JAM Magazine: August/September 1998 Issue: Correspondence

The JAM Website
& The NY Times

(Ed. Note: On June 7 The New York Times named the JAM website as one of "ten sites worth visiting." We received many letters and e-mails as a result. Here are two.)

Congratulations on The New York Times article! It is well deserved credit for a good job.

Since you are one of the premier jazz sites, have you ever considered a link to or the publishing of a listing for all local KC artist's e-mail addresses and web sites? This would allow anyone to find out where a particular artist or group is playing on a very specific basis. I live in California but spend some time in Kansas City. I try to plan my trips around seeing some of my favorite artists (like Karrin Allyson, Pat Morrissey, Tim Whitmer, The Scamps and Everette Devan) when I'm in Kansas City. If there was a way to obtain this information through the web or e-mail, I would think it would benefit everyone.

Brent Dunn
Long Beach, CA

So there I am faithfully reading my Sunday New York Times, and I come across the article on jazz on the web: "(Even) Jazz Makes the Leap to Cyberspace." I thought to myself: I should really cut this out and send it to the folks in KC.

Then, of course, I saw the "Ten Sites Worth Visiting" and there you are! "Kansas City Jazz Ambassador Magazine -- A comprehensive guide to the jazz scene in Kansas City..."

What great publicity, not only for the site, but for Kansas City jazz itself. I know that I enjoy the site, (keeps me "linked" to home!) and am glad that jazz aficionados around the country will now also discover this gem.

Speaking of being linked, while in New York for my bi-weekly business trip there, I was fortunate to be able to catch Bram Wijnands with Bob Kindred at Zinno's in the Village. A delightful musical evening was made even more pleasurable by seeing Kansas City's Bram in the Big Apple. He of course impressed the locals with his extraordinary talent and charm, and I'm sure he'll make many more return visits. Bram and Bob were accompanied by Gene Bertoncini on a wonderful guitar.

So, even though I live in Albuquerque (where Kevin Mahogany appeared last year), my business travel allows me to follow Kansas City jazz all over (Boston, New York, and Paris... and Karrin Allyson!). How's that for a Kansas City Jazz Ambassador?

Again, congrats to you all on the fine publicity. And thanks for the continued excellence in journalism in JAM. It's my "New York Times of jazz!"

Best regards,
Karen Ralston
Albuquerque, NM

Great To Be Back In KC
This is a long overdue "thank you" to so many Jazz Ambassadors -- including Vanessa Barnard, Mike and Vicki Rollf, Nelson and Mary Ellen Farney, and Bart Swartz -- for years of continued support. And thank you for including The McFadden Brothers and the Marriott Hotel on the 1998 Jazz Lover's Pub Crawl.

The Jazz Ambassadors have always played such an important role in promoting live music and making jazz more accessible to Kansas City audiences. I can't begin to articulate the importance of having an organization like yours in Kansas City, nor can I describe, as a Kansas City musician/entertainer, the luxury of having such an organization in our corner.

So, on behalf of Ronald and me, I'd like to say: you all have made us feel great to be back in Kansas City.

Your friend, fan and colleague,
Lonnie McFadden
The McFadden Brothers
Kansas City, MO

Greetings from Florida
I'm delighted to find you on the Internet. I'm a jazz performer (clarinet primarily now) who grew up in Kansas City and played professionally there as a young man but am now retired in Florida.

I do get back to KC sometimes, and now before my next trip there in October I'll check with you to find out the clubs where I can "sit in."

Thanks for being there!
Marshall Turkin
Boca Raton, FL

(Marshall Turkin played lead alto in the Warren Durrett Orchestra circa 1947-48. -- Ed.)

Yes, There's Lotsa Jazz Here!
Just received my copy of JAM. Excellent publication. I had no idea there was that much jazz being played in K.C., live and on the air. It puts New Orleans, Chicago and San Francisco to shame!

Keep up the great work.

Best,
Hal Smith
Board of Directors
AFJS
Bay St. Louis, MS

A Norwegian Connection
After visiting your pages, I noticed all the links you have to various festivals. This is where you'll find our program for 1998 -- http://www.oslojazz.no -- and if you'd like to include us among your links, we'd be very happy.

Sincerely,
Reidun Teigen
Oslo Jazz Festival
Oslo, Norway

A Lucky Visitor
Dear Jam,
I am a stranger to this area, have been here for several months as a consultant to a local industry, and will be leaving soon. But while here I found something I have to tell you about.

As I did not know the area and had some time on my hands one Tuesday night, I went out looking for some high quality entertainment, hopefully in one of your famous jazz clubs. Quite by accident, I stumbled into Trumpets in Overland Park. On the night I dropped in, I was totally blown away by two gentlemen, one on piano, the other playing bass. Both were outstanding! And it turns out that the piano player was Ronnell Bright. (The other gentleman, I did not know.)

Mr. Bright is arguably one of the foremost musicians in the country. I heard him play at Birdland in New York City back in the fifties, and I remember wishing that Ella would stop singing so that I could hear more of Mr. Bright! He was that good.

The manager at Trumpets showed me an article in your magazine about Mr. Bright (JAM, June/July '98). I read the article and noticed he has also been appearing at Fedora's. I've missed him there, but I am certainly glad I dropped in at Trumpets. Whenever I am in Kansas City, if Ronnell Bright and company are at Trumpets, they will have a steady Tuesday night customer.

Best Regards,
Ron F. Oakley
Sterling, MA

P.S. Your magazine is really good! Boston could use a little JAM!

