JAM Magazine: February/March 1998 Issue: Folly Jazz News

by Doug Tatum

A very special concert presentation, "Celebrating the Kansas City Style," will get things swinging at the Folly on Friday, February 20. On that date, the Folly stage will be graced by the presence of four veteran jazz masters who are intimately connected with Kansas City's great jazz tradition. They are: pianist/singer Jay McShann, violinist Claude "Fiddler" Williams, trumpeter Harry "Sweets" Edison, and saxophonist Harold Ashby. The rhythm section will be rounded out by two of today's finest (and somewhat younger) jazz musicians, bassist Gerald Spaits and drummer Todd Strait.

Jay McShann is, of course, a Kansas City jazz legend. Originally from Oklahoma, Jay arrived in town in 1937 after touring the Southwest with a variety of bands. In 1938, he led his own small band and soon was able to expand his group to a big band. Not long after, an 18 year old alto saxophonist named Charlie Parker joined the band. With singer Walter Brown, in 1941 Jay recorded "Confessin' The Blues," which became a national hit. Following this success, Jay's band was booked on a national tour making an appearance with Parker as featured soloist in a band battle at New York's Savoy Ballroom in January 1942. Performing opposite the Lucky Millender Orchestra, the Jay McShann Orchestra (according to history books) "blew Millender off the bandstand." The rest, as they say, is jazz history. Today, Jay is recognized worldwide as one of the finest jazz/blues stylists of all time.

Claude "Fiddler" Williams, another undisputed KC jazz legend, began his career as a guitar player, and was, in fact, Count Basie's first guitarist in 1936. Claude also worked with Andy Kirk's Twelve Clouds of Joy, Don Byas, Buddy Tate and Nat "King" Cole. Today, "Fiddler" remains quite active recording and performing around the world. For more about his celebrated career, see this issue's cover story on page ??.

Harry "Sweets" Edison is quite simply one of the most distinctive and brilliant trumpet stylists in all of jazz history. After working in the Lucky Millender band in the 1930s, he was invited to join the Count Basie Orchestra where he remained for many years as featured soloist. In addition to his work with Basie, "Sweets" has worked with virtually every jazz great. He has been featured on countless recordings where he can be heard soloing behind many notable singers, including Billie Holiday, Frank Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald.

Harold Ashby was born and raised in Kansas City, graduating from Lincoln High School in 1940 at age 15. He was the protégé of tenor saxophone titan Ben Webster, another Kansas City native. During Harold's years as an aspiring young musician, it was Webster who most impressed him. Eventually, Harold and Ben became the best of personal friends as well as roommates on Long Island. In 1950, Harold moved to Chicago and became active in the city's blues scene, playing and recording with Willie Dixon, Jimmy Witherspoon, Memphis Slim, Chuck Berry and Otis Rush. Harold joined the Duke Ellington Orchestra in 1968, and his tenor work is considered to rank with the best in the history of Ellingtonia. The New York Times wrote: "Harold Ashby has a tone and sound like a tall tale, oversized and magnificent... his playing has personality to burn." This concert will be a great Kansas City homecoming for Harold.

On Saturday, March 14, the Joe Henderson Quartet will perform their interpretation of the George Gershwin classic, "Porgy and Bess." (Henderson's CD of this work was recently released on the Verve label.) Master saxophonist Joe Henderson first came on the jazz scene in the 1960s, working with trumpeter Kenny Dorham in a series of outstanding recordings for the Blue Note label. While Joe remained active throughout the '70s and '80s, there was far less regular work, and he concentrated primarily on teaching. One of the greatest jazz success stories of the 1990s is that Joe Henderson is finally receiving the recognition he deserves as a giant of the tenor saxophone. He is a two-time, Down Beat "Triple Crown Winner," twice winning "Jazz Album of the Year," "Jazz Musician of the Year" and "Tenor Saxophonist of the Year." In addition, he is a multiple Grammy winner for his recordings, Lush Life and So Near, So Far. About Henderson, The New York Times says: "(He is) a master at the height of his powers... as close to artistic genius as jazz gets."

As always, each Folly jazz concert starts at 8:00 p.m. with "Jazz Talk" pre-concert discussions with the artists at 7:00 p.m. moderated by KANU's Dick Wright. For more information, call (816) 474-4444, Monday through Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

(Doug Tatum is the Executive Director of the Folly Theater.)

