Linda May Han Oh’s inclusion in the 2026-27 season of the Folly Jazz series received Plastic Sax’s highest grade. The esteemed bassist will be joined by vocalist Sara Serpa, saxophonist Mark Turner, keyboardist Fabian Almazan and drummer Obed Calvaire on Saturday, October 10. The lineup is featured in the embedded video.
Now’s the Time: Marilyn Maye
The indefatigable Marilyn Maye returns to the Folly Theater on Friday, September 25. Plastic Sax reviewed her 2025 appearance at the same venue.
Now’s the Time: Stephen Martin
Stephen Martin, Matt Otto and Bobby Watson are the featured saxophonists in the Kansas City Jazz Orchestra’s tribute to Charlie Parker at the Folly Theater on Saturday, August 29. Martin takes the first solo in a reading of “Boplicity” in the embedded video.
Grading the 2026-27 Season of the Folly Jazz Series
Original image of the Branford Marsalis Quartet at the Folly Theater by Plastic Sax.
The presenters of the Folly Jazz Series have outdone themselves. The six concerts in the small-but-mighty 2026-27 season are the venue’s most artistically compelling set of offerings in years.
Linda May Han Oh
October 10, 2026
Grade: A
Linda May Han Oh is among the most consequential young artists in improvised music. The bassist’s Strange Heavens was Plastic Sax’s favorite jazz album of 2025. Her new album Beneath Lifted Skies consists of duets with saxophonist Melissa Aldana. There’s no word yet about the bassist’s accompanists on October 10.
Julian Lage
January 9, 2027
Grade: A-
Disgruntled people walked out of Julian Lage’s headlining appearance at Jazz Winterlude in 2013. As the innovative guitarist has subsequently become a star, agitated patrons aren’t expected during Lage’s return to the Folly Jazz Series.
Ambrose Akinmusire
February 13, 2027
Grade: A
Easily the most exciting trumpeter to emerge in the past quarter-century, Ambrose Akinmusire is a generational figure. He’s one of very few artists who has successfully fused hip-hop, rock and classical music with jazz.
Billy Childs
March 7, 2027
Grade: B+
Billy Childs’ gentle melodicism makes the pianist one of the most accessible mainstream jazz pianists of the past fifty years. Now 69, Childs is at the height of his powers.
A Tribute to Kevin Mahogany featuring David Basse with the Dave Stryker Trio and Lisa Henry
March 27, 2027
Grade: B
Kansas City’s jazz community took great pride in Kevin Mahogany’s major label albums in the 1990s. The lustrous vocalist died in 2017. Gregory Porter is Mahogany’s contemporary equivalent.
The Branford Marsalis Quartet with Dianne Reeves
April 24, 2027
Grade: A-
A 2025 concert by the Branford Marsalis Quartet at the Folly Theater was stupendous. The sublime vocalist Dianne Reeves is joining the band on tour in support of Dedicated to You, a September 18 release reinterpreting the beloved 1963 album John Coltrane and Johnny Hartman.
An assessment of the previous season is here.
Now’s the Time: Cyrus Chestnut
Cyrus Chestnut, one of the foremost mainstream jazz pianists of the last thirty years, performs at the annual UMKC Conservatory Jazz concert at the Folly Theater on Wednesday, April 22. Carl Allen, the William D. and Mary Grant/Missouri Endowed Professor of Jazz Studies at UMKC, played on Chestnut’s first three albums.
Now’s the Time: Anat Cohen
Anat Cohen will play the role of Benny Goodman during her appearance with The Kansas City Jazz Orchestra at the Folly Theater on Saturday, April 11. The performance is an homage to a famed 1938 concert at Carnegie Hall. The embedded video features Cohen in a very different context.
Now’s the Time: Mark Turner
A band of all-stars performs at the Folly Theater on Sunday, March 29. Unfortunately, Mark Turner, Sean Jones, Kurt Rosenwinkel, John Beasley, Ben Williams and Terreon Gully will be hamstrung by an unpromising format. The concert is billed as “Unlimited Miles: Miles Davis at 100.” Consequently, the audience isn’t likely to hear material from Turner’s formidable new album Patternmaster.
Now’s the Time: Cyrille Aimée
The French pop-jazz artist Cyrille Aimée returns to the Folly Theater on Saturday, March 14. Plastic Sax reviewed her Kansas City debut in 2018.
Confirmation: Weekly News and Notes
Original image by Plastic Sax.
