James DeRigne

As with many jazz fans, Plastic Sax's path to the music was convoluted.

Kansas City, Missouri's free Sunday night jazz concert series made a profound impact on me. But I also came to jazz via a teenage flirtation with progressive rock by the likes of Gong and King Crimson. That led me to Billy Cobham, the ECM stable, Miles and so on.

James DeRigne played a small role in that process. When I'd visit him at the Record Cabinet, his odd little prog-rock speciality shop on Mission Road (or was it Rainbow?), he'd often have jazz playing in the background. I also vaguely recall a prominently displayed autographed Buck Clayton album.

At the time, I thought it strange that a guy would be interested in both weird European rock and traditional jazz. Now, of course, it seems perfectly natural to me.

DeRigne died June 3.

A Jazz Rorschach Test

Consider this video a jazz Rorschach test.

Which of the following do you see as you view this area ensemble:

a) Dedicated middle school jazz instructors instilling discipline and art appreciation into youngsters?

b) A bright and rosy future for jazz?

c) Bored teenagers desecrating a Sonny Rollins standard?

d) Confirmation that a stylish hat always looks sharp?

(For the record, I think these kids are pretty good. Additionally, I have no connection to this group. I uncovered this footage by searching for "Doug Talley" at YouTube.)

Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*The ballot for the annual Pitch music awards offers an interesting perspective on Kansas City's jazz scene. The category's nominees are John Brewer, Snuff Jazz, the Boulevard Big Band, Megan Birdsall, Ahmad Alaadeen and Kerry Strayer. That's quite a mix.

*Steve Penn analyzes development in the jazz district.

*Even though it fails to capture the essence of her performance, you'll want to view this video montage of Megan Birdsall's turn at last weekend's Jazz In the Woods festival.

*Plastic Sax plans to avoid the auction of the Music Exchange's remaining inventory. Too much baggage and too many ghosts...

*Rhythm & Ribs reviews are trickling in. An Inkc blogger liked the beer. This guy like Louis Hayes. This person didn't care for another fan's antics. Present offers a nice black and white set of photos.

*Prime Pat Metheny from 1982 was just uploaded to YouTube.

*John and Ken Eberhart present From Jazz To Verse July 8 at the downtown library.

*I'm sorry I failed you, loyal Plastic Sax readers. This event at the Central Library happened yesterday. Just like you, I read about it the paper.

*The Kansas City Kansas Street Blues Festival is this weekend.

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Uncloudy Day

The Plastic Sax staff managed to drop by Corporate Woods on Saturday and Sunday. We left both days before the headliners appeared. The size of the audience Saturday was at least fifty percent larger than on Sunday.

This is news because Saturday was ostensibly a "jazz" day. The site transformed into a country festival Sunday.

Is this disparity a referendum on jazz versus country? Was Saturday's big crowd only there for the Average White Band, the '70s funk hitmakers? Are Lone Star, the headliners Sunday, no longer able to attract thousands of fans? Or is it just that fewer people go out on Sunday?

I don't know what to make of it.

Megan Birdsall and her band of first-call ringers, by the way, were spectacular.

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Now's the Time: Jazz In the Woods

It wasn't that long ago when Kansas City jazz artists like Vince Bilardo and Angela Hagenbach were the featured performers at Jazz In the Woods. Plastic Sax remembers the festival's humble origins in the parking lot that now serves diners at Garozzo's.

Everything changes... And the current setting is very lovely.

Ward Triplett has a nice preview of the 2008 edition of the annual event in today's Star. As with last week's Rhythm & Ribs post, I've linked to a video for each featured artist.

Friday, 5:30
It's no secret that I adore Erin Bode. That's the St. Louis crossover artist's video above. Her 2006 gig at Jazz In the Woods was a stunner.

Friday, 7:15
Greg Adams' EPK (electronics press kit) manages to amuse.

Friday, 9:00
Kim Wilson stills fronts the band, but otherwise the version of the Fabulous Thunderbirds getting dirty on "Tuff Enuff" in this video is not the same one performing Saturday.

Saturday, 5:30
A Kansas City jazz artist is on the bill! And an excellent one at that. Let's hope that Megan Birdsall commands a more attentive audience than the awful crowd in this video.

Saturday, 7:15
The sound is a little thin on this Grady Nichols video, but you get the idea.

Saturday, 9:00
The Average White Band introduced a wee Plastic Sax to James Brown's sound with '70s hits "Cut the Cake" and "Pick Up the Pieces." This video is an accurate depiction of what they'll look and sound like Saturday.

Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*Here's a little history of the St. Joseph Coleman Hawkins Jazz Festival. The 2008 edition takes place this weekend.

*Sometime jazz cat Bill Caldwell made the cover of the Star in a very interesting story about the increasingly prevalent use of prerecorded music at Branson's theaters.

*"Will the 18th & Vine District Survive?" A pretty rough headline is attached to Marissa Cleaver's KSHB piece on Rhythm & Ribs.

*Tim Finn makes the rounds Saturday, including a stop at Rhythm & Ribs.

*A saxophone museum in St. Louis? I don't see any Graftons listed.

*Our friend Lee Ingalls laments the loss of Esbjorn Svensson.

*Alaadeen received a grant.

*The Plastic Sax staff continues to mourn the loss of Ed Fenner. Selfishly, we shed a new tear each time we check to see if the Jazz Ambassador's calendar is still blank.

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Jazz Vs. Hip Hop: A KC Encounter

Jazz trio video footage from First Friday

Jazz battled hip hop on First Friday. Hip hop won.

It's no secret that all types of music are appreciated at the Plastic Sax office complex. We like to hear Thelonious Monk sandwiched between Jay-Z and Willie Nelson, just as we enjoy heavy metal concerts no less than jam sessions at the Mutual Musicians Foundation.

Even so, the epiphany I experienced June 6 on 18th Street came as quite a shock.

Two live performances were taking place less than fifty yards from one another. The first-rate jazz trio (photograph and video footage above) featured Dave Creighton on organ, Jack Blackett on sax and drummer Steve "Duck" McLane. The skilled musicians are excellent. Furthermore, Blackett and McLane were members of one of the best Kansas City bands of all time.

But the hip hop show by the Soul Providers (photograph and video footage below) down the block was far more dynamic and exciting. A furious MC battle evoked the spirit of the fabled 12th Street cutting contests of Kansas City's jazz era heyday.

The immediate, stark contrast was a revelation. Although my love of the form hasn't wavered, no longer can I pretend that jazz is particularly relevant in today's world.






















Soul Providers video footage from First Friday

(Original photographs by Plastic Sax.)