Now's the Time: Clark Terry

Take a long hard look at the 44-year-old man in the black-and-white film from 1965. Fast forward 45 years. The same man performs tonight, April 30, at the Gem Theater. Clark Terry continues to astound the jazz world.

Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*Here's an excerpt from an email sent by the American Jazz Museum last week: This email is a call to action. Recently the Missouri Senate recommended zero funding for the Missouri Arts Council for FY2011. This is a distressing recommendation as the Missouri Arts Council provides significant funding to arts organizations throughout the state. About a quarter of the American Jazz Museum's philanthropic support comes through the Missouri Arts Council.

*Prior to Christian McBride's concert last Saturday, Doug Tatum announced that Sachal Vasandani and Dave Brubeck have been booked as part of the Folly's 2010-11 jazz series.

*Mark Southerland and Shay Estes received a quick critique.

*"I wanted to see an area thriving with people, shops and things to do," a blogger writes about a visit to the Jazz District, "(A)nd what I saw were a lot of businesses that didn’t make it, closed up storefronts, lifeless streets, and the façade of a neighborhood that just doesn’t exist anymore."

*Michael Pagan posted an enthusiastic review of Mike Metheny's 60.1 at iTunes.

*Milton Morris is evoked by KCJazzLark.

*The Kansas City Kansan recaps the recent "Jazz Cabaret" concert by Kansas City Kansas Community College students.

*Sue Vicory provides additional details about her May 6 film premiere at the Gem Theater.

*Tony Botello posted several jazz-related items during the last week. He catches up on the controversy at the Mutual Musicians Foundation. He opined on the name and venue change of KCUR's 12th Street Jump. He also checked in with Jazzbo and noted that a progressive rock band has taken up residency at Jardine's on Monday nights. Finally, the prolific blogger was on hand for Reach's live album recording with jazz/jam band Mouth at the Record Bar.

*The Star reviewed the Christian McBride concert at the Folly Theater. Here's fan footage from the upper balcony.

*Bobby Watson and Horizon will perform at the Detroit Jazz Fest this summer. The stellar lineup also includes Allen Toussaint, Branford Marsalis and the Maria Schneider Orchestra.

*"To hell with practicality; if it’s something sweet to watch, it’s worth the challenge of creating and executing." A reviewer in San Diego is astounded by Pat Metheny's Orchestrion.

*It looks as if he and Fanny have been at it since last August, but I just discovered Alaadeen's blog.

*Megan Birdsall provides a new installment of her tour vlog. I've made fun of her video blogging, but seriously, similar efforts should be part of every performing artist's weekly routine.

*In a typically excellent post, St. Louis Jazz Notes heralds the May 1 performance of the Count Basie Orchestra in his town.

*Matt Chalk and Tim Whitmer lead groups at a May 7 charitable benefit at the American Jazz Museum.

*A full press release detailing the weekend's activities at the American Jazz Museum concludes this post, but those aren't the only significant jazz events in town this week. Here are a few additional listings:

4/30 The Kansas City Jazz Orchestra perform the complete Kansas City Suite- Folly Theater
5/01 The People's Liberation Big Band perform their original score for Battleship Potemkin- Paul Mesner Puppet studio
5/02 Diverse- Watson Park in Lawrence
5/02 KC Jazz Masters benefit for KC Youth Jazz with Diverse, Stan Kessler, Jim Mair and more- Madrid Theater
5/05 Bob Kindred- Jardine's
5/06 The film premiere of Sue Vicory's Kansas City Jazz & Blues: Past, Present & Future- Gem Theater

Check the Kansas City Jazz Calendar for additional listings.

*Via the American Jazz Museum:

Event Schedule:

Thursday, April 29, 2010, Panel Session: “(Ellington’s 111th Birthday)

10:00 AM Panel Session:

“Inspirations of the Duke”

Panelists: NEA Jazz Master Dan Morgenstern, Barrie Hall, Clark Terry and KC Legend Alaadeen.

Moderator: Steve Kraske, Kansas City Star Columnist & “Up to Date Host” on KCUR American Jazz Museum Blue Room

6:00 PM Duke Ellington Photo Exhibit and Film Exhibit Grand Opening Reception and unveiling of the Ellington bust, created by San Francisco artist, Howard Lazar.

American Jazz Museum, John Baker Collection Exhibit

7:00 Dan Morgenstern - “Celebrating Duke Ellington’s Legacy”.

American Jazz Museum, JBC Exhibit

Friday, April 30, 2010 Jammin’ at the Gem Day

10:00 AM Jazz Museum Tours for students w/ Dennis Winslett Glenn North.

American Jazz Museum – Permanent Exhibits

10:00 AM Jazz Storytelling featuring Lisa Henry & Brother John

American Jazz Museum Atrium

11:00 AM Instrumental Break-out Master Classes, featuring the following Ellington Clinicians:

Everette Freeman on Piano; Jeff Harshbarger on Bass; Brandon Draper on Drums; James Ward on Brass; Chris Burnet on Woodwinds.

