The buoyant Kansas City trombonist Brian Scarborough will perform with saxophonist Matt Otto, pianist Roger Wilder, bassist Ben Tervort and drummer Doug Auwarter at Westport Coffee House on Thursday, May 12. Otto and Tervort assist Scarborough in a rendering of the title track of his 2020 debut album Sunflower Song in the embedded video.
Confirmation: Weekly News and Notes
Original image by Plastic Sax.
*Doreen Maronde, a longtime Kansas City jazz advocate, is the subject of a lovely video profile created by Lakeview Village.
*Larry Kopitnik and James McGee considered the history of the Mutual Musicians Foundation with Steve Kraske on KCUR’s Up to Date program.
*The American Jazz Museum, the Kansas City Jazz Orchestra and KC Jazz Alive are among the recipients of grants from Kansas City, Missouri’s Neighborhood Tourist Development Fund.
*The Kansas City Star amplified the American Jazz Museum’s current talking points.
*I tried and failed. Again. Kansas City isn’t represented among the Jazz Journalists Association’s 2022 Winners for Jazz Performance and Recordings.
*Tweet of the Week: Luke X. Martin- Mingus Big Band at the @ajazzmuseumKC's Gem Theater on International Jazz Day. Y'all missed a great show, #KansasCity!
Concert Review: High Pulp at recordBar
Original image by Plastic Sax.
Even if Kansas City isn’t quite ready to embrace the music’s future, jazz is going to be just fine. An invigorating performance by High Pulp at recordBar on Thursday, April 28, belied the fact the room was nearly empty. The giddy Seattle collective’s thrilling effort was an affirmation of jazz’s ongoing adaptability.
Countless pundits continue to wring their hands about the declining popularity of conventional forms of jazz. I’m guilty of occasionally joining the doomsayers. High Pulp’s mind-expanding and deliriously edifying set should inhibit negativity about the commercial prospects of improvised music for the foreseeable future at this site.
Had the same sounds been presented at a festival between sets by the like-minded young duo Domi & JD Beck and the jazz-loving rapper Tyler, The Creator, High Pulp would likely be hailed as the event’s breakout act. The fun-loving jazz-based cosmic grooves freely incorporate elements of hip-hop and electronic music.
The members of High Pulp are among the scores of sonically inclusive musicians working in the wake of Flying Lotus. Far from stooping to the lowest common denominator, High Pulp attempts to elevate listeners to the highest spiritual sphere. While many solos were outstanding, every note was intended to advance an ecstatic sensibility.
The only thing missing at Thursday’s show was an audience. Not counting the venue’s staff or the members of the other three bands on the bill- a power trio led by Jered Mattson of The Mattson 2, the electro-funk duo Kid Pari and the plugged-in singer-songwriter Meyadi- a dozen Kansas Citians heard a tantalizing sample of a flourishing future.
Now’s the Time: Stephen Martin
Stephen Martin, one of Kansas City’s finest young musicians, will lead bands at Black Dolphin on Saturday, April 30, and Friday, May 6. The saxophonist is likely to showcase material from his impressive new album High Plains. He’ll be joined by pianist Brant Jester, bassist Sam Copeland and drummer John Kizilarmut on April 30. Pianist Andrew Ouellette, bassist Sam Copeland and drummer Brian Steever will accompany Martin on May 6.
Confirmation: Weekly News and Notes
Original image by Plastic Sax.
*Herbie Hancock, Robert Glasper, Thundercat and The Comet is Coming are among the jazz and jazz-adjacent artists performing at the inaugural Format Festival in Bentonville, Arkansas, in September.
*Drew Williams created an enhanced performance video filmed during his trio’s recent appearance at Westport Coffee House.
*A local television station reported on high school band performances at the Gem Theater.
*Joe Dimino shared a taste of a Preston Portley show at the Blue Room. He also interviewed Miguel de Leon, Alyssa Murray and Anita Dixon and Robert Farmer.
*The author of this site lists his favorite albums, songs and performances of April at There Stands the Glass.
