Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*Ernest Melton is featured in a brief video profile created by Google.

*Joe Dimino captured footage of Johnson County Community College Night at Black Dolphin.

*Sue Vicory recently uploaded her hour-long documentary Kansas City Jazz & Blues; Past, Present & Future to YouTube.

*The Kansas City Star includes an upcoming performance by the Joshua Redman Quartet among its weekly concert previews.

*Moon Hooch will perform at the Encore Room on July 10.

*Tweet o’ the Week: Uptown Arts Bar- Tonight and every Thursday 7pm-1am All That Jazz Karaoke at @UptownArtsBar

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*In another discerning editorial, KC Jazz Lark raises questions about the scope of a new locally-based jazz organization.

*The "Jazz Bloggers Tour of KC" featuring an appearance by author Stanley Crouch is scheduled for June 19-20.  A link is not available.

*Josh Williams' jazz mentorship efforts are documented in an article in The Kansas City Star.

*The Pitch touts an appearance by Will Matthews at the Blue Room.

*Clint Ashlock muses about the creative process.

*The Topeka Capital-Journal surveys the town's summer concert offerings.

*Tweet o' the Week: Steven Lambert- Great shot of the 627 Big Band from @GreenLadyLounge. Every Sunday from 9-12 see you there! #kcjazz (photo)

*From Brad Cox: The People's Liberation Big Band of Greater Kansas City performs Sunday, June 8th at the RecordBar. The band will play new instrumental compositions by Matt Otto and Nick Howell, and will be joined by guest vocalist Shay Estes for new compositions by band leader Brad Cox.

*From a press release: The Summer Sounds of the Caribbean & Kansas City. Scott Prebys, Steel Drummer/Percussionist with Special Guest Rod Fleeman, Guitar featuring the Tim Whitmer & The Consort Band... Spirituality & All That Jazz, Unity on the Plaza, Wednesday, June 4.

*From a press release: Heartland Films, Inc. announces the world premiere of its newest documentary film “One” at the 10th Anniversary of the KC Fringe Festival. Sue (Vicory)’s previous feature documentary film, “Kansas City Jazz & Blues; Past, Present & Future,” will also screen at the festival…

*From a press release: Anyone ever wishing to visit the intriguing country of Cuba, Kansas City Kansas Community College is offering a once in a lifetime opportunity.  The KCKCC Jazz Band will be performing in the 30th Annual Havana Jazz Festival Dec. 16-22 and members of the community are invited to go along… A complete and comprehensive itinerary can be found on-line (here)…  

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

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*The Kansas City Star reviewed the Rhythm & Ribs Jazz and Blues Festival.  KCJazzLark provides an account.  UMKC's University News reported on Saturday's event.

*The Pitch named Hermon Mehari "Best Collaborator".  (The publication didn't have any categories dedicated to jazz in its popular annual "Best of" edition.)

*Here's a 15-second video promoting Vijay Iyer's upcoming concert at the Folly Theater.

*Sue Vicory made an appearance on Fox 4 News to promote her Kansas City jazz and blues documentary.  Vicory was also interviewed by Steve Kraske.

*Esperanza Spalding's concert at Helzberg Hall was reviewed by Kristin Shafel Omiccioli.  Mark Edelman also offers an appreciation.

*A nice profile of Marlin Cooper was published by the Wyandotte Daily News.

*The Kansas City Star reviewed Norah Jones' concert at the Midland Theatre.

*Ben Ratliff of The New York Times reviewed a concert by Pat Metheny's Unity Band.

*Tweet o' the Week: Chris HazeltonB3- Hey @MayorSlyJames, we need to start advertising #KCJazz on a national level. Seriously, we've got something special going on in this city.

*Comment o' the Week: Matt Leifer- Anon, I'm not trying to undermine the importance of subtlety of phrasing and dynamics but not everything taught in school is relevant all the time. Maybe part of the reason younger generations don't listen to jazz is because it's too academic too much of the time. 

High artistic standards are a must, and there's a time and place for everything, but I feel that sometimes "piss and vinegar," volume and balls are more called for than the alternative. Especially at a bar marketing toward a younger demographic. Nobody at Kill Devil is listening for subtlety of phrasing, they're looking for a kickass, swinging good time and loud is par for the course in a situation like that. 

That's just my take on things.

