JAM Magazine: April/May 1997 Issue: News and Notes

Two More from the KCJW
The Kansas City Jazz Workshop has two more concerts scheduled for 1996-97, one of which will feature a popular area big band. In addition to the vocal stylings of the North Texas State Jazz Singers (Sunday, April 6, 7:00 p.m.), look for the Mo-Kan River City Jazz Orchestra lead by saxophonist Dean Stringer in a series-ending "Season Ticket Holder Appreciation Concert" on Monday, May 19, 7:00 p.m. On the 19th, season ticket holders will be admitted free; walk-ups will be charged $12 at the door. Both concerts will take place at UMKC's Pierson Hall. For ticket information, call either 436-0318 or 737-3627.

Jazz Masters Series Continues
The 18th & Vine Authority's jazz masters series that, this winter alone, has featured such luminaries as guitarist Kenny Burrell and pianist/composer Toshiko Akiyoshi, continues on Friday, April 11 with an appearance by the great saxophonist, Jimmy Heath. Mr. Heath will give a clinic at Paseo Academy, 4747 Flora, from 10:00 a.m. until noon, and that evening there will be a concert at 7:30 p.m. in the Concert Hall at Paseo. Jimmy Heath and students from the clinic will be featured.

The series concludes on Monday, May 12 with another legend, trumpeter/flugelhornist/mumbler Clark Terry. Mr. Terry's clinic will also be at Paseo and will run from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The Heath clinic/concert and the Terry clinic are free and open to the public as are receptions for each (hosted by The Committee To Launch 18th & Vine): Jimmy Heath, April 11, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at the Mutual Musicians Foundation, 1823 Highland; and Clark Terry, May 12, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., also at the Foundation. Questions? Call 831-4396.

The KU Jazz Fest is 20
The 20th annual University of Kansas Jazz Festival is set for Thursday through Saturday, April 17-19 at the Lied Center on the KU campus in Lawrence. This year's festival will be held in honor of long-time KU educator/broadcaster Dick Wright (see "Q&A") and will feature vocalist Toni Tennille, the Poncho Sanchez Latin Jazz Band, flugelhornist Mike Metheny, saxophonist Gary Foster, trombonist Carl Fontana and trumpeter Bobby Shew. In addition to said headliners, there will be backing by KU's many fine jazz ensembles (under the direction of Dan Gailey), performances by over 70 high school and college jazz groups, and clinics by some of the country's finest jazz educators. Call Ticketmaster at 931-3330 or the Lied Center Box Office at 913-864-ARTS to reserve your seats.

A Swinging Nightlights Pops
The award winning, eclectic and innovative vocal ensemble Manhattan Transfer is coming to KC for a Nightlights Pops concert with the Kansas City Symphony. Dating back to 1980, these perennial poll winners have bagged 10 Grammys and countless "best vocal group" awards in Down Beat and Playboy. You will be able to hear nearly two decades worth of hits ("Birdland" was good for Grammy #1) on Wednesday, April 30, 8:00 p.m. at Johnson County Community College's Yardley Hall. Should be a night to remember. Call 469-4445 for information and to purchase tickets.

Carol Comer to D.C.
Kansas City vocalist, pianist and educator Carol Comer will be in good company when she heads to Washington D.C. in May to be a part of the 1997 Mary Lou Williams "Women in Jazz Festival." Among the many notable groups and performers appearing at the Kennedy Center, May 1-3, are Straight Ahead, the Maria Schneider Jazz Orchestra, the Shirley Scott Trio, Diva/No Man's Band, Tania Maria and Ann Patterson's Maiden Voyage. Carol will be a panelist on one of the festival's seminars titled "The Importance of Mentors," taking place on Friday, May 2, 10:00 a.m. to noon. Joining Carol Comer will be Maria Schneider, Marion Hayden and Melba Liston. If you happen to be in the D.C. area the first of May, this will be an event not to miss. Call 718-884-9019 for more information.

JCCC Times Three
All three jazz bands (a third was recently added) at Johnson County Community College will be in concert, Monday, May 5, at 7:30 p.m. Under the direction of instructor Ray DeMarchi, the concert titled "Just Standards" will feature a variety of big band favorites in the lush surroundings of Yardley Hall, one of the area's most attractive performance venues. JCCC is located at 12345 College in Overland Park. Admission on May 5th is free. Call 469-8500 (x 369
0) for more.

