Michael Pagán recently shared the embedded video featuring clips of his band Paganova performing at Westport Coffee House. The Kansas City pianist’s busy schedule includes a trio performance at Black Dolphin on Saturday, April 8.
Confirmation: Weekly News and Notes
Original image by Plastic Sax.
*The New York Times honored the art of Mary Lou Williams.
*Alan Voss chatted with Joe Dimino.
*Tweet of the Week: New Music Circle: Our 64th season concludes with a first-time visit by NYC avant-jazz saxophonist/composer, Anna Webber. Anna is on tour with her new quintet, Shimmer Wince. They perform this Saturday (April 8) at @pulitzerarts. Don’t miss it! Info: (link to St. Louis presenters)
Funding Frisell
Original image by Plastic Sax.
The tours of most crucial figures at the cutting edge of jazz tend to bypass Kansas City. Bill Frisell is a glorious exception. An extraordinary concert last month was the latest installment in a series of the iconic guitarist’s area performances.
That’s why the biggest heroes at the 1900 Building on Wednesday, March 22, may not have been Frisell, saxophonist Greg Tardy, pianist Gerald Clayton and drummer Johnathan Blake or the more than 200 people who purchased $40 tickets to the sold-out concert.
Cultural benefactors in the Karbank family have partially subsidized at least eight Kansas City area appearances by Frisell in recent years. In this instance, their patronage allowed an audience to experience innovations including an extended segment exploring the post-ragtime, pre-swing music of a century ago.
Important musicians including Anthony Braxton, Mary Halvorson and Matthew Shipp may never perform in Kansas City. Yet thanks to the generosity of the Karbanks, local aficionados are periodically thrilled by one of the preeminent improvisers of our time.
Now's the Time: Maria Elena Silva
Jeff Parker is among the notable improvisors who contributed to Maria Elena Silvas’ 2021 album Eros. The genre-bending artist performs at Farewell on Saturday, April 1. Torches Mauve is one of the evening’s two opening acts.
Confirmation: Weekly News and Notes
Original image by Plastic Sax.
*From a press release: Outside In Music is thrilled to announce the April 7, 2023 release of With Love, From New York from saxophonist Adam Larson. Marking Larson’s eighth release as a leader, With Love, From New York is most notably the last installment in his series of trio albums recorded in 2021 and 2022, each featuring rhythm section mates who hail from cities important to his musical development: Chicago, his current home of Kansas City, and his former home of New York City. It serves as a punctuation mark on his flurry of recent activity, with first-call New York musicians Obed Calvaire and Matt Clohesy assisting with effortless elan on drums and bass.
*Tweet of the Week: Carnegie Hall- Cabaret legend Marilyn Maye joined Steven Reineke and @TheNewYorkPopson stage at Carnegie Hall for a program of standards and musical theater classics. The sensational evening made clear why she’s been celebrated as one of America’s greatest jazz singers.
Concert Review: Artemis at the Gem Theater
Original image by Plastic Sax.
I fixated on an unsold ticket in the center of the front row for Artemis’ appearance at the Gem Theater during the first two weeks of March. Two factors kept me from immediately pulling the trigger.
At $81.20 including fees, it’d be among the most expensive concert tickets I’ve purchased. Furthermore, the band’s mainstream jazz isn’t my favorite form of improvised music. I’m glad I bought the ticket in a foolhardy moment.
My heart sank moments after sitting in the best seat in the house on Saturday, March 18. A forest of music stands cluttered the stage, an indication my apprehensions were warranted. Sure enough, the musicians buried their noses in charts for much of the 90-minute performance.
Yet the sextet won me over with prodigious talent, good cheer and unusual dynamics. The latter element is epitomized by the contrast between pianist Renee Rosnes, a meticulous craftsperson, and the robustness of the charismatic drummer Allison Miller.
Artemis’ comradery led to something I’d never seen on a bandstand: reed player Alexa Tarantino and bassist Noriko Ueda blew kisses to one another. Trumpeter Ingrid Jensen cheered the impressive solos of her bandmates. Razor-sharp blasts from her horn threatened to decapitate the otherwise fortunate fans up front.
The straight-ahead grounding of the music was balanced by occasional bursts of dissonance and plenty of sublime surprises. Tarantino and saxophonist Nicole Glover successfully employed the sneaky tactic of beginning monumental statements with affected tentativeness.
Satisfied the monetary investment provided a priceless artistic experience, I joined the audience of more than 250 in giving the sextet a standing ovation. Exceeding my entertainment budget was justified even if it means missing the next concert in the American Jazz Museum’s Jammin’ at the Gem series.
Original image by Plastic Sax.
