of all the tunes but at the same time played very logical and inventive substitution chords which always kept things fresh. He could play in any key and transpose in a split second. He could carve any tempo with virtuosity and clarity. His bass lines rivaled the best bass players. In five years of playing with him every weekend I was never able to anticipate how he would end a song. Every tune became a lesson in harmony and melodic lines. He personally increased my repertoire by at at least 150 tunes. We would often segue tunes together for over an hour using hand gestures to signal the key we were moving to. Three fingers down meant three flats or the key Eb. Five fingers up meant five sharps or the key B etc. He loved Bill Evans and one of his most favorite compositions was The Bad and the Beautiful by David Raksin.  He was a quiet giant of the piano.

*From a press release: How many artists can claim praise like "punk rock provocateur," "jazz vibraphone visionary" and "percussion master" in the same sentence? There's only one: Texas-native Mike Dillon. Whether it's through his affiliation with artists like Les Claypool and Ani DiFranco, collaborations like Garage A Trois, The Dead Kenny Gs and Critters Buggin or bands he's fronted, including Billy Goat and Hairy Apes BMX, Mike D (as fans refer to him) has set his own standard going on 25 years now.  His current full-time focus, The Mike Dillon Band, is perhaps the perfect storm of all these past experiences. Dillon's manic creative energy has found a foil in three young New Orleans-based musicians. Carly Meyers on trombone provides melodic and harmonic counterpoint to Dillon's vibes and percussion as she feverishly whirls about the stage driving audiences into a frenzy. The rhythm section of guitarist/bassist Cliff Hines and drummer Adam Gertner turns on a dime from blinding punk rock assaults to deep funk go-go, skanked-out ska grooves to old school hip-hop beats with all points covered in between.  The band performs at the Brick in Kansas City on June 28. 

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)