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Original image by Plastic Sax.
*Joyce Smith highlighted Gerald Dunn’s barbecue restaurant for Startland News.
*Joe Dimino interviewed Jeff Shirley.
*A Houston publication’s guide to Kansas City references the Mutual Musicians Foundation and Green Lady Lounge.
Original image by Plastic Sax.
The singular sensibility of Steve Cardenas has made the guitarist a distinctive voice in the international jazz scene for more than 25 years. Balancing exquisite prettiness with intimations of uneasiness, Cardenas exemplifies the dynamic Thelonious Monk characterized as "Ugly Beauty".
The New York based guitarist from Kansas City exhibited the latest refinements of his sound at Westport Coffee House on Wednesday, May 22. About 75 people paid $20 apiece to take in the first of two sets.
As at his previous headlining show in Kansas City at recordBar in 2022, Cardenas was joined by bassist Forest Stewart and drummer Brian Steever. The duo accentuated the quiet ferocity embedded in Cardenas’ understated approach.
The peculiar way in which Cardenas plays pretty was showcased throughout the seven selections. The serenity of the opener, John Coltrane’s “Trane’s Slo Blues,” was adulterated by a slightly sinister touch. The swinging take on Steve Swallow’s “Ladies in Mercedes” that closed the set contained a correspondingly delectable element of danger.
Set list, first set: Trane’s Slo Blues; Lost and Found; How Deep Is the Ocean; Everything I’m Not; Blue Language; House of Jade; Ladies in Mercedes
Eboni Fondren, one of Kansas City’s most prominent vocalists, returns to the Ship on Thursday, May 30. She’s accompanied by French musicians in the embedded video.
Original image by Plastic Sax.
*Reporting on a junket to Kansas City partly subsidized by Visit KC, a correspondent for The Times of London mentions Green Lady Lounge and the American Jazz Museum in a Taylor Swift-themed feature.
*Larry Tye promoted his book The Jazzmen: How Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong and Count Basie Transformed America on KCUR.
*From a press release: It has been a very long wait, but, with the combined efforts of three celebrated jazz musicians – and with the approval of the step-daughter of the great Charlie Parker – we proudly announce the release of "Pree's Wings", a composition and recording that not only adds to the Parker legacy, but fills a significant historical and musical void that has lasted nearly 70 years! As is well-known, Parker composed two brilliant jazz compositions for his children, “Kim,” for step-daughter Kim and “Baird Laird” for his natural son with Chan Richardson. However, Bird never composed a song for daughter “Pree” who, seriously ill from birth, tragically died as a toddler… After lengthy conversations with Parker’s still-surviving jazz vocalist step-daughter, Kim – and receiving her approval, three internationally known jazz artists, trumpeter/writer, Nick Mondello, saxophonist/arranger/composer, Gio Washington-Wright, and vocalist/lyricist, Giacomo Gates - each a lifelong acolyte of Parker’s legacy - combined forces to compose both an instrumental and vocal original composition dedicated to Kim Parker and named after the child who never had a Parker-composed song dedicated to her – “Pree’s Wings.”
*From a press release: Kansas City Jazz A.L.I.V.E. is pleased to announce it has been approved by the National Endowment for the Arts for a Grants for Arts Projects award of $10,000. This grant will support Spotlight: Charlie Parker, an annual Kansas City-wide celebration of the life and music of Kansas City’s native son, Charlie “Bird” Parker, held in August.
Few styles of music are more maligned than jazz fusion. Detractors insist that in merging the least appealing elements of jazz, rock and R&B, the form is devoid of substance. The Kansas City guitarist Jeff Shirley defies these haters with two new albums reviving the halcyon era when bands like Return to Forever, the Mahavishnu Orchestra and Brand X roamed the earth.
“Mount Meru,” the opening salvo of Contigo, immediately transports the listener to 1974. The musical chops, complex modulations and, yes, wicked shredding, will please admirers of the jazz-rock associated with Al Di Meola. Carlos Santana, a similarly revered guitarist, is honored on “Time For Fun”.