*From Bad Cox: Composer and pianist Brad Cox will present a night of music written for his nine-piece ensemble on Sunday, October 21 at 8:00 p.m. at the RecordBar as part of Jeff Harshbarger’s twice-monthly jazz series.  The Brad Cox Nonet consists of a "double trio" configuration (two drum sets, two basses, and two tenor saxophones) augmented by three additional musicians playing percussion and keyboards… The musicians involved include saxophonists Rich Wheeler and Matt Otto, bassists Jeff Harshbarger and Ben Leifer, drummers Scotty McBee and Kent Burnham, percussionists Sam Wisman and Patrick Alonzo Conway, and Brad Cox on Rhodes electric piano.  Much of the music to be performed on the October 21 RecordBar date was written for Owen/Cox Dance Group’s upcoming fall performance, which will take place on October 26, 27 & 28 at the H&R Block City Stage Theater.

*From Take Five Coffee + Bar: Thursday, October 18, 7pm. Rob Scheps with special guest Shunzo Ohno. SPECIAL ENGAGEMENT: New York sax-man Rob Scheps has played at Take Five several times to outrageously big crowds and great reviews. This could be the best yet, as with him will be trumpeter Shunzo Ohno. Shunzo, a luminary in his own right, has played with Art Blakey, Gil Evans, Herbie Hancock and Wayne Shorter. And if you aren't a jazz historian, he's also played with Sting, Dave Matthews and David Byrne. If that wasn't enough, this man has overcome serious adversity to stay one of the best in the business. Go read his story at www.shunzoohno.com, then make absolutely sure you get to Take Five early to get a seat for this performance. Roger Wilder on piano, Bob Bowman on bass, Ryan Lee (back in town for a visit) on drums. No reservations accepted.

Friday, October 19, 8pm. Matt Otto Trio.  Saxophonist Matt Otto’s intensity and command as an improviser, composer and leader will keep us rolling into the weekend in the company of Ben Leifer, bass, and Mike Warren, drums.

Saturday, October 20, 8pm.  Jerry Hahn and Friends.  Renowned jazz guitarist Jerry Hahn will grace Take Five with his trio, featuring Everette DeVan on the organ and Mike Warren on drums. If you haven't seen him yet, do so. You’ll hear stories spun on guitar strings in a way few others can do.

*From Fanny Dunfee: Alaadeen Enterprises Inc. announces two recipients of this year's annual Alaadeen Awards of Excellence. The outstanding achievements of these individuals were acknowledged at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts in Kansas City, Missouri on September 14, 2012. Kerry Strayer, artistic director for the Kansas City Jazz Orchestra, presented the awards during the band's Tribute to the Count Basie Orchestra. The Alaadeen Awards Of Excellence include Jazz awards in two categories: The Alaadeen Achievement of Excellence Award and The Alaadeen Educator of Excellence Award. The recipients are recognized for their creative approach, originality and their ability to reach beyond technical excellence in Jazz music. 

The Alaadeen Achievement of Excellence Award recognizing artistic excellence in Jazz performance was presented to Dennis Winslett. Winslett began his study of the saxophone at the age of 9 in the historic jazz town of Kansas City. Upon moving to Chicago, his full intense sound and high energy free swinging style of improvisation quickly earned him a reputation as an exciting young player to watch. Returning to Kansas City he served as director of education at the American Jazz Museum. Alaadeen and Dennis spent many hours together in which Alaadeen passed on an enormous amount of information to Dennis; passing the torch, so to speak to the next generation. Alaadeen writes about Dennis in his autobiography "Dysfunctional/life journeys of a second generation jazz musician:" "I first taught him when he was in Junior High in Olathe, Kansas and now he's become an excellent saxophonist. One time he played a solo for me. He thought he really killed it. And he did, too, but I told him, 'Yeah, that's Cannonball…now I want to hear Dennis.'

The Alaadeen Educator of Excellence Award recognizing excellence in Jazz education was presented to Kevin Mahogany for his role as a teacher in developing each student's uniqueness. Mahogany began his study of music as a child with piano and later learned to play the clarinet and baritone saxophone, performing with jazz bands and teaching music while still in high school.

A former student of Alaadeen's at The Charlie Parker Foundation, Mahogany exemplifies Alaadeen's belief that the role of the teacher should help the student gain the ability, technique and knowledge to put together a convincing story to tell. With eleven CD's as a leader, and quite a few as a sideman, he has proved to be the quintessential jazz vocalist. Newsweek describes him as " the standout jazz vocalist of his generation." New Yorker magazine writer Whitney Balliet writes, "There is little Mahogany cannot do." Says the LA TIMES, " Mahogany is one of the first truly gifted male vocalists to emerge in years." As a jazz educator, Mahogany has taught at the Berklee College of Music in Boston and the University of Miami.

