Guitarist Tetsuya Nishiyama oversees the Blue Room’s weekly jam session on Monday, June 16.
Now’s the Time: Mitch Towne
The Omaha based organist Mitch Towne performs at the Blue Room on Friday, May 9. “Steepian Faith,” the selection featured in the embedded video, is the fifth track on Towne’s new album Refuge.
Confirmation: Weekly News and Notes
Original image by Plastic Sax.
*Joe Dimino shared footage of Bob Bowman and Bobby Watson at the Blue Room.
Now's the Time: Bob Bowman
Bob Bowman is back in town. The storied bassist’s bustling schedule in the Kansas City area includes an appearance at the Blue Room on Saturday, April 12.
Confirmation: Weekly News and Notes
Original image by Plastic Sax.
*The American Jazz Museum advised patrons that its live music venue “(t)he Blue Room will be closed from January 1st to January 25th.”
Now’s the Time: Brian Kennedy
The Kansas City producer Brian Kennedy will presumably emphasize the jazz elements of his sound at the Blue Room on Thursday, December 19. Vocalist Angelique Cinelu will also be on hand.
Confirmation: Weekly News and Notes
Original image by Plastic Sax.
*The New York Times’ look back at the 1958 “A Great Day in Harlem” photograph is loaded with Kansas City connections.
*Joe Dimino shared clips of performances at the Blue Room by David Watson and Warren Wolf.
*Dr. Dina Bennett is featured in a video produced by the American Jazz Museum.
Now’s the Time: Warren Wolf
The extraordinarily accomplished Warren Wolf performs at the Blue Room on Friday, December 6. His latest album History of the Vibraphone is among the year’s most noteworthy straight-ahead jazz albums. Wolf interprets Lyle Mays’ “Chorinho” in the embedded video.
Now’s the Time: John Fedchock
The prominent trombonist John Fedchock is barnstorming Kansas City. His appearances include a gig at the Blue Room on Saturday, November 16. Fedchock is touring in support of his new album Justifiably J.J., a tribute to trombone luminary J.J. Johnson.
Now’s the Time: Harold O’Neal
The American Jazz Museum closes August with three performances by pianist Harold O'Neal. The pianist with deep Kansas City roots performs at the Jay McShann Pavilion on Thursday, August 29, with Dan Thomas at the Blue Room on Friday, August 30, and with Logan Richardson at the Blue Room on Saturday, August 31.
Now’s the Time: Ernest Melton
The shape-shifting Kansas City saxophonist Ernest Melton performs at the fashionable dance club In the Lowest Ferns on Thursday, August 1, and leads the weekly jam session at the Blue Room on Monday, August 5. Melton tackles Jimi Hendrix in the embedded video.
Concert Review: The Adam Larson Quartet at the Blue Room
Original image by Plastic Sax.
Adam Larson lamented that his children prefer the music of the Epic Sax Guy to that of their father during the interview portion of the Blue Room’s noon jazz series on Thursday, June 6. Assuming a sardonic tone of exasperation, Larson joked “I’m the epic sax guy!”
In fact, each member of Larson’s quartet displayed heroic artistry at the Blue Room. Pianist Roger Wilder and drummer John Kizilarmut may never have sounded better. The Chicago based Clark Sommers conjured bassist Jimmy Garrison on an excerpt of “A Love Supreme”.
Propulsive renditions of the classics “Conception”, “Punjab” and “Light Blue” were rendered with astounding sophistication. Larson’s kids will eventually recognize what dedicated jazz fans already know: during June 2024, Larson and his colleagues were truly epic jazz guys.
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.
Now’s the Time: Redhot & Blue of Yale
In the parlance of the American Jazz Museum administration, the Blue Room is “dark” this January. Yet at least one event will take place at the institution’s venue this month. The a cappella group Redhot & Blue of Yale performs at the Blue Room on Tuesday, January 9. Details are here.
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.
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.
Plastic Sax’s Favorite Performances of 2023
Original image of Artemis at the Gem Theater by Plastic Sax.
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: Amina Figarova
Amina Figarova fronts an auspicious band at the Blue Room on Saturday, September 23. The daring New York based pianist will be joined by saxophonist Wayne Escoffery, flutist Bart Platteau, bassist Martin Masakowski and drummer Donald Edwards.
Confirmation: Weekly News and Notes
Original image by Plastic Sax.
*KCUR’s free music recommendations include jazz performances at the Blue Room and Nighthawk.
*Reed Jackson reviewed a new music concert at Farewell.
*Joe Dimino interviewed David Cunningham.
Now’s the Time: Glass Cactus
Glass Cactus, a band led by the Nebraska based trombonist Shawn Bell, performs at the Blue Room on Friday, May 26.