Deborah Brown and Bobby Watson are the preeminent musicians based in the Kansas City area. Each is an international treasure. Brown and Watson will be featured at the Kansas City Jazz Orchestra’s concert at the Folly Theater on Friday, May 17. Brown is accompanied by the Portland pianist George Colligan in the embedded video.
Confirmation: Weekly News and Notes
*The Kansas City Star observes the 25th anniversary of the installation of Robert Graham’s Charlie Parker statue in the Jazz District.
*From a press release: Spotlight: Charlie Parker 2024 celebrates the jazz icon’s 104th birthday with jam sessions and musical tributes, tours, lectures, exhibits, panel discussions, workshops, and concerts. The annual program was developed to honor Parker (also known as “Bird”), his legacy, and impact on jazz in Kansas City and worldwide. The event also provides educational opportunities and promotes the music of local Kansas City jazz artists who will perform at select events/venues during the month… Highlighting this year’s Spotlight: Charlie Parker will be a new partnership with the Kansas City Jazz Orchestra and a performance August 24th at the Folly Theater. For information about event details as they become available, visit: Spotlight: Charlie Parker.
*From a press release: Please join us in congratulating students in the KU School of Music’s Jazz Studies Program for their recent success at the 47th Annual DownBeat Student Music Awards. The awards were announced this month, where KU Jazz Ensemble I and the KU Jazz Singers each received Outstanding Performance Awards in the graduate divisions of Large Jazz Ensembles and Vocal Jazz Ensembles. KU Jazz Ensemble I has made a significant impact on the jazz music scene, as this marks the fourth consecutive year they have received an SMA award. The ensemble has also received seven awards out of the last ten years.
EP Review: Back Alley Brass Band- Last Chance to Dance
Back Alley Brass Band isn’t Kansas City’s only New Orleans-style brass band. Yet the ensemble’s shrewd marketing strategies and its willingness to give audiences precisely what they didn’t previously know they wanted has made Back Alley Brass Band the most visible group of its type in the region. It’s no accident Back Alley Brass Band is making appearances at Kelce Jam and Boulevardia, two of the Kansas City area’s biggest music-related events this summer. Accordingly, the ensemble’s new EP Last Chance to Dance doubles as a sonic business card. The infectiously exuberant set of party music containing arrangements of Rick Astley and Miley Cyrus hits will almost certainly result in further high-profile bookings.
Now’s the Time: 1988
A good samaritan recently uploaded gobs of public-access television programming from the 1980s. The gem embedded here features Ruth Rhoden. The late cohost of the sorely missed weekly KCUR show “Just Jazz” is interviewed and curates a few performances. Brace yourself for a thoroughly amusing and occasionally cringey time capsule.
Confirmation: Weekly News and Notes
*The Kansas City Star eulogized Queen Bey.
*Chris Burnett was interviewed by Joe Dimino. Burnett’s latest album Originals was reviewed by The Pitch.
Album Review: Charles McPherson- Reverence
A few devoted Kansas City jazz fans made the 150-mile trek to Joplin to witness Charles McPherson’s homecoming concert in February. The elite Charlie Parker acolyte has stayed the course since his birth in the southwest corner of Missouri in 1939. Featuring trumpeter Terell Stafford, pianist Jeb Patton, bassist David Wong and drummer Billy Drummond, McPherson’s new live album Reverence is certain to delight Bird purists. Pushed by his all-star band on the tribute to the late pianist Barry Harris, the octogenarian brings the wit of wisdom of the ages to bear on Reverence. His ornithology is inescapable, but the imprint of the years McPherson spent with Charles Mingus is also evident. The vigor of McPherson’s inspiring playing is more than worthy of a cross-state road trip.
Now’s the Time: High Step Society
The impertinent jazz musicians in High Step Society have the nerve to acknowledge it’s 2024. The Oregon band freely incorporates contemporary styles such as EDM into its freewheeling sound. The ensemble does untoward things to the jazz standard “Limehouse Blues” in the embedded video. But is it good? Intrepid listeners can decide for themselves on Friday, May 3, at the Westport Bowery.
Confirmation: Weekly News and Notes
*Queen Bey, once a prominent Kansas City based vocalist, has died.
*Green Lady Lounge recently initiated a series of lunchtime performances on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. The venue’s May calendar lists offerings from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Thursday and Friday and from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays prior to Rod Fleeman’s long-standing Saturday residency that begins at 2:30 p.m.
*Here’s a second way to listen to the KCUR audio feature about the Extemporaneous Music and Arts Society.
*The American Jazz Museum is featured in a National Endowment of the Arts "grant spotlight".
*From a press release: Kansas City Jazz Orchestra Executive Director Alyssa Bell-Jackson today announced the final concert for the Conversations in Jazz 2023-2024 Season, This is Kansas City featuring two beloved Kansas City jazz greats Deborah Brown and Bobby Watson. This concert will be recorded live for an album to be released next season. This is Kansas City concert originally was to be held May 17 and 18 at the Folly Theatre. The concert will now be held on May 17 only.
