The impertinent jazz musicians in High Step Society have the nerve to acknowledge it’s 2024. The Oregon band freely incorporates contemporary styles such as EDM into its freewheeling sound. The ensemble does untoward things to the jazz standard “Limehouse Blues” in the embedded video. But is it good? Intrepid listeners can decide for themselves on Friday, May 3, at the Westport Bowery.
Confirmation: Weekly News and Notes
Original image by Plastic Sax.
*Queen Bey, once a prominent Kansas City based vocalist, has died.
*Green Lady Lounge recently initiated a series of lunchtime performances on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. The venue’s May calendar lists offerings from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Thursday and Friday and from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays prior to Rod Fleeman’s long-standing Saturday residency that begins at 2:30 p.m.
*Here’s a second way to listen to the KCUR audio feature about the Extemporaneous Music and Arts Society.
*The American Jazz Museum is featured in a National Endowment of the Arts "grant spotlight".
*From a press release: Kansas City Jazz Orchestra Executive Director Alyssa Bell-Jackson today announced the final concert for the Conversations in Jazz 2023-2024 Season, This is Kansas City featuring two beloved Kansas City jazz greats Deborah Brown and Bobby Watson. This concert will be recorded live for an album to be released next season. This is Kansas City concert originally was to be held May 17 and 18 at the Folly Theatre. The concert will now be held on May 17 only.
Parallel Parking
(Original image of an entry line at a 2018 festival in the Jazz District by Plastic Sax.)
Not once in the past four decades have I had trouble finding a convenient parking spot in Kansas City’s Jazz District. Even amid the busiest festivals I’ve never been compelled to park more than a five-minute walk from the intersection of 18th Street and Paseo Boulevard.
Yet according to a television news report, Kansas City, Missouri, recently allocated $20 million to build a multi-level parking garage in the area.
The piece suggests the impetus for the construction is based on future projections rather than current need. I hope the optimism is warranted. It would be wonderful if the beleaguered neighborhood finally attained a liveliness resulting in parking hassles.
Now’s the Time: Will Matthews
Will Matthews headlines the Blue Room on Friday, April 26. The guitarist is featured in an interpretation of Glenn Jones’ 2018 song “You & Me” at the Blue Room in the embedded video.
Confirmation: Weekly News and Notes
Original image by Plastic Sax.
*From a press release: Parkville, Missouri will host their first annual Juneteenth Jazz and Blues Festival from 3pm to 9:30pm on Saturday, June 8, at English Landing Park. This free and open to the public event will raise funds for the Banneker School Restoration Foundation Project… The Banneker School Foundation and Historic Site in Parkville, Missouri, is restoring a one-room schoolhouse where African American children were educated from 1885 to 1905… Four bands will perform at the Saturday, June 8, Juneteenth Jazz and Blues Festival. The times and groups are: 3pm Kansas City Area Youth Jazz; 4:45pm Alex Ambramovitz & His Swingin’ Kansas City Jazz Band; 6:45pm David Basse & Band; 8:45pm Earnest James Zydeco. The event will take place rain or shine. The foundation requests that attendees bring their own chairs and purchase food and spirits from local vendors, in support of restoration of the Banneker School. The purchase of a brick or a donation would be welcome.
Album Review: Christopher Burnett- Originals
Christopher Burnett is a paragon of taste. His new album Originals is characterized by sprightly melodies and amiable swing. The stately jazz is ideally suited for background music at an elegant dinner party or as the center of attention in a ritzy supper club. The saxophonist is joined by prominent Kansas City musicians including vibraphonist Greg Carroll, bassist Gerald Spaits, guitarist Will Matthews and pianist Roger Wilder. The funky guitar effect on the alternate take of “Yesteryears” closing the album is the only deviation from the immaculately polite tone. One last thing: Burnett is the one of the few Kansas City based jazz artists utilizing Spotify Canvas. It’s typical of the meticulous attention to detail Burnett displays throughout Originals.
Now’s the Time: Jenna Bauer
Vocalist Jenna Bauer presents The Young Person's Guide to Live Music at Greenwood Social Hall on Sunday, April 21. She’ll be joined by several of Kansas City’s most accomplished musicians at the child-friendly show.
Confirmation: Weekly News and Notes
Original image by Plastic Sax.
*Mark Edelman was named a 2024 Jazz Hero by the Jazz Journalists Association.
*Calvin Keys, a guitarist who once lived in Kansas City, has died.
*A television news outlet took note of a recent “life-threatening” shooting in the Jazz District.
KCUR Meets EMAS
Original image of Seth Andrew Davis, Kelley Gant and Aaron Osborne at 7th Heaven by Plastic Sax.