Now’s the Time: Kristin Korb
The Denmark based vocalist and bassist Kristen Korb performs at Uptown Lounge on Sunday, March 26. She’ll be joined by pianist Roger Wilder and drummer Sam Wisman.
Confirmation: Weekly News and Notes
Original image by Plastic Sax.
*Angela Hagenbach spoke to Nick Spacek in advance of last weekend’s A Tribute to Black Composers concert.
*A blogger assessed a performance of improvised music at the Bunker Center for the Performing Arts.
*Northeast News published a press release about an extended jam session at the Blue Room on April 27.
*Joe Dimino filmed portions of Artemis’ concert at the Gem Theater.
*An editorial in The Kansas City Star proposes “18th & Vine International Airport” as the new name for the city’s airport.
*Tweet of the Week: Farewell- Extemporaneous Music and Arts Society presents a show with New Mexico’s La Practica, the EMAS Electro-Acoustic Ensemble, and Iris Appelquist on April 5.
Album Review: Eldar Djangirov- Release
Eldar Djangirov has been dipped in Dilla. The one-time Kansas City based child prodigy is under the spell of the late hip-hop producer J Dilla on his new album Release. The pianist’s trademark torrential attack is embedded in wavy beats. The stylistic switch is slyly co-credited to Iridescent Tones, an entity that seems to be Djangirov’s nom de plume. "Longing" is typical of the 24 succinct tracks, but tradition-minded fans might use renditions of “Giant Steps” and “Green Dolphin Street” as more accessible entry points. Djangirov pivots in another unexpected direction for the final selection. The pensive closing song “Days Pass” features Djangirov on keyboard and vocals.
Now’s the Time: Artemis
Six heavy hitters are in the current touring version of the prominent jazz ensemble Artemis. Saxophonists Nicole Glover and Alexa Tarantino, trumpeter Ingrid Jensen, pianist Renee Rosnes, bassist Noriko Ueda and drummer Allison Miller perform at the Gem Theater on Saturday, March 18.
Confirmation: Weekly News and Notes
Original image by Plastic Sax.
*The New York Times caught up with Marilyn Maye.
*Eboni Fondren and Rashida Phillips considered the role of women in the development of Kansas City jazz on KCUR’s Up To Date program.
*KCUR published A Guide to the Best Venues for Live Music Around the Metro.
*All Night Trio and Back Alley Brass Band submitted entries to NPR’s Tiny Desk Contest.
*Tweet of the Week: Coalback- Saw u last night @GreenLadyLounge. Excellent show!
Album Review: Alan Voss Quartet- Baobab
Alan Voss recognizes that louder isn’t better. The Kansas City guitarist plays with subtle restraint on Baobab. Opting for contemplative elegance on a debut album is a bold artistic choice during an era dominated by brash volume. His affinity for quietude makes Voss an artistic descendent of the one-time Kansas City guitarist Steve Cardenas. The impression is enhanced by the contributions of bassist Forest Stewart, a frequent Cardenas collaborator. Baobab also features saxophonist Benjamin Baker and drummer Evan Verploegh. Hearing the two fiery musicians in a subdued context is intriguing. The quartet’s circumspect interaction is the most rewarding element of the serene Baobab.
Now’s the Time: Tuba Skinny
The traditional jazz ensemble Tuba Skinny performs at Knuckleheads on Thursday, March 16. Laissez les bons temps rouler.
Confirmation: Weekly News and Notes
Original image by Plastic Sax.
*CJ Janovy paid tribute to Ida McBeth for KCUR.
*The lives of Ida McBeth and Ronald McFadden are remembered in episodes of KCUR’s Up To Date.
*Nina Cherry considers the legacy of Julia Lee for Kansas City magazine.
*Tweet of the Week: Unity Temple- David Basse will get you up and moving along with featured musicians Angela Hagenbach, Lori Tucker, and the 19-piece City Light Jazz Orchestra, under the direction of Angela Ward. Get your tickets NOW! (link)
Albums Review: Torches Mauve- Volume One and Volume Two
The recording quality of Volume One and its slightly superior companion Volume Two, albums released by Torches Mauve on February 17, is astounding. Listeners with good equipment will have the uncanny sensation that they can reach out and touch guitarist Seth Davis and drummer Evan Verploegh. Whether or not that sonic immediacy is desirable is another matter. Anyone with an appreciation of noisy jazz-rock guitar innovators like Vernon Reid and Andy Summers will appreciate Davis’ virulent shredding. Free jazz enthusiasts will find Verploegh’s evocation of drummers such as Ronald Shannon Jackson and Tony Williams similarly invigorating. Everyone else is likely to be horrified by the sonic proximity to the Kansas City duo’s wild-eyed outbursts.
