Plastic Sax

*Live music resumes at the Blue Room this week.

*Jazzwise magazine offers a profile of Logan Richardson.

*Robert Castillo is among the artists featured in an arts overview published by KCUR.

*A fundraising campaign for a new Kansas City based big band with Rob Scheps as musical director is accepting donations.

*Nate Nall chatted with Joe Dimino.

*The Kansas City Star assesses the push for gun control in the Jazz District.

*Tweet of the Week: St. Louis Public Radio- Ferguson native and renowned jazz trumpeter @keyonharrold shares why jazz purists need to open their eyes to other music genres. (link)

*From a press release: The Kansas City Jazz Orchestra is thrilled to announce the debut of its new, second ensemble, Riff Generation, in the 21/22 season. The ensemble, distinct from the organization's long-established 18-piece big band, now entering its 19th season, will perform a multi-concert series beginning in the first half of 2022.

A handful of Kansas City-affiliated jazz-oriented albums released in recent months received little or no previous attention at Plastic Sax. This post partly remedies the omissions.

1. Joanna Berkebile- Love Me or Leave Me

What: The vocalist interprets standards.

Recommended if you like: Diana Krall

2. Bill Crain- Bill Crain

What: The veteran saxophonist documents his ongoing vitality.

Recommended if you like: The Brecker Brothers

3. Sylwester Ostrowski- Jammin' with KC

What: The Polish saxophonist collaborates with area standouts including Bobby Watson.

Recommended if you like: freewheeling jam sessions

4. E.E. Pointer- Dialogues

What: River Cow Orchestra’s leader howls at the moon.

Recommended if you like: Moondog

5. Rob Scheps- Live at the Churchill School

What: The hard-charging multi-instrumentalist regularly hangs his hat in Kansas City.

Recommended if you like: Phil Woods