JAM Magazine: December/January 1998 Issue: Contemporary Jazz

by Jeff Charney

I like Kenny G.

There, I said it. In the first sentence of my first column for JAM.

I like Kenny G.

My wife likes Kenny G. And so do a lot of other people in Kansas City. I also happen to like John Coltrane, Art Pepper, Sonny Rollins, Walter Beasley, Boney James and Richard Elliot. But thanks to Mike Metheny and his comments in last issue's "Coda," as well as comments I've heard from lots of jazz fans around town, I'm now compelled to speak my two cents.

In the review reprinted in the October/November JAM, John Petric asks "Why is this weenie (Kenny G) doing so well?" Answer: Because people like him! G doesn't consider himself a jazz artist. I know. He once told me that. He calls himself a saxophone player, an instrumentalist. But, it's our quest to label music. And people. So, we do. No lyrics? Then Kenny G must be jazz. OK, let's call him a jazz artist.

...Oh no! It's the Jazz Police! "Kenny G isn't jazz!"

Bottom line? Who cares. A lot of people like Kenny G. He makes a lot of money for Arista and for himself. And he makes a lot of people happy. That's all that matters. Don't like Kenny G? Don't listen to him. Listen to what you like. Or check out some new music (like I do at the radio station every single day). Don't like it? Move on. There is too much music to be enjoyed to waste any more space in this magazine over whether or not it's "really jazz." Give me a break.

Jazz is a lot of things, and a lot of styles.

Is this debate really necessary?

I don't think so.

Peter Horak is no longer the Executive Director of the Kansas City Blues & Jazz Festival. My thanks to Peter for a job well done during his years at that post. He made much needed changes in the fest that enabled it to become a successful, world class event.

He also took heat from The Kansas City Star. "That's not jazz" they would say (here we go again). Which leads me to my next beef. Why are certain reviewers sent to critique concerts when they already know they don't like the style of music they are going to critique? Again, check out "Coda" in the last JAM. John Petric, who wrote the Kenny G review for The Other Paper in Columbus, Ohio, is apparently the magazine's rock reviewer. And he probably didn't care for Kenny G before he was sent to review the concert. Why didn't the magazine send someone else?

Same goes for The Star. When he was still here, jazz writer Calvin Wilson made sure we knew he didn't like contemporary-style jazz. (There we go again with labels; and who's to say how I label something is how you would label it?) After a while, we knew what he liked and disliked. He liked the avant garde, and the more straight ahead styles. Why didn't The Star send someone who liked contemporary jazz to critique those types of concerts? Hey, send me! I love that music. I've made a living off of it for close to 20 years. If the show stinks, at least you'll get a fair evaluation.

To all publications: Please send open-minded reviewers to write your critiques. And that doesn't have to be limited to jazz concerts. Any kind of musical concerts! Even art exhibits and the theater.

Anyway, Peter -- good luck to you. I had to get that off my chest. Because, as you'll remember, a couple of years ago, on the first day of the Blues & Jazz Fest, an article came out in The Star criticizing the talent that was to appear.

Before a note had even been played.

Now for some positive stuff.

Check out the new Richard Smith CD, First Kiss. It's his fifth. All of his previous CDs hit the Top 5 on national airplay charts. You might remember Richard, the long time (seven years) guitar player for Richard Elliot's band. He has since left the group to work strictly as a solo artist. (Smith also chairs the guitar department at USC where he initiated the country's first doctoral program in guitar studies). This new album is definitely his best work to date. Soulful with a groove best describes it. The album starts off with the title track in a Wes Montgomery style. Track 2 has a Boney James feel and is produced by Paul Brown, one of the hot producers currently on the scene (Brown has also produced Boney James, Richard Elliot, Bob James and Peter White). Track 3 has a nice Pat Metheny/Special EFX groove with a little taste of Pat Roberts.

Comparing First Kiss to his previous CDs, Smith says, "First Kiss is more of a unified statement; something more intimate with a vibe and attitude. It's as though I am working with just a few different overall chords on each tune, keeping things rhythmically simple and direct, concentrating less on the flash of the guitar and more on the intimacy, the melody and soulfulness of the tune."

Guests include Richard Elliot, Peter White, Brandon Fields, Michael Lington, Tony Guererro and Greg Vail. Of the nine tracks on this CD, I like eight of them. You can also play this CD on your computer and see the video. 5 stars.

It's Christmas time, so here are a few releases that came out in 1997 worthy of gift giving.

Boney James, Sweet Thing -- Will challenge for Record of the Year.
Avenue Blue (featuring Jeff Golub), Nightlife -- Will challenge Boney for same.
Joe Sample, Sample This -- Reworked old Crusaders songs. Excellent!
Steve Reid's Bamboo Forest, Mysteries -- I like this record!
Richard Smith, First Kiss -- See above.
Joyce Cooling, Playing It Cool -- A lot of snappy tunes played by a fine guitarist.
Thom Rotella, Can't Stop -- I've always like Thom's playing. Makes me dance in my seat.
Kevin Mahogany, Another Time Another Place -- Everybody I've played this CD for loves it; it's my favorite of Kevin's.
Various Artists, A Twist Of Jobim -- Will challenge Boney and Avenue Blue.
Rob Mullins, Dance For The New World -- His best CD since 5th Gear in 1988.
Eric Marienthal, Easy Street -- Great guests, the album flows, he doesn't disappoint; typical Marienthal.

