*Pat Metheny explains the impetus of his Dream Box solo tour in a brief video. The concert nearest to Kansas City is in Des Moines, Iowa, on October 3.
*Joe Dimino interviewed Bryan Hicks and documented a set led by Dan Thomas at the Blue Room.
*From a press release: Spotlight: Charlie Parker 2023 celebrates the jazz icon’s 103rd birthday with jam sessions and musical tributes, jazz history tours, lectures, exhibitions, panel discussions, workshops and showcase performances… The event also provides educational opportunities and promotes the music of nearly 20 local Kansas City jazz artists who will perform at select events/venues during the week. Highlighting this year’s Spotlight: Charlie Parker, is Grammy TM nominated alto saxophonist, Tia Fuller, who will serve as the 2023 Spotlight: Charlie Parker Artist-In-Residence. Details are available here.
*From a press release: Candid Records is excited to announce the Sept. 15 release of Basie Swings the Blues, the latest recording by the legendary Count Basie Orchestra under the direction of Scotty Barnhart. This extraordinary record fuses the Basie Orchestra’s signature style of sophisticated swing with the raw and soulful talents of a cross section of some of the greatest blues and jazz artists of our times. Featuring a stellar lineup of blues icons and contemporary stars including Buddy Guy, Bobby Rush, Keb’ Mo’, Robert Cray, George Benson, Shemekia Copeland, Ledisi, Mr. Sipp, Lauren Mitchell, Bettye LaVette, and Charlie Musselwhite.