On presenting the awards, Kerry Strayer the Artistic Director for the Kansas City Jazz Orchestra, commented: “The Kansas City Jazz Orchestra was honored to present the Alaadeen Awards of Excellence at our concert. Alaadeen was a vital part of the Kansas City jazz scene for many decades. His legacy will live on in the works and deeds of his many students and colleagues as they follow his example of passing this music on by sharing it freely with others. Congratulations to Kevin and Dennis.”

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*Anita Dixon of the Mutual Musicians Foundation defends recent changes at 1823 Highland in a remarkable memo published by KCJazzLark.

*A television news  segment provides footage and interviews of a tourism-related workshop held the Mutual Musicians Foundation on Monday.  Key line: "Brand USA has $200 million dollars from the federal government and tourism businesses to increase international tourism."

*The debut of the Kansas City Jazz Orchestra at Helzberg Hall is highlighted in Joe Klopus' latest column.

*Stephen Steigman interviewed Karrin Allyson last week on KCUR's Up To Date.

*The Kansas City Star published reviews of the Prairie Village Jazz Festival and Pat Metheny's concert at the Folly Theater.  The Prairie Village Post recaps the suburb's jazz festival.  The Pitch interviewed Metheny.

*Tony Botello reports that Dave Stephens Band will perform at the Kill Devil Club's official grand opening on Friday, September 14.

*Marilyn Maye made an appearance on a local television program.

*The People's Liberation Big Band will perform at a "street party" following the 2012 Charlotte Street Generative Performing Artist Awards Fellows event on October 5.

*Mike Dillon's Garage a Trois is pictured in a jazz-meets-punk piece at NPR's A Blog Supreme

*Shay Estes wrote an essay about the differences between the technical demands made on vocalists in fado and jazz.

*The Lied Center created a thirty-second spot promoting Nnenna Freelon's October 12 concert.

*Comment o' the Week: Anonymous- This is by far the best line this year up for a jazz festival in KC. Good job PV!!!

*Tweet o' the Week: KRenea- 18th & Vine is kinda rockin. Might step in the Blue Room to watch this jazz band.

*From Bill McKemy: Bill McKemy Quartet to appear at Take 5 Coffee & Bar on September 22, 8-10 p.m.  Performance will mark the 10th anniversary of McKemy's CD Duende.  Duende was McKemy’s first release as a leader after making 4 recordings with seminal Kansas City avant-garde trio Malachy Papers... The personnel for this date will include Jeffrey Ruckman, accordion & melodica, Brian Baggett, Guitar, Kent Burnham, drums and Sterling Holman – real-time interactive sampling and mix.

*From a press release: The Heartland Films, Inc. documentary “Kansas City Jazz & Blues; Past, Present & Future” has been selected for the 2012 Kansas International Film Festival (KIFF)...  Former Kansas Citian and award-winning documentary filmmaker Sue Vicory’s jazz and blues film will screen at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 11, as the closing selection of the KIFF… The Thursday night event will be held at the Glenwood Arts Theatre...  KIFF and the Kansas City Women in Film & TV (KCWIFT) have partnered to make the closing night a special evening.  A party following the screening and Q&A with Sue and musicians featured in the film will be sponsored by KCWIFT.  There will be food catered by Lindsay Shannon’s B.B.’s Lawnside BBQ and a jazz and blues jam led by Hermon Mehari and his trio.

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*Sue Vicory's film Kansas City Jazz and Blues: Past, Present & Future will be televised by KCPT on June 30 at 8:30 p.m.

*Black House Improvisors' Collective shares new sounds in an all-around excellent post.

*Sons of Brasil is appreciated by KCJazzLark.

*ARC created its own YouTube channel.

*Heads up- Turntable.fm might be the best music-oriented social media site yet. Access is granted through Facebook.

