A good samaritan recently uploaded gobs of public-access television programming from the 1980s. The gem embedded here features Ruth Rhoden. The late cohost of the sorely missed weekly KCUR show “Just Jazz” is interviewed and curates a few performances. Brace yourself for a thoroughly amusing and occasionally cringey time capsule.
KCUR Meets EMAS
Original image of Seth Andrew Davis, Kelley Gant and Aaron Osborne at 7th Heaven by Plastic Sax.
Plastic Sax diligently attempts to track the activities of representatives of the Extemporaneous Music and Arts Society. The multitude of recordings and performances is both thrilling and exhausting. That’s one reason the author of this site was pleased to examine the collective from a different perspective. The audio feature he created for KCUR streams here.
The Original Plastic Sax
Original image by Plastic Sax.
I’m proud of the audio features I created for Kansas City’s National Public Radio member station KCUR this year. I doubted if I could top profiles of a jazz rebel, a breakout rap star and an Ozarks folkie. But my final effort of 2023- an examination of the saga of the plastic saxophone played by Charlie Parker at Massey Hall in 1953- may be my best piece of the year. The story includes interviews with Congressman Emanuel Cleaver and the American Jazz Museum’s Dr. Dina Bennett and Gerald Dunn about Kansas City’s legendary artifact.
Confirmation: Weekly News and Notes
Original image by Plastic Sax.
Confirmation: Weekly News and Notes
Original image by Plastic Sax.
*Pat Metheny was heckled at a concert in San Diego. George Varga of The San Diego Union-Tribune filed a report on the incident.
*An appearance by Terence Blanchard is among KCUR’s November concert recommendations.
*The American Jazz Museum created a video recap of its recent Charlie Parker birthday celebration concert.
*David Hudnall highlights the live music presented at the Gates Bar-B-Q location in the Jazz District for The Kansas City Star.
*Marilyn Maye checked in with Steve Kraske on KCUR’s Up To Date program.
Confirmation: Weekly News and Notes
Original image by Plastic Sax.
*The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra’s return to the Folly Theater is plugged by The Kansas City Star.
*Danny Embrey is interviewed by Ken Lovern in four new videos.
*Mary Lou Williams was remembered on an episode of KCUR’s Up To Date program.
*Pinball, a new album by Seth Davis and Kevin Cheli, was reviewed by a blogger.
Now’s the Time: DOMi & JD Beck
The impertinent jazz pranksters DOMi & JD Beck make their Kansas City debut at the Uptown Theater on Monday, October 16. As noted in KCUR’s preview of the concert, the duo is opening for the hyper-musical rock band Polyphia.
Confirmation: Weekly News and Notes
Original image by Plastic Sax.
*The Kansas City Latin Jazz Orchestra is the subject of a KCUR audio feature.
*Nina Cherry checks in with Chris Hazelton on behalf of Kansas City magazine.
*Joe Dimino interviewed Roberto Magris and Paul Collins of JMood Records.
Confirmation: Weekly News and Notes
Original image by Plastic Sax.
*Pat Metheny’s 2013 album Tap: The Book of Angels, Vol. 20 is among the hundreds of albums released by Tzadik Records made available at streaming services last month.
*Performances of jazz at the Folly Theater and the Uptown Theater are among KCUR’s October concert recommendations.
*From a press release: Kansas City Jazz Orchestra Executive Director Lea Petrie today announced the next concert for the Conversations in Jazz 2023-2024 Season, She’s the Talk of the Town, featuring Marilyn Maye, Oct. 27 at 8 p.m. and Oct. 28 at 2 p.m. at the Folly Theater. At 7 p.m., Artistic Director Clint Ashlock will lead a pre-concert Jazz Chat.
Confirmation: Weekly News and Notes
Original image by Plastic Sax.
*Nina Cherry highlighted Matt Otto’s latest album for Kansas City magazine.
*Concerts by Gregory Porter and High Pulp are among KCUR’s recommendations for September.
Confirmation: Weekly News and Notes
Original image by Plastic Sax.
*KCUR reported on the resignation of Rashida Phillips as the executive director of the American Jazz Museum.
*Reed Jackson investigated the Kansas origins of guitarist David Lord for The Pitch.
*Greg Carroll and Deborah Brown promoted the annual Spotlight: Charlie Parker initiative on KCUR.
*Joe Dimino interviewed Matt Otto.
*Marc Myers is on a Basie bender.
Confirmation: Weekly News and Notes
Original image by Plastic Sax.
*Matt Otto told Steve Kraske about his latest album on KCUR’s Up To Date program.
*The first two episodes of Kansas Public Radio’s new program Live at Green Lady Lounge are available for streaming.
Confirmation: Weekly News and Notes
Original image by Plastic Sax.
*KCUR aired an audio feature about Mike Dillon.