Get Ready for Summer Jazz
The June/July JAM will be about the many festivals and events that promise to keep KC jazz lovers on the move during the summer of '97. For now, here's a preview of what's on tap.

The Corporate Woods Jazz Festival -- June 13-15
Three days of KC's best jazz artists in the comfortable surroundings of Corporate Woods in Overland Park.
The Parkville Jazz Festival -- June 21-22
Now in its second year, top-notch KC area talent will be in good supply. Last year's inaugural event was a winner .
The Jazz Lovers Pub Crawl -- June 26
This annual extravaganza showcases multiple KC musicians in as many as 20 different venues. And you can leave the driving to us.
The 1997 KC Blues & Jazz Festival -- July 18-20
A major musical event of the summer that not only features local jazz musicians, but national and international acts as well.
The Lee's Summit Jazz Festival -- Aug. 8
Also in its second year, this evening outdoor fest drew over 2,000 music lovers to downtown Lee's Summit in '96. Not bad for a first-time event.
The 18th & Vine Heritage Jazz Festival -- Aug. 23-24
This festival is celebrating its 15th anniversary in 1997. And, as always, local artists and national acts are featured, all in the historic (and newly refurbished by August) 18th & Vine district. Note: Also in the June/July JAM will be updated information about the grand openings, scheduled for later this summer, of the 18th & Vine Jazz Museum and the GEM Theater.
The Annual KC Spirit Festival -- Aug. 29-31
Kaleidoscopic in the variety of music featured, KC Spirit also provides a generous amount of local jazz. And what better way to celebrate Charlie Parker's birthday on August 29?
The Kansas City International Jazz Festival -- Sept. 19-20
To be held at Starlight Theater (like last year's inaugural event), this jazz fest is truly an "international" affair. Look for a choice blend of local artists and internationally acclaimed jazz musicians.

Bravo Blue Note
If you get the Bravo channel on cable, you'll want to tune in for a two-part program that features a history of the Blue Note label and tells the story of Blue Note founders Alfred Lion and Francis Wolff. In addition, the program documents many aspects of the jazz scene including the music business, drug issues, human rights and the rise and fall of "the jazz era." Featured are interviews with jazz greats and aficionados, including jazz fan Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and musicians Carlos Santana, Herbie Hancock and Quincy Jones. Also included will be previously unreleased archival footage of such artists as Miles Davis, Horace Silver and Art Blakey. Part I airs on Thursday, April 17 at 9:00 p.m. and repeats on Wednesday, April 23 at 6:00 p.m. and 3:05 a.m. Part II airs on Thursday, April 24 at 9:00 p.m. and repeats on Wednesday, April 30 at 6:00 p.m. and 3:00 a.m. Program those VCRs.

CLOSING CHORD
Bob Drange: JAM, KCJA Co-Founder
With the death of Prairie Village resident Robert O. (Bob) Drange on January 26, 1997, the Kansas City jazz community lost an avid booster. In 1984, Bob, his wife Shirley and several other jazz enthusiasts co-founded a group that became the Kansas City Jazz Ambassadors, an offshoot of the old Kansas City Jazz Commission. Then, in 1986, the group decided to print a bimonthly publication listing current jazz events; thus, the birth of JAM. Bob Drange edited, wrote for, delivered, and sometimes even paid for the magazine in its first year.
Bob was a native of Watertown, South Dakota, a graduate of Iowa State University, and a Navy SeaBee on Guam in World War II. He retired from the HNTB Corporation where he was a partner, was a Folly Jazz Series season ticket holder, and he helped produce recordings by singer, Priscilla Bowman. Bob was preceded in death by Shirley (in 1989), as well as a son, Dr. R. Kirk Drange. He is survived by his wife, Mary, a son, Philip Drange of Tujunga, CA, and six granddaughters. -- Carol Heizman

Got News? Got Notes? Please send to: Editor/JAM, P.O. Box 36181, Kansas City, MO 64171-6181. Deadline for all submissions is the 15th of each odd numbered month.