*Tweet o' the Week: Clint Ashlock: New Jazz Order @ Harlings. Tonight. 9-12. If you don't come, @michaelshults will eat your canned beans. He's hungry. #realthreat #kcjazz

*Via Facebook: Original Flavor: July 9 at Crosstown Station: This show will encompass elements of Hip Hop, Jazz and R&B, but it will contain a setlist of original material from the band and its vocal acts... The band will also collaborate with DJ Ataxic for a unique musical cover section. During this portion of the show, the DJ will spin an a cappella from a well known artist. The band will recreate the original musical composition behind the vocals. Participants include Dominique Saunders, Les Izmore, Reach and Diverse.

(Original image of last weekend's Jazz In the Woods festival by Plastic Sax.)

Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*Trumpeter Snooky Young, veteran of the bands of Jimmie Lunceford and Count Basie, has died. He was 92.

*Filmmaker Bruce Ricker has died. Here's Steve Paul's personal tribute to the man behind The Last of the Blue Devils.

*Return to Forever and Zappa Plays Zappa will perform at the Midland Theater on August 26. (I'm not gonna lie- I'm all about this.)

*Steve Paul notes the charms of the Folly Theater and encourages patrons not to forget about Kansas City's many fine venues when the Kauffman Center opens later this year.

*The MarchFourth Big Band plays a free show at Crossroads on June 14.

*The fourth installment of KCJazzLark's saga about his experiences as a member of the Kansas City Jazz Commission is now on the record.

*Kevin Collison offers an intriguing proposal for "establishing a world-class jazz festival coupled with a huge barbecue bash."

*Here's raw footage of a performance by BeardKCrazy. The new band sounds like a mash-up of King Sunny Ade's Syncro System and Miles Davis' On the Corner.

*Another Verse uncovers the Kansas City angle on the Library of Congress' new "national jukebox."

*Phonologotron, Plastic Sax's infamously incendiary commenter, explains himself.

*Tweet o' the Week: D.J. Sweeney People talk too much when they should be listening. As for the man that shouted out, "play some rock," F-you! Jazz is cerebral, you moron!

*Big Joe Turner was born 100 years ago today. "Jump for joy."

*The Kansas City Jazz Orchestra has a new business manager. And yes, it's me, the man behind Plastic Sax.

*From Alaadeen Enterprises: Alaadeen Enterprises, Inc. is pleased to announce a collaboration with The Duke Ellington Family on a pilot outreach program to aid the veterans of the United States Military. Scheduled to be implemented this Memorial Day in honor of our Veterans of War, the project will demonstrate the healing power of music by providing drum pads and drum sticks to the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. Victoria Dunfee, President of Alaadeen Enterprises states that, "Our partnership with the Duke Ellington Family on this project is a superb fit as our founder Ahmad Alaadeen was a member of the U.S. 4th Army Band, Ft. Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas. He saw first hand the healing powers of music." Alaadeen is now buried in Fort Leavenworth National Cemetery.

*From Sue Vicory: (T)he film will air on PBS June 28th at 9PM.

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*Sue Vicory is selling unpackaged screener versions of her Kansas City Jazz & Blues: Past, Present & Future documentary at her new site. Each DVD is $10 plus $1 shipping through her PayPal link.

*Greg Carroll of the American Jazz Museum tells Steve Penn about Blue Room Ale.

*An intriguing new track from a rehearsal is available at the latest post by the Black House Improvisors' Collective.

*I never tire of saying it- KCJazzLark is a great photographer. He documented last month's Junior Mance Quintet performance at the Blue Room.

*Tim Finn explains how many Kansas City musicians celebrate carnival season.

*NPR provides yet another (wholly deserving) feature on Joe Lovano's Charlie Parker tribute album. The saxophonist plays the Folly Theater on April 2.

*Jay McShann and Ollie Gates are invoked in an interesting story about schoolchildren in Muskogee, Oklahoma.

*Brad Mehldau will perform in Columbia, Missouri, on April 8. (Initial tip via Steve Paul.)

*Here are reports #56 and #57 on Dave Stephens from you-know-who.

*A tourist asks where he can hear jazz while dining on barbecue during a visit to Kansas City. That's a real head-scratcher.

*Uruguayan jazz pianist Gustavo Casenave performed the music of Astor Piazzolla in Kansas City last weekend. A dullard reviewed the concert.

*Tweet o' the Week: KCTrumpeter I'm playing Jardines tonight from 6-10 w/ Peter Schlamb (STL/NYC), Karl McComas-Reichl (Iowa/NYC), and Ryan Lee!. (I also recommend following trumpeter Nicholas Payton.)

