JAM Magazine: February/March 1997 Issue: First Take

by Mike Metheny
JAM Editor

SALUTING LONGEVITY
As one of 40,000 spellbound listeners at the May '93 Paul McCartney concert at Arrowhead, I found myself wondering: Will any of today's pop/rock icons fill a football stadium 30 years from now, let alone reel off three decades worth of humable hits? Unlikely. The same might be said for many of today's outspoken (albeit brilliant) "young lions" whose strident dogma causes jazz buffs loyal to the music's innovators to withhold unqualified praise. Will the new jazz messengers of well-played retro Zeitgeist still be in the spotlight 30 years from now? Only time will tell.

Regardless of art form, there is something to be said for longevity; especially considering the road chosen in any artistic endeavor can be littered with the remnants of one-hit wonders, flavor-of-the-month notoriety, and those who ultimately faded from the scene for one reason or another. In jazz, a music that, in a recent survey, only appeals to about 3% of the album-buying public, simply hanging in there for multiple decades on any level is a notable achievement. That's why we are saluting several jazz artists -- of national and local repute -- who've contributed to the music over the span of a career and who have lived to tell many a memorable tale. Benny Waters (95), Jane Jarvis (80), Jay McShann ("80-something"), Claude "Fiddler" Williams (89 on February 22), Wayne Ruppenthal (84) and Daahoud Williams ("older than black pepper") are the subjects of six profiles that make up this issue's cover story. Each has had a full life in jazz, and each exemplifies the kind of endurance worthy of respect from jazz fans everywhere. (Note: Waters and Jarvis will be in Kansas City on Friday, March 7 and are tentatively scheduled to appear at Station Casino.)

Pianist Pete Eye is another sterling example of longevity in a tough business. An integral part of the KC jazz community since the late 1950s, Pete is still at the top of his game and playing better than ever (and it goes without saying that, compared to our cover story subjects, he is but a youngster). Pete Eye is centerstage in "Q&A" this time around, and we think you'll enjoy the insight that comes from a lengthy and productive career in jazz.

Two more standard bearers of longevity on an global scale are guitarist Kenny Burrell and saxophonist Sonny Rollins. How fortunate for Kansas City jazz fans that Doug Tatum of the Folly Theater continues to book such world renowned artists. Read all about Burrell and Rollins and their upcoming KC appearances in Doug's always informative "Folly Jazz News."

Area jazz artists continue to release (and appear on) new CDs at a steady pace. In "For The Record" this time, look for reviews of music from organist Everette DeVan, singer Angela Hagenbach, keyboardist Max Groove, and bassist Jim Widner whose big band continues to showcase many of the Midwest's finest.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
"It took me 30 years to learn what not to play." -- Dizzy Gillespie

RETURN TO FEBRUARY/MARCH 1997 MAIN INDEX

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© Kansas City Jazz Ambassadors 1996-2001. All rights reserved.






	Search our site:		by Mike Metheny JAM Editor SALUTING LONGEVITY As one of 40,000 spellbound listeners at the May '93 Paul McCartney concert at Arrowhead, I found myself wondering: Will any of today's pop/rock icons fill a football stadium 30 years from now, let alone reel off three decades worth of humable hits? Unlikely. The same might be said for many of today's outspoken (albeit brilliant) "young lions" whose strident dogma causes jazz buffs loyal to the music's innovators to withhold unqualified praise. Will the new jazz messengers of well-played retro Zeitgeist still be in the spotlight 30 years from now? Only time will tell. Regardless of art form, there is something to be said for longevity; especially considering the road chosen in any artistic endeavor can be littered with the remnants of one-hit wonders, flavor-of-the-month notoriety, and those who ultimately faded from the scene for one reason or another. In jazz, a music that, in a recent survey, only appeals to about 3% of the album-buying public, simply hanging in there for multiple decades on any level is a notable achievement. That's why we are saluting several jazz artists -- of national and local repute -- who've contributed to the music over the span of a career and who have lived to tell many a memorable tale. Benny Waters (95), Jane Jarvis (80), Jay McShann ("80-something"), Claude "Fiddler" Williams (89 on February 22), Wayne Ruppenthal (84) and Daahoud Williams ("older than black pepper") are the subjects of six profiles that make up this issue's cover story. Each has had a full life in jazz, and each exemplifies the kind of endurance worthy of respect from jazz fans everywhere. (Note: Waters and Jarvis will be in Kansas City on Friday, March 7 and are tentatively scheduled to appear at Station Casino.) Pianist Pete Eye is another sterling example of longevity in a tough business. An integral part of the KC jazz community since the late 1950s, Pete is still at the top of his game and playing better than ever (and it goes without saying that, compared to our cover story subjects, he is but a youngster). Pete Eye is centerstage in "Q&A" this time around, and we think you'll enjoy the insight that comes from a lengthy and productive career in jazz. Two more standard bearers of longevity on an global scale are guitarist Kenny Burrell and saxophonist Sonny Rollins. How fortunate for Kansas City jazz fans that Doug Tatum of the Folly Theater continues to book such world renowned artists. Read all about Burrell and Rollins and their upcoming KC appearances in Doug's always informative "Folly Jazz News." Area jazz artists continue to release (and appear on) new CDs at a steady pace. In "For The Record" this time, look for reviews of music from organist Everette DeVan, singer Angela Hagenbach, keyboardist Max Groove, and bassist Jim Widner whose big band continues to showcase many of the Midwest's finest. THOUGHT FOR THE DAY "It took me 30 years to learn what not to play." -- Dizzy Gillespie RETURN TO FEBRUARY/MARCH 1997 MAIN INDEX ------------------------------------------------------------------------ © Kansas City Jazz Ambassadors 1996-2001. All rights reserved.