Experimental saxophonist Rob Magill is on a cacophonous bill headlined by the Maryland based grindcore band Entrail Asphyxiation at Howdy on Thursday, September 26. Based on his powerful 2023 outing at Farewell, Magill will hold his own amid the array of extreme music.
Confirmation: Weekly News and Notes
Original image by Plastic Sax.
*The prominent Kansas City jazz advocate Sharon Daugherty Valleau has died.
*From a press release: Kansas City Jazz Orchestra launches its 2024-25 Signature Series with Unforgettable featuring vocalist Sachal Vasandani, at 7pm on October 11, 2024 in Helzberg Hall of the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. Sachal Vasandani is a critically acclaimed and widely admired jazz vocalist who commands the stage, blending contemporary sensibilities with an old crooner’s soul.
Album Review: Logan Richardson- The Science of Superstition
Umpteen musicians have paid tribute to J Dilla’s 2006 masterpiece Donuts. The Science of Superstition, Logan Richardson’s homage to the influential collection of beats crafted by the late producer, is an important addition to the crowded subgenre.
As with J Dilla, the Kansas City saxophonist follows a distinctive muse. Richardson’s signature attack- aggressive post-bop paired contemporary wall-of-sound production- receives several new twists on The Science of Superstition.
“Birth of the Machine” is racked with industrial noise while “Sarah Conner” is possessed by apocalyptic robotics. “Economics” contains elements of Chicago footwork. European electro-folk propels “Post Lullabye”.
Not all of Richardson’s experiments work, but none of his undertakings are routine. The innovations of The Science of Superstition cements Richardson’s reputation as Kansas City’s most iconoclastic artist.
Now’s the Time: Karrin Allyson
The new season of the Folly Jazz Series opens with the return of Karrin Allyson on Saturday, September 21. She chatted with Steve Kraske about the homecoming concert.
Confirmation: Weekly News and Notes
Original image by Plastic Sax.
*The first two episodes of Bill McKemy’s Nameless and Unremembered podcast are available at streaming services. McKemy, Toni Gates, Lisa Henry and Rich Wheeler consider the lives of the underappreciated regional heroes N. Clark Smith and “Blind” Boone in the discussions.
*Joe Dimino interviewed Kansas City bassist Spencer Reeve.
Album Review: Dave Scott- Setting Standards
Dave Scott, one of Kansas City’s most accomplished jazz exports, plays a few transcendently heartbreaking solos on his new album Setting Standards. Forsaking technical perfection, the trumpeter conveys the melancholy that comes with a mature awareness of the temporal nature of life on ballads including “Embraceable You”, “Emily” and “Once Upon a Summertime”. Pianist Jacob Sacks, bassist John Hébert and drummer Russ Meissner also avoid sentimentality while acknowledging the inevitability of loss. While the quartet’s readings of uptempo material are less distinctive, Scott’s exquisite statements on ballads make Setting Standards essential.
Now’s the Time: The Kansas City Latin Jazz Orchestra
The Kansas City Latin Jazz Orchestra, one of the region’s most robust party bands, performs at Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park in Lenexa, Kansas, on Sunday, September 15. The ensemble interprets a classic Tito Puente selection in the embedded video.
Confirmation: Weekly News and Notes
Original image by Plastic Sax.
*The Danny Embrey Trio is featured on the most recent episode of Kansas Public Radio’s Live at Green Lady Lounge.
*Joe Dimino shared footage of the Prairie Village Jazz Festival.
Grading the 2024-25 Folly Jazz Series
Original image by Plastic Sax.
A spate of recent announcements continued a familiar pattern. Several prominent touring jazz artists will soon perform in Austin, Chicago, Denver, Milwaukee, Minneapolis and St. Louis while passing over Kansas City. In spite of those disappointments, the assessments that follow address only what’s presented in the invariably unadventurous bookings of the Folly Jazz Series rather than bemoan the absence of speculative alternatives.
Karrin Allyson
Saturday, September 21
Grade: A
The New York based Kansas City vocalist Karrin Allyson is touring in support of the fine new album A Kiss for Brazil. What’s not to like about her homecoming?
Benny Benack III, Stella Cole and Jabu Graybeal
Saturday, October 26
Grade: D
The grouping of Benny Benack III, Stella Cole and Jabu Graybeal should be a glorious night for people who miss Jerry Vale and Dinah Shore.
The Yellowjackets
Saturday, January 25
Grade: C
Based on the fluffy fusion band’s repeated bookings, The Yellowjackets must be money in the bank for the Folly Jazz Series.
säje
Friday, February 28
Grade: B
säje, the quartet of vocalists Erin Bentlage, Sara Gazarek, Johnaye Kendrick and Amanda Taylor, alternate between delicate chamber folk and deft vocalese.
Branford Marsalis
Saturday, March 15
Grade: A
Presumably performing with his longstanding quartet, Branford Marsalis’ appearance is the artistic apogee of the season.
Helen Sung with Bach Aria Soloists
Saturday, April 5
Grade: A
The pairing of jazz pianist Helen Sung and the Kansas City chamber music ensemble Bach Aria Soloists is inspired.
An assessment of the previous Folly Jazz Series engagements is here.
Now’s the Time: The New Red Onion Jazz Babies
Kansas City’s Dixieland institution The New Red Onion Jazz Babies perform at Old Mission United Methodist Church on Sunday, September 8. The afternoon concert is presented by K.C. Ragtime and Beyond.