*From Jim Mair of Kansas City Kansas Community College: Yale University's student a cappella vocal jazz ensemble, Redhot & Blue, will give a midday performance in PAC on March 14th at 2pm. They will also have an exchange with our vocal jazz ensemble, "The Standard" at Noon in the Choir Room. Both events are free and the public is invited! Watch the ensemble perform "Summertime" here.

*From the University of Kansas: The KU School of Music is pleased to present the 34th Annual KU Jazz Festival on March 4-5, and a new component to this year’s festival is the KU Jazz Festival After Hours Jazz Sessions held at The Oread--All Seasons Den (1200 Oread Avenue, Lawrence, KS), Friday and Saturday evening, March 4-5, from 10pm-12:30am. These jazz sessions will feature various performers from the KU Jazz Festival: Friday evening performers include pianist and KU graduate Nick Weiser and saxophonist and Eastman School of Music graduate Will Cleary. Wayne Hawkins, KU lecturer in jazz piano, will headline the Saturday evening session, and on both Friday and Saturday evenings Jeff Harshbarger, KU lecturer in jazz bass, and Sam Wisman, Kansas City jazz drummer, will perform. Admission to these sessions is free; cash bar will be available.

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*KCUR conducted an instructive interview with bassist Jeff Harshbarger. Download it here.

*In a Wall Street Journal essay, Will Friewald detects the influence of Benny Carter in Bobby Watson's compositions. I referenced the same thing in my review of The Gates BBQ Suite.

*The Mutual Musicians Foundation is hosting a "Welcome Home" reception for Queen Bey on October 6.

*Matt Otto is the subject of a Joe Klopus profile.

*Tim Finn notes the 25th anniversary of Chuck Haddix's KCUR program "Fish Fry." Steve Penn quotes Haddix as he praises the LaBudde Special Collection Department at UMKC.

*I saw the new cut of Sue Vicory's Kansas City Jazz & Blues: Past, Present & Future at a screening hosted by BB's Lawnside BBQ last week. The film is much improved.

*The Good News Jazz Festival will be held October 15-16 at the Liberty Performing Arts Center. The Christian-themed event features Euge Groove, Marcus Johnson and the Wild Women of Kansas City.

*In a fascinating and very personal blog post, Chris Burnett examines the role the military played in his life.

*Jeff Harshbarger, Mark Southerland and Sam Wisman are mentioned in The Star's review of The Golem.

*KC Metropolis offers a review of the September 25 concert by The Bad Plus.

*Wonderful photos from previous Rhythm & Ribs festivals are offered by KCJazzLark.

*A few citizens of Marshall, Missouri, are planning a jazz festival.

*Here's an interesting new interview with Pat Metheny.

*Steve Paul reveals Renee Fleming's flirtation with jazz.

*Marilyn Maye's extended run at Quality Hill Playhouse begins October 29.

*The Pitch named an obsessive-compulsive weirdo "Kansas City's Best Blogger" of the year.

*Organizers of the Prairie Village Jazz Festival are attempting to win a Pepsi-sponsored contest. Votes may be cast here.

*Here's a note I received on October 3: My parents owned The Orchid Room on 12th and Vine from 1957-1962. I am desperately looking for any photos of the club (interior or exterior) and have hit a dead end. If you have or know of anyone that may have some, PLEASE contact me. Thanks. p_mazza3@yahoo.com Here's hoping a Plastic Sax reader can help this person out.

*Tweet o' the Week: djjazziedeb: Wish I could own my own jazz club. Hate it when the Blues and R&B bring in the bucks and jazz clubs stop booking jazz.

*The Kansas City Jazz Calendar is loaded for October. As I've previously suggested to musicians and club owners, if a gig isn't listed, it's either because I don't consider it "jazz" or because you haven't let me know about it.

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*Hearne Christopher reports that jazz will soon be featured in a revamped space at the downtown AMC movie theater.

*Dave Brubeck's October 14 concert at The Folly Theater has been cancelled. An appearance by Ellis Marsalis on February 11 replaces Brubeck's date in the venue's jazz series.

*The Star offers a review of Saturday's concert by The Bad Plus at The Folly Theater. And There Stands the Glass took notes at Sunday's performance by The Gang Font at The Record Bar.

*Here's an extremely nice segment on Marilyn Maye from Sue Vicory's Kansas City Jazz & Blues: Past, Present & Future. And here's a new trailer for the film. The documentary will be screened tonight, September 29, at B.B.'s Lawnside BBQ.

