Albums Review: Austin Engelhardt, Kwan Leung Ling and James Taylor- Turnsōl Tapes Vol. 1 and Vol. 2

The Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts opened in 2011. I naively believed a  new day had dawned on Kansas City’s music scene. I expected the two venues in Moshe Safdie’s striking building to regularly present the world’s most important cutting-edge artists.

The institution might have used its considerable prestige to cultivate a bold new era of music appreciation in the heartland. Laurie Anderson and Philip Glass appeared at the Kauffman Center in 2012. Brad Mehldau and Christian McBride perform there in October. Yet truly adventurous bookings remain scarce.

Turnsol Books, an arts space situated catawampus to the Kauffman Center, is among the many makeshift venues in Kansas City that have filled the gap during the last 15 years. Two experimental improvised music sessions hosted by Turnsol this year have been uploaded to YouTube.

Austin Engelhardt and Kwan Leung Ling converse on Turnsōl Tapes Vol. 1. Ling, a daring suona specialist, yields his unique instrument with humor as Engelhardt wrings dark textures from an electric guitar. Percussionist James Taylor joins the party on Turnsōl Tapes Vol. 2. The three formally trained musicians add punk and avant-garde classical tactics to a vital set.

The Kauffman Center will likely never present the Art Ensemble of Chicago, David Murray, Matthew Shipp or Mats Gustafsson. Recorded in the shadow of the Kauffman Center, the two albums by Engelhardt, Ling and James Taylor are fine examples of the essential art that’s been largely absent from the moneyed institution for 15 years.

Now’s the Time: Béla Fleck and the Flecktones

Rather than descending from different bloodlines, jazz and bluegrass are country cousins.  Béla Fleck and the Flecktones have validated the assertion since the band’s formation in 1988.  The ensemble appears at Muriel Kauffman Theatre on Monday, June 12.

Are You Going With Me?

Our long municipal nightmare will soon be over.  Pat Metheny is slated to appear at Muriel Kauffman Theatre on Thursday, June 15.  The guitarist, one of the most artistically significant and commercially successful musicians to originate from the Kansas City area, will be joined by pianist Chris Fishman and drummer Joe Dyson in the current iteration of the Side-Eye project.  Metheny last performed inside the city limits of Kansas City in 2012.  His relentless tour schedule has made the drought particularly reprehensible.  Welcome back, hometown hero!

Now’s the Time: Diana Krall

The crossover star Diana Krall surrounds herself with elite musicians. She’s recently been performing in a trio format with the impeccable tandem of bassist Robert Hurst and drummer Karriem Riggins. If that’s still the case at Muriel Kauffman Theatre on Monday, October 3, Krall’s fans in Kansas City will relish a sublime performance.

Now’s the Time: The Glenn Miller Orchestra at Muriel Kauffman Theatre

A mention of Charlie Parker at a concert featuring members of the Kansas City Symphony last week elicited a smattering of applause. Dozens of people heartily cheered when Glenn Miller was cited a few minutes later. Some of those enthusiasts of the late bandleader will almost certainly be on hand when The Glenn Miller Orchestra performs at Muriel Kauffman Theatre on the afternoon of Saturday, June 25.

Now's the Time: Snarky Puppy

Snarky Puppy returns to Muriel Kauffman Theatre on Thursday, June 9. The band’s 2019 concert at the glitzy venue was one of the most auspicious jazz-adjacent shows to transpire in Kansas City in recent years.

Now’s the Time: Kirk Whalum

The smooth jazz luminary Kirk Whalum performs with The Kansas City Jazz Orchestra in the big band’s “Just the Two of Us” concert at Helzberg Hall on Saturday, March 12.

Confirmation: Weekly News and Notes

*The Kansas City Star shares James McGee’s perspective on the past, present and future of the Jazz District.

*From The Folly Theater: Due to COVID, the Paquito D'Rivera Quintet Folly Jazz Series performance scheduled for March 12 has been canceled.  We hope to reschedule in 2023.

*Tweet of the Week: Snarky Puppy- We are incredibly honoured and excited to announce that we will be supporting Steely Dan on their US tour as well as playing some headline Snarky Puppy dates! Tickets are on sale now, visit the link below to grab yours. (link to tour schedule including a June 9 date in Kansas City)