The Mission

Dissatisfied with the disingenuous happy talk dominating coverage of Kansas City’s jazz scene, I founded Plastic Sax in 2007.  With no agenda other than revealing my version of the truth, Plastic Sax isn’t beholden to grant-wielding institutions or the editorial demands of advertisers.  The singular independence makes Plastic Sax the most reliable source for jazz news and reviews in Kansas City.

About

How It Works

Crossover hits by the likes of Stanley Clarke and Weather Report introduced me to jazz in the 1970s. I subsequently fell in love with the form at free Sunday evening concerts in Kansas City. After working in the music industry for twenty years, I started a second career as a music journalist in the 1990s. Before I began contributing to outlets including The Kansas City Star and the NPR station KCUR, I served as the volunteer editor of JAM magazine. I document my passion for all types of music at my nondenominational blog There Stands the Glass.

I post three times a week at Plastic Sax. The first entry is usually a gig or album review, but I’m occasionally inspired to write irritable editorials. The second post is always a roundup of news and press releases. I close each week by sharing a performance video. Feel free to contact me at williamwbrownlee@gmail.com.