Jackie Myers is one of Kansas City’s most in-demand musicians. Her calendar indicates she’s at Chaz on Thursday, July 11, at the 1909 Club on Friday, July 12, and at Ophelia’s on Saturday, July 13. She’s featured at the Blue Room in the embedded video.
Confirmation: Weekly News and Notes
Original image by Plastic Sax.
*A band led by Adam Larson headlines the The Prairie Village Jazz Festival on September 7.
*Green Lady Lounge shared videos featuring Rod Fleeman discussing the third installment of his Saturday Afternoon Live at Green Lady Lounge album series and his role in the Kansas City jazz supergroup Wire Town.
*The Kansas City Star published a feature about the queer brass band Sass-A-Brass.
Album Review: Kyle Quass, Kevin Cheli and Seth Andrew Davis- Bloom
I’m sympathetic to the Plastic Sax readers struggling with my frequent endorsements of the output of the Extemporaneous Music and Arts Society. To be sure, the music made by members of the collective is often unsettling. While it’s another uncompromising installment in the free jazz tradition associated with past masters such as Bill Dixon, Milford Graves and Derek Bailey, the new release Bloom is a relatively accessible entry point. Kyle Quass’ trumpet and Kevin Cheli’s percussion provide acoustic contrast to the churning guitar and electronic tremors created by Kansas City’s Seth Andrew Davis. Detractors will insist Bloom is merely ninety minutes of anarchic noise. I’d counter that the rapturous beauty and devastating ugliness documented on the album accurately reflects our times.
Now's the Time: Drew Williams
The invariably interesting Drew Williams has formed a big band. The ensemble makes its second appearance at Westport Coffee House on Thursday, July 11. Here’s a brief sample of the initial foray.
Confirmation: Weekly News and Notes
Original image by Plastic Sax.
*Jazzwise previews Bobby Watson’s appearance at the Glasgow Jazz Festival.
Concert Review: Makaya McCraven at Liberty Hall
Original image by Plastic Sax.
Makaya McCraven is one of jazz’s foremost theoreticians. He’s also a celebrated party-starter. An audience of about 150 discovered the seemingly disparate traits aren’t incompatible at Liberty Hall on Wednesday, July 26.
Joined by trumpeter Marquis Hill and bassist Junius Paul, the peripatetic drummer was among the luminaries appearing at Lawrence’s Free State Festival. Fest-goers previously unfamiliar with the musicians were captivated by the 80-minute set while three dozen aficionados who paid $25 specifically to hear McCraven got their money’s worth.
McCraven and Paul constructed the slippery grooves of elite 1970s funk bands while never straying far from the righteous swing of jazz masters. Their solos were less individual statements than focused explorations of celestial rhythms. After triggering spoken word excerpts to introduce tracks including a reimagining of Gil Scott-Heron’s “I’m New Here”, Hill breathed new life into jazz trumpet with processed sounds on beguiling melodies.
Au courant touring artists affiliated with prominent record labels like International Anthem rarely perform in the Kansas City area. The light attendance at Liberty Hall won’t encourage promoters to take similar chances. Yet a discerning few took in what may prove to be the year’s best concert.
Now’s the Time: Julian Vaughn
Julian Vaughn, the prominent smooth jazz bassist from Kansas City, Kansas, performs at Legacy Park Amphitheater in Lee’s Summit on Friday, June 28. Entry to the venue is $25 on the day of the show. Details are here.
Confirmation: Weekly News and Notes
Original image by Plastic Sax.
*Footage of the Lee’s Summit Jazz Festival was shared by Joe Dimino and a television news outlet.
