The Kansas City producer Brian Kennedy will presumably emphasize the jazz elements of his sound at the Blue Room on Thursday, December 19. Vocalist Angelique Cinelu will also be on hand.
Confirmation: Weekly News and Notes
Original image by Plastic Sax.
*KCUR checked in with Samantha Ege about her reconsideration of Nora Holt.
*Joe Dimino interviewed Addison Frei and Dave Scott.
Dwight Frizzell: Plastic Sax’s Person of the Year
Original image by Plastic Sax.
The indefatigable enthusiasm possessed by a young Dwight Frizzell made him a persuasive guide for jazz appreciation in the early 1980s. As a clerk at the flagship location of Penny Lane Records, Frizzell consulted the teenager who would become the author of Plastic Sax on decisions such as which Miles Davis albums to purchase in CBS Records’ occasional Nice Price three-for-$10 promotions.
Frizzell also insisted I build my Sun Ra collection and buy cassettes documenting his own Sun Ra-inspired projects. The experimental sounds altered my worldview. Without the influence of Frizzell more than forty years ago, Plastic Sax might not exist. Frizzell was probably dismissed as a puerile eccentric by many people in the 1980s. Yet Frizzell has retained all of his effervescent energy. And his devotion to Sun Ra has only grown.
Four installations in Charlotte Street Foundation’s Sonic Art Series this year demonstrated how Frizzell continues to hone his vision. Well beyond mere homages to his lodestar, Frizzell’s immersive sonic works advanced the imaginative oeuvre of Sun Ra. By remaining true to his uncommon artistry, Frizzell is Plastic Sax’s 2024 Person of the Year.
The previous recipients of the designation are Matt Otto (2023), Seth Davis and Evan Verploegh (2022), Rod Fleeman (2021), 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.
Confirmation: Weekly News and Notes
Original image by Plastic Sax.
*The New York Times’ look back at the 1958 “A Great Day in Harlem” photograph is loaded with Kansas City connections.
*Joe Dimino shared clips of performances at the Blue Room by David Watson and Warren Wolf.
*Dr. Dina Bennett is featured in a video produced by the American Jazz Museum.
The Top Performances of 2024
Original image of Seth Davis, Kwan Leung Ling, Aaron Osborne and Evan Verploegh at 7th Heaven by Plastic Sax.
The Top Jazz Performances of 2024 by Kansas City Musicians
1. Peter Schlamb at the Ship
Plastic Sax review.
2. Rev. Dwight Frizzell’s Bridge at Charlotte Street Foundation
Instagram clip.
3. Rev. Dwight Frizzell’s Heliophonie at Charlotte Street Foundation
Plastic Sax review.
4. Steve Cardenas, Forest Stewart and Brian Steever at Westport Coffee House
Plastic Sax review.
5. WireTown at Green Lady Lounge
Instagram clip.
6. Seth Davis, Kwan Leung Ling, Aaron Osborne and Evan Verploegh at 7th Heaven
Instagram clip.
7. Jackie Myers, Matt Otto and Bob Bowman at the Market at Meadowbrook
Instagram snapshot.
8. Alber at Charlotte Street Foundation
Instagram snapshot.
9. Ernest Melton, Parker Woolworth, Jordan Faught and Jalen Ward at In the Lowest Ferns
Plastic Sax review.
10. Rod Fleeman Trio at Green Lady Lounge
Instagram clip.
The Top Performances of 2024 by Touring Musicians
1. Makaya McCraven at Liberty Hall
Plastic Sax review.
2. Trond Kallevåg at the Folk Alliance International Conference
Instagram clip.
3. David Lord at Farewell
Plastic Sax review.
4. Willow at the T-Mobile Center
There Stands the Glass review.
5. Trap Jazz at Concourse Park
Instagram clip.
6. Mike Baggetta and Peter DiStefano at the Ship
There Stands the Glass review.