*Tweet of the Week: Pat Metheny- Exciting Side-Eye News We are thrilled to welcome a fantastic new player to the ongoing evolution of Pat's Side-Eye project. 24-year-old keyboard phenom Chris Fishman will be featured on the upcoming European tour (tour date graphic)
*From the Mutual Musicians Foundation: On Saturday, April 30 members will host an Open House to commemorate the 105th anniversary of the Mutual Musicians Foundation— the oldest jazz house in the world. The event, which coincides with International Jazz Day, will celebrate the history of the Foundation and its contributions to the art form. The general public is invited to sit in on live jam sessions, learn about upcoming events for the year-long tribute and the relaunch of KOJH; the Foundation's community radio station. (9:30 p.m. - 1:00 a.m.)
Album Review: Josh Nelson Bob Bowman Collective- Tomorrow is Not Promised
Bob Bowman is a Kansas City institution. Although he now lives in Montana, the venerable bassist was a cornerstone of the area’s jazz scene for decades. Bowman’s playing has always been tasteful but never boring, perpetually swinging yet admirably unpredictable.
Bowman’s impeccable contribution is the heart and soul of Tomorrow is Not Promised, a new recording he oversees with pianist Josh Nelson. Drummer Steve Haughton, guitarist Larry Koonse and saxophonist Bob Sheppard round out the session.
As with most projects involving Bowman, the album is a graceful demonstration of mainstream jazz. “Sometime Ago” is among the tracks featuring lively interplay between Bowman and Nelson. “Blues for Albert E.” boasts a particularly engaging riff on an album filled with sprightly melodies.
The Los Angeles based Nelson displays the deft touch heard in his Kansas City appearances with musicians including Sara Gazarek. Haughton, Sheppard and Moonse sound similarly becoming. Yet without attempting to draw attention to himself, the unassuming Bowman steals the show.
Now’s the Time: High Pulp
The frenetic fusion of High Pulp is akin to the music made by Flying Lotus and Snarky Puppy. The Seattle collective receives assists from jazz luminaries Theo Croker, Jacob Mann, Jaleel Shaw and Brandee Younger on its new album Pursuit of Ends. High Pulp performs at miniBar on Thursday, April 28.
Confirmation: Weekly News and Notes
Original image by Plastic Sax.
*Performances and discussions featuring the Pittsburgh based Deanna Witkowski, a Mary Lou Williams scholar and jazz pianist, will be part of Creative City KC’s celebration of Jazz Day on April 30.
*Julie Denesha caught up with Lonnie McFadden for KCUR.
*Joe Dimino documented Alyssa Murray’s recent appearance at the Blue Room.
*David Basse’s site hosts Brian Scarborough’s interview with trombonist Steve Davis.
*Tweet of the Week: Kansas City Tweets from 1922- "In the historic 18th and Vine Jazz District, rollicking, riffing, and rambunctious music was the soundtrack of the 20s and 30s, and it lasted all night long." A concert to memorialize that is Saturday, May 14th. I'm going! (link)
*From the American Jazz Museum: After a two-year break during the pandemic, the 18th and Vine Jazz Festival is returning to the Gem Theater and American Jazz Museum in Kansas City’s 18th and Vine Historic Jazz District. The 2022 festival is an annual three-day event for middle school and high school jazz ensembles, scheduled for 8am to 5pm Thursday, April 21st through Saturday, April 23rd. Although it started 20 years ago, this will be the 18th year of the festival after the two-year break due to Covid.
Album Review: Arnold Young and the RoughTet- Fear Is the Mind Killer
Arnold Young has dedicated much of the past fifty years to giving the straight-laced component of Kansas City’s jazz community the hot foot. In a deliciously ironic development, the trickster has created a leading contender for the strongest locally released album of 2022.
Fear Is the Mind Killer, the drummer’s powerhouse recording with his band the RoughTet, is suffused with the rebellious spirit of Kansas City icon Charlie Parker and his fellow bebop revolutionaries Dizzy Gillespie, Charles Mingus, Thelonious Monk and Max Roach. It’s an ecstatic jazz riot.
