JAM Magazine: August/September 1997 Issue: A Touch of Class at 18th & Vine

A Touch Of Class at 18th & Vine

by Vanessa Barnard

Let's say your best friend in junior high pokes you in the ribs and gestures toward the young man across the room playing piano with the band ("The Carpets") in the school talent show. She whispers in your ear that he's her boyfriend. You think you know better, because after all, she is your best friend. You would know if she had a boyfriend. But then, as the band is leaving, that same young man comes over and kisses your friend on the cheek. You're speechless.

This is exactly what happened one day when Donald Cox and Patricia Lyons were first "an item." "It was love at first sight," they now say.

Although they went their separate ways after those school days, Donald and Pat reunited 15 years ago both as a couple and as business partners. Today Donald is still an accomplished pianist and vocalist, and Pat (or "Princess," a nickname given to her by Donald) has become well-known for a velvety voice that can turn into a lion's growl when singin' the blues. In live performance, each complements the other in a way that leaves no doubt there's a little bit more than just business involved here. When listening to the them sing "Unforgettable," it's clear that their love is here to stay.

Pat "The Princess" Cox began her singing career at age 15 with a group called "The Passionettes." She then founded a group called "Touch of Sweetness" and toured with B.B. King, Bobby Blue Bland, Rufus Thomas, Lionel Ritchie, Roy Ayers and Gladys Knight. Another group she was part of, "Shades of Madness," toured with Al Green, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, and Little Milton. With "Shades," she once sang at the Leavenworth Penitentiary. "I had no clue where I was heading that day," she says. "And the guys in the band wouldn't tell me because they were afraid I wouldn't go. A gig is a gig, they said!" Today Pat credits that performance as one of her most positive singing experiences. "The audience there showed so much love and appreciation, it gave me the confidence to continue on my chosen path."

As a teen, Pat was also "doing all the popular voices of that time." And it was her mother who told her that "when you can do Nancy Wilson, that will really be something." Pat recalls the day she went to Tiger's Records at Independence and Prospect to get a first Nancy Wilson recording. When she arrived, she noticed a man standing in the back, and she asked him to help her find the record she was looking for. "He looked at me a little funny," remembers Pat, "but he did assist me in locating the album." The man kept staring at her, however, making Pat more and more nervous. She paid for the album and left. As she was leaving, the store was beginning to fill up with people. She asked someone on the sidewalk what was going on. "James Brown is in there to sign autographs," she was told. She went back in, and sure enough, it was James Brown who'd helped her find that Nancy Wilson record.

Today, Pat finds emulating Wilson easy. And she can also pull off a variety of other voices, including those of Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Anita Baker and Sarah Vaughn.

As for Donald Cox, his career as a musician also began as a teen (13). And he too has been "very lucky to have toured with some of the best in the business. Al Green, Johnnie Taylor, Etta James, Eartha Kitt, Little Richard, Lou Rawls and Roy Ayers, to name a few." Cox could have easily continued traveling, and enjoying steady work on the road, but his mission has become to continue the traditions and heritage of a special part of Kansas City. "My plight is to make sure 18th & Vine lasts," he says. "And that it lasts well into the future for all the Elder Statesmen, and women, of jazz. I'm doing it for all the guys who preceded me: Jay McShann, Claude "Fiddler" Williams, Willie Rice, Ben Kinard, Oliver Todd and Lucky Wesley. And today I thank Luqman Hamza for being such an inspiration."

In 1987, Donald and Pat, along with Donald's daughter, Tuesday, decided to form a new musical alliance called "A Touch of Class." The name of the group perfectly defines what Donald and Pat are all about. In addition to performing together, working in the community has also become of great importance. Donald, for example, is responsible for keeping the Mutual Musician's Foundation open on Saturday nights; he plays piano there, secures the musicians, keeps the building clean... he even shovels snow if necessary. Whatever it takes to make sure everyone knows the historic site is open and that all are welcome.

In addition, Donald has recently taken on the role of surrogate son for bassist David "Daahoud" Williams. Williams has been residing in a nursing home while recovering from surgery this past winter, and Donald has volunteered to help him in numerous ways, both financially and emotionally. Cox also finds time to tour the inner-city schools and nursing homes, all to promote Kansas City jazz.

Donald's dream is to start a year-round school at the Foundation for young kids. This, he feels, is the only way to make sure the tradition is carried on to each new generation. "So many of the Elder Statesmen would be happy to work in that kind of environment," he adds. "It would be a win-win situation. How could it possibly lose?"

Donald and Pat Cox are not people who do what they do for money or acclaim. Much of what they do, as a matter of fact, goes unnoticed. But for those in the jazz community who know what happens on a day-to-day basis, these are two of the most respected people in town -- because of their musical talents, and because of the way in which they give of themselves to the community.

Pianist Chris Clarke calls them "vibrant and soulful." Saxophonist Ahmad Alaadeen states that Donald "is capable of playing the whole scope, from funk all the way up. He can play doo-wop, straight into jazz without missing a beat." And singer Toni Oliver says, "Their inner harmony and their love is reflected in their profound and professional artistic abilities."

18th & Vine will soon be very much alive once again. And if the past is any sign of what's to come, Donald and the "Princess" will be right in the heart of it all, giving of their talent, time and energy to insure that the tradition of Kansas City jazz stays alive.

Donald and Pat Cox: A Touch of Class at 18th & Vine.

