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Original image by Plastic Sax.
*Dan Kelly of The Kansas City Star and Steve Kraske of KCUR interviewed Angela Wildflower about her role in the Kansas City Repertory Theatre’s production of “Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill.”
*Dr. Dina Bennett and Gerald Dunn of the American Jazz Museum discuss Dunn’s career in a forty-minute video.
Original image by Plastic Sax.
*The inaugural Lee’s Summit Jazz Festival is highlighted by The Kansas City Star.
*Joe Dimino captured portions of an outing led by Mikole Kaar at a restaurant.
*The Kansas City Star looked into Gerald Dunn’s restaurant Dunn Deal BBQ.
*The New York Times previewed choreographer Jawole Willa Jo Zollar’s new work that’s inspired by Kansas City jazz.
Original image by Plastic Sax.
*Joyce Smith highlighted Gerald Dunn’s barbecue restaurant for Startland News.
*Joe Dimino interviewed Jeff Shirley.
*A Houston publication’s guide to Kansas City references the Mutual Musicians Foundation and Green Lady Lounge.
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*Matt Otto told The Pitch about his new album.
*Dunn Deal, a restaurant operated by Gerald Dunn of the American Jazz Museum, is slated to open in August.
*Reed Jackson reviewed Pat Metheny’s concert at Muriel Kauffman Theatre.
*Dave Scott chatted with Joe Dimino.
*Julie Denesha interviewed Donald Harrison and Stephon Alexander in advance of an event at the Folly Theater.
*Outings by Peter Schlamb’s Electric Tinks and the Kansas City Latin Jazz Orchestra are included in a recap of the Boulevardia festival.
Original image by Plastic Sax.
Gerald Dunn of the American Jazz Museum told an audience of about 50 at the Blue Room on Friday, June 3, that the first set of Nduduzo Makhathini’s two-night residency at the Blue Room would be briefly delayed because Lonnie Plaxico’s bass “exploded.” The South African pianist, Kansas City saxophonist Logan Richardson and Cuban drummer Francisco Mela ultimately opted to begin without the storied bassist.
The mishap was quickly transformed into an advantage. In one of many astounding moments, Makathini placed his hands on his knees and swayed back and forth as Mela’s explosive drumming propelled Richardson’s ascending solo into the stratosphere. Explaining his intent a few minutes later, Makhathini said he’s committed to “pushing toward the unknown” with a sound that “escapes the realm of definitions.”
His 11 albums as a leader can be characterized as spiritual jazz. Makathini insisted his music also reflects South Africa’s “dysfunctionality and displacement” and “violent historical past.” With the aid of a replenished Plaxico in the second half of the 65-minute set, the quartet forged spiritually transcendent and intellectually illuminating art of the highest order.
Original image of Tyree Johnson by Plastic Sax.
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.
Original image by Plastic Sax.
*Two recent Bobby Watson shows in Columbia, Missouri, stream on YouTube. The saxophonist performed with Roger Wilder at Murray’s. He also dedicated a virtual concert to children.
*Laura Spencer of KCUR checks in with Mark Lowrey.
*Gerald Dunn represents Kansas City at the 85-minute mark of a video honoring recipients of the Jazz Journalist Association’s Jazz Heroes awards.
*Podcast update: James McGee of the Mutual Musicians Foundation appeared on the Center Cuts podcast. The man behind Plastic Sax observes the 60th anniversary of Ornette Coleman’s Free Jazz album on his In My Headache podcast.
*Tweet of the Week: Charlie Parker KC- Spring into the season with a fresh new look from Bird! Add this signature Blue Charlie Parker Tie to your wardrobe! GET YOURS TODAY!
*From a press release: Kansas City Area Youth Jazz has announced its 2021 Season Auditions for Fellowships will occur on Sunday, April 25th at BRC Audio Productions, studio A beginning at noon. 2021 Auditions are open to any youth jazz artist in high school or college. In addition to the strategic partnership and alliance with BRC Audio Productions, Kansas City Area Youth Jazz has partnered with The Paseo Academy of Fine and Performing Arts to present its program model.
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)