Confirmation: Weekly News and Notes
Original image by Plastic Sax.
*Harold O’Neal and Dr. Dina Bennett praised Charlie Parker in a television news report.
*The American Jazz Museum offers a new Charlie Parker-related souvenir.
*From a press release: Verve Records announces Bird in Kansas City, an album featuring a new set of rare recordings dating from between 1941-1951, to be released globally on October 25, 2024 on vinyl, CD, and digitally and available to pre-order here. Much of this collection has never been heard before and some recordings have never even been known to exist… To celebrate the announcement of Bird in Kansas City, the first track, “Cherokee,” is available now. Listen & watch the visualizer "Cherokee". Chuck Haddix — scholar and author of Bird: The Life and Music of Charlie Parker, who also produced and wrote liner notes for this album — says, “‘Ray Noble’s ‘Cherokee’ was one of Bird's favorite songs.
Album Review: OJT- Ground Level
What’s the best American band of the last 75 years? Variations of the question frequently pop up in barrooms and internet forums. Acceptable responses range from Miles Davis’ Second Great Quintet to Creedence Clearwater Revival. The correct answer, however, is Booker T. & the MGs.
The three members of OJT- organist Ken Lovern, guitarist Brian Baggett and drummer Kenny Watson Jr.- display their affinity for the legendary Memphis group on the new album Ground Level. “Loose Space” is an interpolation of “Time Is Tight” while the title of “Baggy Blues Jeans” may allude to Booker T. & the MGs’ “Hip Hug-Her”.
The jazz filter OJT applies to the framework of timeless soul amplifies the profoundly groovy sound. Their ten-minute “It’s Not That Bad” touches on the history of organ jazz from Jimmy Smith to Medeski, Martin & Wood. The inclusion of the colossal performance makes Ground Level the year’s most robust Kansas City party album.
(Ground Level will be be available at streaming services on September 6. Green Lady Lounge hosts a vinyl and CD release party on Wednesday, October 2.)
Now's the Time: The Prairie Village Jazz Festival
Adam Larson headlines The Prairie Village Jazz Festival on Saturday, September 7. Pete Fucinaro, Back Alley Brass Band, Sons of Brasil and an ensemble representing Shawnee Mission East High School round out the bill. The embedded video features the Kansas City based saxophonist in instructional mode.
Confirmation: Weekly News and Notes
Original image by Plastic Sax.
*The Kansas City Star notes the schedule of a new dueling piano bar includes a weekly jazz matinee.
*Joe Dimino interviewed Cynthia van Roden and filmed portions of the Kansas City Jazz Orchestra’s tribute to Charlie Parker.
Album Review: Alber- Born at Sea
Alber’s elaborate presentation at the Charlotte Street Foundation on May 23 is among the most memorable of the more than 100 concerts, recitals, festivals and club performances I’ve attended in 2024. The ambition and imagination displayed by the Italian-born Kansas City resident were astounding. The spectacle raised the bar for all Kansas City musicians. Thankfully, the multi-media event is documented on video and on the new album Born at Sea. Not every segment of the project the trumpeter, composer and bandleader characterizes as an homage to “the immersive landscapes of the Southern Italian coastline” qualifies as jazz, but the entirety of Born at Sea is compatible with the inventive spirit of the form.
Now’s the Time: Harold O’Neal
The American Jazz Museum closes August with three performances by pianist Harold O'Neal. The pianist with deep Kansas City roots performs at the Jay McShann Pavilion on Thursday, August 29, with Dan Thomas at the Blue Room on Friday, August 30, and with Logan Richardson at the Blue Room on Saturday, August 31.
Confirmation: Weekly News and Notes
Original image by Plastic Sax.
*The fall jazz recital series at Johnson County Community College was recently announced. Participants include Rod Fleeman, Chris Hazelton and Paganova.
*The Kansas City Star reports that Soirée is closing. The Jazz District restaurant regularly featured live jazz performances.
Album Review: Eboni Fondren- The Journey: To Kansas City with Love
Eboni Fondren laments she was “born in the wrong decade” on the opening selection of her new album. Consistent with the nostalgic sentiment, the vocalist basks in a throwback form of jazz on The Journey: To Kansas City with Love.
Fondren recalls her apprenticeship with the organist Everette DeVan on the autobiographical introductory song. Fondren’s vibrant personality and rich voice have since become widely admired. Kansas City standouts including James Albright, Chris Hazelton and Mark Lowrey help Fondren realize her vision on the live recording made at the Uptown Lounge.
Contemporary accents such as the prominent electric bass on “Angel Eyes” don’t detract from her old-school sensibility. Fondren originals like the Broadway-ready “Hollow” hold their own alongside the standards “Satin Doll,” “Boulevard of Broken Dreams” and “Angel Eyes.”
The album is an agreeable amalgamation of the bluesy form of jazz associated with Kansas City. Fondren aptly subtitled the album “To Kansas City with Love.” The feeling is mutual in the storied jazz town.
Now's the Time: Smith and Jessen
The experimental Nebraska improvisors Kyle Jessen and Phill Smith perform at Charlotte Street Foundation on Wednesday, August 21. Representatives of the Extemporaneous Music and Arts Society will also be on hand. Jessen is featured in the embedded video.
Confirmation: Weekly News and Notes
Original image of an artifact displayed at the Disney100: The Exhibition at Union Station by Plastic Sax.