*From a press release: Kansas City Jazz Orchestra Artistic Director Clint Ashlock today announced the 2024-2025 Signature Series: Experiences, alongside the newly appointed Executive Director Alyssa Bell Jackson, who assumed her position earlier this year. The season: Unforgettable featuring vocalist Sachal Vasandani, October 11, 2024 at 7 p.m. | Helzberg Hall; Bright Size Life featuring guitarist Rod Fleeman, November 16, 2024 at 7 p.m. Folly Theater; A Charlie Brown Christmas, December 10, 2024 at 7 p.m. | Helzberg Hall; Always and Forever featuring Bram and Lucy Wijnands, March 1, 2025 at 7 p.m. | Folly Theater; Level Up! April 5, 2025 at 7 p.m. | Helzberg Hall; Glamour of Old Hollywood featuring Brenna Whitaker May 31, 2025 at 7 p.m. | Folly Theater
*From a press release: Join us for a free community event with the KU Jazz Ensemble I before their European tour! (7:30 p.m. Monday, July 15 at Lied Center Auditorium.) KU Jazz Ensemble I, directed by Dan Gailey, is the flagship ensemble within the Jazz Studies program at the University of Kansas. The program has received 32 DownBeat Student Music Awards, including Jazz Ensemble I’s 2023, 2021, 2019 and 2015 awards in the Graduate Division for Best College Big Band in the United States or Canada, and their Outstanding Performance Awards in the same division in 2024, 2022 and 2017.
*From a press release: ECM releases Pat Metheny's Bright Size Life as part of its Luminessence audiophile vinyl-reissue series… Available August 2, 2024, in Celebration of Metheny's 70th Birthday.
*From a press release: Craft Recordings is pleased to announce Ornithology: The Best of Bird, a brand-new Charlie “Bird” Parker collection that introduces the legendary saxophonist through 11 classic tracks. Spanning 1945–1953, the album compiles material from the influential jazz artist’s most prolific era… Arriving August 23 and available for pre-order today, Ornithology will be available on 1-LP, 1-CD and digital formats, while fans can find the album in two limited-edition pressings, including Canary Yellow vinyl (exclusively via Spotify Fans First) and Ruby (Barnes & Noble).
Album Review: Rod Fleeman- Saturday Afternoon Live at Green Lady Lounge, Volume 3
There are two types of people in the Kansas City area: those who recognize Green Lady Lounge as a civic treasure and those who have yet to enjoy one of the region’s most indelible experiences. Rod Fleeman’s longstanding Saturday afternoon residency is the most sublime of the weekly showcases at the popular jazz club.
The guitarist is joined by bassist Gerald Spaits and drummer Ray DeMarchi on Saturday Afternoon Live at Green Lady Lounge, Volume 3. Memorable compositions, exquisite group interplay and astonishing sonic clarity make Volume 3 the best release yet in the series.
Fleeman became an extraordinarily accomplished jazz classicist after forgoing a career in jazz fusion. His thorough mastery of jazz guitar from Django Reinhardt through Wes Montgomery is evident throughout Volume 3.
Spaits is given plenty of room to showcase his prodigious talent. The tactful DeMarchi never overwhelms his bandmates. The relaxed ambiance of Saturday afternoons at Green Lady Lounge also contributes to the recording’s worth. Yet the album isn’t merely a local souvenir. The music on Volume 3 would impress audiences in mainstream jazz venues from New York City to Tokyo.
Saturday Afternoon Live at Green Lady Lounge, Volume 3 is available at streaming services and at digital retailers. The official CD release event takes place at Green Lady Lounge from 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday, July 27.
Now’s the Time: The Lee’s Summit Jazz Orchestra
The Lee’s Summit Jazz Orchestra is one of eight locally based ensembles slated to appear at the inaugural Lee's Summit Jazz Festival on Saturday, June 22.
Confirmation: Weekly News and Notes
Original image by Plastic Sax.
*The inaugural Lee’s Summit Jazz Festival is highlighted by The Kansas City Star.
*Joe Dimino captured portions of an outing led by Mikole Kaar at a restaurant.
*The Kansas City Star looked into Gerald Dunn’s restaurant Dunn Deal BBQ.
*The New York Times previewed choreographer Jawole Willa Jo Zollar’s new work that’s inspired by Kansas City jazz.
Concert Review: The Adam Larson Quartet at the Blue Room
Original image by Plastic Sax.
Adam Larson lamented that his children prefer the music of the Epic Sax Guy to that of their father during the interview portion of the Blue Room’s noon jazz series on Thursday, June 6. Assuming a sardonic tone of exasperation, Larson joked “I’m the epic sax guy!”
