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Original image by Plastic Sax.
*A television station notes the passing of Anita Dixon-Brown.
*A television reporter waxes ecstatic about construction in the Jazz District.
*A television news report hints at disaffection following approval of an additional $3.2 funding for renovations at the American Jazz Museum.
*A trio led by Loren Broaddus submitted an entry to NPR’s Tiny Desk Contest.
Original image by Plastic Sax.
*The American Jazz Museum has proposed a $3.2 million dollar renovation plan that includes relocating the Blue Room to a larger space in its facility. Meanwhile, the Blue Room’s online calendar remains empty.
*Joe Dimino paid tribute to the late Anita Dixon-Brown.
*UMKC spotlighted drummer Matt Roberson in a press release.
*Bob Long, a professor at Missouri Western State University, was honored at the Missouri Music Conference.
Original image by Plastic Sax.
Notices about three of the most significant developments occurring on Kansas City’s jazz scene while Plastic Sax was visiting Japan in recent weeks follow.
*Anita Dixon-Brown, one of the most consequential figures in Kansas City’s cultural community, died January 4. She’s best known for her association with the Mutual Musicians Foundation and for her efforts in securing Kansas City’s status as a UNESCO Creative City.
*Pat Metheny revealed details about his next album. Side-Eye III+ will be released on Metheny’s new Uniquity Music record label on February 27. "In On It" is the album’s first single.
*As in recent years, The Blue Room at the American Jazz Museum is shuttered this January.
Original image by Plastic Sax.
*A University of Kansas press release publicizes Eddie Moore’s latest album.
*Joe Dimino interviewed Anita Dixon-Brown.
*OJT is featured in the most recent Live at Green Lady Lounge program on Kansas Public Radio.
Original image by Plastic Sax.
*Bukeka Blakemore and Anita Dixon-Brown are among the Creative City KC representatives pitching World Cup-inspired music initiatives in television news reports here and here.
*Joe Dimino interviewed Brian Steever.
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
Original image by Plastic Sax.
*Kansas City’s YouTube channel includes a new video feature about the Spotlight Charlie Parker initiative. Related videos are here, here and here.
*Anita Dixon and Jakob Wagner lobby for additional arts spending in a television news feature.
*The author of Plastic Sax reviewed a performance by Bob Bowman and Peter Schlamb at his nondenominational music blog.
*A television station filed a report from the Charlie Parker Jazz Festival in Harlem last weekend.
*Tweet of the Week: Pat Metheny- New Album 'SHIFT (Bad Hombre, Vol. II)' from the great @AntonioDrumsX Available Now! "Eh Hee 2.0" featuring Pat and Dave Matthews Buy CD/ Vinyl/ Stream here
*From a press release: The Kansas City Jazz Orchestra… announced the inaugural concert for the 2022-2023 20th Anniversary season, The Horn, featuring guest artist Sean Jones, Friday, September 30 at 8 p.m. at… Helzberg Hall… Artistic Director Clint Ashlock stated “… the centerpiece of the concert will be the majestic, soulful artistry of Sean Jones - arguably the world’s greatest trumpet player."
Original image by Plastic Sax.
*Herbie Hancock, Robert Glasper, Thundercat and The Comet is Coming are among the jazz and jazz-adjacent artists performing at the inaugural Format Festival in Bentonville, Arkansas, in September.
*Drew Williams created an enhanced performance video filmed during his trio’s recent appearance at Westport Coffee House.
*A local television station reported on high school band performances at the Gem Theater.
*Joe Dimino shared a taste of a Preston Portley show at the Blue Room. He also interviewed Miguel de Leon, Alyssa Murray and Anita Dixon and Robert Farmer.
*The author of this site lists his favorite albums, songs and performances of April at There Stands the Glass.
*Tweet of the Week: Pat Metheny- Exciting Side-Eye News We are thrilled to welcome a fantastic new player to the ongoing evolution of Pat's Side-Eye project. 24-year-old keyboard phenom Chris Fishman will be featured on the upcoming European tour (tour date graphic)
*From the Mutual Musicians Foundation: On Saturday, April 30 members will host an Open House to commemorate the 105th anniversary of the Mutual Musicians Foundation— the oldest jazz house in the world. The event, which coincides with International Jazz Day, will celebrate the history of the Foundation and its contributions to the art form. The general public is invited to sit in on live jam sessions, learn about upcoming events for the year-long tribute and the relaunch of KOJH; the Foundation's community radio station. (9:30 p.m. - 1:00 a.m.)
Original image by Plastic Sax.
*The 2021 edition of Prairie Village’s jazz festival is scheduled for September 11.
*The Kansas City Star and KCUR share details about the Kansas City Jazz Orchestra’s 2021-22 season.
*A report in The Kansas City Star suggests live jazz will be featured at the former Alamo Drafthouse Cinema at 1400 Main Street when B&B Theatres takes over operations at the location.
*In an account of a new round of bloodshed in the Jazz District, a man employed on the block of the deadly quadruple shooting tells The Kansas City Star “people can’t come out to have a good time at night without fearing a shooting.”
*Anita Dixon and Jakob Wagner will remind participants in a virtual forum of Kansas City’s status as a UNESCO City of Music.
*Tweet of the Week: Regan Porter TV- UPDATE: One person dead, three others injured following a shooting near 19th and Vine. @kcpolicesaid another person showed up to the hospital with a broken leg, possibly received while running away from the gunfire. @fox4kc