Review: The Dead Kenny Gs- Operation Long Leash

Are The Dead Kenny Gs a jazz band? If the trio's namesake represents one extreme edge of the jazz spectrum then the Dead Kenny Gs surely belong in precisely the same spot at the opposite end of the chart.

Operation Long Leash, scheduled for a March 15 release, contains funk, punk and more than a little bit of jazz. Just as the music of the smooth jazz star pacifies its listeners, the aggressive attack of the Dead Kenny Gs agitates. The project appeals to fans of Rage Against the Machine much more than to aficionados of Al Hirt.

None of this comes as any surprise to adventurous Kansas City music fans. Mike Dillon, the trio's acclaimed percussionist, was a member of the locally-based avant-jazz band Malachy Papers. He also occasionally shows up in Kansas City as a member of the touring bands of artists like Ani DiFranco.

Plastic Sax readers who don't already know which side of the fence they're on need only watch a few seconds of this recent live footage to determine if they're down with the noise.

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Now's the Time: Christian McBride

Thanks to a tip from Plastic Sax reader and KJHK radio personality Lucas Homer, I learned that Christian McBride will be in Lawrence on Saturday, March 5, as part of the KU Jazz Festival. Dick Oatts is featured on Friday, March 4. McBride's work alongside Pat Metheny and Antonio Sanchez speaks for itself.

Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*Ellis Marsalis' recent concert at the Folly Theater is reviewed by Kristin Shafel.

*Terry Teachout recalls a George Shearing performance in Kansas City in his tribute to the late pianist.

*Jeff Harshbarger is among the musicians quoted in a profile of Michael Stover.

*KCJazzLark suggests that Kansas City's jazz musicians are the equal of those in any city.

*The three videos of Julian Lage's performance at the Blue Room uploaded by Steve Paul lend extra authority to his positive review.

*Here's the latest dispatch from the Black House Improvisors' Collective.

*A Washington D.C. publication previews an appearance by Bobby Watson.

*St. Louis Jazz Notes reports that Tony Bennett will perform at the Fox Theatre on May 7.

*Tweet o' the Week: Clint Ashlock: Harlings. Tonight. 9pm. Come give me money, and I'll give you a New Jazz Order CD. It has Bobby Watson on it, so you KNOW it's good!

*From Andrew McGhie: I'll be performing at The Fishtank this Saturday from 7.30-9.30 with some really great musicians. the line up is as follows- Hermon Mehari: trumpet, Peter Schlamb: vibraphone, Karl McComas-Reichl: bass, Brad Williams: drums.

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Review: Todd Clouser at the Record Bar

Don't call it fusion.

While jazz and rock were equally represented during Todd Clouser's gig Sunday at the Record Bar, Clouser's innovative approach delineated a new way to reconcile the styles. He and his three-piece band played pure jazz with the aesthetic sensibility of rock musicians.

Rendered as jazz standards, Nirvana's "All Apologies" and Jimi Hendrix's "Manic Depression" sounded no less out of context than excellent Clouser originals like "Serenity Now." All were played with feeling rather than with flash. A friend noted that it was refreshing to hear a guitarist play so slowly. Similarly, Adam Meckler allowed his trumpet to squeak tentatively as he interpreted the lyrics of Kurt Cobain's "All Apologies."

Alas, my highfalutin' theorizing and lavish advance praise isn't good for much. Only about 25 people attended. Clouser's gambit isn't the only promising path to reclaim a vibrant audience for jazz. It is, however, one of the most rewarding.

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Now's the Time: Julian Lage

I should know better than to judge a man by his haircut. Based on his clean-cut appearance, I automatically assumed that guitarist Julian Lage was a jazz traditionalist in the mold of John Pizzarelli. Lage, 23, isn't like that at all. He mentions Pat Metheny, David Grisman and Bela Fleck in an EPK from 2009. Lage is actually a newgrass artist in the mold of Chris Thile and Kansas-based guitar hero Andy McKee. Joe Klopus previewed Lage's Monday appearance at the Blue Room and Todd Clouser's concert Sunday at the Record Bar.

Confirmation: Weekly News & Notes

*I've never attempted to disguise my infatuation with Esperanza Spalding. Ever since I wrote this essay about the significance of Spalding in 2009, I've taken to calling her "The One." That's why I suspect Tim Finn might be referring to me in his wrap-up of the Grammy Awards. "Her victory was particularly sweet for jazz and other music fans, who tend to dismiss the importance of the Grammys until they win one," he wrote. That's me, all right.

*Michael Shults wrote a fantastic profile of fellow former Kansas Citian Phil DeGreg for All About Jazz.

*Various incarnations of Diverse are praised by KCJazzLark.

*A Bonner Springs publication features Mimi Carbery.

*A February 17 auction in the Chicago area will include a box lot of vintage Kansas City jazz albums.

*Dave Stephens' biggest fan documents a gig.

*Howard Mandel is diligently reporting on the possible end of the Jazz Masters Program. Several recent events at Kansas City's American Jazz Museum have benefited from its connection to the publicly-funded initiative.

*Tweet o' the Week: StLJazzNotes: Bill Frisell to perform Thursday, May 12 at the Old Rock House.

*From Chris Burnett: Live at the Hollywood Theater will open its 2011 Season on March 19, 2011 with a double bill concert featuring the two ensembles led by Chris Burnett and Matt Otto. Both Kansas City-based saxophone artists and composers will present a 45 minute set of combining original works and select work by other composers. There will be an intermission between ensemble performances. The series also serves as a community fundraiser... Future concerts in the Leavenworth series include The Elders (Celtic rock) on May 14 and Angela Hagenbach on November 19.

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)

Preview: Todd Clouser's A Love Electric at the Record Bar

Three unrelated facts about may tell Plastic Sax readers all they need to know about jazz-rock guitarist Todd Clouser.

• He was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and is currently based in Baja, Mexico.
• He covers Harry Nilsson's "One" on A Love Electric, his invigorating new album on the Ropeadope label.
• He's performing at the Record Bar on Sunday, February 20, as part of Jeff Harshbarger's Alternative Jazz series.

That's enough to get me excited about the gig, but fence-straddlers might also like to know the following:

• Trumpeter Steve Bernstein, perhaps best known for his work with Sex Mob, is a frequent Clouser collaborator. (I don't know if Bernstein will be with the band for the gig in Kansas City.)
• The band might also cover Led Zeppelin and Nirvana.
• CD Baby suggests the new album is "recommended if you like Jeff Beck, Marc Ribot, Medeski, Martin and Wood." That's about right.

Not your thing? Well, Alaturka returns to Jardine's that night while Mark Lowrey plays at Sullivan's.

(Original image by Plastic Sax.)