Vision External seems destined to be remembered as the unofficial debut showcase of Isaiah Petrie. The young vibraphonist is a rising star in Kansas City’s music community. Petrie, saxophonist Dougan Smith, bassist Nsikoh Bebe Lala and drummer Jaylen Ward comprise the un-Googleable ensemble The DJ Quartet on Vision External. Petrie stands out, but each member of the group contributes to the vigorous post-bop of tracks including "The Call". Even as it maintains convention, the DJ Quartet brings refreshing vitality to Kansas City’s mainstream jazz scene.
Confirmation: Weekly News and Notes
Original image by Plastic Sax.
*Eddie Moore and Jaylen Ward entered NPR’s annual Tiny Desk Contest.
*Bobby Watson appeared on a sports podcast in advance of the Super Bowl.
*Seth Allen of Libations & Company tells Joe Dimino about his new music venue in Lee’s Summit.
*Joe Dimino spoke with Isaiah Petrie.
*The famed songwriter Burt Bacharach, a Kansas City native, has died.
*Tweet of the Week: Bob Kendrick- In it’s heyday, 18th & Vine was a cultural crossroad where Baseball & Jazz intersected! Guests got a taste of that era yesterday when they were treated to live music by some talented, young Jazz musicians! (video)
Now's the Time: The James Ward Band
In addition to participating in an auspicious concert last month, the funk, R&B and jazz luminary Bill Summers spent time jamming with locally based musicians while in Kansas City. Summers revisits the Herbie Hancock and Bernie Maupin composition “Butterfly” in a groovy collaboration with The James Ward Band. (Tip via Plastic Sax reader JW.)