*The author of Plastic Sax included releases featuring Mike Dillon, Adam Larson and Hermon Mehari in his ranking of The Best Jazz Albums of 2023 (So Far).
Confirmation: Weekly News and Notes
Original image by Plastic Sax.
Concert Review: Devin Gray, Maria Elena Silva and EMAS at Firehouse Gallery #8
Original image by Plastic Sax.
A downtown art gallery was transformed into an emporium for vital new music on Wednesday, June 21. Nine musicians represented compelling slices of the vanguard of sound in 2023.
The peripatetic drummer Devin Gray’s new release Most Definitely includes a 20-minute homage to free jazz legend Milford Graves. In keeping with that pursuit, his solo outing demonstrated even further possibilities in percussion.
Segments of his often unhuman attack seemed as if a Jolly Chimp had been infected by an evil strain of artificial intelligence. At other moments his electronically-enhanced performance sounded like an Antifa rally outside the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
The noirish music of vocalist and electric guitarist Maria Elena Silva and drummer Scott Dean Taylor evoked the disquieting moments preceding and following bouts of bloodcurdling violence. The unresolved tension was exquisitely excruciating.
Six affiliates of the Extemporaneous Music and Arts Society- Drew Williams (saxophone), Seth Davis (guitar), Brook Knoll (harp), Aaron Osborne (electronics and percussion), Krista Kopper (bass) and Evan Verploegh (drums)- built imposing walls of noise.
Davis summoned the pinging of sonar, an effect that prompted thoughts of the ill-fated submarine in the Atlantic Ocean currently dominating the news cycle. The size of the audience may have been negligible, but the import of the music was monumental.
Now’s the Time: Dave Scott
Trumpeter Dave Scott returns to his hometown for a show at Westport Coffee House on Thursday, June 29. The embedded video documents Scott’s appearance at Smalls Jazz Club in New York City two weeks ago. (The first set begins at the 36:20 mark).
Confirmation: Weekly News and Notes
Original image by Plastic Sax.
*Matt Otto told The Pitch about his new album.
*Dunn Deal, a restaurant operated by Gerald Dunn of the American Jazz Museum, is slated to open in August.
*Reed Jackson reviewed Pat Metheny’s concert at Muriel Kauffman Theatre.
*Dave Scott chatted with Joe Dimino.
*Julie Denesha interviewed Donald Harrison and Stephon Alexander in advance of an event at the Folly Theater.
*Outings by Peter Schlamb’s Electric Tinks and the Kansas City Latin Jazz Orchestra are included in a recap of the Boulevardia festival.
Concert Review: Pat Metheny’s Side-Eye at Muriel Kauffman Theatre
Original image by Plastic Sax.
Pat Metheny’s first concert in Kansas City, Missouri, since 2012 was sublime. Joined by keyboardist Chris Fishman and drummer Joe Dyson, the Lee’s Summit native exhibited a satisfying sampling of his vast repertoire at Muriel Kauffman Theatre on Thursday, June 16.
Acoustic contemplation and smooth jazz tranquility were balanced by wailing fusion and contributions from a downscaled version of Metheny’s futuristic Orchestrion. Greasy organ jazz and straight-ahead swing were countered by a stunning bout of cacophonous skronk.
While chatter amid the audience of more than 1,200 occasionally marred the pristine sound, the significance of Metheny’s overdue return to Kansas City overcame the minor nuisance. Metheny only spoke to introduce his bandmates, but words weren’t necessary to show Kansas City what it’s been missing.
Now’s the Time: Donald Harrison
The New Orleans born saxophonist Donald Harrison will “explore the theory of quantum improvisation” with theoretical physicist Stephon Alexander at the Folly Theater on Thursday, June 22. Science deniers needn’t fear: the evening’s agenda includes a sixty-minute concert.
Confirmation: Weekly News and Notes
Original image by Plastic Sax.
*KCUR’s free music recommendations include jazz performances at the Blue Room and Nighthawk.
*Reed Jackson reviewed a new music concert at Farewell.
*Joe Dimino interviewed David Cunningham.