1:00-2:15 PM Panel Session:

“The Genius of Duke Ellington: Goin’ to Graduate School – A Players Perspective”

Panelists: NEA Jazz Master Clark Terry, NEA Jazz Master Dan Morgenstern, Barrie Hall, KC Legend Alaadeen.

Moderator: Greg Carroll, American Jazz Museum Chief Executive Officer

6:30 PM Ellington Pre-Concert Reception & Jazz Conversation w/ Dan Morgenstern &

Clark Terry. Gem Theater Large Conference Room.

8:00 PM Ellington Tribute Concert featuring Clark Terry, Barrie Hall, the Ellington All-Star Big Band, the American Jazz Museum Institute Student All-Stars. Clark Terry and Alaadeen will be presented with the American Jazz Museum Lifetime Achievement Award.

(Original image of the Clayton Brothers by Plastic Sax.)

Do You Realize?

I thought about jazz during Friday's concert by The Flaming Lips in Bonner Springs, Kansas.

It didn't cross my mind as confetti rained on me. I didn't think about it as the band's vocalist scurried over my head in an inflatable hamster ball. And I forgot about it when images of naked women were projected on the screen behind the stage.

But when the Oklahomans ponderously slogged through Pink Floyd-style jams I wondered why so few jazz artists incorporate crowd-pleasing theatrical elements into their live presentations. I love the Flaming Lips but I'll be the first to admit that they're not exactly the greatest band in the world. That didn't stop almost 5,000 people from paying $35 to $40 to partake of the band's generous spirit and spectacular stage show.

Look at the picture I took Friday. Then look at the image I captured of Lionel Loueke's appearance at the Blue Room last November. Which show looks like more fun?

There's a catch. The fifty people at Loueke's performance heard better music. Loueke's refreshing fusion of indigenous African music, pop and jazz is instantly accessible. I suppose it's a little more esoteric than the bombast of the Flaming Lips but I refuse to believe that one out of twenty Flaming Lips fans wouldn't be completely down with Loueke's slightly psychedelic sound if they only knew of him. I'm simply not willing to accept the tired adage that jazz is too sophisticated for the average person.

Just like jazz musicians, the Flaming Lips are largely ignored by radio and music television. What gives? It's no mystery- the Flaming Lips put on a show. Two acts with Kansas City connections are also addressing the expectations of today's audiences.

Dave Stephens has created what he calls a "jazz circus." Watch this representative video. A lot of uptight jazz snobs (I'm one of them) roll their eyes at Stephens' antics, but his routine has made him one of this town's most successful entertainers.

Another Kansas City act with an emphasis on presentation is Quixotic. As seen in this video, Quixotic's Cirque du Soleil sensibility is astounding.

Quixotic, Dave Stephens and yes, even the Flaming Lips, represent the competition for jazz musicians. I'm not suggesting that exotic dancers and freaky videos are the solution to jazz's dwindling popularity. But business as usual clearly isn't working.

Projecting Sam Peckinpah films behind 81-year-old pianist Hank Jones obviously wouldn't work. But what does a young act have to lose? I believe there's an audience eager to embrace jazz musicians who are willing to acknowledge that it's 2010.

















(Original images by Plastic Sax.)

Now's the Time: Jeff Beck

It may be less jazz than blues and rock, but I just can't resist posting this clip of Jeff Beck performing Charles Mingus' "Goodbye Pork Pie Hat." According to a sidebar accompanying Joel Francis' feature on the British guitarist, the tribute to Kansas City native Lester Young is a staple at Beck's gigs. Here's hoping he performs it at Starlight Theater on Wednesday, April 28.

Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*The Pitch reports that the KCUR radio show once broadcast from the Mutual Musicians Foundation has relocated to the downtown Marriott. The weekly program's new name is 12th Street Jump.

*Thanks to Jason Crane's recent comment at Plastic Sax, we learned that much of Orrin Evans' new album Faith In Action serves as a tribute to the compositions of Bobby Watson. Evans talks about his relationship with Watson in a The Jazz Session podcast.

*Guitarist Will Matthews was featured on KCUR's KC Currents. Download the show here.

*"I've always felt a big part of my job is to irritate those people," Pat Metheny says of jazz purists in a new 8-minute feature on NPR's Weekend Edition. "When I'm not doing that, I feel I'm not doing my job." Listen here.

*"Fits and starts, plans, failed plans, announcements, withdrawn announcements," writes KCJazzLark. He continues the story of the painful path that led to the creation of the American Jazz Museum in parts four and five of his invaluable history.

*Dan White, the photographer behind the “The Fine Art of Jazz" exhibit at the Central Library, is profiled by Rick Hellman. UMKC's newspaper also interviewed White.

*Steve Paul reviews the food at the new version of The Majestic. I keep hoping they will eventually serve up a monthly jazz calendar. (I realize it's a completely unreasonable request...)

*One of Norah Jones' drummers and ex-Kansas Citian Mike Dillon were in Ani DiFranco's band when she played the Beaumont last week. The Star sent a jerk to review the show.