Parallel Parking
Not once in the past four decades have I had trouble finding a convenient parking spot in Kansas City’s Jazz District. Even amid the busiest festivals I’ve never been compelled to park more than a five-minute walk from the intersection of 18th Street and Paseo Boulevard.
Yet according to a television news report, Kansas City, Missouri, recently allocated $20 million to build a multi-level parking garage in the area.
The piece suggests the impetus for the construction is based on future projections rather than current need. I hope the optimism is warranted. It would be wonderful if the beleaguered neighborhood finally attained a liveliness resulting in parking hassles.
Now’s the Time: Will Matthews
Will Matthews headlines the Blue Room on Friday, April 26. The guitarist is featured in an interpretation of Glenn Jones’ 2018 song “You & Me” at the Blue Room in the embedded video.
Confirmation: Weekly News and Notes
*From a press release: Parkville, Missouri will host their first annual Juneteenth Jazz and Blues Festival from 3pm to 9:30pm on Saturday, June 8, at English Landing Park. This free and open to the public event will raise funds for the Banneker School Restoration Foundation Project… The Banneker School Foundation and Historic Site in Parkville, Missouri, is restoring a one-room schoolhouse where African American children were educated from 1885 to 1905… Four bands will perform at the Saturday, June 8, Juneteenth Jazz and Blues Festival. The times and groups are: 3pm Kansas City Area Youth Jazz; 4:45pm Alex Ambramovitz & His Swingin’ Kansas City Jazz Band; 6:45pm David Basse & Band; 8:45pm Earnest James Zydeco. The event will take place rain or shine. The foundation requests that attendees bring their own chairs and purchase food and spirits from local vendors, in support of restoration of the Banneker School. The purchase of a brick or a donation would be welcome.
Album Review: Christopher Burnett- Originals
Christopher Burnett is a paragon of taste. His new album Originals is characterized by sprightly melodies and amiable swing. The stately jazz is ideally suited for background music at an elegant dinner party or as the center of attention in a ritzy supper club. The saxophonist is joined by prominent Kansas City musicians including vibraphonist Greg Carroll, bassist Gerald Spaits, guitarist Will Matthews and pianist Roger Wilder. The funky guitar effect on the alternate take of “Yesteryears” closing the album is the only deviation from the immaculately polite tone. One last thing: Burnett is the one of the few Kansas City based jazz artists utilizing Spotify Canvas. It’s typical of the meticulous attention to detail Burnett displays throughout Originals.
Now’s the Time: Jenna Bauer
Vocalist Jenna Bauer presents The Young Person's Guide to Live Music at Greenwood Social Hall on Sunday, April 21. She’ll be joined by several of Kansas City’s most accomplished musicians at the child-friendly show.
Confirmation: Weekly News and Notes
*Mark Edelman was named a 2024 Jazz Hero by the Jazz Journalists Association.
*Calvin Keys, a guitarist who once lived in Kansas City, has died.
*A television news outlet took note of a recent “life-threatening” shooting in the Jazz District.
KCUR Meets EMAS
Plastic Sax diligently attempts to track the activities of representatives of the Extemporaneous Music and Arts Society. The multitude of recordings and performances is both thrilling and exhausting. That’s one reason the author of this site was pleased to examine the collective from a different perspective. The audio feature he created for KCUR streams here.
Now's the Time: Ra Kalam Bob Moses
The legendary drummer Ra Kalam Bob Moses will perform with members of the Extemporaneous Music and Arts Society at Charlotte Street Foundation on Wednesday, April 17. Details are available here.
Confirmation: Weekly News and Notes
EP Review: Drew Williams- Wobble
The title of Wobble, the 15-minute, seven-track EP released by Drew Williams in February, isn’t a reference to twerk culture. Instead, the adventurous saxophonist and composer created a study in unbalanced electronic glitchiness. Looped ambience swirls in, out and around saxophone tones. The vociferous “Squeal” is almost certainly one of the year’s most exciting statements by a locally based musician. A set of corresponding videos provides a second means of experiencing the work.
Now’s the Time: Hermon Mehari
An audience in Mission Woods, Kansas, will be transported to Europe on Saturday, April 6. The duo of trumpeter Hermon Mehari and pianist Allessandro Lanzoni will perform the sort of elite Continental chamber jazz documented on its 2021 album Arc Fiction at the 1900 Building. Passports aren’t necessary.
Confirmation: Weekly News and Notes
*Eddie Moore is featured in a University of Kansas publication. Joe Dimino uploaded footage of Moore’s piano trio performing at Johnson County Community College.
*Hermon Mehari’s appearance at the 1900 Building is among KCUR’s April concert recommendations.
*From a press release: Kansas City Jazz Alive is thrilled to announce two exciting events in April... On April 27th, join us for a walking tour of one of Kansas City's most historic neighborhoods, the 18th & Vine Jazz District… On April 30th, International Jazz Day, discover how Kansas City has influenced the global jazz scene at our event "April: VividVision".