In spite of its fealty to the venerated sounds of the 1940s, Fear Is the Mind Killer sounds subversive in present-day Kansas City. Young and his collaborators apply a raucous devil-may-care approach to improvised music. And they embrace anarchic noise on tracks including the aptly titled “For Anthony Braxton.”
Young began providing a prominent alternative to Kansas City’s jazz establishment with his band Advertisement for a Dream in the early 1970s. His status as a perennial outsider has intensified Young’s artistic commitment but may also be partly responsible for his indifference to marketing.
Young can’t be bothered with prosaic matters such as websites, press releases and distribution. Fear Is the Mind Killer may or may not feature Jacob Schwartzberg, Quin Wallace and John Nichols.* Whoever they are, his co-conspirators abet Young’s lifelong commitment to getting into the right kind of trouble.
*Young has since confirmed that the saxophonist, trumpeter and bassist are featured on the album. Saxophonist Jack "Blackie" Blackett plays on one track.
Now’s the Time: Eliane Elias
The Brazilian pianist Eliane Elias returns to the Folly Theater on Saturday, April 16. Mirror Mirror, a project featuring Chick Corea and Cucho Valdéz, won a Grammy Award in the category of Best Latin Jazz Album on April 3. Elias performs with Marc Johnson in the embedded video. Elias and the storied bassist are married.
Confirmation: Weekly News and Notes
Original image by Plastic Sax.
*Jon Poses praises Tomorrow Is Not Promised, the new album by the Josh Nelson/Bob Bowman Collective, for The Columbia Daily Tribune.
*Steve Paul documented a portion of a recent performance by the Jeff Harshbarger Quartet at the Blue Room.
*Joe Dimino captured the ambience of a Westport Coffee House show featuring River Cow Orchestra.
*Tweet of the Week: Sly James- Good groove w/ #RSS @ #GreenLadyLoungetonight. #LoveKC. #StayFrosty
Concert Review: Drew Williams, Ben Tervort and Brian Steever at Westport Coffee House
Original image by Plastic Sax.
Prior to his first set with bassist Ben Tervort and drummer Brian Steever at Westport Coffee House on Sunday, April 3, saxophonist and bandleader Drew Williams told the audience of about 30 that the show marked the first time his child was in attendance at one of his public performances.
As the toddler contentedly played with doting adults, at least one member of the audience was overwhelmed with a correspondingly childlike sense of wonder. The trio’s invigorating 45-minute volley of improvised music simultaneously honored and augmented Kansas City’s jazz legacy.
Williams characterized an original composition consisting of six pages of notated music a “behemoth.” The ambitious undertaking- along with a trace of electronics on the opening selection- makes Williams susceptible to accusations of trafficking in an academic form of jazz.
A muscular version of Charlie Parker’s “Cheryl” refuted any potential priggish denunciations from conservative devotees of mainstream sounds. Williams’ return to a Kansas City stage following an extended residency in New York was a triumph. The big city’s loss is Kansas City’s gain.
Now’s the Time: Alyssa Murray
Alyssa Murray is an esteemed advocate and respected collaborator on Kansas City’s jazz scene. As the embedded video indicates, she’s also an engaging art-pop artist. Murray will perform during the lunch hour at the Blue Room on Thursday, April 14.
Confirmation: Weekly News and Notes
Original image by Plastic Sax.
*The Ship hosts a tribute to the late Kansas City organist Dave Creighton on Wednesday, April 6.
*Angela Ward chatted with Joe Dimino.
*The Newton Kansan previewed an appearance by the Kansas City based trumpeter Aaron Linscheid.
*Tweet of the Week: Darin Murphy- After our last show of the March tour, we threw down at the Green Lady in Kansas City, one of the coolest jazz rooms anywhere on earth. @trishmurphy, Gina, Prairie, Beth and I are madly in love with KC MO!