RETURN TO FEBRUARY/MARCH 1998 MAIN INDEX

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






	Search our site:		by Doug Tatum A very special concert presentation, "Celebrating the Kansas City Style," will get things swinging at the Folly on Friday, February 20. On that date, the Folly stage will be graced by the presence of four veteran jazz masters who are intimately connected with Kansas City's great jazz tradition. They are: pianist/singer Jay McShann, violinist Claude "Fiddler" Williams, trumpeter Harry "Sweets" Edison, and saxophonist Harold Ashby. The rhythm section will be rounded out by two of today's finest (and somewhat younger) jazz musicians, bassist Gerald Spaits and drummer Todd Strait. Jay McShann is, of course, a Kansas City jazz legend. Originally from Oklahoma, Jay arrived in town in 1937 after touring the Southwest with a variety of bands. In 1938, he led his own small band and soon was able to expand his group to a big band. Not long after, an 18 year old alto saxophonist named Charlie Parker joined the band. With singer Walter Brown, in 1941 Jay recorded "Confessin' The Blues," which became a national hit. Following this success, Jay's band was booked on a national tour making an appearance with Parker as featured soloist in a band battle at New York's Savoy Ballroom in January 1942. Performing opposite the Lucky Millender Orchestra, the Jay McShann Orchestra (according to history books) "blew Millender off the bandstand." The rest, as they say, is jazz history. Today, Jay is recognized worldwide as one of the finest jazz/blues stylists of all time. Claude "Fiddler" Williams, another undisputed KC jazz legend, began his career as a guitar player, and was, in fact, Count Basie's first guitarist in 1936. Claude also worked with Andy Kirk's Twelve Clouds of Joy, Don Byas, Buddy Tate and Nat "King" Cole. Today, "Fiddler" remains quite active recording and performing around the world. For more about his celebrated career, see this issue's cover story on page ??. Harry "Sweets" Edison is quite simply one of the most distinctive and brilliant trumpet stylists in all of jazz history. After working in the Lucky Millender band in the 1930s, he was invited to join the Count Basie Orchestra where he remained for many years as featured soloist. In addition to his work with Basie, "Sweets" has worked with virtually every jazz great. He has been featured on countless recordings where he can be heard soloing behind many notable singers, including Billie Holiday, Frank Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald. Harold Ashby was born and raised in Kansas City, graduating from Lincoln High School in 1940 at age 15. He was the protégé of tenor saxophone titan Ben Webster, another Kansas City native. During Harold's years as an aspiring young musician, it was Webster who most impressed him. Eventually, Harold and Ben became the best of personal friends as well as roommates on Long Island. In 1950, Harold moved to Chicago and became active in the city's blues scene, playing and recording with Willie Dixon, Jimmy Witherspoon, Memphis Slim, Chuck Berry and Otis Rush. Harold joined the Duke Ellington Orchestra in 1968, and his tenor work is considered to rank with the best in the history of Ellingtonia. The New York Times wrote: "Harold Ashby has a tone and sound like a tall tale, oversized and magnificent... his playing has personality to burn." This concert will be a great Kansas City homecoming for Harold. On Saturday, March 14, the Joe Henderson Quartet will perform their interpretation of the George Gershwin classic, "Porgy and Bess." (Henderson's CD of this work was recently released on the Verve label.) Master saxophonist Joe Henderson first came on the jazz scene in the 1960s, working with trumpeter Kenny Dorham in a series of outstanding recordings for the Blue Note label. While Joe remained active throughout the '70s and '80s, there was far less regular work, and he concentrated primarily on teaching. One of the greatest jazz success stories of the 1990s is that Joe Henderson is finally receiving the recognition he deserves as a giant of the tenor saxophone. He is a two-time, Down Beat "Triple Crown Winner," twice winning "Jazz Album of the Year," "Jazz Musician of the Year" and "Tenor Saxophonist of the Year." In addition, he is a multiple Grammy winner for his recordings, Lush Life and So Near, So Far. About Henderson, The New York Times says: "(He is) a master at the height of his powers... as close to artistic genius as jazz gets." As always, each Folly jazz concert starts at 8:00 p.m. with "Jazz Talk" pre-concert discussions with the artists at 7:00 p.m. moderated by KANU's Dick Wright. For more information, call (816) 474-4444, Monday through Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (Doug Tatum is the Executive Director of the Folly Theater.) RETURN TO FEBRUARY/MARCH 1998 MAIN INDEX ------------------------------------------------------------------------ © Kansas City Jazz Ambassadors 1996-2001. All rights reserved.