And here are some new CDs that will be coming out in early 1998.

Ronnie Laws, Harvest For The World -- 1/13/98
Hiroko Kobubu, Bridge -- 1/13/98
Johen Klemmer/Oscar Castro Neves (untitled) -- 1/13/98
New York Voices, New York Voices Sings The Songs Of Paul Simon -- 1/13/98
Evan Marks, Three day Weekend -- 1/13/98
Chuck Loeb, The Moon, the Stars and the Setting Sun -- 1/19/98
Various Artists, This Is Acid Jazz (Vol. 6) -- 1/20/98
George Howard, Midnight Mood -- 1/27/98
Peter Horvath (untitled) -- 1/29/98
Randy Crawford, Every Kind Of Mood -- 2/3/98
Marc Johnson, The Sound Of Summer Running -- 2/3/98
Denny Jiosa, Jazzberry Pie -- 2/9/98
Marion Meadows, Pleasures -- 2/10/98
Phil Perry, One Heart, One Love -- 2/10/98
Tommy Emmanuel, Initiation -- 2/98
Patti Austin, In and Out Of Love -- 2/98
Bryan Savage (untitled) -- 2/98
Chieli Minucci (untitled) -- 2/98
Brian Bromberg, You Know That Feeling -- 2/98
Fattburger (untitled) -- 2/98
Kim Waters (untitled) -- 3/98
Pamela Williams (untitled) -- First quarter of '98
Joe McBride (untitled) -- First quarter of '98
Brian Hughes, One 2 One -- First quarter '98

A note to club owners and musicians: I update the Jazz Brunch Line daily (763-1052). If you want your listings to appear on this information line, make sure you send them to me in care of:

Carter Broadcast Group
11131 Colorado
Kansas City, MO 64137
e-mail: jeffrey@tfs.net.

And, if you're online, check out my web site at http://www.kprs.com/

Jeff Charney is the host of the "Sunday Jazz Brunch," 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., on KPRS, 103.3 FM.