*Pat Metheny’s appearance at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts is among KCUR’s June concert recommendations.
*Ian Bennett suggests Kansas City jazz is a cultural ghost in an essay for The Pitch.
*Tweet of the Week: Jeff Shirley- Terrarium (Official Video Teaser) Listen to Jeff Shirley’s album “Blue Gold” now: Spotify: (link) Amazon Music Streaming: (link) iTunes: (link) (video clip)
*From a press release: On Monday, June 19, the Sunflower Music Festival at White Concert Hall on the Washburn University campus (in) Topeka, will welcome Kansas City’s popular City Light Jazz Orchestra back for Jazz Night. The orchestra, under the direction of Angela Ward, will present A Tribute to Black Female Composers.
Confirmation: Weekly News and Notes
Original image by Plastic Sax.
*Logan Richardson chatted with Steve Kraske on KCUR’s Up To Date program.
*An award-winning high school band from Washington that fared well at the Kansas City Jazz Summit is the subject of a news feature.
*Tweet of the Week: Lina- Sistrunk’s phone was the only one amongst us that could get a halfway decent selfie in the dark that is the Green Lady Lounge. (photo)
Confirmation: Weekly News and Notes
Original image by Plastic Sax.
*Clint Ashlock considers the 2023-24 season of The Kansas City Jazz Orchestra for The Kansas City Star.
*Vanessa Thomas’ album release show at the Lied Center is among KCUR’s May concert recommendations.
*Joe Dimino attended a concert by The Kansas City Jazz Orchestra and interviewed Alber.
*KCUR’s Greg Echlin reports on The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum’s intention to move from its current location adjacent to the American Jazz Museum.
*Tweet of the Week: KCMO Public Library- April 30 is #InternationalJazzDay! Check out books, music, and resources about some of the greatest names in jazz, including many with Kansas City connections: (link)
Confirmation: Weekly News and Notes
Original image by Plastic Sax.
*The New York Times caught up with Marilyn Maye.
*Eboni Fondren and Rashida Phillips considered the role of women in the development of Kansas City jazz on KCUR’s Up To Date program.
*KCUR published A Guide to the Best Venues for Live Music Around the Metro.
*All Night Trio and Back Alley Brass Band submitted entries to NPR’s Tiny Desk Contest.
*Tweet of the Week: Coalback- Saw u last night @GreenLadyLounge. Excellent show!
Confirmation: Weekly News and Notes
Original image by Plastic Sax.
*Ronald McFadden has died.
*Lawrence Brooks IV highlighted the Kansas City Jazz Orchestra’s outreach programs for KCUR.
*Startland reports on plans for Ruthell’s in the Jazz District.
*Bill Frisell’s concert at the 1900 Building is among KCUR’s March concert recommendations.
*The Pitch checks out Con Chapman’s new book about Kansas City’s jazz history.
*Tweet of the Week: American Jazz Museum- Sending our dearest condolences to the McFadden Family on the loss of Ronald McFadden, the great vocalist, saxophonist and tap dancer. Thanks for your talent and for making us proud. We’ll miss every beat. Rest in Heaven, your family at the American Jazz Museum.
Confirmation: Weekly News and Notes
Original image of Judith Shea’s “Storage” by Plastic Sax.
*Rod Fleeman discussed his new album with Steve Kraske on KCUR’s Up to Date program.
*Nina Cherry caught up with Marilyn Maye.
*A television station reports on concerns related to the latest round of development plans for the Jazz District.
*Snippets of a Jackie Myers performance at Ophelia’s were captured by Joe Dimino.
*More than 500 albums received votes in the 17th Annual Francis Davis Jazz Critics Poll. Kansas City is represented by Bobby Watson’s Back Home in Kansas City (#106), Steve Cardenas’ Healing Power: The Music of Carla Bley (#125), Pat Metheny’s Side-Eye NYC (#347) and Hermon Mehari’s Asmara (#414). My ballot is here.
*No Kansas City establishments are among the 106 venues listed in Downbeat’s 2023 International Jazz Venue Guide.
*Tweet of the Week: StrayhornProject- Congratulations to Caden Bradshaw from Kansas City, winner of our ‘Strayhorn; An Illustrated Life’ book raffle. Caden is an up and coming jazz pianist himself. We will continue to wish him well on his musical journey! (photo)
Confirmation: Weekly News and Notes
Original image by Plastic Sax.
*Chris Burnett discussed the release of an archival recording with Joe Dimino.
*The obituary for a jazz enthusiast includes references to fabled venues including Kansas City’s Pla-Mor Ballroom.
*Tweet of the Week: KCUR- From jazz to folk, Kansas City has a rich collection of music for this time of year. Music critic Bill Brownlee recommends adding these to your holiday playlist. (link)