*Sue Vicory reports that acclaimed pianist Billy Stritch, a star in his own right, will accompany Marilyn Maye at the May 6 premiere of Kansas City Jazz & Blues: Past, Present & Future at the Gem Theater.

*Here's video documenting one of Kansas City bassist Jeff Harshbarger's first official performances as a member of Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey. It was filmed at Starship Records in Tulsa on April 17.

*The Star provides a review of the Clayton Brothers recent concert at the Gem Theater.

*Take a look at the flier for the May 2 KC Youth Jazz fundraiser at the Madrid Theater. Here's a press release about the event.

*A North Carolina newspaper conducted a rather uninspired interview with Karrin Allyson.

*Prepare to cringe.

*The sad news that the 2009 Rhythm & Ribs Festival had been canceled hit a year ago this week. I'm eagerly awaiting news about the status of the 2010 event. Until then, Denver offers a solid backup plan. A June festival in that city has a strong Kansas City flavor. Bobby Watson and Karrin Allyson are among the headliners at June's JazzFest Denver.

*Johnson County Community College has unveiled its performing arts series for 2010-11. Here are the concerts of particular interest to jazz fans:

Natalie Cole- 9/25/10
Boston Brass play Stan Kenton- 12/03/10
The Hot Club of San Francisco in Silent Surrealism- 2/04/10
Bela Fleck, Zakir Hussain and Edgar Meyer- 4/16/20

*The Lied Center has announced its 2010-11 season. Here are the jazz-related events:

Turtle Island Quartet- 10/09/10
Big Bad VooDoo Daddy: The Music of Cab Calloway- 10/22/10
Preservation Hall Jazz Band and bluegrass artists The Del McCoury Band- 10/14/10

*Found at Facebook: What happens when you combine one of the most talented jazz groups in the country with some the most innovative student composers in the midwest? The Diverse Composition Project seeks to find out... This First Friday event will feature a concert by Kansas City-based jazz quintet Diverse performing a mixed set of their own original works and those of UMKC student composers. (May 7 at Fish Tank Theater.)

*From Tim Whitmer: 9th Annual Plaza Rotary Jazz Cabaret, April 25, Gem Theater: Led by Master of Ceremonies Tim Whitmer, the 2010 Cabaret will be a Jazz Extravaganza featuring the legendary Wild Women of Kansas City featuring Myra Taylor, Millie Edwards,Geneva Price and Lori Tucker and the one and only Wild Man, Bill Maness. Tim Whitmer and the Jazz Cabaret All Stars will open. Included will be James Albright, Jurgen Welge, Jim Mair and Stan Kessler as well as Whitmer on the Steinway piano.

*From Candace Evans' publicist: Candace Evans will be returning for her 4th engagement at the beautiful Lodge of Four Seasons resort at the Lake of the Ozarks on Memorial Day weekend, and will be performing every Thursday, Friday and Saturday evening throughout the season. Also, Candace will be performing again for this year's Dream Factory benefit at the Ritz-Charles Hotel in Overland Park KS on Friday April 30.

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Review: Mike Metheny's 60.1

I may never forgive Mike Metheny for making my life a living hell.

The opening track of 60.1, his new album, may be the most infuriating earworm I've ever encountered. It's as if the tormented ghost of Raymond Scott had assumed control of the USC Marching Trojans.

The deliberately annoying march has taken up unwelcome residency in my cranium for the past two weeks. Metheny named the piece "Dubious Melody," but "Crime Against Humanity" would be be a more appropriate title.

It takes enormous talent to be so maliciously awful. At this late date, jazz fans could be forgiven for failing to remember that Metheny was once a major label recording artist and had served as a faculty member at Boston's Berklee College of Music. While Metheny has returned to Missouri and jazz's fortunes have waned, Metheny's prodigious musical gifts have not diminished.

The evil "Dubious Melody" aside, Metheny uses his genius for good on 60.1.

Propelled by drummer Brandon Draper, the title track is absolutely savage. It demonstrates that Metheny is still capable of making a righteous racket that can challenge the testosterone levels of even the most manly fans of Medeski Martin & Wood and The Bad Plus.

"60.1" and a couple additional noisy numbers make the album's relatively conventional mainstream tracks seem tame. It would be a shame, however, to overlook Metheny's gorgeous playing on the Bill Evans ballad "Laurie" and the fine Bob Bowman solo on "C.C. & Water." Other Kansas City-based artists on the album include pianists Paul Smith and Roger Wilder and guitarist Danny Embrey.

Metheny demurred when I asked for permission to post a track. All ten selections are different, he suggested, and hearing only one piece would be inherently misleading. There's some truth to that. Even so, the entirety of 60.1 s characterized by Metheny's artistic restlessness, adventurous spirit and stupendous musicality.

Just don't listen to that first track.

Now's the Time: Kobie Watkins

With all due respect to Bobby Broom, drummer Kobie Watkins completely dominates the guitarist's trio in the embedded video. Watkins doesn't feature quite so prominently in shaky fan footage of a recent Sonny Rollins concert, but no one is about to upstage the great saxophonist. Joe Klopus recently raved about Watkins. The drummer leads a band at the Blue Room on Saturday, April 17.