Album Review: Eboni Fondren- The Journey: To Kansas City with Love

Eboni Fondren laments she was “born in the wrong decade” on the opening selection of her new album. Consistent with the nostalgic sentiment, the vocalist basks in a throwback form of jazz on The Journey: To Kansas City with Love. 

Fondren recalls her apprenticeship with the organist Everette DeVan on the autobiographical introductory song. Fondren’s vibrant personality and rich voice have since become widely admired. Kansas City standouts including James Albright, Chris Hazelton and Mark Lowrey help Fondren realize her vision on the live recording made at the Uptown Lounge.

Contemporary accents such as the prominent electric bass on “Angel Eyes” don’t detract from her old-school sensibility. Fondren originals like the Broadway-ready “Hollow” hold their own alongside the standards “Satin Doll,” “Boulevard of Broken Dreams” and “Angel Eyes.”

The album is an agreeable amalgamation of the bluesy form of jazz associated with Kansas City. Fondren aptly subtitled the album “To Kansas City with Love.” The feeling is mutual in the storied jazz town.

Now’s the Time: Kristin Korb

The Denmark based vocalist and bassist Kristen Korb performs at Uptown Lounge on Sunday, March 26.  She’ll be joined by pianist Roger Wilder and drummer Sam Wisman.

Confirmation: Weekly News and Notes

*Rod Fleeman chats with Ken Lovern about his debut album, his relationship with Pat Metheny, working with notable vocalists and Kansas City’s jazz legacy in a set of five videos: one, two, three, four and five.

*Joe Dimino discussed the Uptown Lounge with Alan Stribling and shared footage of a youth jazz performance.

*Tweet of the Week: Menace- Enzo Carniel returns to MENACE alongside Hermon Mehari, Stéphane Adsuar and Damien Varaillon as No(w) Beauty. The self-titled album will be released on February 24, however, the first single 'The Art of Four' is available today on all platforms. (link)

Confirmation: Weekly News and Notes

*A band led by Adam Larson featuring Terell Stafford will headline The Prairie Village Jazz Festival on September 10.

*The new piano bar Uptown Lounge will showcase performances of  “show tunes, jazz standards, classic rock, blues, and songs from famous artists such as Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, The Beatles, the Eagles, Billy Joel, Elton John and more” according to Joyce Smith’s feature for The Kansas City Star.

*Nina Cherry recalls Tiny Davis for Kansas City magazine.

*Portions of recent performances by Jazzy Jazz and Nduduzo Makhathini were documented by Joe Dimino.

*Soul vocalist Peabo Bryson headlines the American Jazz Walk of Fame’s July 2 concert.

*Tweet of the Week: Coleman Hawkins Jazz- This weekend HawkFest returns to downtown St. Joseph MO. Come out and join us for a great weekend of music and fun!