The elements of progressive rock on "Transients", a standout track on Modes of Nature, allow Shirley’s collaborators- the credits include Dawson Jones, Antonio Reyes, Mark Slimm, Spencer Smith, Brian Steever and Kevin Young- to demonstrate their range.
Big, bold and occasionally garish, Contigo and Modes of Nature exude a palpable sense of joy that mitigates most of the albums’ excesses. Shirley’s artistic playfulness and conspicuous generosity make him a persuasive ambassador for jazz fusion. In the hands of Shirley, the undervalued form is still vital.
Deborah Brown and Bobby Watson are the preeminent musicians based in the Kansas City area. Each is an international treasure. Brown and Watson will be featured at the Kansas City Jazz Orchestra’s concert at the Folly Theater on Friday, May 17. Brown is accompanied by the Portland pianist George Colligan in the embedded video.
Original image by Plastic Sax.
*The Kansas City Star observes the 25th anniversary of the installation of Robert Graham’s Charlie Parker statue in the Jazz District.
*From a press release: Spotlight: Charlie Parker 2024 celebrates the jazz icon’s 104th birthday with jam sessions and musical tributes, tours, lectures, exhibits, panel discussions, workshops, and concerts. The annual program was developed to honor Parker (also known as “Bird”), his legacy, and impact on jazz in Kansas City and worldwide. The event also provides educational opportunities and promotes the music of local Kansas City jazz artists who will perform at select events/venues during the month… Highlighting this year’s Spotlight: Charlie Parker will be a new partnership with the Kansas City Jazz Orchestra and a performance August 24th at the Folly Theater. For information about event details as they become available, visit: Spotlight: Charlie Parker.
*From a press release: Please join us in congratulating students in the KU School of Music’s Jazz Studies Program for their recent success at the 47th Annual DownBeat Student Music Awards. The awards were announced this month, where KU Jazz Ensemble I and the KU Jazz Singers each received Outstanding Performance Awards in the graduate divisions of Large Jazz Ensembles and Vocal Jazz Ensembles. KU Jazz Ensemble I has made a significant impact on the jazz music scene, as this marks the fourth consecutive year they have received an SMA award. The ensemble has also received seven awards out of the last ten years.
Back Alley Brass Band isn’t Kansas City’s only New Orleans-style brass band. Yet the ensemble’s shrewd marketing strategies and its willingness to give audiences precisely what they didn’t previously know they wanted has made Back Alley Brass Band the most visible group of its type in the region. It’s no accident Back Alley Brass Band is making appearances at Kelce Jam and Boulevardia, two of the Kansas City area’s biggest music-related events this summer. Accordingly, the ensemble’s new EP Last Chance to Dance doubles as a sonic business card. The infectiously exuberant set of party music containing arrangements of Rick Astley and Miley Cyrus hits will almost certainly result in further high-profile bookings.
A good samaritan recently uploaded gobs of public-access television programming from the 1980s. The gem embedded here features Ruth Rhoden. The late cohost of the sorely missed weekly KCUR show “Just Jazz” is interviewed and curates a few performances. Brace yourself for a thoroughly amusing and occasionally cringey time capsule.
Original image by Plastic Sax.
*The Kansas City Star eulogized Queen Bey.
*Chris Burnett was interviewed by Joe Dimino. Burnett’s latest album Originals was reviewed by The Pitch.
A few devoted Kansas City jazz fans made the 150-mile trek to Joplin to witness Charles McPherson’s homecoming concert in February. The elite Charlie Parker acolyte has stayed the course since his birth in the southwest corner of Missouri in 1939. Featuring trumpeter Terell Stafford, pianist Jeb Patton, bassist David Wong and drummer Billy Drummond, McPherson’s new live album Reverence is certain to delight Bird purists. Pushed by his all-star band on the tribute to the late pianist Barry Harris, the octogenarian brings the wit of wisdom of the ages to bear on Reverence. His ornithology is inescapable, but the imprint of the years McPherson spent with Charles Mingus is also evident. The vigor of McPherson’s inspiring playing is more than worthy of a cross-state road trip.
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.
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.
(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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.