Matt Otto: Plastic Sax's Person of the Year

Umbra and Kansas City Trio rank first and fifth on Plastic Sax’s Favorite Albums of 2023 list. The albums are showcases for the impeccably refined work of Matt Otto. The subtle power contained in the one-two punch from the unprepossessing saxophonist makes him Plastic Sax’s Person of the Year for 2023. The previous recipients of the designation are Seth Davis and Evan Verploegh (2022), Rod Fleeman (2021), Charlie Parker (2020), Logan Richardson (2019), Peter Schlamb (2018), John Scott (2017), Eddie Moore (2016), Larry Kopitnik (2015), Deborah Brown (2014), Stan Kessler (2013), Doug and Lori Chandler (2012), Jeff Harshbarger (2011), Mark Lowrey (2010) and Hermon Mehari (2009). Bobby Watson was named the Plastic Sax Person of the Decade in 2009 and again in 2019.

Now’s the Time: Kevin Cheli

Percussionist Kevin Cheli resumes his extensive series of collaborations with guitarist Seth Davis at Farewell on Wednesday, December 27. Scott R. Looney and Aaron Osborne will join them. Night Mode and Nate Hofer round out the bill.

Confirmation: Weekly News and Notes

*Logan Richardson’s Holy Water, the Count Basie Orchestra’s Swings the Blues and Matt Otto’s Umbra are among Chris Burnett’s favorite albums of 2023.

Album Review: II-Wands- Triumphs, Vol. 1

Triumphs, Vol. 1 is a giddy blend of cosmic jazz, Dada absurdism and third stream experimentation. Quietly released in October, the expansive soundfield forged by II-Wands is indebted to Soft Machine, Igor Stravinsky and Sun Ra. Spoken word, otherworldly singing, strings and percussion evoke hallucinatory dreamstates. II-Wands is billed as a “(c)ollection of living composers and new works from the United States.” Contributors to the collective’s often amusing sketches include the notable Kansas City musicians Benjamin Baker and Brant Jester.

Now’s the Time: Logan Richardson

Logan Richardson, arguably Kansas City’s most intriguing musician, returns to the Blue Room on Saturday, December 30. The embedded video is a visual interpretation of a track from his 2023 album Holy Water.

Confirmation: Weekly News and Notes

*Joe Dimino interviewed Rick Willoughby and shared footage of a performance led by Matt Villinger.

*Adam Larson and Mike Dillon were lauded on the KKFI radio program Wednesday Midday Medley.

Concert Review: Christian McBride, Benny Green and Gregory Hutchinson at the Village Vanguard

No one in Kansas City should be surprised to learn that Bobby Watson was name-checked during the late show at the Village Vanguard on Tuesday, December 5. Christian McBride told the near-capacity New York City audience of more than 100 that he and pianist Benny Green first worked together under the direction of the Kansas City saxophonist. Propelled by drummer Gregory Hutchinson, the trio honored Ray Brown by interpreting material associated with the late bass legend. McBride did astounding things with his instrument on blues-based material including “Ja-Da” and “Blues for Junior”. Only the presence of Watson might have improved the trio’s straight-ahead swing.

Now’s the Time: Krizz Kaliko

Krizz Kaliko had an implausible 2023. The versatile Kansas City musician flirted with Fox News and appeared at the notorious Gathering of the Juggalos while navigating the fallout from his split with the rap icon Tech N9ne. Kaliko’s year will get even stranger at the Blue Room on Saturday, December 9. He’s slated to perform at the jazz venue with a band led by Preston Portley.

Confirmation: Weekly News and Notes

*Logan Richardson accompanies Aja Monet in her Tiny Desk Concert appearance.

*Joe Dimino interviewed Scott Emmerman.

*Gabe Rosenberg recommends Green Lady Lounge to Taylor Swift.

The Original Plastic Sax

I’m proud of the audio features I created for Kansas City’s National Public Radio member station KCUR this year. I doubted if I could top profiles of a jazz rebel, a breakout rap star and an Ozarks folkie. But my final effort of 2023- an examination of the saga of the plastic saxophone played by Charlie Parker at Massey Hall in 1953- may be my best piece of the year. The story includes interviews with Congressman Emanuel Cleaver and the American Jazz Museum’s Dr. Dina Bennett and Gerald Dunn about Kansas City’s legendary artifact.

Now’s the Time: Tatsuya Nakatani

Tatsuya Nakatani returns to the Ship on Thursday, November 30. The percussionist will be joined by Shawn Hansen, Jeff Harshbarger and Mike Stover following a solo set. Plastic Sax reviewed Nakatani’s 2019 performances at The Ship and the 1900 Building. The final four minutes of the embedded video are extremely amusing.

Confirmation: Weekly News and Notes

*Pat Metheny won Guitarist of the Year in DownBeat magazine’s 99th Reader’s Poll. Other Kansas City area artists receiving votes: Charlie Parker and Bobby Watson.

Album Review: The Alex Frank Quartet- Reclaim

Matt Otto’s Umbra, Plastic Sax’s favorite album of 2023, features elegant contributions from guitarist Alex Frank. The Kansas City musician makes a similarly graceful statement on his new album Reclaim. Accompanied by keyboardist Matt Villinger, bassist Jeff Harshbarger and drummer John Kizilarmut, Frank displays uncommon melodic bounce and an optimistic sensibility. Frank often seems on the verge of shredding, but in keeping with his tasteful playing with Otto, restraint is the byword of Reclaim.