RETURN TO AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 1997 MAIN INDEX

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






	Search our site:		A Touch Of Class at 18th & Vine by Vanessa Barnard Let's say your best friend in junior high pokes you in the ribs and gestures toward the young man across the room playing piano with the band ("The Carpets") in the school talent show. She whispers in your ear that he's her boyfriend. You think you know better, because after all, she is your best friend. You would know if she had a boyfriend. But then, as the band is leaving, that same young man comes over and kisses your friend on the cheek. You're speechless. This is exactly what happened one day when Donald Cox and Patricia Lyons were first "an item." "It was love at first sight," they now say. Although they went their separate ways after those school days, Donald and Pat reunited 15 years ago both as a couple and as business partners. Today Donald is still an accomplished pianist and vocalist, and Pat (or "Princess," a nickname given to her by Donald) has become well-known for a velvety voice that can turn into a lion's growl when singin' the blues. In live performance, each complements the other in a way that leaves no doubt there's a little bit more than just business involved here. When listening to the them sing "Unforgettable," it's clear that their love is here to stay. Pat "The Princess" Cox began her singing career at age 15 with a group called "The Passionettes." She then founded a group called "Touch of Sweetness" and toured with B.B. King, Bobby Blue Bland, Rufus Thomas, Lionel Ritchie, Roy Ayers and Gladys Knight. Another group she was part of, "Shades of Madness," toured with Al Green, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, and Little Milton. With "Shades," she once sang at the Leavenworth Penitentiary. "I had no clue where I was heading that day," she says. "And the guys in the band wouldn't tell me because they were afraid I wouldn't go. A gig is a gig, they said!" Today Pat credits that performance as one of her most positive singing experiences. "The audience there showed so much love and appreciation, it gave me the confidence to continue on my chosen path." As a teen, Pat was also "doing all the popular voices of that time." And it was her mother who told her that "when you can do Nancy Wilson, that will really be something." Pat recalls the day she went to Tiger's Records at Independence and Prospect to get a first Nancy Wilson recording. When she arrived, she noticed a man standing in the back, and she asked him to help her find the record she was looking for. "He looked at me a little funny," remembers Pat, "but he did assist me in locating the album." The man kept staring at her, however, making Pat more and more nervous. She paid for the album and left. As she was leaving, the store was beginning to fill up with people. She asked someone on the sidewalk what was going on. "James Brown is in there to sign autographs," she was told. She went back in, and sure enough, it was James Brown who'd helped her find that Nancy Wilson record. Today, Pat finds emulating Wilson easy. And she can also pull off a variety of other voices, including those of Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Anita Baker and Sarah Vaughn. As for Donald Cox, his career as a musician also began as a teen (13). And he too has been "very lucky to have toured with some of the best in the business. Al Green, Johnnie Taylor, Etta James, Eartha Kitt, Little Richard, Lou Rawls and Roy Ayers, to name a few." Cox could have easily continued traveling, and enjoying steady work on the road, but his mission has become to continue the traditions and heritage of a special part of Kansas City. "My plight is to make sure 18th & Vine lasts," he says. "And that it lasts well into the future for all the Elder Statesmen, and women, of jazz. I'm doing it for all the guys who preceded me: Jay McShann, Claude "Fiddler" Williams, Willie Rice, Ben Kinard, Oliver Todd and Lucky Wesley. And today I thank Luqman Hamza for being such an inspiration." In 1987, Donald and Pat, along with Donald's daughter, Tuesday, decided to form a new musical alliance called "A Touch of Class." The name of the group perfectly defines what Donald and Pat are all about. In addition to performing together, working in the community has also become of great importance. Donald, for example, is responsible for keeping the Mutual Musician's Foundation open on Saturday nights; he plays piano there, secures the musicians, keeps the building clean... he even shovels snow if necessary. Whatever it takes to make sure everyone knows the historic site is open and that all are welcome. In addition, Donald has recently taken on the role of surrogate son for bassist David "Daahoud" Williams. Williams has been residing in a nursing home while recovering from surgery this past winter, and Donald has volunteered to help him in numerous ways, both financially and emotionally. Cox also finds time to tour the inner-city schools and nursing homes, all to promote Kansas City jazz. Donald's dream is to start a year-round school at the Foundation for young kids. This, he feels, is the only way to make sure the tradition is carried on to each new generation. "So many of the Elder Statesmen would be happy to work in that kind of environment," he adds. "It would be a win-win situation. How could it possibly lose?" Donald and Pat Cox are not people who do what they do for money or acclaim. Much of what they do, as a matter of fact, goes unnoticed. But for those in the jazz community who know what happens on a day-to-day basis, these are two of the most respected people in town -- because of their musical talents, and because of the way in which they give of themselves to the community. Pianist Chris Clarke calls them "vibrant and soulful." Saxophonist Ahmad Alaadeen states that Donald "is capable of playing the whole scope, from funk all the way up. He can play doo-wop, straight into jazz without missing a beat." And singer Toni Oliver says, "Their inner harmony and their love is reflected in their profound and professional artistic abilities." 18th & Vine will soon be very much alive once again. And if the past is any sign of what's to come, Donald and the "Princess" will be right in the heart of it all, giving of their talent, time and energy to insure that the tradition of Kansas City jazz stays alive. Donald and Pat Cox: A Touch of Class at 18th & Vine. RETURN TO AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 1997 MAIN INDEX ------------------------------------------------------------------------ © Kansas City Jazz Ambassadors 1996-2001. All rights reserved.