This Is Why I Do It

Sometimes I wonder why I do what I do. The constant promotion of jazz, even from a forthright perspective, often seems like a fool's errand. When I'm tempted to leave this neglected corner of the musical universe, I find new inspiration by turning to vintage Basie. Listening to these sides reminds me of my mandate to advocate for the forgotten music of the past and the overlooked music of the present.

Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*The NEA has awarded $200,000 for the restoration of Boone Theater in the Jazz District. A press release is available as a PDF here. Key line: The restoration and redevelopment of the historic Boone Theater – a $2.5 million project – is being undertaken with the goal of creating a new home for Folk Alliance International, a non- profit cultural organization presently based in Memphis, Tennessee... (Before jazz fans get too giddy, they should know that F.A.I. is, as its name suggests, an organization dedicated to folk music.) Here's the story in The Star. KCUR also covers the development.

*Hearne Christopher reports that Marilyn Maye will return to Jardine's August 25- September 2. A medical condition forced her to cancel her dates at the club in June.

*Hunter Long conducts a heady interview with Matt Leifer. Long also ponders tribute albums here.

*Credentials Hip Hop posted an interview with Hermon Mehari.

*KCJazzLark is disappointed by two area jazz establishments.

*Beau Bledsoe uploaded video of Bach Aria Soloists' Night of Tango concert. The February event is one of my favorite musical experiences of 2011.

*Plastic Sax readers aside, most Kansas Citians don't appreciate Bobby Watson's status as an international star. They might be surprised to learn that the saxophonist is a headliner at the forthcoming Guinness Jazz Festival in Cork, Ireland.

*Bobby Watson is featured in a new video documenting a performance at Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola at Jazz at Lincoln Center led by Matt Savage.

*Here's a set of photos from the recent A Vibe Called Def performance at The Blue Room.

*Kansas City-related artists were shut out of the 2011 DownBeat Critics Poll.

*The saga of John Coltrane's former home in Philadelphia will sound all too familiar to Kansas City jazz historians. (Tip via AZ.)

*Tweet o' the Week: KCJazzLark: 5 minutes until Ernie Andrews & Bobby Watson is scheduled to start & I'm one of 30 patrons in The Blue Room. Sad.

*Via Facebook, regarding the late Ahmad Alaadeen: To celebrate Alaadeen's birthday, there will be a book signing/release for "Dysfunctional" at the American Jazz Museum, 1616 East 18th Street in Kansas City, Missouri on July 23rd from 11:00 - 1:00. And then, the tribute for Alaadeen will be the next day at The View Community Center, 13500 Byars Road in Grandview. Najee will come in to play a couple of Alaadeen's originals. See you there. Fanny

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Horace Washington: An Appreciation

Few things are as tedious as nostalgic reveries about the good old days, so I'll get this out of the way quickly. In the '80s, it was not uncommon to find throngs of people- many of them in their twenties- listening to jazz acts including Kevin Mahogany, The City Light Orchestra, Claude "Fiddler" Williams, Priscilla Bowman, Sonny Kenner, B.C.R., Ronnell Bright and The Scamps at any one of over a dozen jazz-oriented nightclubs in Kansas City. Another of the most popular acts at the time was Horace Washington.

Washington specialized in audience-pleasing melodic jazz in the vein of Stanley Turrentine and Grover Washington, Jr. Even though his sound was danceable, it had plenty of substance. I'm not sure why he didn't retain his spot at the top of the local scene, but a lack of an online presence certainly hasn't done him any favors. One of Plastic Sax's 27 readers emailed me last night after he happened across a poorly-attended Washington performance at a new Kansas City establishment. A Google search inspired by Washington's fine playing turned up this new video profile of the musician.

"I think Kansas City jazz has been grossly underrepresented," Washington says in the video. "The true form of Kansas City jazz is dying."

Maybe. Maybe not. But for better or for worse, things ain't what they used to be.

Hahn In Hiding

Did you know that Kansas City-based guitarist Jerry Hahn is featured on a new DVD? I didn't either until I accidentally stumbled across this video. Anchored by bassist Bob Bowman, this trio makes very fine music. CDs and DVDs are available here.

Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*The ballot for The Pitch's annual music awards has been published. The nominees for "Jazz Ensemble" are the Barclay Martin Ensemble, Diverse, Hearts of Darkness and The People's Liberation Big Band. The nominees for "Jazz Solo Artist" are Bobby Watson, Hermon Mehari, Mark Lowrey and Mark Southerland.

*Hearne Christopher provides an update on Marilyn Maye's health.

*The role of race in today's jazz scene is pondered by KCJazzLark.

*Bobby Watson's The Gates BBQ Suite opens the UMKC Conservatory's series at the Kauffman Center on September 28.

*Chris Burnett muses on "the live jazz economy."

*Airtran Magazine features the Mutual Musicians Foundation in an article about Kansas City's live music scene.

*Dave Stephens' most prominent fan continues to share his enthusiasm for the showman.

*"The case has been made before about the younger generation getting its jones for jazz from the jam band world," Tim Finn writes in his review of an Umphrey's McGee concert. "Saturday night, that notion was confirmed."

*Neon Jazz is the title of a new radio program originating in Liberty.

*A couple of my buddies are amused by this cruel spoof. I'm not laughing.

*Tweet o' the Week: GrunauerKC: A reminder to all jazz enthusiasts: there is no shame in deodorant. (Via a Steve Paul retweet.)

*The jazz enthusiasts at Take Five Coffee Bar asked that I remind fans and musicians of the Leawood establishment's live music calendar.

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Grading the 2011-12 Folly Theater Season

Aside from a handful of weirdos like me, who would want to see both The Yellowjackets and Peter Nero? That was my first reaction when I read Joe Klopus' preview of the Folly Theater's 2011-12 season. As I analyzed the seven selections, however, I realized they weren't entirely dissimilar. Excepting the Vanguard Orchestra, each act has a florid musicality in common.

Expect to hear a lot a notes this season.

What concertgoers won't hear is innovative modern jazz. Disappointing turnout for serious music has understandably resulted in a less artistically adventurous new season. Trading Joe Lovano for the Yellowjackets and The Bad Plus for Peter Nero is a bitter pill to swallow.


The Yellowjackets- October 1
Anyone expecting snark from me about the "relaxing" music of The Yellowjackets is going to have to hold their breathe. The jazz fusion ensemble is very good at what it does.
Grade: B

Peter Nero- November 5
With all due respect, I hadn't realized that Peter Nero was still alive. Not only is he alive, Nero, 77, leads a Pops orchestra in Philadelphia. Given my weakness for pianists like Erroll Garner and Vince Guaraldi, it's no surprise that I'm actually looking forward to hearing Nero perform his hit "Summer of '42".
Grade: B+

Mark O'Connor's American String Celebration- December 17
Genre-hopping violinist Mark O'Connor's concert was the best-attended event of the 2009-10 season, so it's no surprise to see his name listed here again.
Grade: B

Nnenna Freelon- January 14
I didn't "get" Dee Dee Bridgewater until I saw her perform in the Jammin' at the Gem series in 2007. While I was familiar with her recordings, it took seeing Bridgewater in person to connect to the vocalist's unique sensibility. I'm hoping to experience the same type of musical epiphany with Nnenna Freelon in January.
Grade: B

Grace Kelly Quintet with Phil Woods- February 4
Grace Kelly's 2009 performance at the Blue Room was a mixed bag. While I was impressed with with the teen's technical mastery, she didn't exactly have me sitting on the edge of my seat. (Here's my review.) The presence of Phil Woods- one of Charlie Parker's greatest disciples- and the hope that Kelly has become a less rigid stylist, make this an interesting booking.
Grade: B

The Vanguard Jazz Orchestra- March 3
Big bands don't travel much in 2011. That's the primary reason the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra is the Folly season's most compelling booking. The current edition of the ensemble includes Dick Oatts, Terell Stafford, Scott Wendholt, Gary Smulyan and Jim McNeely.
Grade: A-

John Pizzarelli- April 14
A popular interpreter of the Great American Songbook, John Pizzarelli has found a nice niche as more tasteful alternative to Michael Buble and Michael Feinstein. This is a safe booking that will please conservative listeners.
Grade: B-

I conducted similar exercises for the 2010-11, 2009-10 and 2008-09 seasons.

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Now's the Time: The American Jazz Museum

The American Jazz Museum has created a star-studded promotional video that effectively communicates its mandate. Nicely done!