The esteemed Kansas City keyboardist Charles Williams performs in First Baptist Church’s Jazz Vespers series on Sunday, May 18.
Album Review: Stan Kessler- Two’s Company
Two's Company may be the most valuable release of the year to emerge from Kansas City’s jazz community. While the elite mastery of trumpet and flugelhorn Stan Kessler displays on the album is hardly news, his decision to showcase three generations of Kansas City pianists provides a crucial service.
Pianists Joe Cartwright, Brant Jester, Andrew Ouellette, Brian Ward, Roger Wilder and Charles Williams don’t possess the relatively higher profile of the garrulous Kessler, a fixture on Kansas City’s jazz scene. Two’s Company is a welcome corrective.
As the title suggests, Two’s Company consists solely of duets. Jester’s lively melodicism makes “Blue Silver” an ideal opening track. Cartwright’s sensitivity highlights a heartbreaking rendering of “Chelsea Bridge.” Williams’ sprightly elegance propels “Way Down Yonder in New Orleans.”
“Berlin November” spotlights Wilder’s mainstream mastery. Ouellette’s contribution to “New Moon” shows why he’s among Kansas City’s most sought after accompanists. Ward’s maturity balances Kessler’s childlike glee on “Cosmic Latte.”
Kessler’s distinctive tone and improvisational dexterity sparkle on Two’s Company. Yet it’s his eagerness to share the spotlight with six of Kansas City’s under-documented pianists that makes Kessler’s album essential.
Confirmation: Weekly News and Notes
Original image by Plastic Sax.
*The American Jazz Museum has resurrected the Jammin’ at the Gem concert series. Four concerts have been announced without much fanfare: Najee, December 17; Eric Roberson, February 11; Artemis, March 18; the SFJazz Collective, April 1. Tickets to each concert are $65 and $75. Details are available here.
*Joe Dimino shared footage of a performance by the Charles Williams Trio at the Blue Room and interviewed Eddie Moore.
*Libby Hanssen recommends seasonal music by the Count Basie Orchestra and the Kerry Strayer Orchestra for KCUR.
*KCUR’s Up To Date program showcased TJ & The Tattletales’ revival of A Charlie Brown Christmas.
*Tweet of the Week: KU School of Music- Jazz Vespers is THIS THURSDAY at 7:30 PM @liedcenterks! The concert once again features performances of holiday favorites in a jazz and pop setting. Event is free, but tickets required: (link)
*From a press release: (A) follow-up to the 2012 ARC release Keyboard Christmas, and his fifteenth recording as a leader, Michael Pagán presents a program of holiday themed tracks… Keyboard Christmas II finds Kansas City based Pagán again in the solo piano idiom.
Confirmation: Weekly News and Notes
Original image by Plastic Sax.
*Joe Dimino shared video clips from shows by Dave Scott and Charles Williams.
*The Chicago jazz advocacy group Fulton Street Collective streamed a performance by the Kansas City trio of saxophonist Pete Fucinaro, bassist Ben Tervort and drummer Brian Steever.
*Tweet of the Week: Kenneth Barreras- Master Musician Carmell Jones was born on this date in 1936. Here he is playing his own composition on a Nathan Davis recording. Davis himself does not play on this tune. With the legendary Kenny Clarke on drums. Carmell's Black Forest Waltz (link)
Confirmation: Weekly News and Notes
Original image by Plastic Sax.
*KCUR aired a story about Upcycle Piano Craft’s recital series. Charles Williams is the featured performer in the segment.
*Joe Dimino chatted with Natalie Bates and David Hawkins.
*Tweet of the Week: Green Lady Lounge- Tyrone Clark - Brazilian Dance (Composer: Tyrone Clark) #Jazz #NowPlaying #KansasCityJazz Green Lady Radio
Confirmation: Weekly News and Notes
Original image by Plastic Sax.
*Kevin Frazee, a prominent Kansas City drummer, has reportedly died. Here’s a representative performance with OJT.
*KCUR offered a musically ambiguous survey of Kansas City’s jazz venues.
*Pat Metheny appeared on Questlove’s podcast.
*A resident of the Jazz District told The Kansas City Star “we’re afraid” in the wake of a deadly shooting last week. A television station also took note of the crime.
*Tweet of the Week: MCC Kansas City- The public is invited to enjoy a FREE evening of jazz 6-9 p.m. this Friday (9/17) Saxophone at MCC-Penn Valley. Featuring: * Gospel vocalist Lisa Henry * Trumpeter Chalis O'Neal * Charles D. Williams, pianist for the Kansas City Jazz Orchestra (link)
*From a press release: The American Jazz Museum is proud to present Lights, Camera, Vine!, a three-day film series that explores jazz music’s impact on film in America. This series has been created in partnership with local film makers Rodney Thompson and Diallo French. Stretching from Thursday, September 30 to Saturday, October 2nd, features include two iconic jazz films - "Lady Sings the Blues" starring Diana Ross as Billie Holiday, and Spike Lee's "Mo' Better Blues" - as well as selections from the American Jazz Museum's John H. Baker Film Collection. Screenings will each include a reception with live music, and a Q&A session and discussion with local film experts after the film.
Concert Review: Bird Fleming and Bill Summers’ “Voyage of the Drum” at Dunbar Park
Original image by Plastic Sax.
At the conclusion of a freewheeling concert at Dunbar Park on Monday, June 21, percussionist, bandleader and emcee Bird Fleming told the audience that “you will never listen to music the same way again.” The free performance almost substantiated Fleming’s audacious assertion. The unlikely blend of percussion demonstrations, swing-based jazz and star power in the form of Bill Summers made for a glorious afternoon on Make Music Day.
In addition to earnest attempts to explain what he called the “Africa to jazz tradition,” Fleming repeatedly ushered various configurations of musicians on and off the portable stage. The percussion ensemble Soundz of Africa, saxophonist Doug Talley, keyboardist Charles Williams, bassist James Ward, percussionist Pat Conway and Summers made frequent use of the stairs on either side of the stage.
Summers was the primary attraction for many attendees. He amplified Flemings’ educational emphasis by offering insights into the tradition of pouring one out as an homage to ancestors, the commendable culture of the Forest People of Central Africa and the European origin of the ritual of applause. He also participated in a percussion workout and recreated his hook from Herbie Hancock’s 1973 hit version of “Watermelon Man.”
Talley, Williams and Ward responded intuitively to Summers’ cues while enlivening standards including “Caravan,” “Afro Blue” and the inescapable “Kansas City.” After one of Fleming’s attempts to engage listeners received a tepid response, he asked the approximately 100 people on hand to “just humor me.” Fleming deserved far more than polite encouragement. He and everyone involved in the singular UNESCO Cities of Music event merited a standing ovation.
Now's the Time: Charles Williams
The versatile Kansas City pianist Charles Williams interprets “Betcha by Golly, Wow” in the embedded video. He’s assisted by guitarist Rod Fleeman, bassist James Ward and drummer Mike Warren.