Plastic Sax

A handful of Kansas City-affiliated jazz-oriented albums released in recent months received little or no previous attention at Plastic Sax. This post partly remedies the omissions.

1. Joanna Berkebile- Love Me or Leave Me

What: The vocalist interprets standards.

Recommended if you like: Diana Krall

2. Bill Crain- Bill Crain

What: The veteran saxophonist documents his ongoing vitality.

Recommended if you like: The Brecker Brothers

3. Sylwester Ostrowski- Jammin' with KC

What: The Polish saxophonist collaborates with area standouts including Bobby Watson.

Recommended if you like: freewheeling jam sessions

4. E.E. Pointer- Dialogues

What: River Cow Orchestra’s leader howls at the moon.

Recommended if you like: Moondog

5. Rob Scheps- Live at the Churchill School

What: The hard-charging multi-instrumentalist regularly hangs his hat in Kansas City.

Recommended if you like: Phil Woods

*The Kansas City Star and The Kansas City Business Journal report on the opening of Lonnie's Reno Club.

*Pat Metheny’s From This Place was voted Album of the Year in Downbeat’s 85th Annual Readers Poll. Readers also named Metheny the year’s top guitarist.

*Hermon Mehari created a heartwarming music video for "A Conversation With My Uncle" and "Eritrea".

*Joanna Berkebile, Lonnie McFadden, Matt Otto and Paul Shinn were interviewed by Joe Dimino.

*Tweet of the Week: Kansas City PBS- The performing arts have been sorely missed. That's why we're thrilled to bring you KC Performs, our new series bringing you beautiful performances from local artists. Starting next Thursday at 7:00 pm.