RETURN TO APRIL/MAY 1997 MAIN INDEX

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






	Search our site:		Two More from the KCJW The Kansas City Jazz Workshop has two more concerts scheduled for 1996-97, one of which will feature a popular area big band. In addition to the vocal stylings of the North Texas State Jazz Singers (Sunday, April 6, 7:00 p.m.), look for the Mo-Kan River City Jazz Orchestra lead by saxophonist Dean Stringer in a series-ending "Season Ticket Holder Appreciation Concert" on Monday, May 19, 7:00 p.m. On the 19th, season ticket holders will be admitted free; walk-ups will be charged $12 at the door. Both concerts will take place at UMKC's Pierson Hall. For ticket information, call either 436-0318 or 737-3627. Jazz Masters Series Continues The 18th & Vine Authority's jazz masters series that, this winter alone, has featured such luminaries as guitarist Kenny Burrell and pianist/composer Toshiko Akiyoshi, continues on Friday, April 11 with an appearance by the great saxophonist, Jimmy Heath. Mr. Heath will give a clinic at Paseo Academy, 4747 Flora, from 10:00 a.m. until noon, and that evening there will be a concert at 7:30 p.m. in the Concert Hall at Paseo. Jimmy Heath and students from the clinic will be featured. The series concludes on Monday, May 12 with another legend, trumpeter/flugelhornist/mumbler Clark Terry. Mr. Terry's clinic will also be at Paseo and will run from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The Heath clinic/concert and the Terry clinic are free and open to the public as are receptions for each (hosted by The Committee To Launch 18th & Vine): Jimmy Heath, April 11, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at the Mutual Musicians Foundation, 1823 Highland; and Clark Terry, May 12, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., also at the Foundation. Questions? Call 831-4396. The KU Jazz Fest is 20 The 20th annual University of Kansas Jazz Festival is set for Thursday through Saturday, April 17-19 at the Lied Center on the KU campus in Lawrence. This year's festival will be held in honor of long-time KU educator/broadcaster Dick Wright (see "Q&A") and will feature vocalist Toni Tennille, the Poncho Sanchez Latin Jazz Band, flugelhornist Mike Metheny, saxophonist Gary Foster, trombonist Carl Fontana and trumpeter Bobby Shew. In addition to said headliners, there will be backing by KU's many fine jazz ensembles (under the direction of Dan Gailey), performances by over 70 high school and college jazz groups, and clinics by some of the country's finest jazz educators. Call Ticketmaster at 931-3330 or the Lied Center Box Office at 913-864-ARTS to reserve your seats. A Swinging Nightlights Pops The award winning, eclectic and innovative vocal ensemble Manhattan Transfer is coming to KC for a Nightlights Pops concert with the Kansas City Symphony. Dating back to 1980, these perennial poll winners have bagged 10 Grammys and countless "best vocal group" awards in Down Beat and Playboy. You will be able to hear nearly two decades worth of hits ("Birdland" was good for Grammy #1) on Wednesday, April 30, 8:00 p.m. at Johnson County Community College's Yardley Hall. Should be a night to remember. Call 469-4445 for information and to purchase tickets. Carol Comer to D.C. Kansas City vocalist, pianist and educator Carol Comer will be in good company when she heads to Washington D.C. in May to be a part of the 1997 Mary Lou Williams "Women in Jazz Festival." Among the many notable groups and performers appearing at the Kennedy Center, May 1-3, are Straight Ahead, the Maria Schneider Jazz Orchestra, the Shirley Scott Trio, Diva/No Man's Band, Tania Maria and Ann Patterson's Maiden Voyage. Carol will be a panelist on one of the festival's seminars titled "The Importance of Mentors," taking place on Friday, May 2, 10:00 a.m. to noon. Joining Carol Comer will be Maria Schneider, Marion Hayden and Melba Liston. If you happen to be in the D.C. area the first of May, this will be an event not to miss. Call 718-884-9019 for more information. JCCC Times Three All three jazz bands (a third was recently added) at Johnson County Community College will be in concert, Monday, May 5, at 7:30 p.m. Under the direction of instructor Ray DeMarchi, the concert titled "Just Standards" will feature a variety of big band favorites in the lush surroundings of Yardley Hall, one of the area's most attractive