7. Damon Smith at Westport Coffee House
Instagram clip.
8. Phill Smith and Kyle Jessen at Charlotte Street Foundation
Instagram clip.
9. Síomha at the Kansas City Irish Festival
Instagram clip.
10. David Menestres at the Bunker Center for the Arts
Instagram snapshot.
Last year’s survey is here.
Now’s the Time: Warren Wolf
The extraordinarily accomplished Warren Wolf performs at the Blue Room on Friday, December 6. His latest album History of the Vibraphone is among the year’s most noteworthy straight-ahead jazz albums. Wolf interprets Lyle Mays’ “Chorinho” in the embedded video.
Confirmation: Weekly News and Notes
Original image by Plastic Sax.
*Joe Dimino interviewed Stan Kessler and Matt Otto.
*The man behind Plastic Sax shared music by Betty Bryant, Pat Metheny and Peter Schlamb on KKFI’s Wednesday MidDay Medley program last week.
Plastic Sax’s Favorite Albums of 2024
The Top Ten Albums of 2024 by Kansas City Artists
1. Betty Bryant- Lotta Livin’
Plastic Sax review.
2. Logan Richardson- The Science of Superstition
Plastic Sax review.
3. Charles McPherson- Reverence
Plastic Sax review.
4. Ben Allison, Steve Cardenas and Ted Nash- Tell the Birds I Said Hello: The Music of Herbie Nichols
Plastic Sax review.
5. Matt Otto, Xose Miguélez and Abe Rábade- The Landscape Listens
Plastic Sax review.
6. Rod Fleeman Trio- Saturday Afternoon Live at Green Lady Lounge, Volume 3
Plastic Sax review.
7. Pat Metheny- MoonDial
Plastic Sax review.
8. Karrin Allyson- A Kiss for Brazil
Plastic Sax review.
9. Michael Pagán- Paganova
Plastic Sax review.
10. Narrative Quintet- Trust Fund Tinder Goblins Howling at the Moon
Plastic Sax review.
The Top Ten Albums of 2024 by Artists from Elsewhere
1. Sunny Five- Candid
2. Nduduzo Makhathini- uNomkhubulwane
3. Fred Hersch- Silent, Listening
4. أحمد (Ahmed)- Wood Blues
5. Nala Sinephro- Endlessness
6. Tord Gustavsen Trio- Seeing
7. Andrew Cyrille, Kit Downes and Bill Frisell- Breaking the Shell
8. Peter Evans- Extra
9. Samara Joy- Portrait
10. The Messthetics and James Brandon Lewis- The Messthetics and James Brandon Lewis
Now’s the Time: Cynthia van Roden
The old-school vocalist Cynthia van Roden returns to the Market at Meadowbrook on Saturday, November 30. Her performances are recommended to fans of Blossom Dearie, Marilyn Maye and Anita O’Day.
Confirmation: Weekly News and Notes
Original image by Plastic Sax.
*Tim Whitmer’s Goodtime Quartet is featured in a new episode of Kansas Public Radio’s Live at Green Lady Lounge program.
*Joe Dimino shared footage of gigs led by Clint Ashlock and Tim Whitmer.
Album Review: Stan Kessler- Two’s Company
Two's Company may be the most valuable release of the year to emerge from Kansas City’s jazz community. While the elite mastery of trumpet and flugelhorn Stan Kessler displays on the album is hardly news, his decision to showcase three generations of Kansas City pianists provides a crucial service.
Pianists Joe Cartwright, Brant Jester, Andrew Ouellette, Brian Ward, Roger Wilder and Charles Williams don’t possess the relatively higher profile of the garrulous Kessler, a fixture on Kansas City’s jazz scene. Two’s Company is a welcome corrective.
As the title suggests, Two’s Company consists solely of duets. Jester’s lively melodicism makes “Blue Silver” an ideal opening track. Cartwright’s sensitivity highlights a heartbreaking rendering of “Chelsea Bridge.” Williams’ sprightly elegance propels “Way Down Yonder in New Orleans.”