Now’s the Time: Maria Elena Silva

Maria Elena Silva’s appearance at the Firehouse Gallery in June was part of one of Plastic Sax’s favorite concerts of 2023. Her current tour in support of the impressive jazz-adjacent album Dulce stops at Farewell on Friday, November 24. The Jorge Arana Trio and representatives of the Extemporaneous Music and Arts Society round out the bill.

Confirmation: Weekly News and Notes

*Marc Myers of JazzWax analyzed a pop song on KCUR’s Up To Date program.

Plastic Sax’s Favorite Albums of 2023

Top Ten Albums by Kansas City Artists
1. Matt Otto- Umbra
Plastic Sax review.

2. Mike Dillon and Punkadelick- Inflorescence
Plastic Sax review.

3. Adam Larson- With Love, From New York City
Plastic Sax review.

4. Enzo Carniel, Hermon Mehari, Stéphane Adsuar and Damien Varaillon- No(w) Beauty
Plastic Sax review.

5. Matt Otto- Kansas City Trio
Plastic Sax review.

6. Pat Metheny- Dream Box
Plastic Sax review.

7. Torches Mauve- Volume Two
Plastic Sax review.

8. Narrative Quartet- Narrative
Plastic Sax review.

9. Count Basie Orchestra- Swings the Blues
Plastic Sax review.

10. Danny Embrey- Orion Room
Plastic Sax review.

Top Ten Albums by Artists From Elsewhere

1. Sebastian Rochford and Kit Downes- A Short Diary

2. Jason Moran- From the Dancehall to the Battlefield

3. Sylvie Courvoisier- Chimaera

4. Kassa Overall- Animals

5. Joe Lovano, Marilyn Crispell and Carmen Castaldi- Our Daily Bread

6. Henry Threadgill- The Other One

7. Aja Monet- When the Poems Do What They Do

8. Laura Schuler Quartet- Sueños Paralelos

9. Cécile McLorin Salvant- Mélusine

10. Irreversible Entanglements- Protect Your Light

Now’s the Time: Rodney Whitaker

Rodney Whitaker performs at the Blue Room on Friday, November 17. The bassist will share the stage with musicians including drummer Carl Allen.

Confirmation: Weekly News and Notes

*A quartet led by guitarist Alex Frank performed for Kansas Public Radio.

*Joe Dimino shared footage of a Jenna Bauer set at the Blue Room.

*A blogger named Matt Otto’s Umbra the best album released by a Kansas City musician in 2023.

*Reed Jackson interviewed the jazz-adjacent Maria Elena Silva for The Pitch.

Plastic Sax’s Favorite Performances of 2023

Top Ten Performances by Kansas City Artists
1. Mike Dillon, Brian Haas and Nikki Glaspie at the Brick
Plastic Sax review.

2. Hermon Mehari at the Folly Theater
Plastic Sax review.

3. Adam Larson, Matt Clohesy and Jimmy Macbride at Westport Coffee House
Instagram clip.

4. Rod Fleeman at Green Lady Lounge
Instagram clip.

5.  Pat Metheny’s Side-Eye at Muriel Kauffman Theatre
Plastic Sax review.

6. Drew Williams, Alex Frank, Ben Tervort and Brian Steever at Westport Coffee House
Plastic Sax review.

7. Cynthia van Roden at the Market at Meadowbrook
Instagram snapshot.

8. Chalis O’Neal at the Blue Room
Instagram clip.

9. Alan Voss, Benjamin Baker, Forest Stewart and Evan Verploegh at Swope Park Pavilion
Plastic Sax review.

10. Rich Hill, Arnold Young and Rob Whitsitt in Volker Park
Instagram clip.

Top Ten Performances by Artists from Elsewhere
1. Samara Joy at the Folly Theater
Plastic Sax review.

2. Devin Gray and Maria Elena Silva at the Firehouse Gallery
Plastic Sax review.

3. Bill Frisell, Greg Tardy, Gerald Clayton and Johnathan Blake at the 1900 Building
Plastic Sax review.

4. Artemis at the Gem Theater
Plastic Sax review.

5. CRAG Quartet and Joshua Gerowitz at the Bunker Center for the Arts
Instagram clip.

6. Miguel Zenón Quartet at the Folly Theater
Plastic Sax review.

7. Henrique Eisenmann and Eugene Friesen at the 1900 Building
Plastic Sax review.

8. Robert Stillman at the Midland Theater
There Stands the Glass review.

9. Jack Wright and Ron Stabinsky at Charlotte Street Foundation
Instagram clip.

10. Rob Magill and Marshall Trammell at Farewell
Plastic Sax review.

(Last year’s survey is here.)

Now’s the Time: Alexa Tarantino

Alexa Tarantino’s headlining performance at the Folly Theater on Saturday, November 11, will be her third appearance in Kansas City this year. The saxophonist joined Artemis at the Gem Theater in March. (Plastic Sax review.) She played with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra at the Folly Theater last month. Tarantino will be accompanied by pianist Steven Feifke, bassist Felix Moseholm and drummer Charles Goold on Saturday.