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Original image by Plastic Sax.
*The Kansas City Star reported that Patti Austin’s name was misspelled on her plaque at her induction into the Jazz Walk of Fame on 18th Street. Austin quipped “with friends like you, who needs enemies?” KCUR’s Steve Kraske previewed the event.
*Lucy Wijnands is featured in a television news report about an anti-Israeli act of vandalism at the Brooklyn jazz club Wilson Live.
*Joe Dimino interviewed Mike Parkinson.
Original image of stained glass at Rolling Hills Presbyterian Church by Plastic Sax.
An unassuming pianist roared with startling ferocity at Rolling Hills Presbyterian Church on Thursday, July 1. The Kansas City mainstay Michael Pagán lit up a recital of sacred-themed jazz. An iteration of the longstanding Trinity Jazz Ensemble- vocalist (Brother) John Anderson, trumpeter Mike Parkinson, saxophonist Doug Talley, pianist Pagán, bassist Tim Brewer and drummer Sam Platt- performed an inspired array of original material and classic compositions.
Pagán disrupted the otherwise pleasingly polite concert with a memorable outburst. For three consecutive selections in the middle of the performance, Pagán played like one of the world’s most celebrated pianists. Free of ostentation, the informal showcase began with “Deep In My Soul.” Pagán’s original is one of the strongest compositions to emerge from Kansas City in recent years. Parkinson exclaimed “that’s deep!” at the conclusion of the song.
A fiery incarnation of Wynton Kelly seemed to overtake Pagán during a reading of Hank Mobley’s “A Baptist Beat.” It was followed by Pagán’s solo rendition of Keith Jarrett’s “Silence.” He matched the meditative brilliance of the composer. While his contributions continued to impress, Pagán assumed a less conspicuous role for the remainder of the concert. Yet his unexpected salvo served as a valuable reminder that splashy superheroes lurk inside many of the Clark Kents in Kansas City’s jazz community.