performance venues. JCCC is located at 12345 College in Overland Park. Admission on May 5th is free. Call 469-8500 (x 369 0) for more. Get Ready for Summer Jazz The June/July JAM will be about the many festivals and events that promise to keep KC jazz lovers on the move during the summer of '97. For now, here's a preview of what's on tap. The Corporate Woods Jazz Festival -- June 13-15 Three days of KC's best jazz artists in the comfortable surroundings of Corporate Woods in Overland Park. The Parkville Jazz Festival -- June 21-22 Now in its second year, top-notch KC area talent will be in good supply. Last year's inaugural event was a winner . The Jazz Lovers Pub Crawl -- June 26 This annual extravaganza showcases multiple KC musicians in as many as 20 different venues. And you can leave the driving to us. The 1997 KC Blues & Jazz Festival -- July 18-20 A major musical event of the summer that not only features local jazz musicians, but national and international acts as well. The Lee's Summit Jazz Festival -- Aug. 8 Also in its second year, this evening outdoor fest drew over 2,000 music lovers to downtown Lee's Summit in '96. Not bad for a first-time event. The 18th & Vine Heritage Jazz Festival -- Aug. 23-24 This festival is celebrating its 15th anniversary in 1997. And, as always, local artists and national acts are featured, all in the historic (and newly refurbished by August) 18th & Vine district. Note: Also in the June/July JAM will be updated information about the grand openings, scheduled for later this summer, of the 18th & Vine Jazz Museum and the GEM Theater. The Annual KC Spirit Festival -- Aug. 29-31 Kaleidoscopic in the variety of music featured, KC Spirit also provides a generous amount of local jazz. And what better way to celebrate Charlie Parker's birthday on August 29? The Kansas City International Jazz Festival -- Sept. 19-20 To be held at Starlight Theater (like last year's inaugural event), this jazz fest is truly an "international" affair. Look for a choice blend of local artists and internationally acclaimed jazz musicians. Bravo Blue Note If you get the Bravo channel on cable, you'll want to tune in for a two-part program that features a history of the Blue Note label and tells the story of Blue Note founders Alfred Lion and Francis Wolff. In addition, the program documents many aspects of the jazz scene including the music business, drug issues, human rights and the rise and fall of "the jazz era." Featured are interviews with jazz greats and aficionados, including jazz fan Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and musicians Carlos Santana, Herbie Hancock and Quincy Jones. Also included will be previously unreleased archival footage of such artists as Miles Davis, Horace Silver and Art Blakey. Part I airs on Thursday, April 17 at 9:00 p.m. and repeats on Wednesday, April 23 at 6:00 p.m. and 3:05 a.m. Part II airs on Thursday, April 24 at 9:00 p.m. and repeats on Wednesday, April 30 at 6:00 p.m. and 3:00 a.m. Program those VCRs. CLOSING CHORD Bob Drange: JAM, KCJA Co-Founder With the death of Prairie Village resident Robert O. (Bob) Drange on January 26, 1997, the Kansas City jazz community lost an avid booster. In 1984, Bob, his wife Shirley and several other jazz enthusiasts co-founded a group that became the Kansas City Jazz Ambassadors, an offshoot of the old Kansas City Jazz Commission. Then, in 1986, the group decided to print a bimonthly publication listing current jazz events; thus, the birth of JAM. Bob Drange edited, wrote for, delivered, and sometimes even paid for the magazine in its first year. Bob was a native of Watertown, South Dakota, a graduate of Iowa State University, and a Navy SeaBee on Guam in World War II. He retired from the HNTB Corporation where he was a partner, was a Folly Jazz Series season ticket holder, and he helped produce recordings by singer, Priscilla Bowman. Bob was preceded in death by Shirley (in 1989), as well as a son, Dr. R. Kirk Drange. He is survived by his wife, Mary, a son, Philip Drange of Tujunga, CA, and six granddaughters. -- Carol Heizman Got News? Got Notes? Please send to: Editor/JAM, P.O. Box 36181, Kansas City, MO 64171-6181. Deadline for all submissions is the 15th of each odd numbered month. RETURN TO APRIL/MAY 1997 MAIN INDEX ------------------------------------------------------------------------ © Kansas City Jazz Ambassadors 1996-2001. All rights reserved.