The return of the American Jazz Museum’s Jammin’ at the Gem concert series is one of the year’s most encouraging developments. The smooth jazz saxophonist Najee opens the 2022-23 season on Saturday, December 17.
Confirmation: Weekly News and Notes
Original image by Plastic Sax.
*The Kansas City Jazz Orchestra has released a new version of Donny Hathaway’s “This Christmas” featuring vocalist Eboni Fondren.
*Craig Aker, a notable figure in the music community of Columbia, Missouri, is featured in The Maneater.
*Tweet of the Week: Aaron Bean- Doing my door guy thing tonight @GreenLadyLounge until 3am! Kansas City JAZZ at its finest.
*From a press release: Mike Dillon & Punkadelick have released "Pandas", the second single from their forthcoming album, Inflorescence, due January 27 on Royal Potato Family… “In our minds, Led Zeppelin and Milt Jackson, Parliament-Funkadelic and The Minutemen, The Bad Brains and Frank Zappa are interconnected," says Mike Dillon. "All that comes together in how we approach instrumental creative music. Punk rock, funk and jazz are not prefab things, they're about freedom. We have no genre restriction in this band..."
Plastic Sax’s Favorite Albums of 2022
The Top Ten Kansas City Jazz Albums of 2022
1. Bobby Watson- Back Home in Kansas City
2. Hermon Mehari- Asmara
3. Steve Cardenas- Healing Power: The Music of Carla Bley
4. Adam Larson Trio- With Love, From Kansas City
5. Adam Larson Trio- With Love, From Chicago
6. Krista Kopper and Evan Verploegh- For the Trees
7. Arnold Young and the Roughtet- Fear Is the Mind Killer
8. Rod Fleeman Trio- Saturday Afternoon: Live at Green Lady Lounge
9. Matt Villinger’s All Night Trio- All Faded
10. Stephen Martin- High Plains
The Top Ten Jazz Albums of 2022 by Artists from Elsewhere
1. Moor Mother- Jazz Codes
2. Mary Halvorson- Belladonna
3. Nate Wooley- Ancient Songs of Burlap Heroes
4. Dave Douglas- Songs of Ascent: Book 1- Degrees
5. Anat Cohen- Quartetinho
6. Matthew Shipp Trio- World Construct
7. Tyshawn Sorey- The Off-Off Broadway Guide to Synergism
8. Nduduzo Makhathini- In The Spirit of Ntu
9. Gerald Clayton- Bells on Sand
10. Daniel Villarreal- Panamá 77
Links to previous annual surveys begin here.
Now’s the Time: Josh Sinton
The distinguished baritone saxophonist Josh Sinton will perform at Vinyl Underground, the performance space in the basement of 7th Heaven, on Saturday, December 17. The Brooklyn based Sinton will be joined by Seth Davis and Drew Williams in the first set. Davis, Krista Kopper and Evan Verploegh are slated to join Sinton for a second set.
Confirmation: Weekly News and Notes
Original image by Plastic Sax.
*The American Jazz Museum has resurrected the Jammin’ at the Gem concert series. Four concerts have been announced without much fanfare: Najee, December 17; Eric Roberson, February 11; Artemis, March 18; the SFJazz Collective, April 1. Tickets to each concert are $65 and $75. Details are available here.
*Joe Dimino shared footage of a performance by the Charles Williams Trio at the Blue Room and interviewed Eddie Moore.
*Libby Hanssen recommends seasonal music by the Count Basie Orchestra and the Kerry Strayer Orchestra for KCUR.
*KCUR’s Up To Date program showcased TJ & The Tattletales’ revival of A Charlie Brown Christmas.
*Tweet of the Week: KU School of Music- Jazz Vespers is THIS THURSDAY at 7:30 PM @liedcenterks! The concert once again features performances of holiday favorites in a jazz and pop setting. Event is free, but tickets required: (link)
*From a press release: (A) follow-up to the 2012 ARC release Keyboard Christmas, and his fifteenth recording as a leader, Michael Pagán presents a program of holiday themed tracks… Keyboard Christmas II finds Kansas City based Pagán again in the solo piano idiom.