RETURN TO AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 1998 MAIN INDEX

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






	Search our site:		The JAM Website & The NY Times (Ed. Note: On June 7 The New York Times named the JAM website as one of "ten sites worth visiting." We received many letters and e-mails as a result. Here are two.) Congratulations on The New York Times article! It is well deserved credit for a good job. Since you are one of the premier jazz sites, have you ever considered a link to or the publishing of a listing for all local KC artist's e-mail addresses and web sites? This would allow anyone to find out where a particular artist or group is playing on a very specific basis. I live in California but spend some time in Kansas City. I try to plan my trips around seeing some of my favorite artists (like Karrin Allyson, Pat Morrissey, Tim Whitmer, The Scamps and Everette Devan) when I'm in Kansas City. If there was a way to obtain this information through the web or e-mail, I would think it would benefit everyone. Brent Dunn Long Beach, CA So there I am faithfully reading my Sunday New York Times, and I come across the article on jazz on the web: "(Even) Jazz Makes the Leap to Cyberspace." I thought to myself: I should really cut this out and send it to the folks in KC. Then, of course, I saw the "Ten Sites Worth Visiting" and there you are! "Kansas City Jazz Ambassador Magazine -- A comprehensive guide to the jazz scene in Kansas City..." What great publicity, not only for the site, but for Kansas City jazz itself. I know that I enjoy the site, (keeps me "linked" to home!) and am glad that jazz aficionados around the country will now also discover this gem. Speaking of being linked, while in New York for my bi-weekly business trip there, I was fortunate to be able to catch Bram Wijnands with Bob Kindred at Zinno's in the Village. A delightful musical evening was made even more pleasurable by seeing Kansas City's Bram in the Big Apple. He of course impressed the locals with his extraordinary talent and charm, and I'm sure he'll make many more return visits. Bram and Bob were accompanied by Gene Bertoncini on a wonderful guitar. So, even though I live in Albuquerque (where Kevin Mahogany appeared last year), my business travel allows me to follow Kansas City jazz all over (Boston, New York, and Paris... and Karrin Allyson!). How's that for a Kansas City Jazz Ambassador? Again, congrats to you all on the fine publicity. And thanks for the continued excellence in journalism in JAM. It's my "New York Times of jazz!" Best regards, Karen Ralston Albuquerque, NM Great To Be Back In KC This is a long overdue "thank you" to so many Jazz Ambassadors -- including Vanessa Barnard, Mike and Vicki Rollf, Nelson and Mary Ellen Farney, and Bart Swartz -- for years of continued support. And thank you for including The McFadden Brothers and the Marriott Hotel on the 1998 Jazz Lover's Pub Crawl. The Jazz Ambassadors have always played such an important role in promoting live music and making jazz more accessible to Kansas City audiences. I can't begin to articulate the importance of having an organization like yours in Kansas City, nor can I describe, as a Kansas City musician/entertainer, the luxury of having such an organization in our corner. So, on behalf of Ronald and me, I'd like to say: you all have made us feel great to be back in Kansas City. Your friend, fan and colleague, Lonnie McFadden The McFadden Brothers Kansas City, MO Greetings from Florida I'm delighted to find you on the Internet. I'm a jazz performer (clarinet primarily now) who grew up in Kansas City and played professionally there as a young man but am now retired in Florida. I do get back to KC sometimes, and now before my next trip there in October I'll check with you to find out the clubs where I can "sit in." Thanks for being there! Marshall Turkin Boca Raton, FL (Marshall Turkin played lead alto in the Warren Durrett Orchestra circa 1947-48. -- Ed.) Yes, There's Lotsa Jazz Here! Just received my copy of JAM. Excellent publication. I had no idea there was that much jazz being played in K.C., live and on the air. It puts New Orleans, Chicago and San Francisco to shame! Keep up the great work. Best, Hal Smith Board of Directors AFJS Bay St. Louis, MS A Norwegian Connection After visiting your pages, I noticed all the links you have to various festivals. This is where you'll find our program for 1998 -- http://www.oslojazz.no -- and if you'd like to include us among your links, we'd be very happy. Sincerely, Reidun Teigen Oslo Jazz Festival Oslo, Norway A Lucky Visitor Dear Jam, I am a stranger to this area, have been here for several months as a consultant to a local industry, and will be leaving soon. But while here I found something I have to tell you about. As I did not know the area and had some time on my hands one Tuesday night, I went out looking for some high quality entertainment, hopefully in one of your famous jazz clubs. Quite by accident, I stumbled into Trumpets in Overland Park. On the night I dropped in, I was totally blown away by two gentlemen, one on piano, the other playing bass. Both were outstanding! And it turns out that the piano player was Ronnell Bright. (The other gentleman, I did not know.) Mr. Bright is arguably one of the foremost musicians in the country. I heard him play at Birdland in New York City back in the fifties, and I remember wishing that Ella would stop singing so that I could hear more of Mr. Bright! He was that good. The manager at Trumpets showed me an article in your magazine about Mr. Bright (JAM, June/July '98). I read the article and noticed he has also been appearing at Fedora's. I've missed him there, but I am certainly glad I dropped in at Trumpets. Whenever I am in Kansas City, if Ronnell Bright and company are at Trumpets, they will have a steady Tuesday night customer. Best Regards, Ron F. Oakley Sterling, MA P.S. Your magazine is really good! Boston could use a little JAM! RETURN TO AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 1998 MAIN INDEX ------------------------------------------------------------------------ © Kansas City Jazz Ambassadors 1996-2001. All rights reserved.