*From a press release: Kansas City Jazz Orchestra Artistic Director Clint Ashlock today announced the next concert for the 2025-2026 Signature Series, Benny Goodman Live at Carnegie Hall, for one performance on Saturday, April 11, 2026 at 7 p.m. at Kansas City’s historic Folly Theatre… Featuring pre-eminent clarinetist, saxophonist and band leader Anat Cohen, KCJO will re-create a groundbreaking 1938 Carnegie Hall concert that marked a significant turning point, altering the direction of big-band jazz music, and becoming one of the most popular collections of live music ever produced... For Tickets and more information: kcjo.org/tickets.
Concert Review: The Joshua Redman Quartet at the Folly Theater
Original image by Plastic Sax.
Familiarity breeds contempt. I begrudgingly paid $37.50 for a pocket-sized seat in the back row of the Folly Theater on Saturday, February 7. The event was the fifth time I’ve caught up with Joshua Redman in the past eleven years.
The saxophonist played the Folly Theater in 2019 (Plastic Sax review), collaborated with the Bad Plus at the Gem Theater in 2015 (my review for The Kansas City Star), and at the Folly in 2007 (Plastic Sax review). I also heard Redman at New York City’s Charlie Parker Jazz Festival in 2017 (Plastic Sax review).
Rather than harboring disappointment with the reliably excellent Redman, I was irritated by the propensity of jazz presenters in Kansas City to feature the same acts year after year. Kansas City apparently doesn’t share my fussiness. A near-capacity audience of almost 1,000 paid rapt attention to Redman, pianist Paul Cornish, bassist Philip Norris and drummer Nazir Ebo.
My gloom dissipated as it became apparent the quartet was operating at the apex of mainstream jazz. Compositions that sound flat on the 2025 album Words Fall Short were enlivened by elite interplay and stupendous solos. Yet allusions to more adventurous sounds provided the highlights of the 100-minute performance.
Redman’s fire-breathing introduction to a selection concluded with a piercing high note, causing an agitated woman in front of me to cover her ears. An extended unaccompanied solo by Cornish ranged from Art Tatum to Robert Glasper. Norris and Ebo made similarly prodigious statements.
As at Branford Marsalis’ outing at the Folly Theater eleven months ago, the Kansas City based drummer Carl Allen sat in with the band for one tune. While I might long for the likes of Mary Halvorson, I’ll never pass on an opportunity to hear Marsalis or Redman in Kansas City.
(Reed Jackson composed a more conventional review of Redman’s concert for Spectrum Culture.)
Now's the Time: Joshua Redman
The Folly Jazz Series resumes on Saturday, February 7, with the excellent quartet led by Joshua Redman. The saxophonist is slated to perform with pianist Paul Cornish, bassist Philip Norris and drummer Nazir Ebo.
Concert Review: Marilyn Maye at the Folly Theater
Original image by Plastic Sax.
Frank Sinatra. Lena Horne. Tony Bennett. Mel Tormé. Bobby Short. Of the prominent twentieth century vocalists in the saloon singer and torch song traditions, Marilyn Maye is the last legend standing. The ninety-seven-year-old’s homecoming concert at the Folly Theater on Sunday, December 21, provided a life-affirming experience for an audience of about 750. (I paid $39 for a balcony seat.)
Accompanied by pianist Tedd Firth, guitarist Rod Fleeman, bassist Gerald Spaits and drummer Ray DeMarchi, Maye focused on material she performed during her 76 appearances on the late-night television program The Tonight Show.
A screen above the stage during portions of the two-set show displayed video and photographic excerpts featuring Maye, Steve Allen, Jack Paar and Johnny Carson. Yet the wildly charismatic star didn’t rely on visual aids. Maye’s jokes remain funny and her voice is still strong.
Renditions of vintage material including “Cabaret,” “The Way We Were” and “Hello Dolly” were culled from Maye’s commercial peak fifty years ago. Yet Maye is anything but a has-been. Having outlived her peers and most of her core audience, Maye is an exemplar of artistic excellence and a heroic role model.
Confirmation: Weekly News and Notes
Original image by Plastic Sax.
*Footage of Marilyn Maye’s concert at the Folly Theater was shared by Joe Dimino.
The Top Jazz Performances of 2025
Original image of Shanté Clair and Krista Kopper at Grand Avenue Temple by Plastic Sax.
The Top Performances of 2025 by Kansas City Musicians
1. Nick Hmeljak, Henry Scamurra, Isaiah Petrie, Jordan Faught and Jaylen Ward at Westport Coffee House
Plastic Sax review.
2. Drew Williams, Ben Tervort and Brian Steever at the Stray Cat Film Center
Instagram clip.
3. Bram and Lucy Wijnands with the Kansas City Jazz Orchestra at the Folly Theater
Plastic Sax review.
