JAM Magazine: June/July 1998 Issue: Correspondence

The End of Jazz?
For an essay question on a take-home exam for my jazz history course at Johnson County Community College, I had my students read the article in (the April/May) JAM magazine and answer the question, "Does the end of the century also mean the end of jazz?"

I thought you might enjoy the responses of some less initiated, or perhaps newly initiated folks.

Kerry Strayer
Kansas City, MO

"I have come to the conclusion that jazz is at a resting point. Just because jazz has not taken a new direction in a while does not mean it is dead. I believe we have to be patient for 'new' jazz music to evolve."
"I think (jazz) has just slowed down. It seems the same has happened in other areas such as fashion, art and theater. Maybe we're just taking a break to reflect on the past, especially with everyone trying to grasp the technology and unlimited access to information."
"There will never be another Miles Davis or Bill Evans and there shouldn't be. Jazz has always been about evolution, taking the music to new directions. It is a form where retreads are considered inferior to their predecessors. In Kansas City we truly are culturally deficient (regarding the acceptance of new music). There are (other) towns that have thriving jazz scenes where new music and new jazz is accepted."
"There are emerging icons in jazz yet undiscovered; only time will reveal who those greats are. At the time of the weekly slave gatherings in Congo Square, who would have dreamed that they would feed the development of jazz?"
"I believe that before long a new sound in jazz will be heard. It may already be out there now. Maybe we just haven't recognized it yet."

Jazz is Alive in Warrensburg
We just received the April//May JAM and it's a great issue.

I would like to ask you to make some changes to KCMW's ad in your next edition. We need you to add 104.9 FM to the ad. We have a translator in the Lake of the Ozarks area and need that to be included.

Also, we need you to add the new jazz programming we have on KCMW every Saturday, noon to 3:00 p.m. We also have a new blues show called "The Blue Bar-B-Que" on Saturdays, 3:00 to 5:00 p.m.

We also want to emphasize the fact we play more traditional jazz during our broadcast week than any station in the area. With NPR programming and our local shows, 95 hours of our 133 hour broadcast week is dedicated to jazz. That's 71 percent! Nobody else is anywhere close to that.

Finally, taking your latest JAM cover story into account, we firmly believe that jazz as a music form is far from dead. Our most recent Arbitron numbers show our listenership is way up, and with a very successful spring pledge drive just completed, we feel things will only get better.

Jazz is alive and well at KCMW.

Thanks,
Bob Milner
Program Coordinator
KCMW-FM
Warrensburg, MO

Proud To Be Part of the Scene
On May 12 I went to see the "Jazz is Dead" concert with my friend (KKFI jazz DJ) Bill O'Connor. The musicianship of the group was top notch to say the least. I also saw local sax player Kim Park in the audience; he seemed to be enjoying the concert quite a bit. Next thing I knew Alphonso Johnson called Kim up to the stage to perform a 15 minute song with the band. Kim was amazing, and by watching the expressions on the band's faces, you could tell they definitely dug his playing.

Once again I saw an excellent example of the musicianship that is right here in Kansas City. And it made me proud to be a part of the KC jazz and blues scene.

Tom DeMasters
Guitarist
Kansas City, MO

Kudos From the East
I was hoping you could remind your webmaster to create a link to us. You have one of the most extensive jazz link lists I have seen.

Thanks!
Ed Gottlieb
Great Neck, NY
"The Golden Age of Jazz"
http://jazzphotos.com

(Done. And thanks! -- Ed.)

A Fan in Kansas
I am very impressed with your web page and your magazine. Keep up the good work.

Jan Bunn
Haven, Kansas

Greetings from Germany
Hi Kansas City,
What about another link:

Jazz to jazz: http://www.filoweb.com/jazz

The turning point for Jazz Fans in Europe!

You'll find your address under the topic "Magazines."