RETURN TO DECEMBER/JANUARY 1998 MAIN INDEX

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






	Search our site:		by Jeff Charney I like Kenny G. There, I said it. In the first sentence of my first column for JAM. I like Kenny G. My wife likes Kenny G. And so do a lot of other people in Kansas City. I also happen to like John Coltrane, Art Pepper, Sonny Rollins, Walter Beasley, Boney James and Richard Elliot. But thanks to Mike Metheny and his comments in last issue's "Coda," as well as comments I've heard from lots of jazz fans around town, I'm now compelled to speak my two cents. In the review reprinted in the October/November JAM, John Petric asks "Why is this weenie (Kenny G) doing so well?" Answer: Because people like him! G doesn't consider himself a jazz artist. I know. He once told me that. He calls himself a saxophone player, an instrumentalist. But, it's our quest to label music. And people. So, we do. No lyrics? Then Kenny G must be jazz. OK, let's call him a jazz artist. ...Oh no! It's the Jazz Police! "Kenny G isn't jazz!" Bottom line? Who cares. A lot of people like Kenny G. He makes a lot of money for Arista and for himself. And he makes a lot of people happy. That's all that matters. Don't like Kenny G? Don't listen to him. Listen to what you like. Or check out some new music (like I do at the radio station every single day). Don't like it? Move on. There is too much music to be enjoyed to waste any more space in this magazine over whether or not it's "really jazz." Give me a break. Jazz is a lot of things, and a lot of styles. Is this debate really necessary? I don't think so. Peter Horak is no longer the Executive Director of the Kansas City Blues & Jazz Festival. My thanks to Peter for a job well done during his years at that post. He made much needed changes in the fest that enabled it to become a successful, world class event. He also took heat from The Kansas City Star. "That's not jazz" they would say (here we go again). Which leads me to my next beef. Why are certain reviewers sent to critique concerts when they already know they don't like the style of music they are going to critique? Again, check out "Coda" in the last JAM. John Petric, who wrote the Kenny G review for The Other Paper in Columbus, Ohio, is apparently the magazine's rock reviewer. And he probably didn't care for Kenny G before he was sent to review the concert. Why didn't the magazine send someone else? Same goes for The Star. When he was still here, jazz writer Calvin Wilson made sure we knew he didn't like contemporary-style jazz. (There we go again with labels; and who's to say how I label something is how you would label it?) After a while, we knew what he liked and disliked. He liked the avant garde, and the more straight ahead styles. Why didn't The Star send someone who liked contemporary jazz to critique those types of concerts? Hey, send me! I love that music. I've made a living off of it for close to 20 years. If the show stinks, at least you'll get a fair evaluation. To all publications: Please send open-minded reviewers to write your critiques. And that doesn't have to be limited to jazz concerts. Any kind of musical concerts! Even art exhibits and the theater. Anyway, Peter -- good luck to you. I had to get that off my chest. Because, as you'll remember, a couple of years ago, on the first day of the Blues & Jazz Fest, an article came out in The Star criticizing the talent that was to appear. Before a note had even been played. Now for some positive stuff. Check out the new Richard Smith CD, First Kiss. It's his fifth. All of his previous CDs hit the Top 5 on national airplay charts. You might remember Richard, the long time (seven years) guitar player for Richard Elliot's band. He has since left the group to work strictly as a solo artist. (Smith also chairs the guitar department at USC where he initiated the country's first doctoral program in guitar studies). This new album is definitely his best work to date. Soulful with a groove best describes it. The album starts off with the title track in a Wes Montgomery style. Track 2 has a Boney James feel and is produced by Paul Brown, one of the hot producers currently on the scene (Brown has also produced Boney James, Richard Elliot, Bob James and Peter White). Track 3 has a nice Pat Metheny/Special EFX groove with a little taste of Pat Roberts. Comparing First Kiss to his previous CDs, Smith says, "First Kiss is more of a unified statement; something more intimate with a vibe and attitude. It's as though I am working with just a few different overall chords on each tune, keeping things rhythmically simple and direct, concentrating less on the flash of the guitar and more on the intimacy, the melody and soulfulness of the tune." Guests include Richard Elliot, Peter White, Brandon Fields, Michael Lington, Tony Guererro and Greg Vail. Of the nine tracks on this CD, I like eight of them. You can also play this CD on your computer and see the video. 5 stars. It's Christmas time, so here are a few releases that came out in 1997 worthy of gift giving. Boney James, Sweet Thing -- Will challenge for Record of the Year. Avenue Blue (featuring Jeff Golub), Nightlife -- Will challenge Boney for same. Joe Sample, Sample This -- Reworked old Crusaders songs. Excellent! Steve Reid's Bamboo Forest, Mysteries -- I like this record! Richard Smith, First Kiss -- See above. Joyce Cooling, Playing It Cool -- A lot of snappy tunes played by a fine guitarist. Thom Rotella, Can't Stop -- I've always like Thom's playing. Makes me dance in my seat. Kevin Mahogany, Another Time Another Place -- Everybody I've played this CD for loves it; it's my favorite of Kevin's. Various Artists, A Twist Of Jobim -- Will challenge Boney and Avenue Blue. Rob Mullins, Dance For The New World -- His best CD since 5th Gear in 1988. Eric Marienthal, Easy Street -- Great guests, the album flows, he doesn't disappoint; typical Marienthal. And here are some new CDs that will be coming out in early 1998. Ronnie Laws, Harvest For The World -- 1/13/98 Hiroko Kobubu, Bridge -- 1/13/98 Johen Klemmer/Oscar Castro Neves (untitled) -- 1/13/98 New York Voices, New York Voices Sings The Songs Of Paul Simon -- 1/13/98 Evan Marks, Three day Weekend -- 1/13/98 Chuck Loeb, The Moon, the Stars and the Setting Sun -- 1/19/98 Various Artists, This Is Acid Jazz (Vol. 6) -- 1/20/98 George Howard, Midnight Mood -- 1/27/98 Peter Horvath (untitled) -- 1/29/98 Randy Crawford, Every Kind Of Mood -- 2/3/98 Marc Johnson, The Sound Of Summer Running -- 2/3/98 Denny Jiosa, Jazzberry Pie -- 2/9/98 Marion Meadows, Pleasures -- 2/10/98 Phil Perry, One Heart, One Love -- 2/10/98 Tommy Emmanuel, Initiation -- 2/98 Patti Austin, In and Out Of Love -- 2/98 Bryan Savage (untitled) -- 2/98 Chieli Minucci (untitled) -- 2/98 Brian Bromberg, You Know That Feeling -- 2/98 Fattburger (untitled) -- 2/98 Kim Waters (untitled) -- 3/98 Pamela Williams (untitled) -- First quarter of '98 Joe McBride (untitled) -- First quarter of '98 Brian Hughes, One 2 One -- First quarter '98 A note to club owners and musicians: I update the Jazz Brunch Line daily (763-1052). If you want your listings to appear on this information line, make sure you send them to me in care of: Carter Broadcast Group 11131 Colorado Kansas City, MO 64137 e-mail: jeffrey@tfs.net. And, if you're online, check out my web site at http://www.kprs.com/ Jeff Charney is the host of the "Sunday Jazz Brunch," 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., on KPRS, 103.3 FM. RETURN TO DECEMBER/JANUARY 1998 MAIN INDEX ------------------------------------------------------------------------ © Kansas City Jazz Ambassadors 1996-2001. All rights reserved.