Concert Review: Dojo at the Green Lady Lounge

I attended the first set of a performance by Dojo last week partly because I was curious to discover how loud it would get at the Green Lady Lounge.

The decibel level- potent but not painful- was just right.

Brian Baggett shredded.  An appealing combination of Grant Green, Allan Holdsworth and Eddie Van Halen, the guitarist is a technical monster.

I already knew that Baggett was a master musician, but the fluidity of bassist Chris Handley floored me.  Ridiculously accomplished, Handley’s playing was almost as speedy as Baggett’s.  Drummer Luke Stone rounded out the ensemble.

As suggested in Plastic Sax’s review of Dojo’s 2013 album Road Trip, the trio plays propulsive fusion.  Here’s representative footage from a January show at the Green Lady Lounge.

About 25 people attended the set.  That’s not bad for a Tuesday night.  Even so, I know that there are thousands more fusion and metal fans in the area who would lose their minds if exposed to Baggett’s aggressive attack with Dojo.

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Now's the Time: Terri Lyne Carrington

I was disappointed by Terri Lyne Carrington’s perforrmance at the (sorely missed) Jazz Winterlude festival 15 months ago.  The drummer’s all-star band seemed tentative, and in spite of the billing of the concert, Carrington didn’t really dig into her excellent Money Jungle: Provocative in Blue album.  A post at Carrington’s Facebook account suggests that Lizz Wright, Tia Fuller and Helen Sung are among the prominent musicians that will join her at the Gem Theater on Saturday, March 14.

Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*Almost every aspect of a new video created by Ryan Lee is extraordinary.

*Albums by the ensembles led by Paul Shinn and Steve Lambert are reviewed by KC Jazz Lark.

*Mark Lowrey discussed his contribution to Tech N9ne’s forthcoming album with Tim Finn.

*The Kansas City Star reviewed Bill Frisell’s appearance at White Theatre.  Steve Kraske recently interviewed Frisell.

*KCUR aired a segment about Millie Edwards.

*The Pitch recommends an appearance by Stephanie Moore at the Broadway Jazz Club.

*A report on KCUR explores the 18th Street corridor.

*Joe Dimino’s recent Neon Jazz interview subjects include Oliver Lake and David Amram.

*Tweet o’ the Week: Deborah Love- Diva orchestra at the Blue Room in KC on 18th and Vine. All women.(photo)

*From Take Five Coffee: Friday, March 13, 8pm: Adam Schlozman Trio- Adam Schlozman is a guitarist on a mission. Come see him lead his own trio with bassist Joel Stratton and drummer Matt Leifer. $5 cover.  Saturday, March 14, 8pm: Shay Estes & Friends- With her trademark style – a little bit whimsical, a little bit wild… $5 cover.  Sunday, March 15, 10am - 2pm: Sunday Jazz Brunch: Gerald Spaits with Mark Lowrey- Bassist Gerald Spaits hosts our jazz brunch Month of Sundays in March… This… No cover.

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Album Review: Victor & Penny and Their Loose Change Orchestra- Live at the Living Room Theatre

My initial reaction when I first encountered Victor & Penny at The Brick four or five years ago was crass.

“I could sell that,” I thought.

I knew that the beautiful woman and the extraordinary guitarist performing the Great American Songbook would appeal to the moneyed country club set and to young fans of folk revivalists like Mumford & Sons.

The new album Live at the Living Room Theatre showcases an expanded version of the ensemble.  Saxophonist James Isaac and bassist Rick Willoughby, men admired for their contributions to Kansas City’s jazz community, join Erin McGrane and Jeff Frelin under the banner of the “Loose Change Orchestra.”

The core duo doesn’t categorize its music as jazz.  Instead, they’ve deftly sidestepped the issue of genre by using the term “antique pop.” It makes sense- Victor & Penny apply the same Tin Pan Alley treatment to contemporary material like Howard Iceberg’s “Indiscreet” as they give to Cole Porter’s “You’d Be So Nice to Come Home To.”

The premise would be overly cute if the musicians weren’t outstanding. Frelin and Isaac are virtuosos.

The new album isn’t the work that’s going to make Victor & Penny stars, but it’s an excellent calling card that should allow the ambitious duo to advance its career.

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Now's the Time: Diva

Diva, a New York based ensemble billed as “America’s most entertaining, liberated big band,” will perform two sets at the Blue Room on Saturday, March 7. 

Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*Chris Burnett lobbies against a proposed reduction in city funding for the American Jazz Musuem.  Greg Carroll spoke to a television reporter about the cuts.

*The Mutual Musicians Foundation will host a Women’s Jazz Weekend later this month.

*The Pitch recommends a concert featuring Millie Edwards.

*Joe Klopus previewed Bill Frisell’s forthcoming concert at White Theatre.

*Clint Ashlock offers insights into his writing process.

*Rudresh Mahanthappa was interviewed by Joe Dimino.  Anita Dixon of the Mutual Musicians Foundation spoke to Dimino about her plans for a low-watt radio station.

*Tweet o’ the Week: Chris Hazelton- I'm all for making a joyful noise unto the Lord, but can we put some tambourine regulations in place? #churchproblems #findthebeat

*From Take Five Coffee + Bar: Friday, March 6, 8pm: Marcus Lewis Band- Marcus Lewis is a tremendous force on trombone, whether fronting his own big band or backing the likes of Janelle Monae… Andy McGhie on saxophone, Peter Schlamb on vibraphone, Karl McComas-Reichl on bass and Ryan Lee on drums. $5 cover.  Saturday, March 7, 8pm: BCR- …They call what they do “future-primitive jazz” and it’s a big, colorful and adventurous show you don’t want to miss. $10 cover.  Sunday, March 8, 10am - 2pm: Sunday Jazz Brunch: Gerald Spaits with Charles Perkins and Harry Miller- …No cover.  Sunday, March 8, 7pm - 9pm: Jeff Harshbarger and a Super Secret Guest Artist- Bassist Jeff Harshbarger is bringing a secret guest for a special show… $10 cover.

*The Kansas City Jazz Calendar has been updated.

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Album Review: Bob Bowman- Songs for Sandra

Do you want to make me cry?  Cue up “What’ll I Do?,” the standout track on Bob Bowman’s Songs for Sandra album.

Knowing the project is a tribute to Bowman’s late wife renders Karrin Allyson’s distraught vocals all the more devastating.  While a few selections on the recording are overly polite, much of Songs for Sandra is similarly profound.

The opening track, a sensitive reading of “The Very Thought of You,” sets the tone.  The offhanded brilliance and subtle genius of Bowman’s playing reflect his quiet demeanor.  The gorgeous performances on the Danny Embrey composition “Another Time” are also exquisite. 

In addition to the appearances by Allyson and Embrey, the album released last December includes contributions from Laura Caviani, Rod Fleeman, Todd Strait, Roger Wilder and Eliot Zigmund.

An invaluable document, Songs for Sandra substantiates Bowman’s status as one of the most respected components of Kansas City’s jazz scene.

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)