Best regards
Sabine Filitz
Stephan Lorsbach
Duesseldorf, Germany

RETURN TO JUNE/JULY 1998 MAIN INDEX

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






	Search our site:		The End of Jazz? For an essay question on a take-home exam for my jazz history course at Johnson County Community College, I had my students read the article in (the April/May) JAM magazine and answer the question, "Does the end of the century also mean the end of jazz?" I thought you might enjoy the responses of some less initiated, or perhaps newly initiated folks. Kerry Strayer Kansas City, MO "I have come to the conclusion that jazz is at a resting point. Just because jazz has not taken a new direction in a while does not mean it is dead. I believe we have to be patient for 'new' jazz music to evolve." "I think (jazz) has just slowed down. It seems the same has happened in other areas such as fashion, art and theater. Maybe we're just taking a break to reflect on the past, especially with everyone trying to grasp the technology and unlimited access to information." "There will never be another Miles Davis or Bill Evans and there shouldn't be. Jazz has always been about evolution, taking the music to new directions. It is a form where retreads are considered inferior to their predecessors. In Kansas City we truly are culturally deficient (regarding the acceptance of new music). There are (other) towns that have thriving jazz scenes where new music and new jazz is accepted." "There are emerging icons in jazz yet undiscovered; only time will reveal who those greats are. At the time of the weekly slave gatherings in Congo Square, who would have dreamed that they would feed the development of jazz?" "I believe that before long a new sound in jazz will be heard. It may already be out there now. Maybe we just haven't recognized it yet." Jazz is Alive in Warrensburg We just received the April//May JAM and it's a great issue. I would like to ask you to make some changes to KCMW's ad in your next edition. We need you to add 104.9 FM to the ad. We have a translator in the Lake of the Ozarks area and need that to be included. Also, we need you to add the new jazz programming we have on KCMW every Saturday, noon to 3:00 p.m. We also have a new blues show called "The Blue Bar-B-Que" on Saturdays, 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. We also want to emphasize the fact we play more traditional jazz during our broadcast week than any station in the area. With NPR programming and our local shows, 95 hours of our 133 hour broadcast week is dedicated to jazz. That's 71 percent! Nobody else is anywhere close to that. Finally, taking your latest JAM cover story into account, we firmly believe that jazz as a music form is far from dead. Our most recent Arbitron numbers show our listenership is way up, and with a very successful spring pledge drive just completed, we feel things will only get better. Jazz is alive and well at KCMW. Thanks, Bob Milner Program Coordinator KCMW-FM Warrensburg, MO Proud To Be Part of the Scene On May 12 I went to see the "Jazz is Dead" concert with my friend (KKFI jazz DJ) Bill O'Connor. The musicianship of the group was top notch to say the least. I also saw local sax player Kim Park in the audience; he seemed to be enjoying the concert quite a bit. Next thing I knew Alphonso Johnson called Kim up to the stage to perform a 15 minute song with the band. Kim was amazing, and by watching the expressions on the band's faces, you could tell they definitely dug his playing. Once again I saw an excellent example of the musicianship that is right here in Kansas City. And it made me proud to be a part of the KC jazz and blues scene. Tom DeMasters Guitarist Kansas City, MO Kudos From the East I was hoping you could remind your webmaster to create a link to us. You have one of the most extensive jazz link lists I have seen. Thanks! Ed Gottlieb Great Neck, NY "The Golden Age of Jazz" http://jazzphotos.com (Done. And thanks! -- Ed.) A Fan in Kansas I am very impressed with your web page and your magazine. Keep up the good work. Jan Bunn Haven, Kansas Greetings from Germany Hi Kansas City, What about another link: Jazz to jazz: http://www.filoweb.com/jazz The turning point for Jazz Fans in Europe! You'll find your address under the topic "Magazines." Best regards Sabine Filitz Stephan Lorsbach Duesseldorf, Germany RETURN TO JUNE/JULY 1998 MAIN INDEX ------------------------------------------------------------------------ © Kansas City Jazz Ambassadors 1996-2001. All rights reserved.