Album Review: Henry Scamurra- Urban Forum

Diverse’s 2009 debut album is a significant landmark in Kansas City jazz history. In addition to heralding the arrival of a vital new youth movement, the self-titled album was the first major statement by Hermon Mehari, the trumpeter who has since achieved international acclaim.

It’s entirely appropriate that Mehari contributes to two tracks on Henry Scamurra’s first album Urban Forum. The new recording announces a fresh round of auspicious young Kansas City based jazz musicians.

The outstanding saxophonist Scamurra is joined by vibraphonist Isaiah Petrie, bassist Spencer Reeve and drummer Jade Harvey on eight selections that connect to Kansas City jazz tradition by way of the recent innovations of Mehari, Logan Richardson and Peter Schlamb.

“Top of My Head” is among the new tracks that may become Kansas City standards. Based on the artistic promise displayed on Urban Forum, the album is likely to become at least as momentous as the arrival of Diverse.

Now's the Time: Weekly News and Notes

*The Count Basie Orchestra’s Basie Swings the Blues won a Grammy Award in the category of Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album on Sunday.

*Nina Cherry commends Isaiah Petrie for Kansas City magazine.

*The Kansas City Star previewed concerts by The Kansas City Jazz Orchestra.

*Joe Dimino shared footage of a performance by UMKC student bands.

*The Kansas City Star notes the January 2 passing of “Groovy” Grant Hopkins.

*A satirical Super Bowl-inspired item in Riff magazine suggests “the Kansas City jazz scene fell out of popularity nearly 70 years ago”.

Now’s the Time: Isaiah Petrie

Isaiah Petrie leads a quartet at Corvino on Friday, January 12. The vibraphonist is one of Kansas City’s most exciting young musicians.

Album Review: The DJ Quartet- Vision External

Vision External seems destined to be remembered as the unofficial debut showcase of Isaiah Petrie.  The young vibraphonist is a rising star in Kansas City’s music community.  Petrie, saxophonist Dougan Smith, bassist Nsikoh Bebe Lala and drummer Jaylen Ward comprise the un-Googleable ensemble The DJ Quartet on Vision External.  Petrie stands out, but each member of the group contributes to the vigorous post-bop of tracks including "The Call".  Even as it maintains convention, the DJ Quartet brings refreshing vitality to Kansas City’s mainstream jazz scene.

Confirmation: Weekly News and Notes

*Eddie Moore and Jaylen Ward entered NPR’s annual Tiny Desk Contest.

*Bobby Watson appeared on a sports podcast in advance of the Super Bowl.

*Seth Allen of Libations & Company tells Joe Dimino about his new music venue in Lee’s Summit.

*Joe Dimino spoke with Isaiah Petrie.

*The famed songwriter Burt Bacharach, a Kansas City native, has died.

*Tweet of the Week: Bob Kendrick- In it’s heyday, 18th & Vine was a cultural crossroad where Baseball & Jazz intersected! Guests got a taste of that era yesterday when they were treated to live music by some talented, young Jazz musicians! (video)