*UMKC's archival work on the memorabilia of Claude "Fiddler" Williams is noted by Steve Penn.

*Dude Langford is recalled by KCJazzLark.

*The NFL apparently produced a television spot that features a 1947 song by Kansas City's Julia Lee and Her Boyfriends. NPR's A Blog Supreme made the catch.

*Here's an upsetting jazz-related crime report.

*Kansas City bassist Jeff Harshbarger seems to fit right in with The Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey in this gorgeous footage of JFJO collaborating with the Bartlesville Symphony Orchestra. The Oklahoma-based band performs October 9 at Jardine's.

*12th Street Jump resumes Friday at the downtown Marriott with a tribute to Stevie Ray Vaughn.

*The Power & Light District hosts an event titled "The 14th Street Jazz Festival" on October 2. The McFadden Brothers are the only act listed at the "festival."

*Is Geneva Price is the daughter of Priscilla Bowman? A comment "GPrice" made here suggests that it's true. I have an expert investigating the matter, but please leave a comment if you can verify or dismiss this amazing assertion. UPDATE: The expert reports that Geneva is not related to Priscilla. I apologize for the false alarm.

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*Steve Paul's insightful review of Bobby Watson's The Gates BBQ Suite includes valuable context omitted from my September 20 critique of the new album. The Philadelphia Inquirer checks in with a quick review while Music and More offers a more detailed analysis.

*Steve Kraske and Bobby Watson talked about jazz, UMKC, the quality of life in Kansas City and Watson's new album on KCUR's Up To Date. Download the podcast here.

*The remainder of the artist lineup for the American Jazz Museum's Rhythm & Ribs festival has been announced.

*Mike Metheny pays tribute to Doc Severinson in a beautiful essay. The accompanying photo is a must-see. In a separate note to Plastic Sax, Metheny wrote: "It should also be noted that there were several other KC-connected musicians onstage in Clay Center including Jay Sollenberger, Kerry Strayer, Paul Smith, Bob Bowman, Todd Strait and Danny Embrey.

*KCJazzLark slanders the "magic jazz fairy". Hilarious! I recently addressed the same issue with significantly less tact.

*Steve Penn reports on the delayed opening of the Napoleon Bakery in the Jazz District.

*Lee Ingalls presents a podcast interview with Stan Kessler of Sons of Brasil.

*According to my calculations, only eight percent of the three dozen acts featured at this weekend's Plaza Art Fair are jazz artists.

*Dr. Wayne E. Goins, Director of Jazz at Kansas State, participates in a roundtable discussion at JazzTimes. (Link via A Blog Supreme.)

*Saxophonist Walt Weiskopf was in town last Saturday as part of the Dukes of September band. Here's a review.

*Sue Vicory reports that a newly edited version of her film will be screened at BB's Lawnside BBQ on September 29. A question-and-answer session will follow the film.

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*An amazing turn of events in the life of the Basie band's Frank Foster is recounted at A Blog Supreme. (Initial tip via KCJazzLark.)

*A cover story on filmmaker Sue Vicory begins on page 42 of KC Studio magazine.

*Fascinating "final thoughts" conclude KCJazzLark's series on the formation of the American Jazz Museum.

*The Pitch revealed the nominees for its annual music awards. Nominees in the category of "Jazz: Ensemble" are The People's Liberation Big Band, The Jazz Disciples, Snuff Jazz, Organic Proof, The McFadden Brothers and Trio ALL. Nominees in the category of "Jazz: Solo Artist" are Mark Lowrey, Megan Birdsall, Bobby Watson, Everette DeVan, Horace Washington and Gerald Dunn. Diverse is an "Emerging Act" nominee. Mouth is an "Experimental" nominee.

*The Mutual Musicians Foundation is hosting a "Piano-Thon fundraiser" July 15-16. Chris Clarke, Roger Wilder, Charles Williams, Everette Freeman, Rich Hill, Luqman Hamza, Murray Fields, Don Cox, James Hathaway, Karriem Sayles, TJ Martley and Michael Pagan are among the participants.

*Eldar performs at a fundraiser for the Prairie Village Jazz Festival at Indian Hills Country Club on August 7. From the festival's site: Ticket reservations are $50 for individuals and only $85 for couples. VIP reservations are also available which include premium seating, dinner with wine, and a cocktail hour. VIP reservations are $125 for indviduals and $225 for couples.

*An artist reveals his work for this year's Rhythm & Ribs festival.

