Concert Review: The Branford Marsalis Quartet at the Folly Theater

A storied American band played a European form of jazz at the Folly Theater on Saturday, Mary 15. The Branford Marsalis Quartet’s uncharacteristically continental ninety-minute concert was a high-concept triumph.

The band reimagines Keith Jarrett’s 1974 album Belonging on its forthcoming album on Blue Note Records. Even when the band wasn’t previewing material from Belonging, the distinctive tone of the ECM Records recording permeated the performance. 

The singular American pianist Jarrett was joined by Norwegian saxophonist Jan Garbarek, Swedish bassist Palle Danielsson and Norwegian drummer Jon Christensen on Belonging. Marsalis’ channeling of Garbarek provided the audience of about 1,000 a highly refined but undeniably peculiar experience. (I paid $42 for my ticket.)

Even when Marsalis switched to Ben Webster mode on vintage blues selections like “There Ain’t No Sweet Man That’s Worth the Salt of My Tears,” he and the band retained a sense of cool reserve.

Pianist Joey Calderazzo seemed to enjoy offering new insights into Jarrett’s legacy. As always, the superlative bassist Eric Revis impressed. The absence of Justin Faulker, the quartet’s current drummer, resulted in accidental entertainment.

Realizing that the frequent admonishments of drummer David Hawkins made by the three veterans were visible to the audience, Marsalis explained Hawkins was playing his second gig with the band. Hawkins, a drummer with deep Kansas City ties, didn’t seem fazed by the hazing. In fact, his powerhouse attack was welcome.

Carl Allen and Houston Smith of Kansas City joined Marsalis and Calderazzo for the encore. Calderazzo’s son sat next to his father. The child looked alternately awed, baffled and delighted. His was precisely the right reaction to the slightly disorienting but entirely wonderful concert.

Confirmation: Weekly News and Notes

*Leon Brady, one of Kansas City’s most eminent jazz educators for decades, has died.

*The Pitch published a profile of Matt Hopper.

*Carl Allen was honored by the Jazz Education Network.

Confirmation: Weekly News and Notes

*The new episode of Kansas Public Radio’s Live at Green Lady Lounge program features the Rod Fleeman Trio.

*A University of Kansas student’s report about jazz in Kansas City cites Green Lady Lounge as “the city’s highest-paying gig for musicians.”

*Joe Dimino interviewed Carl Allen.

*Kemet Coleman is lobbying for additional government investment in Kansas City’s music scene.

*An academic gives a lecture about Kansas City’s jazz legacy at UCLA on January 22.

Album Review: Carl Allen- Tippin’

Two tracks on Tippin', the phenomenal new album by Carl Allen, Christian McBride and Chris Potter, exemplify the most artistically consequential segment of Kansas City culture.

The genial swing applied to the Pat Metheny standard “James” represents kindhearted Midwestern values. And the momentous rendering of Charlie Parker’s “Parker’s Mood” that opens Tippin’ suggests that Allen now identifies as a Kansas Citian since becoming the Director of Jazz Studies at UMKC in 2021

As one of the most respected drummers in mainstream jazz for more than thirty years, Allen is accustomed to working with the form’s top talents. Bassist McBride and saxophonist/clarinetist Potter are among the biggest names in jazz. Accordingly, the trio’s burly approach proves that new ideas and fresh approaches are still possible within a conventional swing format.

“L’s Bop” careens toward the outer boundaries of the form while “Song For Abdullah” delivers gorgeous epiphanies. The intensity subsides on two or three tracks, including a relaxed take on “Put on a Happy Face.” Tippin’ is a necessary reminder of the enduring resilience of jazz in Kansas City.

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

*Kevin Whitehead considered Bobby Watson’s new album Back Home in Kansas City for NPR.  A critic in New York analyzed a Watson concert in Schenectady.

*Fans named Norman Brown’s “Back at Ya” the Song of the Year in the Jazz Music Awards.  Christian McBride & Inside Straight, a band featuring the Kansas City based drummer Carl Allen, won the title of Best Mainstream Artist.

*Laura Spencer created an audio feature about the Hannover Jazz Orchestra’s visit to Kansas City for KCUR.  Members of the ensemble visited a television station.

*A sculpture inspired by Charlie Parker will be displayed at Kansas City’s new airport.

*Joe Dimino chatted with John Stein and shared footage of a performance by the Marcus Lewis Quintet.

*Tweet of the Week: Lipid Scientist- Visiting Kansas City - just went to the Negro Leagues Museum and the American Jazz Museum. Now we are listening to Caribbean Jazz at the Blue Room. Bryan Alford Jazz Experience: (photo)

Now's the Time: Vanessa Rubin

The discerning adaptability of Vanessa Rubin helped a student band sound like a professional orchestra at a concert in Portland reviewed by Plastic Sax earlier this month. Supported by ringers including drummer Carl Allen, pianist Reggie Thomas and saxophonist Bobby Watson at the Blue Room on Saturday, March 26, Rubin will almost certainly affirm her reputation as an elite old-school jazz vocalist.