Plastic Sax's Favorite Performances of 2022
Original image of Bob Bowman and Peter Schlamb by Plastic Sax.
Top Performances by Kansas City Artists
1. Logan Richardson + Blues People at the Ship
2. Adam Larson, Clark Sommers and Dana Hall at Westport Coffee House
3. Black Crack Revue at Westport Coffee House
4. Steve Cardenas, Forest Stewart and Brian Steever at recordBar
5. Arnold Young and the RoughTet at the Ship
6. Bob Bowman and Peter Schlamb at Second Presbyterian Church
7. Evan Verplough and Ben Baker at World Culture KC
8. Rod Fleeman at Green Lady Lounge
9. Alter Destiny at Charlotte Street Foundation
10. Drew Williams, Ben Tervort and Brian Steever at Westport Coffee House
Top Performances by Artists from Elsewhere
1. Nduduzo Makhathini at the Blue Room
2. Ohma at the Midland theater
3. Livia Nestrovski and Henrique Eisenmann at the 1900 Building
4. High Pulp at recordBar
5. Phillip Greenlief at Bushranger Records
6. Terence Blanchard at Atkins Auditorium
7. Keefe Jackson, Jakob Heinemann and Adam Shead at Black Dolphin
8. Esthesis Quartet at the Blue Room
9. Kind Folk at the Black Box
10. Bill Summers and Forward Back at Dunbar Park
Now’s the Time: Clint Ashlock
Clint Ashlock, one of Kansas City’s most prominent musicians, performs at Lonnie’s Reno Club on Friday, December 2, and Saturday, December 3. The multi-dimensional artist performs an ambitious solo rendition of a seasonal song in the embedded video.
Confirmation: Weekly News and Notes
Original image by Plastic Sax.
*An article in The Community Voice about Anita Dixon’s current strategies for increasing the publicly funded music infrastructure suggests “(i)f you don’t know somebody who knows somebody, it’s hard to know live jazz in Kansas City still exists.”
*Nina Cherry endorses Marcus Lewis’ Big Band in Kansas City magazine.
*Pat Metheny is the subject of a Downbeat feature related to his win as Guitarist of the Year in the publication’s Readers Poll.
*Tweet of the Week: Tilted Chamber- @jeffshirleyjazz great show tonight at the Green Lady! #jazz #KansasCity #GreenLady
Album Review: Hermon Mehari- Asmara
Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce, the quarterback and tight end of the Kansas City Chiefs, are among the most celebrated duos in sports. Their astounding athleticism and apparent telepathic bond has led their professional football team to dozens of wins including a Super Bowl championship in 2019.
Hermon Mehari and Peter Schlamb, the trumpeter and vibraphonist/pianist who made names for themselves in Kansas City during the same era, are a similarly unstoppable force in improvised music. Their collaboration on Mehari’s new album Asmara is nothing short of triumphant.
“I Remember Eritrea,” a duet between Schlamb and Mehari, showcases their sublime compatibility. They’re joined by bassist Luca Fattorini and drummer Gautier Garrigue on the remainder of the tracks on the 35-minute album recorded in Paris. The wonderfully scratchy vocals of Faytinga augment “Tenafaqit” and “Milobe Lawa Furda.”
“Soul Chant” possesses the spirituality associated with South African pianist Nduduzo Makhathini. Schlamb and Mehari’s stupendous solos on the uplifting “Anthem for Independence” also serve notice they’re among jazz’s most imposing young improvisors. As with Mahones and Kelce, all they do is win.
Confirmation: OJT
Ken Lovern’s organ jazz trio, commonly known as OJT, is the de facto house band of Green Lady Lounge. The good-time group’s next gig at Kansas City’s most popular jazz venue kicks in at 6 p.m. Friday, November 25.
Confirmation: Weekly News and Notes
Original image by Plastic Sax.
*Snippets from a performance by Arnold Young and the Roughtet were shared by Joe Dimino.
