Stephen Martin, Matt Otto and Bobby Watson are the featured saxophonists in the Kansas City Jazz Orchestra’s tribute to Charlie Parker at the Folly Theater on Saturday, August 29. Martin takes the first solo in a reading of “Boplicity” in the embedded video.
Plastic Sax’s Favorite Albums of 2022
The Top Ten Kansas City Jazz Albums of 2022
1. Bobby Watson- Back Home in Kansas City
2. Hermon Mehari- Asmara
3. Steve Cardenas- Healing Power: The Music of Carla Bley
4. Adam Larson Trio- With Love, From Kansas City
5. Adam Larson Trio- With Love, From Chicago
6. Krista Kopper and Evan Verploegh- For the Trees
7. Arnold Young and the Roughtet- Fear Is the Mind Killer
8. Rod Fleeman Trio- Saturday Afternoon: Live at Green Lady Lounge
9. Matt Villinger’s All Night Trio- All Faded
10. Stephen Martin- High Plains
The Top Ten Jazz Albums of 2022 by Artists from Elsewhere
1. Moor Mother- Jazz Codes
2. Mary Halvorson- Belladonna
3. Nate Wooley- Ancient Songs of Burlap Heroes
4. Dave Douglas- Songs of Ascent: Book 1- Degrees
5. Anat Cohen- Quartetinho
6. Matthew Shipp Trio- World Construct
7. Tyshawn Sorey- The Off-Off Broadway Guide to Synergism
8. Nduduzo Makhathini- In The Spirit of Ntu
9. Gerald Clayton- Bells on Sand
10. Daniel Villarreal- Panamá 77
Links to previous annual surveys begin here.
Now’s the Time: All Night Trio
All Night Trio, Matt Villinger’s jazz-adjacent band, performs at the Blue Room on Friday, July 8. The embedded music video for the wavy “All Faded” features cameo appearances by the Kansas City musicians Stephen Martin and Peter Schlamb.
Now’s the Time: Stephen Martin
Stephen Martin, one of Kansas City’s finest young musicians, will lead bands at Black Dolphin on Saturday, April 30, and Friday, May 6. The saxophonist is likely to showcase material from his impressive new album High Plains. He’ll be joined by pianist Brant Jester, bassist Sam Copeland and drummer John Kizilarmut on April 30. Pianist Andrew Ouellette, bassist Sam Copeland and drummer Brian Steever will accompany Martin on May 6.
Confirmation: Weekly News and Notes
Original image by Plastic Sax.
*Nina Cherry praises Stephen Martin’s new album for Kansas City magazine.
*There Stands the Glass, the sister site of Plastic Sax, reviews Seth Andrew Davis’ new recording Highways Jammed with Broken Heroes.
*Addie Sartino of the Kansas City indie-pop band The Greeting Committee recommends Green Lady Lounge.
*Joe Dimino documented a set by Amber Underwood at the Blue Room.
*Tweet of the Week: In Jesus name No More- Listening to The Session with Hermon Mehari has been the best addition to my Sunday self care. @kcur @KCTrumpeter
Confirmation: Weekly News and Notes
Original image by Plastic Sax.
*The Martin City Telegraph profiled Mr. Biggs Place, a new jazz-friendly venue in Grandview.
*Illinois State University’s radio station shared an audio interview with Adam Larson.
*Stephen Martin chatted with Joe Dimino.
*KCUR reports on a new infusion of city money into the Jazz District.
*Tweet of the Week: Jazz 88.3 San Diego- Monday thru Friday is kind of the same except where it's different. Joe 6am, Gary 10, then Ron at 2. Jazz Across America 5-7: Monday the city is NYC, hosted by Kenny Washington. Tuesday is Detroit, hosted by Jim Gallert. Wednesday is Kansas City, hosted by Sam Wisman. @Jazz88 1/2
Album Review: Stephen Martin- High Plains
Bobby Watson and Stephen Martin romp through an affectionate interpretation of Benny Golson’s standard “Stablemates” on the latter musician’s new release High Plains. Bold and assured, the selection exemplifies the impeccable form of swing that’s dominated Kansas City’’s jazz scene in recent decades.
Watson is one of several members of an elite consortium of notable Kansas City musicians joining Martin on his second album. The saxophonist’s vision is bolstered by Peter Schlamb (vibraphone and piano) and Ben Leifer (basses). Saxophonist Matt Otto produced High Plains and performs on one track. The Nebraska based drummer David Hawkins rounds out the group.
High Plains is suffused with Martin’s devotion to John Coltrane. Thanks partly to Schlamb’s wondrous invocation of McCoy Tyner, the band reaches Afro Blue Impressions-level intensity on “The Void.” Martin and his stablemates are less clamorous on the remainder of the album. Mainstream jazz- in Kansas City or anywhere else- doesn’t get much better than High Plains.
Now's the Time: The Marcus Lewis Big Band
Engaging visuals aside, my favorite moments of the Marcus Lewis Big Band’s newly uploaded virtual performance of “Ghetto Heaven” occur during the back-to-back solos of trombonist Jason Goudeau and saxophonist Stephen Martin.
A Reopening Register
Original image of the site of Stephen Martin’s jam session by Plastic Sax.
You don’t miss your water ‘til your well runs dry. A list of jazz-oriented experiences I’m eager to resume in a post-vaccine Kansas City during the second half 2021 follows.
1. Reboot Even as I lament the loss of jazz-friendly venues that didn’t survive the pandemic, I’m intent on investigating the new landscape for live jazz. Taking in Stephen Martin’s lively jam session in a humble room near the UMKC campus (pictured above) in March was one of the most satisfying experiences I had in the weeks prior to the lockdown. I expect to find many more examples of the DIY ethos.
2. Double-dipping One of the most advantageous aspects of being a jazz fan in Kansas City is the ease of club-hopping. Because free parking is usually plentiful and cover charges tend to be low or nonexistent, hitting two or three venues on any given night is a piece of cake.
3. Organism I’m lukewarm on organ jazz. Yet in recent years I’ve discovered that sitting immediately next to the speaker cabinet of a Hammond B3 organ can provide a thrilling psychedelic experience. Save my seat.
4. Carousing Because I’m a penny-pincher and a responsible citizen based in the suburbs, I haven’t had an alcoholic beverage in a Kansas City jazz venue in years. It’s high time for an unhinged, rideshare-enabled blowout.
5. Friends and Foes It’s a good thing my social life doesn't revolve around Kansas City’s jazz community. I’m not particularly popular. Yet I miss bumping into pals and detractors in and around jazz venues.
6. Hit the Highway I rarely bother driving to nearby Lawrence, Topeka and Columbia for jazz gigs. It’s time for that negligence to end.
7. Consumerism I own more albums and CDs than can be counted. Even so, I still love digging through the racks at record stores. Holding physical copies of rare albums by the likes of Jerry Hahn never fails to thrill me.
8. The In Crowd I relish attending big concerts by jazz artists with crossover appeal. Occasional appearances by touring musicians such as Kamasi Washington, Wynton Marsalis, Diana Krall and Flying Lotus is always thought-provoking.
9. In My Solitude I put a pause on my occasional strolls through the Jazz District, Lincoln Cemetery and other historically significant sites for fear that a friendly soul might unintentionally infect me. I pine for my meditations in these musically sacred spaces.
10. Fingers Crossed My list closes with a wish. Desperate to bask in performances by favorite jazz musicians who pass over Kansas City, I took music-based trips to New York City, Knoxville and Chicago in 2019. I long for the Kansas City debut of at least one eminent adventurous improviser in 2020.