Plastic Sax diligently attempts to track the activities of representatives of the Extemporaneous Music and Arts Society. The multitude of recordings and performances is both thrilling and exhausting. That’s one reason the author of this site was pleased to examine the collective from a different perspective. The audio feature he created for KCUR streams here.
Now's the Time: Ra Kalam Bob Moses
The legendary drummer Ra Kalam Bob Moses will perform with members of the Extemporaneous Music and Arts Society at Charlotte Street Foundation on Wednesday, April 17. Details are available here.
Confirmation: Weekly News and Notes
Original image by Plastic Sax.
EP Review: Drew Williams- Wobble
The title of Wobble, the 15-minute, seven-track EP released by Drew Williams in February, isn’t a reference to twerk culture. Instead, the adventurous saxophonist and composer created a study in unbalanced electronic glitchiness. Looped ambience swirls in, out and around saxophone tones. The vociferous “Squeal” is almost certainly one of the year’s most exciting statements by a locally based musician. A set of corresponding videos provides a second means of experiencing the work.
Now’s the Time: Hermon Mehari
An audience in Mission Woods, Kansas, will be transported to Europe on Saturday, April 6. The duo of trumpeter Hermon Mehari and pianist Allessandro Lanzoni will perform the sort of elite Continental chamber jazz documented on its 2021 album Arc Fiction at the 1900 Building. Passports aren’t necessary.
Confirmation: Weekly News and Notes
Original image by Plastic Sax.
*Eddie Moore is featured in a University of Kansas publication. Joe Dimino uploaded footage of Moore’s piano trio performing at Johnson County Community College.
*Hermon Mehari’s appearance at the 1900 Building is among KCUR’s April concert recommendations.
*From a press release: Kansas City Jazz Alive is thrilled to announce two exciting events in April... On April 27th, join us for a walking tour of one of Kansas City's most historic neighborhoods, the 18th & Vine Jazz District… On April 30th, International Jazz Day, discover how Kansas City has influenced the global jazz scene at our event "April: VividVision".
Album Review: Brandon Draper Quintet- Live at Jardines
Jardines once dominated Kansas City’s jazz scene. The club just beyond the northeast corner of the Country Club Plaza hosted touring and locally based jazz musicians prior to its messy closure in 2011.
My fondest memories include multiple performances by Karrin Allyson, the Jeff Hamilton Trio, Marilyn Maye and Saturday afternoon jam sessions hosted by Tommy Ruskin. Getting scolded by Sara Gazarek when my flip phone rang during a ballad and challenging an adversary to a fistfight at the venue are among my less pleasant recollections.
The venue regularly hosted shows overseen by Kansas City’s young lions including keyboardist Mark Lowrey and drummer Brandon Draper. The latter musician recently released excerpts of recordings made at Jardines in 2010.
The 78-minute album features Draper with trombonist Kevin Cerovich, saxophonist Rich Wheeler, vibraphonist Peter Schlamb and bassist Craig Akin. Imbued with the giddy energy of young improvisors coming into their own, Live at Jardines is a vital blast from the past.
Now’s the Time: Matthew Whitaker
The quintet led by Matthew Whitaker in the embedded video is considerably more progressive than the much of the music documented on the young keyboardist’s official recordings. Here’s hoping Whitaker continues looking forward during his appearance in the Folly Jazz Series on Saturday, April 6.
Confirmation: Weekly News and Notes
Original image by Plastic Sax.
*Nina Cherry interviewed Dr. Dina Bennett for Kansas City magazine.
*A feature in The Pitch purports to survey area establishments with speakeasy ambiences.
Album Review: Alber- Caldo
My favorite vinyl emporium expunges the dregs of its inventory with an ongoing crate sale. I recently scooped up a cache of unloved records by the likes of the Brecker Brothers, John Klemmer and Joe Sample at ten cents a pop. The passe status of jazz fusion, smooth jazz and acid jazz doesn’t phase the Kansas City based musician Alber. His sunny 27-minute release Caldo recalls the commercial heyday of the forms. Yet Alber isn’t stuck in the past. Contemporary production flourishes make the trumpeter and producer’s self-styled “electro-jazz” substantially fresher than my stack of dusty Earl Klugh albums.
Now’s the Time: Camila Meza
Camila Meza will perform with KU Jazz Ensemble I at the Lied Center on Wednesday, March 27. Details are here. The Chilean appeared at Mod Gallery and The National World War I Museum and Memorial in 2019.
Confirmation: Weekly News and Notes
Original image by Plastic Sax.
*Pat Metheny’s new solo guitar album MoonDial will be released July 26.
*Joe Dimino captured portions of the DelMurrow Trio’s performance with Roman Gonzales at Johnson County Community College.
*Jazz will be represented at the Boulevardia beer festival in June by Thundercat and Back Alley Brass Band.