*Mary Lou Williams aficionados are advised to investigate South Korean bassist Jeong Lim Yang’s startling interpretation of Zodiac Suite.
*Marc Myers has been on a Freddie Green spree at Jazz Wax.
*Tweet of the Week: Cinephile- Watched Altman's Kansas City. It seemed like it was an ode to his hometown, or his love for jazz, not a project driven to serve story or character. 6/10.
*From a press release: Kansas City Jazz Orchestra Executive Director Lea Petrie today announced the next concert for the 2022-2023 20th Anniversary season, The Family featuring guest artists Lonnie and Chloe McFadden, Tuesday,December 6 at 7 p.m. at the Helzberg Hall of the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts… Multitalented local legend Lonnie McFadden, a vocalist, trumpeter, and tap dancer, grew up immersed in Kansas City jazz through his deep, familial ties from his father Jimmy, a tap dancer who worked alongside Count Basie, Jay McShann, and Charlie Parker.
EP Review: Eddie Moore- Intuition
Matt Villinger croons about enjoying the company of friends in a smoky room on the title track of his 2022 album All Faded. The music that's “spinning everywhere” in Villinger’s scenario might be found on the new release by his fellow Kansas City keyboardist Eddie Moore.
Intuition, the debut solo album by the accomplished musician who was Plastic Sax’s 2016 Person of the Year, is a smoker’s delight. Most of the 24-minute project consists of wavy grooves that seem designed to complement the experiences of listeners who frequent dispensaries.
The shimmering “A New Me, A New You” nods to Bob James’ wavy classic “Nautilus.” The forward momentum of “Skate Park Days” explores the common ground between Lupe Fiasco and the Crusaders. A ticklish pulse makes “Brave Enough” Intuition’s most effective track.
The vibe is dampened by two selections featuring rappers. While their flows are good, the emcees add incongruous lyrical negativity. Whether or not it was Moore’s intention, Intuition is an ideal companion for the carefree consumption of chronic.
Now's the Time: Matt Chalk
Matt Chalk’s homecoming concert at the Blue Room on Friday, November 25, promises to be a momentous occasion. Once a notable teen prodigy, the saxophonist has refined his sound even further while living in Europe in recent years.
Confirmation: Weekly News and Notes
Original image by Plastic Sax.
*Hermon Mehari was featured on Radio France.
*Bird Lives, a Swedish tribute to Charlie Parker, was nominated for three Grammy Awards yesterday.
*Joe Dimino shared footage of Deborah Brown’s performance with the Kansas City Jazz Orchestra.
*Tweet of the Week: Dr. Compact Housedwarf- I have seen Etta at a jazz and blues festival in Kansas City! Too bad they don’t do that festival anymore. Outdoors and cheap to get in.
Album Review: Verploegh and Baker- Badger State Games
The cover art of Badger State Games is misleading. The design is an apparent homage to ECM Records, but the new album by drummer Evan Verploegh and saxophonist Ben Baker contains little of the icy composure associated with the European label. Instead, the Kansas City duo rages like a consumptive inferno. Listeners will know if they’re going to love or loathe Badger State Games within ten seconds. The ferocious skronk opening the album will instantly thrill connoisseurs of free jazz and repel all other comers. Perhaps because it’s a live recording, Badger State Games is even more aggressive than Singles, the duo’s thrilling 2021 album. Both albums share a purity of intent. One of the rare music based experiences even more visceral than succumbing to Badger State Games is catching a performance by the duo.
Now’s the Time: Jackson, Heinemann and Shead
Almost every aspect of a touring trio’s booking next week is out of the ordinary. In the first place, Chicago based improvisers don’t often stop in Kansas City. Furthermore, the daring sorts of sounds made by saxophonist Keefe Jackson, bassist Jakob Heinemann and drummer Adam Shead are rarely heard locally outside the auspices of the Extemporaneous Music and Arts Society. And perhaps most unusually, the excellent listening room Black Dolphin is hosting the trio for a rare Monday show on November 14.
