Confirmation: Weekly News and Notes

*Five concerts in the 2023-24 season of the Folly Jazz Series have been announced.

*Live jazz performances are greeting visitors at Kansas City’s airport this week.

*Tweet of the Week: Good Morning Football- Headed to the draft and need some local recs? The queen of Kansas City has got you covered @kimmichex (video clip)

*From a press release: The NFL announced Wednesday the headlining acts for the NFL Draft Concert Series, which will take place as part of the 2023 NFL Draft in Kansas City, April 27-29… As part of Day 3 festivities that highlight Kansas City culture, Grammy-winning iconic bassist and vocalist Thundercat will close out the 2023 Draft Concert Series on Saturday, April 29. He will curate a special performance which will pay tribute to the rich music history and the legacy of jazz in Kansas City.

Album Review: Dave Scott- Song for Alice

Song for Alice is a sleeper.  Unheralded and overlooked, the latest release by Dave Scott is worthy of consideration for jazz album of the year.  The trumpeter originally from the Kansas City area is joined by saxophonist Rich Perry, pianist Gary Versace, bassist Johannes Weidenmuller and drummer Mark Ferber on the 2022 recording released in January by Steeplechase Records.  Contrary to the title of the closing track “Indistinct Chatter,” the quintet’s free explorations are razor sharp and crystal clear.  Only improvisers who have completely mastered straight-ahead forms can render outside contexts with such magnificently controlled eloquence.

Now’s the Time: Tia Fuller

Tia Fuller performs at the Folly Theater on Saturday, April 22.  The saxophonist will be accompanied by her sister Shamie Royston on piano, bassist Eric Wheeler and drummer Koleby Royston in the Folly Jazz Series concert.

Confirmation: Weekly News and Notes

*The Kansas City Business Journal reports that construction on a six-story apartment complex is underway at 19th and Vine in the Jazz District.

*Joe Dimino visited Green Lady Lounge.

*A blogger reviewed Branches Choke, an album of noisy improvisations recorded in Kansas City.

*Tweet of the Week: Raman Shah- In Kansas City right now for @TransformGov #tlg2020. It's lovely here: chilly, with hills, flowers, red brick, vintage signage, gentle people. Treated myself last night to cheesy corn+burnt ends @ Jack Stack and some jazz @ the Green Lady. Now to meet some #localgov friends

Book Review: Kansas City Jazz: A Little Evil Will Do You Good, by Con Chapman

Kansas City Jazz: A Little Evil Will Do You Good looks, feels and scans like a textbook.  Not only is the cover drab, the heavy stock of the 370 pages gives the book the heft of a brick.  Its exhaustive chronology of recording sessions and personnel changes of bands often seems like grist for a pop quiz nightmare.

Portions of Con Chapman’s new study of the heyday of Kansas City jazz are a bit of a slog, but the very elements that make the text dense- an attention to detail and a panoramic lens- make it an essential addition to the library of every person with a serious interest in the history of Kansas City.

The work draws heavily on Count Basie’s autobiography and previously published studies by historians including Stanley Crouch, Frank Driggs and Chuck Haddix.  Consequently, much of the material will already be familiar to enthusiasts.  As an amalgamation of these established works, however, Kansas City Jazz can be viewed as a one-stop compendium.

Chapman also has a few ideas of his own.  In addition to synthesizing the work of previous scholars, he fills in gaps with investigations of overlooked nooks and crannies.  These insights begin with a survey of traveling minstrel shows and circuses in the Midwest and Chapman’s insistence that ragtime’s connection to central Missouri is an integral part of the musical foundation of Kansas City.

He attempts to link regional and national musicians to Kansas City.  Several pages are dedicated to Texas trombonist Jack Teagarden. Chapman also suspects the New Orleans legend Jelly Roll Morton spent time in Kansas City influencing locally based artists.  Furthermore, a case is made for the impact of the innovative style of the Texas born and Oklahoma raised guitarist Charlie Christian on the sound of Kansas City jazz. 

Chapman’s championing of the relatively unheralded Missouri native Wilbur Sweatman as a forebear of the likes of Bennie Moten may be the book’s biggest revelation.  The familiar swing of Sweatman’s overlooked recordings suggest Chapman is right.

Impatient readers will be heartened to learn that Chapman successfully deploys the mountain of facts he accumulates in a wholly effective summation.  The strong conclusion makes the textbook-like list price of $55 seem like a bargain.

Now’s the Time: Bob Bowman

Bob Bowman is back in town.  Westport Coffee House hosts a show billed as the bassist’s seventieth birthday celebration on Monday, April 17.

Confirmation: Weekly News and Notes

*The Kansas City Star caught up with Marilyn Maye.

*Lucy Wijnands was interviewed by Joe Dimino.

*Tweet of the Week: MCC Kansas City- The 18th & Vine Jazz Festival is a non-competitive event that gives middle school, high school and college students with musical experience the opportunity to gain an appreciation for Kansas City's rich jazz heritage. Info: (link)

*From a press release: Legendary American jazz guitarist, composer and improviser Pat Metheny announces his newest album, Dream Box, on the BMG Modern Recordings label on June 16... Comprising nine “found tracks” for “quiet electric guitar,” Metheny describes it as "a unique recording for me; it is essentially a compilation of solo tracks recorded across a few years that I only discovered while listening on tour.”

Album Review: Adam Larson- With Love, From New York City

Have you ever incurred the wrath of New Yorkers by pausing on a busy sidewalk to gawk at a spectacular view of the Brooklyn Bridge or the Chrysler Building?  With Love, From New York City, the latest album by the Kansas City based saxophonist Adam Larson, is filled with sonic vistas certain to stop listeners in their tracks.

The final component of a trilogy of trio albums including With Love, From Kansas City and With Love, From Chicago, With Love, From New York City is as awe-inspiring as the bustling metropolis for which it’s named.  The album strikes a balance between the edgy explorations heard at New York City hubs for new music such as Roulette and the mainstream elegance favored at Manhattan venues like Smoke.

The rough and tumble assault of the opening track “Aerial Landmass” features grungy work from bassist Matt Clohesy and the merciless drumming of Obed Calvaire.  Larson takes a staggeringly inventive solo on “64 Squares (searching for fish).” His shift to a tangy, slightly sour tone for “Soar” is among the additional highlights.

As with the first two installments of the With Love cycle, the uncompromising New York is absolutely arresting.  Start spreading the news. Following residencies in Chicago and New York, Larson is truly is “number one, top of the list and king of the hill” in Kansas City.

Now’s the Time: Michael Pagán

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

*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

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

*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

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

*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

*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.