Album Review: The DJ Quartet- Vision External
Vision External seems destined to be remembered as the unofficial debut showcase of Isaiah Petrie. The young vibraphonist is a rising star in Kansas City’s music community. Petrie, saxophonist Dougan Smith, bassist Nsikoh Bebe Lala and drummer Jaylen Ward comprise the un-Googleable ensemble The DJ Quartet on Vision External. Petrie stands out, but each member of the group contributes to the vigorous post-bop of tracks including "The Call". Even as it maintains convention, the DJ Quartet brings refreshing vitality to Kansas City’s mainstream jazz scene.
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.
Confirmation: Weekly News and Notes
Original image by Plastic Sax.
*Kansas Public Radio will begin airing a weekly program titled Live at Green Lady Lounge in July.
*The Kansas City Star reports on a lawsuit regarding the February death of Ronald McFadden.
Grading the 2023-24 Season of the Folly Jazz Series
Original image by Plastic Sax.
Tickets for individual concerts in the 2023-24 season of the Folly Jazz Series go on sale June 6. The following commentary might be used as a consumer guide. While it’s unfair to grade individual bookings against more appealing hypotheticals, the penchant of Kansas City’s jazz presenters to return to familiar standbys is an ongoing source of frustration. More than 500 of the more than 4,000 jazz albums released last year received votes in the 2022 edition of the 17th annual Francis Davis Jazz Poll. With such a vast pool from which to draw, it’s unfortunate that the same fifty acts are repeatedly engaged.
Samara Joy: October 14, 2023
Grade: A+
Samara Joy is the Folly Jazz Series’ most opportune booking in years. The charming vocalist won the Grammy Award for Best New Artist in February.
Alexa Tarantino Quartet: November 11, 2023
Grade: B
Alexa Tarantino appeared in the American Jazz Museum’s Jammin’ at the Gem series in March as a member of Artemis. (Plastic Sax review.) The young saxophonist acquitted herself well.
The Hot Sardines: January 27, 2024
Grade: B
The hot jazz band The Hot Sardines is making its third or fourth appearance in the Folly Jazz Series.
Diane Schuur: February 24, 2024
Grade: B
Vocalist and pianist Diane Schuur was one of the most popular jazz artists of the 1980s and 1990s.
Norman Brown: March 9, 2024
Grade: B
Norman Brown is a smooth jazz guitarist from Kansas City. His 2022 album Let’s Get Away was favorably reviewed at Plastic Sax.
Matthew Whitaker Quintet: April 6, 2024
Grade: B-
The agreeable music of pianist Matthew Whitaker seems designed to appeal to fans of Jon Batiste and Emmet Cohen.
Now’s the Time: Marilyn Maye
Ninety-five has never looked better. The embedded video captures Marilyn Maye celebrating her 95th birthday at 54 Below in New York City last week. Marvelous!
Confirmation: Weekly News and Notes
Original image by Plastic Sax.
*KCUR aired an audio feature about Mike Dillon.
*Pat Metheny’s appearance at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts is among KCUR’s June concert recommendations.
*Ian Bennett suggests Kansas City jazz is a cultural ghost in an essay for The Pitch.
*Tweet of the Week: Jeff Shirley- Terrarium (Official Video Teaser) Listen to Jeff Shirley’s album “Blue Gold” now: Spotify: (link) Amazon Music Streaming: (link) iTunes: (link) (video clip)
*From a press release: On Monday, June 19, the Sunflower Music Festival at White Concert Hall on the Washburn University campus (in) Topeka, will welcome Kansas City’s popular City Light Jazz Orchestra back for Jazz Night. The orchestra, under the direction of Angela Ward, will present A Tribute to Black Female Composers.
Concert Review: Drew Williams Quartet at Westport Coffee House
Original image by Plastic Sax.
A superstitious, jazz-loving bride would have had plenty to work with at Westport Coffee House on Thursday, May 25. The first set by a quartet led by saxophonist Drew Williams included something old (a reading of Thelonious Monk’s “We See”), something new (the electronics-enhanced Williams original “Radiance”), something borrowed (drummer Brian Steever utilization of Prince’s yellow tamboracca) and something blue (a bluesy reading of “Skylark”). With the addition of guitarist Alex Frank, Williams’ band expanded on the wedding of tradition and innovation it displayed at the same venue in 2022.