4. Vanessa Thomas, Kara Smith, Michael Pagán and Steve Rigazzi at the Blue Room
Instagram clip.
5. Henry Scamurra, Isaiah Petrie, Spencer Reeve and Jade Harvey at the Prairie Village Jazz Festival
Instagram clip.
6. The Extemporaneous Music and Arts Society’s “3 Expressions of Light and Sound” at Charlotte Street Foundation
Instagram clip.
7. Matt Villinger, Peter Schlamb, Sebastian Arias and Matt Robertson at the Blue Room
Instagram clip.
8. Steve Cardenas, Forest Stewart and Brian Steever at Westport Coffee House
Plastic Sax review.
9. Deborah Brown and George Colligan at Upcycle Piano Craft
Instagram clip.
10. David Chael, Danny Embrey, Gerald Spaits and Brian Steever at Green Lady Lounge
My Instagram clip.
The Top Performances of 2025 by Touring Musicians
1. Christian McBride and Brad Mehldau at Muriel Kauffman Theatre
Plastic Sax review.
2. Terence Blanchard at Muriel Kauffman Theatre
There Stands the Glass review.
3. Branford Marsalis Quartet at the Folly Theater
Plastic Sax review.
4. Samara Joy at the Folly Theater
There Stands the Glass review.
5. Devin Gray at the Ship
There Stands the Glass review.
6. Alexander Adams, Jeff Goulet (and Seth Davis) with Kristen Kopper and Shanté Clair at Grand Avenue Temple
Instagram clip.
7. Cory Weeds (with Chris Hazelton) at Westport Coffee House
Plastic Sax review.
8. Béla Fleck, Edmar Castañeda and Antonio Sánchez at Helzberg Hall
Plastic Sax review.
9. Helen Sung (with Bach Aria Soloists) at the Folly Theater
Plastic Sax review.
10. Pete Escovedo at the Folly Theater
Plastic Sax review.
Last year’s survey is here.
Confirmation: Weekly News and Notes
Original image by Plastic Sax.
*A blogger reviewed Samara Joy’s concert at the Folly Theater.
*Happy Holidays, the new album by Tim Whitmer’s Good Time Quartet featuring Rod Fleeman, is available on streaming services. The release party will be held at Black Dolphin on Wednesday, December 17.
*Joe Dimino shared footage of a performance by Mire Pral.
Now’s the Time: Samara Joy
Samara Joy returns to the Folly Theater on Saturday, November 22. The vocalist’s 2023 performance at the concert hall was magnificent.
Now’s the Time: Lakecia Benjamin
In spite of the initial buzz accompanying the booking of Lakecia Benjamin in the 2025-26 season of the Folly Jazz Series, most seats for the saxophonist’s concert remain unsold ten days prior to her appearance on Saturday, November 1. The embedded video suggests Benjamin and her band are ideally suited for a sophisticated Saturday night.
Past Due Bill
Original image of Pete Escovedo’s band at the Folly Theater by Plastic Sax.
I opted for the season opener of the Folly Jazz Series over the revived KC Jazz & Blues Festival on Saturday, October 5. Several people have insisted an explanation is in order. My decision was based on equal parts money and art.
The festival would have put me back $89.50 ($69.50 for the least expensive ticket and $20 parking at the baseball stadium hosting the event). I paid $30 for the cheapest ticket to Pete Escovedo’s concert at the Folly Theater. I found a free parking spot on a nearby street.
Familiarity also played a role in my choice. Bill Frisell- the crown jewel of the festival’s lineup- comes through Kansas City regularly. Stanley Clarke, the de facto headliner, played a free concert in Kansas City in 2019.
I don’t care for the music of the festival’s closing act Karl Denson. As for the locally based professional musicians in the festival lineup, I’ve heard every one of them at least once in recent months.
I’ve only seen Escovedo perform as a member of Santana at the Uptown Theater in the 1970s. Escovedo’s octet played low-stakes Latin jazz for an audience of more than 200 on Saturday. The vibes were good, but missing Frisell feels bad.
Now’s the Time: Jon Batiste
A brief audit of Jon Batiste’s irregular relationship with Kansas City is in order. Batiste played the Folly Theater in 2014. In 2017, taxpayers funded an $18,000 charter flight to Kansas City to enable the 31-year-old Batiste to accept a Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Jazz Museum. Batiste canceled a 2018 concert at Madrid Theatre the week of the show due to “scheduling issues.” The star’s Big Money tour stops at the Midland Theatre on Wednesday, August 27.
Confirmation: Weekly News and Notes
Original image by Plastic Sax.
*Tickets to Samara Joy’s November 22 concert at the Folly Theater went on sale to the general public this week.