*The Hannibal Courier-Post profiled saxophonist Michael Schults.

*An 11-year-old traveled from Italy to Kansas City to study with pianist Charles Williams. (Initial tip via Tony's Kansas City.)

*Mark Edelman recommends several jazz gigs.

*Marc Meyers and Ira Gitler provide valuable insights into the titles of a few Charlie Parker compositions.

*Bobby Watson appears on the new album by Tobias Gebb.

*A blogger and photographer had a good time at the Mutual Musicians Foundation.

*Tony's Kansas City continues an enthusiastic series of items about Dave Stephens.

*The debut CD release of Alaturka's Tamam Abi is July 25 at Jardine's.

*The acclaimed Howard Johnson performed in Kansas City on Monday as a member of Levon Helm's band.

*From Mark Lowrey: I want to tell you about what will be my first solo piano CD. I've decided to record it live at Jardines and I want you to come... The date of the live recording is August 1st with two performances, at 6 and 8:30pm. All that attend this recording session will become "Co-Executive Producers" and will be named in the liner notes of the CD. Cool, huh? Tickets are $20 and can be bought at Jardines (4536 Main st. 816.561.6480) or from me at any of my gigs. There are 100 seats for each show, and I'm really trying for a sell out.

*Big news from JCCC- here's an abbreviated press release: Winter may be howling at the door, but Johnson County Community College will be hosting four days of hot jazz during its second annual Jazz Winterlude Jan. 20-23, 2011, in Polsky Theater and Yardley Hall of the Carlsen Center. This year’s festival features an all-new lineup of performers, including the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Ensemble and former Kansas drummer Todd Strait; jazz clinics for middle and high school students; and a free kick-off performance... Performing groups, all new except the Sunday brunch Dan DeLuca Trio, are mostly local, although some have asked Strait, now of Portland, to join them.

Performers include New Order Jazz Band featuring Megan Birdsall, Dan Thomas Quartet, Kerry Strayer Dixieland Band, Bram Wijnands Trio, Angela Hagenbach Quartet, Westport Jazz Ensemble including Todd Strait, Joe Cartwright Quartet featuring Kim Park, Diverse Trio, Julie Turner/Tommy Ruskin Group, Dwight Foster Quartet, Millie Edwards Quartet, Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Ensemble, PBT featuring Todd Strait and Carol Comer and the Dan DeLuca Trio.

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Review: The Marilyn Maye Takeover

The girl can't help it.

Slated to play just twenty minutes at the Gem Theater, Marilyn Maye's hour-long set made everything else that transpired at Thursday's event seem like an afterthought.

She's that exceptional.

Accompanied by pianist Billy Stritch, bassist Gerald Spaits and drummer Jim Eklof, the 82-year-old joked and sang for an audience of about 300. Now that Lena Horne has passed, perhaps among living saloon singers only Tony Bennett rivals Maye. Hearing Maye croon "The Song Is You," "Come Rain or Come Shine," "Mountain Greenery," "Blues In the Night" and "You Don't Know Me" was like stepping back in time. The great American songbook will, of course, remain after Maye and Bennett are gone, but the unaffectedly old school way of singing them will have vanished.

Maye is also hilarious. Here are three of her quips from Thursday:

"I met my first husband when I was booked in the Drum Room. I was a singer and he was a dancer. So we danced and sang together."

"We don't always play the exact proper melody. There's other notes to be had."

"Creative people like to drink. I know, because I had three very creative husbands."

Oh, by the way, there was also a film premiere Thursday. The thirty-minute "sneak peak" of Kansas City Jazz & Blues: Past, Present & Future was promising. I trust that the sound, sync and lighting issues will be worked out in the final edit. Talking heads included Greg Carroll, Frank Driggs, Chuck Haddix, Jayne McShann, Roger Nabor, Lindsay Shannon and Bobby Watson. David Basse delivers the money line. Leon Brady also has a memorable quote. Upon its completion the documentary almost certainly will become an essential document of Kansas City's music history.

On most any other night, a moment during Diverse's opening set would have been the highlight. Joined by saxophonist Matt Otto and pianist T.J. Martley, the band was tearing into Charlie Parker's "Now's the Time" when trumpeters Stan Kessler and Lonnie McFadden chimed in from the back of the theater. They strolled down adjoining aisles to join Diverse on stage.

