The artistic vitality of Kansas City’s jazz scene isn’t dependent on charismatic celebrities or prominent institutions. Instead, a few dozen diligent journeyman musicians are responsible for the resilience of the music.
Few artists are more representative of these unsung heroes than Rod Fleeman. The guitarist’s work with the famed vocalists Karrin Allyson and Marilyn Maye is his primary calling card, but he’s often found working under less glamorous spotlights.
While Fleeman’s contributions make even the humblest gigs seem sublime, he shines like a luminous star when surrounded by exceptional musicians. His Saturday matinee booking at Green Lady Lounge is among Kansas City’s best-kept secrets.
The unassuming Fleeman possesses a tiny fraction of the fame attained by the Lee’s Summit native Pat Metheny. The former teenage acquaintances took different career paths. Yet every Fleeman appearance contains solos capable of dazzling discerning Metheny enthusiasts. That’s among the many reasons Fleeman is Plastic Sax’s Person of the Year.
Previous recipients of the designation are Charlie Parker (2020), Logan Richardson (2019),Peter Schlamb (2018), John Scott (2017), Eddie Moore (2016), Larry Kopitnik (2015), Deborah Brown (2014), Stan Kessler (2013), Doug and Lori Chandler (2012), Jeff Harshbarger (2011), Mark Lowrey (2010) and Hermon Mehari (2009). Bobby Watson was named the Plastic Sax Person of the Decade in 2009 and again in 2019.