Now’s the Time: Glass Cactus
Glass Cactus, a band led by the Nebraska based trombonist Shawn Bell, performs at the Blue Room on Friday, May 26.
Confirmation: Weekly News and Notes
Original image by Plastic Sax.
*Logan Richardson chatted with Steve Kraske on KCUR’s Up To Date program.
*An award-winning high school band from Washington that fared well at the Kansas City Jazz Summit is the subject of a news feature.
*Tweet of the Week: Lina- Sistrunk’s phone was the only one amongst us that could get a halfway decent selfie in the dark that is the Green Lady Lounge. (photo)
Album Review: Logan Richardson- Holy Water
Logan Richardson is the most significant musician to emerge from the Kansas City area in the past 25 years. As with most brilliant artists, the saxophonist isn’t afraid to take risks.
The partially unconsecrated Holy Water is a flawed gamble. The fundamental fault of Richardson’s new album isn’t the swampy sound or the liberal incorporation of R&B and rock.
In fact, those qualities are among the most compelling elements of Holy Water. Dishearteningly, the recording fails to capture the vitality of Richardson’s recent live performances.
While not without considerable merit, Holy Water is a recapitulation of concepts Richardson has previously expressed. Even so, it’s more than likely Richardson’s next artistic breakthrough is just around the corner.
Now’s the Time: Lynn Zimmer
The closure of the Gaslight Grill didn’t just disappoint regular diners at the once-bustling restaurant in Leawood, Kansas. It was a devastating setback for fans of traditional jazz. Dick Hawk, the late owner of Gaslight Grill, was an avid Dixieland enthusiast. He installed clarinetist Lynn Zimmer as the longstanding leader of the house band at his establishment. Zimmer returns to Johnson County to perform a matinee show at The Market at Meadowbrook on Friday, May 19.
Confirmation: Weekly News and Notes
Original image by Plastic Sax.
*The Jazz Journalists Association’s 2023 Winners for Jazz Performance and Recordings were announced today.
*Tweet of the Week: American Jazz Museum- NEA Jazz Master "Big Chief" Donald Harrison and physicist Stephon Alexander come together for the first time to perform a unique quantum improvisation set with composer and bassist Santi Debriano, alongside special guest Bobby Watson. (link) #KC #jazz
*From a press release: In its 50 years, Mid-America Arts Alliance has awarded more than $51 million in grants to more than 18,000 artists and cultural organizations… M-AAA invites the public to attend the free 50th Anniversary Block Party on June 2, 2023, 5:30–8:00 p.m. in Kansas City, coinciding with Kansas City’s First Friday in the Crossroads… The M-AAA exhibition space, The Culture Lab, will feature the nationally touring ExhibitsUSA exhibition, Shutter and Sound: The Jazz Photography of Bob Willoughby.
Album Review: Rod Fleeman- Saturday Afternoon at Green Lady Lounge, Volume 2
Many people would agree with the proposition that the most delightful hours of the week transpire on Saturday afternoon. Looking back on Friday night’s fun while anticipating the impending evening’s revelry often results in several carefree hours.
An astute group of discerning jazz fans in Kansas City savor Saturday afternoons for an additional reason. Rod Fleeman, the elite Kansas City guitarist named Plastic Sax’s 2021 Person of the Year, leads a trio every Saturday afternoon at Green Lady Lounge.
Partly because Ray DeMarchi replaces drummer Todd Strait, the new Saturday Afternoon at Green Lady Lounge, Volume 2 has a slightly jauntier feel than the first volume. The impeccable bassist Gerald Spaits appears on both sets.
Although all 13 selections are original compositions, much of the fun consists in hearing Fleeman weave in, out and around famous riffs, licks and melodies. His quotes range from Duke Ellington to The Beatles. Yet Fleeman isn’t a mere punster.
While playful, the references are just one element in the pretense-free, good-time music that just incidentally happens to be magnificent art. The effervescent Saturday Afternoon at Green Lady Lounge series makes that undiluted joy accessible anytime and anywhere.