Now’s the Time: Bill Frisell’s Four
An auspicious assemblage of improvisers will convene at the 1900 Building on Wednesday, March 22. Guitarist Bill Frisell, saxophonist Greg Tardy, pianist Gerald Clayton and drummer Johnathan Blake will draw on compositions from their 2022 album Four. Additional information is available here.
Confirmation: Weekly News and Notes
Original image by Plastic Sax.
*Ronald McFadden has died.
*Lawrence Brooks IV highlighted the Kansas City Jazz Orchestra’s outreach programs for KCUR.
*Startland reports on plans for Ruthell’s in the Jazz District.
*Bill Frisell’s concert at the 1900 Building is among KCUR’s March concert recommendations.
*The Pitch checks out Con Chapman’s new book about Kansas City’s jazz history.
*Tweet of the Week: American Jazz Museum- Sending our dearest condolences to the McFadden Family on the loss of Ronald McFadden, the great vocalist, saxophonist and tap dancer. Thanks for your talent and for making us proud. We’ll miss every beat. Rest in Heaven, your family at the American Jazz Museum.
Concert Review: The Hermon Mehari Quartet at the Folly Theater
Original image by Plastic Sax.
Citywide celebrations following the Kansas City Chiefs’ victory in the Super Bowl earlier this month included school cancellations and a parade. Yet the sense of joy throughout Hermon Mehari’s concert at the Folly Theater on Saturday, February 18, may have been an even truer expression of hometown pride.
The evening possessed the giddiness of a high school dance at which Mehari had been elected prom king. The musician’s personal friends seemed to outnumber committed jazz enthusiasts among the more than 600 celebrants. All the better. Monitoring newcomers’ awestruck reactions to Mehari’s outstanding band underscored the excitement.
Even though he didn’t play the electric vibraphone that’s his most distinctive instrument, Peter Schlamb’s statements on piano and acoustic vibraphone were characteristically stupendous. An evocation of McCoy Tyner in a thunderous solo on “Anthem for Independence” awed the unsuspecting audience.
The tactful bassist Rick Rosato was paired with the muscular drummer Zach Morrow. The tandem elevated Mehari’s demonstrative solo on “All Alone” and tenderly accentuated the leader’s gorgeous trumpet work on “I’ve Grown Accustomed to Her Face.”
Mehari’s stellar musicianship was matched by his dazzling repertoire. Many of the memorable compositions he and Schlamb have written are admirably unconventional. Explaining that he “dived into my Eritrean heritage” for the 2022 album Asmara, Mehari has clearly come into his own while living in France the past several years.
Mehari told his admirers that while he enjoys life in Paris, Kansas City is never far from his mind. “When I’m there I like to represent Kansas City, he said. “I’m not here, but I’m with you.” That sense of loyalty- along with his prodigious talent- made Mehari’s appearance in the Folly Jazz Series a heartwarming homecoming.
Set list: Call Me Habesha, Tatra, Melsi, All Alone, A Conversation with My Uncle, Eritrea, Anthem for Independence, Call Me Habesha, If I Were a Bell, Awakening, Soul Chant, I’ve Grown Accustomed to Her Face, Tenafaquit, Shenandoah
Now’s the Time: Adam Larson
The J. Rieger & Co. distillery has revived the legacy of Kansas City’s The Hey! Hey! Club. Jazz is performed at the East Bottoms complex on Thursdays. The outstanding Kansas City based saxophonist Adam Larson is featured on March 2. Larson also performs at Black Dolphin on Saturday, February 25.
Confirmation: Weekly News and Notes
Original image by Plastic Sax.
*Geneva Price, a vocalist best known in recent years as a member of the Wild Women of Kansas City, has died.
*Hermon Mehari chatted with Steve Kraske on KCUR’s Up To Date program.
*Joe Dimino interviewed Jack Mouse and posted footage of performances by Joanna Berkebile and Hermon Mehari.
**Tweet of the Week: Chris Burnett- @KCStar needs to have a weekly Jazz column that actually covers the thriving jazz music scene (businesses, performing artists, educational events, and historical documentation) in the greater KC area. Jazz music is part of the historical DNA of Kansas City. @QuintonLucasKC
*From a press release: (The)“Tribute to Black Composers” concert will be presented at Unity Temple on the Plaza… on Sunday, March 19, at 4 p.m. in conjunction with the 15 and the Mahomies Foundation… (P)erformers include Angela Hagenbach, David Basse, Lori Tucker, and City Light Jazz Orchestra with… JWB... The show… is a history of Black songwriting and publishing in the 20th century. (Tickets are available here.)