In fact, each member of Larson’s quartet displayed heroic artistry at the Blue Room. Pianist Roger Wilder and drummer John Kizilarmut may never have sounded better. The Chicago based Clark Sommers conjured bassist Jimmy Garrison on an excerpt of “A Love Supreme”.
Propulsive renditions of the classics “Conception”, “Punjab” and “Light Blue” were rendered with astounding sophistication. Larson’s kids will eventually recognize what dedicated jazz fans already know: during June 2024, Larson and his colleagues were truly epic jazz guys.
Now’s the Time: Thundercat
Thundercat returns to Kansas City for the third consecutive year on Saturday, June 15. He’s a headliner at the Boulevardia festival. The jazz-inspired funk powerhouse performed at Union Station last year and entertained at Grinders KC in 2022.
Confirmation: Weekly News and Notes
Original image by Plastic Sax.
*The Kansas City Star reported that Patti Austin’s name was misspelled on her plaque at her induction into the Jazz Walk of Fame on 18th Street. Austin quipped “with friends like you, who needs enemies?” KCUR’s Steve Kraske previewed the event.
*Lucy Wijnands is featured in a television news report about an anti-Israeli act of vandalism at the Brooklyn jazz club Wilson Live.
*Joe Dimino interviewed Mike Parkinson.
Urban Legend
Original image by Plastic Sax.
Cynical pundits in Kansas City have long insisted that suburbanites are too frightened to visit the Jazz District. The pernicious myth was busted on Wednesday, June 5, when more than 2,000 people from outlying communities were among the throng packing Parade Park to take in a free appearance by Yo-Yo Ma.
The cellist’s participation in the Kansas City Symphony’s Mobile Music Box event was announced the previous day. The short notice and simultaneous sold-out concerts by James Taylor at Starlight Theatre and Noah Kahan at Azura Amphitheater didn’t prevent people from suburbs such as Lee’s Summit, Gladstone and Lenexa from filling the space directly behind the American Jazz Museum.
Longtime observers are well aware of disappointing attendance for jazz events held in the same space and along the adjacent Paseo Boulevard. Conjecture about the reasons for the failures often include the accusation that suburbanites refuse to patronize the neighborhood. Yo-Yo Ma nullified that excuse on June 5.
Now’s the Time: Daniel Bennett
The saxophonist Daniel Bennett leads his New York based band at Olathe Library on Tuesday, June 11. Details are here. The ensemble’s latest album Mr. Bennett's Mind compares favorably to the output of artistically elite artists like David Binney.
Confirmation: Weekly News and Notes
Original image by Plastic Sax.
*Joe Dimino conducted interviews with Adam Larson and members of The Back Alley Brass Band.
Album Review: Karrin Allyson- A Kiss for Brazil
The kiss in the title of Karrin Allyson’s new album A Kiss for Brazil isn’t platonic. Allyson infuses ardent passion into the sultry sound. It’s familiar territory for the former Kansas City resident.
Allyson can probably sing Brazilian standards like “Wave” and “Manha de Carnaval” in her sleep. Accordingly, A Kiss for Brazil has a lived-in feel. Keyboardist and accordionist Vitor Gonçalves, guitarist Yotam Silberstein, bassist Harvie S and drummer Rafael Barata enhance the comfortable atmosphere.
The Brazilian star Rosa Passos duets with Allyson on the two most memorable tracks, gorgeous interpretations of Passos’ “Dunas” and Vinicius de Moraes’ “O Grande Amor”.
While it’s an impressive work of art, the romantic A Kiss for Brazil is also functional music. Allyson makes the intent clear on the scandalously steamy “The Island.” Listeners are meant to find partners, turn the lights down low and engage in the titular activity.
Now’s the Time: Mike Dillon
The "ugly jazz" icon Mike Dillon will be joined by like-minded Kansas City musicians at the Brick on Saturday, June 1. Brian Haas and Nikki Glaspie, Dillon’s co-conspirators in Punkadelick, are featured in the embedded video.
Confirmation: Weekly News and Notes
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.