Also of note: Young poet Robert Brown (above) delivered a clever piece, smooth jazz artist Marion Meadows played a solo soprano composition and tribute was paid to the late Ed Fenner. The evening concluded with a blues jam.

Only Maye, however, was capable of representing Kansas City's past, present and future. She accepted an honorary trophy before her masterful performance.

"It's a lifetime achievement award," Maye noted. "But I'm not through."












(Original images by Plastic Sax.)

Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*David Martin reports that Bobby Watson, Jayne McShann and Joyce Johnson resigned from their positions on the board of the Mutual Musicians Foundation.

*Steve Penn provides quotes from Oscar "Lucky" Wesley's February 27 appearance at the American Jazz Museum's "Jazz Talk." Wesley is mourned in a letter to the Star. Elsewhere, a music blogger features a track from an obscure album by The Scamps.

*The significance of Sue Vicory's film is heralded by KCJazzLark. The jazz blogger also reviewed a recent performance of the New Order Big Band.

*Chuck Haddix discusses the jazz and blues photography of Dan White on April 14 at the Central Library. The Jim Mair Quartet with Mike Ning, Tyrone Clark and Michael Warren will perform at the event.

*Diverse created a Kickstarter account to help fund a European tour.

*KCUR interviewed Oleta Adams. (Tip via KCJazzLark.)

*The Star reviewed Junior Mance's gig at the Blue Room. Paola's Ryan Anselmi and Hutchinson's Kim Garey were in the pianist's band.

*A memorial in the Washington Post suggests that the late Herb Ellis once lived in Kansas City. A handful of area musicians have disputed that claim.

*MBird, the alter-ego of jazz vocalist Megan Birdsall, has issued a music video.

*Russell Thorpe of Black House Improvisors' Collective is now blogging at Phonologotron.

*The Wall Street Journal attempts to decode Pat Metheny's Orchestrion.

*Karrin Allyson returns to Kansas City this week for a two-night run at Jardine's.

*The Guardian continues its Charlie Parker obsession.

*From Jim Mair: A gathering to honor the life of Theodore Jan Wilson, featuring a tribute by Kansas City jazz musicians, will be held at 2 pm Tuesday, May 4, 2010, at Kansas City Kansas Community College's Intercultural Center. The public is invited.

*From a Kansas City Kansas Community College press release: Coming off unprecedented success in the annual Pittsburg State Jazz Festival, where the KCKCC Jazz Band and two combos earned No. 1 ratings, the Jazz Band under the direction of Jim Mair received an invitation to perform at the Puerto Vallarta Jazz Festival in Mexico next February.

(Original image of KCI by Plastic Sax.)

Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*Oscar "Lucky" Wesley of The Scamps died March 27th. The Star has the story.

*The Jazz In the Woods festival has announced its 2010 lineup. Plastic Sax is very pleased to note that Erin Bode and Bobby Watson are included this year. Bode, Mingo Fishtrap and Mindi Abair perform June 11. Matt Marshak, the Bobby Watson Quartet featuring Curtis Lundy and Nick Colionne/Steve Cole play the following day.

*The Pitch and KC Confidential comment on 12 O'Clock Jump's unceremonious exit from the Mutual Musicians Foundation.

*In addition to the aforementioned controversial item, the agenda of a recent Foundation meeting includes an entry titled "MMF Jazz Radio Show."

*The live entertainment accompanying the May 6 film premiere of Sue Vicory's Kansas City Jazz & Blues: Past, Present & Future is very compelling. Diverse, Matt Otto, Stan Kessler, Lonnie McFadden, Mama Ray and Marilyn Maye are slated to perform. Jazz trumpeter Mike Metheny and country vocalist Jessi Colter will also be on hand for the event at the Gem Theater.

*The greatness of Myra Taylor is documented by KCJazzLark.

*From AfterGroove: "We are looking for your ideas for the name and concept of our next cd. We are recording it now. If we use your idea, you will be listed on the cd and you will receive your own copy."

*Black House Improvisors' Collective continue to post intriguing content at their site.

*Here's a new video of Mouth performing live on KKFI.

*I've heard a rumor that GiGi's Jazz Inn, an establishment on Troost without any internet presence, has obtained a liquor license.

*The Kansas City Jazz Calendar has been updated. Careful observers will note that I usually omit R&B, blues and cabaret acts. Yet I couldn't resist including Greg Ginn's April 6 gig at the Record Bar. I'm one of the jazz-punk genre's 326 fans.

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)