Now's the Time: Hearts of Darkness

I can't remember my excuse for not attending Farm Aid at Livestrong Sporting Park on August 13. At least I don't have to wonder how Hearts of Darkness fared in its opening slot. It's weird seeing the band on such a massive stage. Lest jazz purists protest Plastic Sax's ongoing endorsement of the band, I'll remind skeptics that in 2009 I suggested that "Hearts of Darkness convey the spirit, if not the sound, of Kansas City's (jazz) heyday." The band performs Saturday, December 17, at the RecordBar.

Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

The latest on Jardine's:

*Hearne Christopher confirms that Jardine's has reopened. He also wrote updates about the status of the jazz club here and here.

*Tony Botello continues to chronicle the saga here, here, here, here and here.

*A former Jardine's employee suggests that she was assaulted by her employer.

*Craig Glazer offers his two cents.

*A television news program covered a benefit for the "Jardine's 15." (Tip via Tony's Kansas City.)

*I'm unable to authoritatively verify troubling reports about the status of 1911 Main.

*From Doug Talley: This Friday, Dec. 16, 7:00-10:00pm, will be your last chance to hear Doug Talley and Rod Fleeman at Cafe Augusta which will be closing their doors at the end of the month. Join us for one final evening of good music and food!

*The Nutcracker and the Mouse King, the new album by The People's Liberation Big Band, is available now. The ensemble appears with the Owen/Cox Dance Ensemble of the ballet's current run at the H&R Block City Stage Theater in Union Station.

*Myra Taylor is remembered by KCJazzLark.

*A residential renovation project in the Jazz District has commenced.

*The new blog of the American Jazz Museum features an interview with Danny Embrey.

*Danny Alexander reviews a post-Mavis Staples show by Snuff Jazz.

*Pat Metheny and Chick Corea share their appreciation of Gary Burton.

*Chuck Berg reviewed a concert in Topeka by Sara Gazarek and Josh Nelson.

*Tweet o' the Week- clintashlock: I think if someone asked me to explain joy, I'd play them a recording of a Stevie Wonder harmonica solo.

*From an American Jazz Museum press release about the MCC-Penn Valley 18th & Vine Jazz Festival: Presented in partnership with MCC-Penn Valley, this festival is a non-competitive event providing middle school, high school and collegiate level students with an opportunity for increased experience and understanding of American jazz. All participating students will have opportunities to interact with internationally acclaimed jazz artists, local professional jazz musicians and distinguished educators as well as perform in two of the American Jazz Museum’s world renowned venues – the historic Gem Theater and the Blue Room jazz club.

*From UMKC's Conservatory of Music: …In March 2012, Kansas City brings to Le Poisson Rouge in New York a concert entitled "Crossroads": an eclectic mix of people and cultures, including composers Paul Rudy, winner of a 2010 Rome Prize fellowship; Guggenheim fellow James Mobberley; Chen Yi, winner of the Charles Ives Living Award from the American Academy of Arts and Sciences; NYC’s own John Corigliano, winner of the Pulitzer Prize and Barr Laureate Composer at UMKC in 2012-14; the music of Kevin Oldham and John Kander as sung by internationally acclaimed tenor and UMKC Professor Vinson Cole; and the New York City premiere of excerpts from Zhou Long's new opera "Madame White Snake," winner of the 2011 Pulitzer Prize in Music. (Via Steve Paul.)

(Original image of Logan Richardson, Matt Otto and Steve Lambert performing at Micah Herman's album release show at the RecordBar on December 11 by Plastic Sax.)

Myra Taylor, 1917-2011

When Plastic Sax was founded in 2007, Myra Taylor was one of this site's initial subjects. How could it be otherwise? With her outsized personality, active performance schedule and ties to Kansas City's illustrious past, Taylor was among the region's most prominent acts.

Taylor died Friday. Tim Finn wrote a thorough obituary. KCUR offers an invaluable report. A television bulletin suggests that "Taylor was considered the last living legend of the great age of Kansas City jazz." A press release from the American Jazz Museum noted that Taylor was a recipient of the institution's Lifetime Achievement Award.

Although it lacks the vigor of old tracks like "Take It Easy, Greasy", I stand by my assertion that Taylor's late-career album My Night To Dream ranks among the Top Ten Kansas City Jazz Recordings.

Taylor's status may have been appreciated by music historians and nerdy jazz bloggers, but she never achieved true celebrity status. This video encapsulates the public's indifference to Taylor's legend. And I'll confess that even I eventually tired of Taylor's schtick.

What I wouldn't give to experience it just one more time.

