The Kansas City guitarist Alan Voss performs at Greenwood Social Hall on Sunday, July 21. He’ll be joined by saxophonist Rich Wheeler, bassist Ben Tervort and drummer Evan Verploegh.
Plastic Sax’s Favorite Performances of 2023
Original image of Artemis at the Gem Theater by Plastic Sax.
Top Ten Performances by Kansas City Artists
1. Mike Dillon, Brian Haas and Nikki Glaspie at the Brick
Plastic Sax review.
2. Hermon Mehari at the Folly Theater
Plastic Sax review.
3. Adam Larson, Matt Clohesy and Jimmy Macbride at Westport Coffee House
Instagram clip.
4. Rod Fleeman at Green Lady Lounge
Instagram clip.
5. Pat Metheny’s Side-Eye at Muriel Kauffman Theatre
Plastic Sax review.
6. Drew Williams, Alex Frank, Ben Tervort and Brian Steever at Westport Coffee House
Plastic Sax review.
7. Cynthia van Roden at the Market at Meadowbrook
Instagram snapshot.
8. Chalis O’Neal at the Blue Room
Instagram clip.
9. Alan Voss, Benjamin Baker, Forest Stewart and Evan Verploegh at Swope Park Pavilion
Plastic Sax review.
10. Rich Hill, Arnold Young and Rob Whitsitt in Volker Park
Instagram clip.
Top Ten Performances by Artists from Elsewhere
1. Samara Joy at the Folly Theater
Plastic Sax review.
2. Devin Gray and Maria Elena Silva at the Firehouse Gallery
Plastic Sax review.
3. Bill Frisell, Greg Tardy, Gerald Clayton and Johnathan Blake at the 1900 Building
Plastic Sax review.
4. Artemis at the Gem Theater
Plastic Sax review.
5. CRAG Quartet and Joshua Gerowitz at the Bunker Center for the Arts
Instagram clip.
6. Miguel Zenón Quartet at the Folly Theater
Plastic Sax review.
7. Henrique Eisenmann and Eugene Friesen at the 1900 Building
Plastic Sax review.
8. Robert Stillman at the Midland Theater
There Stands the Glass review.
9. Jack Wright and Ron Stabinsky at Charlotte Street Foundation
Instagram clip.
10. Rob Magill and Marshall Trammell at Farewell
Plastic Sax review.
(Last year’s survey is here.)
Concert Review: Alan Voss Quartet at Swope Park Pavilion
Original image of Alan Voss’ quartet at Swope Park Pavillion by Plastic Sax.
A tricked out red sedan blaring Public Enemy’s “Don’t Believe the Hype” cruised past Swope Park Pavilion during a performance by a quartet led by Alan Voss on Sunday, September 18.
Chuck D’s reference to John Coltrane in the rap anthem caused the sonic intrusion to intensify my blissful state. Few things could be better than hearing vital improvisations on an idyllic day at a spectacular venue.
The faithful rendering of Voss’ Baobab affirmed the reference to Steve Cardenas in my review of the album. Furthermore, I realized that Voss shares Pat Metheny’s melodic sensibility.
As on the 2023 recording, Voss’ vision was expertly facilitated by the multi-generational lineup of saxophonist Benjamin Baker, bassist Forest Stewart and drummer Evan Verploegh.
Sadly, there wasn’t much hype to disbelieve. A stray hound, a few fans, several musicians who had performed earlier and a drug dealer and his clientele heard what Chuck D and I might characterize as def jams.
Confirmation: Weekly News and Notes
Original image by Plastic Sax.
*The New York Times honored the art of Mary Lou Williams.
*Alan Voss chatted with Joe Dimino.
*Tweet of the Week: New Music Circle: Our 64th season concludes with a first-time visit by NYC avant-jazz saxophonist/composer, Anna Webber. Anna is on tour with her new quintet, Shimmer Wince. They perform this Saturday (April 8) at @pulitzerarts. Don’t miss it! Info: (link to St. Louis presenters)
Album Review: Alan Voss Quartet- Baobab
Alan Voss recognizes that louder isn’t better. The Kansas City guitarist plays with subtle restraint on Baobab. Opting for contemplative elegance on a debut album is a bold artistic choice during an era dominated by brash volume. His affinity for quietude makes Voss an artistic descendent of the one-time Kansas City guitarist Steve Cardenas. The impression is enhanced by the contributions of bassist Forest Stewart, a frequent Cardenas collaborator. Baobab also features saxophonist Benjamin Baker and drummer Evan Verploegh. Hearing the two fiery musicians in a subdued context is intriguing. The quartet’s circumspect interaction is the most rewarding element of the serene Baobab.
Album Review: Second Nature Ensemble- Second Nature
The notes accompanying Second Nature, the astounding debut album of the Second Nature Ensemble, include text from The Anarchist Library. While the music implies extreme polemics, the cerebral sounds of the recording are a more appropriate soundtrack for analyzing subversive texts than for throwing bricks through windows in a riot.
Michael Eaton (saxophones, flute, and clarinet), Seth Andrew Davis (guitar), Dwight Frizzell (wind controller and alto clarinet), Ben Tervort (bass), Alan Voss (drums) and Tim J Harte (electronics) are seemingly unlikely collaborators. Plastic Sax published an enthusiastic missive about the (mostly) Kansas City musicians’ generational and stylistic clash at a performance at Westport Coffee House last year.
The discordant tone of Second Nature is established on the 19-minute opening track "Alchemy". A work of sublime beauty is forged from a lethal slurry of abrasive analog and digital sounds. Intentionally erratic swing does battle with galactic static on the 16-minute “Large/Large II”. Tervort’s improvisation is among the individual solo features interspersed among the group tracks.
The prolific output of individual members of the collective make it impossible to cite a single release as representative. Yet in sifting through a myriad of styles ranging from swing to industrial noise, the expansive Second Nature is a good place for lawless agitators, scholastic Marxists and even cutthroat capitalists to begin exploring the most astringent sounds emanating from Kansas City’s improvised music scene.
Now’s the Time: Alan Voss
The versatile guitarist Alan Voss is among the throngs of musicians participating in the citywide Make Music Day festival on Tuesday, June 21. Voss will appear in Swope Park at noon and at the Folly Theater at 2 p.m.