“Berlin November” spotlights Wilder’s mainstream mastery. Ouellette’s contribution to “New Moon” shows why he’s among Kansas City’s most sought after accompanists. Ward’s maturity balances Kessler’s childlike glee on “Cosmic Latte.”
Kessler’s distinctive tone and improvisational dexterity sparkle on Two’s Company. Yet it’s his eagerness to share the spotlight with six of Kansas City’s under-documented pianists that makes Kessler’s album essential.
Now’s the Time: Boney James
The behatted smooth jazz saxophonist Boney James will give the people what they want at the Uptown Theater on Friday, November 29.
Confirmation: Weekly News and Notes
Original image by Plastic Sax.
*Andrew Ouellette was featured in the Hannibal Courier Post.
*Gennaro Caggiano was interviewed by Joe Dimino.
*Chuck Haddix and Steve Kraske consider the latest collection of rare Charlie Parker tracks.
*Jazzwise’s review of a solo Pat Metheny concert in London references the guitarist’s immersion in “the Kansas City jazz scene that had few guitarists.”
*From a press release: The year 2024 marks the 60th birthday of the beloved drummer, composer, and bandleader Matt Wilson. His acclaimed ensemble, the Christmas Tree-O, featuring multi-reed legend Jeff Lederer and revered bassist Paul Sikivie, also celebrates their new album Tree Jazz: The Shape of Christmas to Come… The band will be performing in Wichita as part of their national tour on December 6 and 7 at 8 PM at Walker's Jazz Lounge.
Jazz Night in Kansas City (Is Every Night)
Original image of Ernest Melton at In the Lowest Ferns by Plastic Sax.
Attending performances by locally based jazz musicians is what I miss most about Kansas City while traveling. While I regularly take advantage of high-profile concerts by cutting-edge improvisers who rarely appear in Kansas City in my destinations, few locales match the depth of artistry showcased nightly in the Kansas City area.
Following a trip to the tropics, I caught up with a portion of the embarrassment of riches on Thursday, November 15. My outing began at the Music House School of Music in Prairie Village. The storied trumpeter Stan Kessler joined the house band of guitarist Aaron Sizemore, bassist Forest Stewart and drummer Michael Warren.
Sizemore tends to incorporate European innovations of recent decades into his sound, a disposition that differentiates him from his peers in Kansas City. The singularity didn’t make an impression on harried music students on strict schedules at the busy facility. The small audience at Thursday’s no-cover event consisted of the usual suspects. A video of the concert streams here.
In the Lowest Ferns couldn’t be more different. The West Bottoms club specializing in electronic dance music occasionally hosts jazz musicians. About 25 fashion-conscious people paid a $15 cover charge to take in the first set by saxophonist Ernest Melton, keyboardist Parker Woolworth, bassist Jordan Faught and drummer Jaylen Ward. The quartet’s spiritual soul-jazz was enhanced by a fog machine.
Two blocks away, Peter Schlamb unveiled an instrument he described as his “new toy” in a free show at The Ship. The slippery tones of the MalletKAT added another weapon to the vibraphonist’s formidable arsenal. The high-energy improvisations of Schlamb, saxophonist Matt Otto, keyboardist Matt Villinger, bassist Sebastian Arias and drummer Zach Morrow were stunning.
In an act that felt like a cultural misdemeanor, the two eldest people among the audience of 20 left at the conclusion of the first set at 10:15 p.m. I nodded in agreement when a savvy old head suggested “that’s the best band in Kansas City” as we shuffled to the door. For me, Shlamb’s electric band sounds like home.
Now’s the Time: John Fedchock
The prominent trombonist John Fedchock is barnstorming Kansas City. His appearances include a gig at the Blue Room on Saturday, November 16. Fedchock is touring in support of his new album Justifiably J.J., a tribute to trombone luminary J.J. Johnson.