Album Review: Norman Brown- Let’s Get Away
It’s easy to undervalue Norman Brown. The guitarist’s frictionless music seems effortless. Prioritizing sumptuous grooves rather than showy soloing has kept the Kansas City-raised Brown in the upper tier of smooth jazz musicians for two decades. His sound is the logical extension of the crossover innovations of jazz guitar icons Wes Montgomery and George Benson. Brown continues to refine the melodic flourishes and elaborate production of landmark recordings like Montgomery’s A Day in the Life (1967) and Benson’s Breezin’ (1976) on his 13th album Let’s Get Away. Brown’s consummate craftsmanship makes indulging in Let’s Get Away a gloriously escapist experience.
Now’s the Time: Marbin
The peripatetic fusion band Marbin performs at miniBar on Wednesday, April 6. The Chicago based quartet has gleefully defied categorization for more than a decade.
Confirmation: Weekly News and Notes
Original image by Plastic Sax.
*The Kansas City jazz organist Dave Creighton has reportedly died. Creighton is best known among the general public for his band’s street performances on First Fridays.
*The Kansas City Star notes the passing of drummer Marvin Jones.
*Joe Dimino checked in with Vincent Orsolini.
*Tweet of the Week: Green Lady Lounge- Macedonia listeners represent 5% of Green Lady Radio listeners over the last 30 days. Thanks for listening to all original compositions by Kansas City jazz musicians!
Concert Review: Steve Cardenas at recordBar
Original image by Plastic Sax.
Giovanni Russonello’s "Where Jazz Lives Now" treatise in The New York Times generated a kerfuffle in jazz circles last week. The controversial article asserts that most performances of groundbreaking improvised music no longer transpire in venues dedicated to jazz.
The claim rings true in Kansas City. A significant portion of adventurous jazz programming in the region during the past 15 years has been presented under the auspices of the Jeff Harshbarger Presents series at the rock-oriented venue recordBar.
Members of an attentive audience of about 100 paid $15 to hear a homecoming concert by the New York based guitarist Steve Cardenas at recordBar on Sunday, March 20. Cardenas was joined by bassist Forest Stewart and drummer Brian Steever in the series’ first presentation since the onset of the pandemic.
In spite of its unconventional setting, little of the internecine contention generated by Russonello’s feature applied to the outing. The trio’s elevated musicianship was beyond destructive turf wars. They implied avant-garde wooliness even as they evinced Kansas City-style swing.
Renditions of original compositions by Cardenas and Stewart were as potent as the standards performed by the trio. The strong show of support, superlative sound and exceptional music made debate irrelevant. Kansas City’s jazz scene seemed entirely cohesive, healthy and robust at a rock club last Sunday.
First set: Wail (Bud Powell), Newer Normal (Forest Stewart), Lost and Found (Steve Cardenas), Fleurette Africaine (Duke Ellington), Don Formation (Forest Stewart), untitled (Steve Cardenas), Ladies in Mercedes (Steve Swallow)
Now's the Time: Vanessa Rubin
The discerning adaptability of Vanessa Rubin helped a student band sound like a professional orchestra at a concert in Portland reviewed by Plastic Sax earlier this month. Supported by ringers including drummer Carl Allen, pianist Reggie Thomas and saxophonist Bobby Watson at the Blue Room on Saturday, March 26, Rubin will almost certainly affirm her reputation as an elite old-school jazz vocalist.
Confirmation: Weekly News and Notes
Original image by Plastic Sax.
*The Kansas City musician Marvin Jones has died.
*Johnnie’s Jazz Bar & Grille in downtown Kansas City will transform into a Harry Potter-themed space for seven days in April.
*Steve Paul filmed a portion of Steve Cardenas’ appearance at recordBar. Joe Dimino documented Angela Ward Trio’s recent midday show at the Blue Room.
*Marc Myers admires Frank Foster at JazzWax.
*Tweet of the Week: Michael Eaton- I'm in Kansas City on April 20, playing with Second Nature Ensemble for the EMAS series at @CharlotteStreetaround 8:30pm. A great concert series worth your support! SN is a mix of free jazz, new music, and electronic music, aiming to do something different in KC jazz + improv.