Confirmation: Weekly News and Notes
Original image by Plastic Sax.
*Eddie Moore chatted with Steve Kraske on KCUR’s Up To Date. His portion of the segment begins around the 12-minute mark.
*Skateboard celebrity Sean Malto cites Green Lady Lounge as one of his favorite Kansas City haunts in a Thrillist feature.
*Tim Whitmer’s letter praising the late Charlie Wheeler was published by The Kansas City Star.
*Joe Dimino interviewed Deborah Brown and shared footage of a performance by the JCCC Faculty Jazz Quintet.
*Footage of Leon Brady’s 90th birthday party was uploaded to YouTube.
*Wyandotte Daily published a press release for m-pact’s activities at Kansas City Kansas Community College.
*Tweet of the Week: Steve Paul- "Healing Power: The Music of Carla Bley," by Steve Cardenas, Ben Allison, Ted Nash.
Album Review: Brian Baggett Trio- Groovin’ and Swingin’ at Green Lady Lounge
Original image by Plastic Sax.
The death of Eddie Van Halen two years ago was devastating. The celebrated musician’s family, friends and fans continue to mourn the loss. Had the guitar hero lived past 65, he may have joined the venerable list of rockers who turned their attention to jazz in their golden years.
Van Halen’s impact is increasingly pervasive. While he never approached the realm of the “big three” living jazz guitarists- Bill Frisell, Pat Metheny and John Scofield- Van Halen nonetheless made an impact on the sound of scores of jazz guitarists in recent decades.
Brian Baggett is a prime example. The Kansas City guitarist’s new album Groovin’ and Swingin’ at Green Lady Lounge possesses a sharp metallic tinge. Whether the influence is direct or filtered through other guitarists, Baggett’s playing contains strong echoes of Van Halen.
Rather than corrupting the form, Baggett’s perspective enlivens the music. What might otherwise have been a perfectly fine but typical mainstream jazz recording is elevated by jagged edges. Bassist Ben Tervort and drummer Taylor Babb provide a rock-solid foundation for Baggett’s invigorating approach.
Baggett is a central component of the robust calendar at Kansas City’s most popular jazz club. And on the surface, Groovin’ and Swingin’ at Green Lady Lounge is true to its title. The album captures the venue’s jubilant atmosphere. Jazz purists who treasure the classic jazz guitar work by the likes of Grant Green and Wes Montgomery are likely to embrace Baggett.
Yet even the album’s prettiest passages contain a hint of a rock and roll sneer. An appreciation of Van Halen hits like “Runnin’ with the Devil” isn’t necessary to enjoy Groovin’ and Swingin’ at Green Lady Lounge, but the sinfully good album may be appreciated most by guitar fans with expansive ears.
(The Kansas City venue will host the album release show for Groovin’ and Swingin’ at Green Lady Lounge at 6 p.m. Monday, November 6. The $5 cover charge includes a CD version of the album.)
Now's the Time: Keiko Matsui
The 2022-23 season of the Folly Jazz Series resumes Friday, November 4, with a concert by Keiko Matsui. Smooth jazz radio stations like Kansas City’s 106.5 The City advanced the keyboardist’s career in the 1990s.
Confirmation: Weekly News and Notes
Original image by Plastic Sax.
*A correspondent for The Boston Globe admired Green Lady Lounge.
*Nina Cherry interviewed Ryan J. Lee for The Pitch.
*Eddie Moore is among the musicians cited by Michelle Bacon in an NPR feature titled 8 Kansas City artists making a mark on their communities.
*Startland reported on the initiatives of musician and entrepreneur Tate Berry.
*Joe Dimino interviewed Brian Baggett and Brad Buckner.
*A Kansas City blogger includes plenty of jazz in a roundup of October’s best concerts and albums.
*Tweet of the Week: Cedric Feschotte- Work hard, play hard at #stuckonrepeat. Funk jazz chillin at @GreenLadyLoungewith @LandweberLab & @lohmueller (photo)