Album Review: Matt Otto, Xose Miguélez and Abe Rábade- The Landscape Listens
The Landscape Listens is an auspicious benediction. The collaboration between Kansas City’s Matt Otto and the Galacian musicians Xose Miguélez and Abe Rábade acts as a restorative balm for vanquished souls.
The calming collaboration between like-minded saxophonists Miguélez and Otto and pianist Rábade is exquisite jazz-based chamber music. Even though there’s never a moment of facile escapism, the lovely melodies and inspired solos are sonic sanctuaries.
Otto has dazzled Kansas City’s jazz community with his form of cool jazz for 16 years. Miguélez and Rábade share his passion for the sounds associated with Lee Konitz and Warne Marsh. Rábade invokes Chick Corea.
"Epílogo" is among the pieces with the lilt of Corea compositions like “La Fiesta”. The other tracks are just as gorgeous. Whether the listener is seeking spiritual consolation or mellow sophistication, The Landscape Listens is the right album at the right time.
Album Review: Addison Frei- Coin Flip
Heads, Bill Charlap. Tails, Brad Mehldau. The title of Coin Flip might be interpreted as references to the output of the heralded piano trios led by Bill Charlap and Brad Mehldau. Addison Frei may not be quite as accomplished as those jazz luminaries, but the album released in July indicates the musician raised in Lawrence, Kansas, is becoming increasingly worthy of comparison to elite pianists. Joined by bassist Tamir Shmerling and drummer Diego Joaquin Ramirez, Frei alternates between evoking Charlap’s mainstream elegance and Mehldau’s piano trio explorations. Coin Flip’s most rewarding moments occupy the sweet spot at the high-flying intersection of the two approaches.
Now’s the Time: Adam Larson
Adam Larson returns to the Hey Hey Club on Saturday, November 2. A younger version of the stellar saxophonist performs in the embedded video.
Confirmation: Weekly News and Notes
Original image by Plastic Sax.
*Chuck Haddix told The Pitch’s Nick Spacek about the backstory of the new Charlie Parker album Bird in Kansas City.
*From a press release: Kansas City Jazz Orchestra continues the 2024-25 season with.. Bright Size Life, featuring guitarist Rod Fleeman, Saturday, November 16, at the Folly Theater. Rod Fleeman is a founding member of The Kansas City Jazz Orchestra and has appreciated Pat Metheny’s virtuosity since he first saw the guitarist play in the early 1970s…
Album Review: Tim Whitmer Good Time Quartet- Double Live at Black Dolphin
Tim Whitmer has specialized in giving jazz fans in Kansas City exactly what they’ve wanted for more than forty years. The veteran’s joy-infused, smile-inducing and foot-stomping music delivers the goods for listeners preferring old-fashioned fun to high-brow innovation.
The cheerful sensibility of the pianist and bandleader isn't static. The new album Double Live at Black Dolphin shows how his celebratory sound continues to evolve. Saxophonist Michael Herrera II, bassist Chase McRoy and drummer Ray DeMarchi match Whitmer’s exuberance while avoiding excessive sentimentality.
“Back Alley Bluz” epitomizes the approach. Herrera’s slow, stirring solo and Whitmer’s evocation of Jay McShann on the original composition are conclusively Kansas City. “Brookside Boogie” and “Basie’s Back in Town” are similarly buoyant. Yet the album isn’t a nonstop party. A refreshed reading of “Dancing with Theresa” is among the solo piano statements adding depth to the nearly two-hour recording.
Whitmer frequently quotes the phrase “these are the good old days” in his social media posts. In this instance, the axiom is spot-on. City Light Orchestra’s classic 1984 album Raised Spirits excepted, Double Live at Black Dolphin is the definitive Whitmer album.
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The album release party for Double Live at Black Dolphin will take place at Black Dolphin from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m on Saturday, November 2.