The Kansas City's Jazz Scene's Top Trends and Stories of 2021

1. Mask off

Kansas City never entirely embraced pandemic precautions.  Much of the populace treated official mandates as gratuitous suggestions.  Even so, Kansas City’s live music landscape shifted during the difficulties.  The good news is that new jazz-friendly venues replaced many of the rooms that didn’t survive.

2. Saying the quiet part out loud

Some readers of Plastic Sax are annoyed by this site’s penchant for disclosing disheartening attendance figures.  Pat Metheny acknowledged the town’s limited appetite for jazz in an interview with In Kansas City magazine.

3. Fiver

Many observers insist that the customary absence of cover charges at performances of jazz devalues the music.  Green Lady Lounge, Kansas City’s most popular jazz venue, instituted a five dollar admission fee this year.

4. Underground surge

Thanks largely to the initiatives of the enterprising young musicians Seth Davis and Evan Verploegh, avant-garde jazz and experimental music was much easier to find in 2021.

5. 3333

After relocating to 3333 Wyoming Street, the Charlotte Street Foundation became a welcoming home for left-of-center improvised music.

6. The beat goes on

The storied drummer Carl Allen replaced Bobby Watson as Endowed Chair of Jazz Studies at UMKC.  Much of the jazz scene’s fate rests on Allen’s ability to attract and develop promising talent.

7. Dunn good

Gerald Dunn, the person who has become the institutional memory of the American Jazz Museum and has long served as an essential component of Kansas City’s music scene, was named a Jazz Hero by the Jazz Journalists Association.

8. Missouri uncompromised

Carolyn Glenn Brewer’s new study Under Missouri Skies: Pat Metheny in Kansas City 1965-1972 provides essential insights into a previously under-documented era.

9. Next level

Hermon Mehari’s progression as a refined practitioner of European jazz and the ascension of Lucy Wijnands’ career were among the most notable artistic developments by artists associated with Kansas City.

10. Rest in peace

The passing of organ kingpin Everette DeVan was the most prominent of several heartbreaking deaths.

Confirmation: Weekly News and Notes

*A pair of Kansas City-adjacent jazz albums received Grammy acknowledgments this week.  The Count Basie Orchestra’s Live at Birdland is nominated in the category of Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album.  Pat Metheny’s Side-Eye NYC (V1.IV) is nominated in the category of Best Jazz Instrumental Album.

*Pat Metheny was named Guitarist of the Year in the 86th Annual DownBeat Readers Poll.

*The Lansing City Pulse interviewed Carl Allen.  The drummer who was named the William D. and Mary Grant/Endowed Professor of Jazz Studies at UMKC this year mentioned the formation of the Jazz Professors, a group featuring saxophonist Tia Fuller, trombonist Mitch Butler, pianist Cyrus Chestnut and bassist Rodney Whitaker.

*Pat Metheny is on the cover of the December issue of Jazzwise magazine.

*Joe Dimino chatted with drummer Marty Morrison.

*Tweet of the Week: KCUR- A score of Kansas City musicians are nominated for the 2022 Grammy Awards (link)

Confirmation: Weekly News and Notes

*Carl Allen chatted with Steve Kraske about his new position at UMKC on KCUR’s Up To Date program.

*John Armato and Andrew Ouellette made appearances on Neon Jazz.

*The Kansas City Beacon filed a report about decrepit city-owned properties in the Jazz District.

*Tweet of the Week: Charles Lloyd- Sending white light and prayers to my friend #PhilSchaap who has filled #WKCR airways for decades and augmented our knowledge not only about Bird but the history of Jazz. His health is failing. Listen to Bird and send him light and prayers, he will feel it. (link)

Confirmation: Weekly News and Notes

*CBS Sunday Morning checked in with Marilyn Maye.

*Chris Burnett pays tribute to the late Bob Cowan.

*Joe Dimino interviewed musicians affiliated with the late Everette DeVan, shared snippets of a show at Lonnie’s Reno Club, and documented an event memorializing DeVan.

*The Pitch admires the efforts of the Kansas City Jazz Academy.

*The Fisher Center in New York presents a concert titled Genius Mother Mary: A Sonic Retrospective of Mary Lou Williams on July 29.

*Tweet of the Week: Barrio KC- Get ready for a good time because we’ve got the Max Groove Duo from 7-10pm at Red Bridge! #tequilaandtunes

*Announced four months ago, but only recently uncovered by Plastic Sax: The UMKC (Conservatory) is pleased to announce that Carl Allen will join our faculty Fall 2021 as the newly appointed William D. and Mary Grant/Endowed Professor of Jazz Studies. Mr. Allen is one of the most celebrated jazz artists of his generation, having performed and taught all over the world and recorded with legendary jazz greats Freddie Hubbard, Jackie McLean, Michael Brecker, Sammy Davis Jr., Branford Marsalis, Lena Horne, Herbie Hancock, Benny Golson, Christian McBride and many others.