*The Kansas City Star eulogized Queen Bey.
*Chris Burnett was interviewed by Joe Dimino. Burnett’s latest album Originals was reviewed by The Pitch.
Confirmation: Weekly News and Notes
Original image by Plastic Sax.
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.
Confirmation: Weekly News and Notes
Original image of a 1999 book promoting the Kansas City Jazz Museum by Plastic Sax.
*The Kansas City musician and jazz devotee George Boje has died.
*WBGO hosts the second installment of Pat Metheny’s conversation with David Sanborn.
*A Kansas City music blogger includes a host of jazz items in his January synopsis.
*From Chris Burnett: “The Kansas Historical Society is going to preserve the KC metro based ARC record label. An acquisitions team of archivists is coming to pick up physical copies of recordings, posters, and documents related to the record label on Wednesday February 7, 2024. Other items like digital audio files of recordings that were not issued in physical product formats, and periodic updates to the label catalog will be delivered as applicable on an ongoing basis going forward.”
Confirmation: Weekly News and Notes
Original image by Plastic Sax.
*Logan Richardson’s Holy Water, the Count Basie Orchestra’s Swings the Blues and Matt Otto’s Umbra are among Chris Burnett’s favorite albums of 2023.
Confirmation: Weekly News and Notes
Original image by Plastic Sax.
*Geneva Price, a vocalist best known in recent years as a member of the Wild Women of Kansas City, has died.
*Hermon Mehari chatted with Steve Kraske on KCUR’s Up To Date program.
*Joe Dimino interviewed Jack Mouse and posted footage of performances by Joanna Berkebile and Hermon Mehari.
**Tweet of the Week: Chris Burnett- @KCStar needs to have a weekly Jazz column that actually covers the thriving jazz music scene (businesses, performing artists, educational events, and historical documentation) in the greater KC area. Jazz music is part of the historical DNA of Kansas City. @QuintonLucasKC
*From a press release: (The)“Tribute to Black Composers” concert will be presented at Unity Temple on the Plaza… on Sunday, March 19, at 4 p.m. in conjunction with the 15 and the Mahomies Foundation… (P)erformers include Angela Hagenbach, David Basse, Lori Tucker, and City Light Jazz Orchestra with… JWB... The show… is a history of Black songwriting and publishing in the 20th century. (Tickets are available here.)
Confirmation: Weekly News and Notes
Original image by Plastic Sax.
*Joyce Smith of The Kansas City Star reports that Westport Coffee House, an important cog in Kansas City’s jazz scene, is for sale.
*Radio France looks back on the Kansas City Women’s Jazz Festival.
*An archive recording recently released by Chris Burnett is reviewed at All About Jazz.
*Michael Shults is featured on Steve Kortyka’s YouTube channel.
*Marc Myers shares recently uploaded footage featuring Count Basie.
*Tweet of the Week: Jessica Moulin- Green Lady Lounge is so underrated in Kansas City. I can’t wait to listen to live jazz Friday and then play skee ball at Updown #ilovekc
Confirmation: Weekly News and Notes
Original image by Plastic Sax.
*Chris Burnett discussed the release of an archival recording with Joe Dimino.
*The obituary for a jazz enthusiast includes references to fabled venues including Kansas City’s Pla-Mor Ballroom.
*Tweet of the Week: KCUR- From jazz to folk, Kansas City has a rich collection of music for this time of year. Music critic Bill Brownlee recommends adding these to your holiday playlist. (link)
Confirmation: Weekly News and Notes
Original image by Plastic Sax.
*Chris Burnett listed his ten favorite albums of 2021 at Jazz Artistry Now.
*The man behind this site shared selections by Hermon Mehari and Pat Metheny in a survey of his favorite music of 2021 on radio station 90.9 The Bridge. (Stream available soon.)
*Tweet of the Week: Dylan Pyles- Psst. There are no safe indoors events right now.
Confirmation: Weekly News and Notes
Original image by Plastic Sax.
*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.
Confirmation: Weekly News and Notes
Original image by Plastic Sax.
*Gerald Dunn, the Senior Manager of Entertainment at the American Jazz Museum, was named a 2021 Jazz Hero by the Jazz Journalists Association.
*The Standards, Vol. 1, the 2021 release from the Christopher Burnett Quartet, was reviewed at All About Jazz.
*Tweet of the Week: popsike.com- archived! $ 358 | 78 Rpm -- Bennie Moten's Kansas City Orchestra, Okeh 8277, E-v+ Jazz #vinyl (link)
Album Review: Christopher Burnett Quintet- The Standards, Vol. 1
January is a month of new beginnings. Polite music ill-suited to the turbulent societal and political chaos of four months ago can be properly appreciated with fresh ears. That’s partly why The Standards, Vol. 1, the new album by the Christopher Burnett Quintet, acts as a restorative balm.
Burnett, one of the most industrious figures on Kansas City’s music scene, treats jazz as refined chamber music in his capacities as a saxophonist, bandleader, educator and record label executive. His genteel sensibilities are beautifully showcased on The Standards, Vol. 1.
The core band of Burnett, pianist Roger Wilder, bassist Bill McKemy and drummer Clarence Smith perform five standards and one Burnett composition with seasoned reverence. Even though the quintet and several guest artists maintain a consistently gracious tone, several moments stand out.
An imaginative arrangement breathes new life into “Corcovado.” Stan Kessler’s shimmering trumpet solo elevates “Dolphin Dance.” “Freedom Flight,” a sprightly original Burnett composition, features a sterling guitar solo from Charles Gatschet. Burnett soars throughout.
Burnett’s tactfulness extends the album’s length. At just 39 minutes, the album leaves the appreciative listener wanting more. That’s why the Vol. 1 addendum in the album’s title is an early ray of hope in the new year.
Confirmation: Weekly News and Notes
Original image by Plastic Sax.
*The Kansas City Star acknowledges the "short shrift" The Star and The Times gave to Kansas City jazz giants including Charlie Parker during the city’s jazz heyday.
*KCUR’s Gina Kauffman relates the story of the creation of Andrea Lewis’ new Christmas album.
*I shared tracks by Mike Dillon and Flutienastiness on an episode of Eight One Sixty on 90.9 The Bridge.
*Joe Dimino interviewed Chris Burnett and Bill Crain.
*Ça Va, a Kansas City establishment that often hosted live jazz, has closed.
*Tweet of the Week: Mayor Q- While we talk reconciliation here, also note something The Star mentioned as an oversight—not telling the positive stories of the Black experience in Kansas City over a decades. To share and repeat a tale of pain alone is to miss the greatness of our community.