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Now's the Time: Boxcar

Here's an idea: What if just one out of every ten people who are publicly fretting about the status of jazz clubs on Main Street took a break from complaining on Saturday and went to see a jazz band perform at 18th & Vine? Not only would the Blue Room be packed, people might be reminded that music is far more compelling than the peccadilloes of club owners. Boxcar claims to combine "the panache of New Orleans, and the drive of New York City, with the free-spirited, underground jazz of Minneapolis."

Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

Enough already! I lost the taste for the biggest music-related story in Kansas City on Thursday after calling Jardine's and chatting with Beena (seen here in 2010) about the rumors that were already lighting up the internet. The difficult and complicated situation seems to elicit the worst traits of otherwise decent people. Here's a list of related links:

*Tony Botello notes the story here and here.

*Hearne Christoper covers the story here and here.

*A television reporter filed a story.

*Here's a take sympathetic to Jardine's former staff.

*Charles Ferruza chimes in.

*A former employee created a Help the Jardine's 15 Have a Merry Christmas Facebook group.

*KCJazzLark prudently looks at the big picture.

*The Star reports that the Terpsichore installation in the garage at the Kauffman Center made its official debut last week. It contains a contribution from Bobby Watson.

*Pat Metheny's What's It All About received a Grammy nomination in the Best New Age Album category and Karrin Allyson's 'Round Midnight is up for Best Jazz Vocal Album. Here's the complete list of nominees.

*Patrick Neas cites The People's Liberation Big Band's version of The Nutcracker Suite.

*Brad Cox is interviewed by The Pitch.

*Charles Ferruza laments the shuttering of Benton's and Skies, two restaurants that featured live jazz.

*Leah Sproul Pulatie is interviewed at the site of the Black House Improvisors' Collective.

*Phonologotronic shares his appreciation of Nine Inch Nails.

*Locally-based jazz critic Chris Robinson posts his top ten albums of 2011.

*David Basse hosted a celebration of Mike Melvoin's career in California.

*A new version of the Charlie Parker-inspired Super Sax concept has sprung up in New Mexico.

*Joe Klopus reports that an injury will prevent Kevin Mahogany from performing with The Kansas City Jazz Orchestra this weekend.

*Tweet o' the Week: KCTrumpeter- Defending @paynic to no end on FB! Trying to understand him and myself at the same time. #mfconpn

*From KTWU via Sue Vicory: The documentary Kansas City Jazz & Blues: Past, Present & Future will be aired on January 1, 2012 at 4:55pm. It is repeating on our digital channel 11.3 (KTWU Enhance) on Friday, January 6th at 7pm.

*From Michael Pagan: Reflections of Jazz Trilogy Receives Encore Presentation In The Blue Room December 15th. Jazz pianist/composer Michael Pagán will join forces with bassist Bob Bowman, drummer Ray DeMarchi, and saxophonist David Chael for a reprise performance of three jazz compositions inspired by artwork recently shown at the American Jazz Museum.

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Plastic Sax's Top Ten Albums and Concerts of 2011

Performances
1. KC Sound Collective- Blue Room
2. Matt Otto Quartet- Blue Room
3. Diverse with Tony Tixier- Grant Recital Hall
4. Joe Lovano & Us Five- Gem Theater
5. The People's Liberation Big Band- RecordBar
6. Deborah Brown- Gem Theater
7. Pat Metheny and Larry Grenadier- Liberty Hall
8. Marilyn Maye- Jardine's
9. Jonathan Butler- Gem Theater
10. The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra- Helzberg Hall

Albums
1. Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey- The Race Riot Suite
2. Joe Lovano & Us 5- Bird Songs
3. Bill Frisell & Vinicius Cantuaria- Lagrimas Mexicanas
4. Ambrose Akinmusire- When the Heart Emerges Glistening
5. David Binney- Graylen Epicenter
6. James Farm- James Farm
7. Orrin Evans- Captain Black Big Band
8. Mr. Marco's V7- Sparkin' Your Mama
9. Miguel Zenon- Alma Adentro: The Puerto Rican Songbook
10. Pat Metheny- What's It All About

Although Plastic Sax began in 2007, this site's initial top ten lists were posted in 2010.

(Image of Mike Warren performing at Take Five Coffee + Bar by Plastic Sax.)

Harold O'Neal's Artistic Autonomy

As agonizingly difficult and ultimately unproductive discussions about the meaning of jazz in 2011 hold sway at Plastic Sax and elsewhere, Harold O'Neal continues to epitomize the limitless range of an artistically autonomous musician. The Kansas City native former resident of Kansas City combines classical romanticism with Art Tatum-influenced jazz on his new solo piano album Marvelous Fantasy. O'Neal has also spend much of the year touring with underground hip hop star Murs. (Here's a bit of live footage.) Studio 360 offers a new 17-minute interview with O'Neal. (Tip on the Studio 360 feature via my friend E.G.'s Facebook status.)