The Folly Jazz Series for 1998-99

by Doug Tatum


Even though at times it seemed as though it would never come together, I am happy to report that the 1998-1999 Folly Jazz Series is now finalized.

Nicolas Payton

On the opening weekend of the series, we will be presenting back-to-back concerts for the first time. Leading things off on Saturday, September 26 will be the Nicholas Payton Quintet. A native of New Orleans, the 24 year old Payton is one of the most celebrated members of jazz's young guard. In Robert Altman's film, "Kansas City," Payton portrayed the legendary trumpeter Oran "Hot Lips" Page. His 1997 collaboration with trumpeter Doc Cheatham, Doc Cheatham and Nicholas Payton, earned him a Grammy Award in the "Best Solo Jazz Performance" category. His third album under his own name, Payton's Place, has just been released on the Verve label. In describing Payton's talent, The Chicago Tribune has stated that Payton is "the most charismatic young musician to pick up a trumpet since Wynton Marsalis arrived on the scene more than a decade ago... Nicholas Payton makes a trumpet sing and shout and cry like no one else in the business."

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The very next day, on Sunday, September 27, we will be "crossing over" with the presentation of pianist Keiko Matsui. A native of Tokyo, Japan, Matsui is a classically-trained piano prodigy who began her musical studies at the age of five. While I have to admit that I am not completely familiar with all of her work, I do know that she is immensely popular. With combined album sales of over half a million units, Billboard lists her as the "#1 Independent Contemporary Jazz Artist in America," and #3 overall behind Kenny G and Boney James. For the Folly concert, I have made a specific request for Keiko and her band to really cut loose and show what they do, "jazzwise." Undoubtedly, it will be an interesting concert, appealing to a very broad-based audience. (I hope!)

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Count Basie Band

On Friday, October 23, the Folly will once again present the great Count Basie Orchestra. As just about everybody knows, in the 1920s Kansas City was a "wide open" town that had become a musical crossroads for countless traveling musicians. Bill Basie, a native of Red Bank, NJ, arrived in Kansas City while working the national vaudeville circuit. He briefly joined Walter Page's Blue Devils, then stayed on with the Benny Moten Orchestra. Upon Moten's untimely death, Basie went from pianist to bandleader, and soon became known as "The Count." The rest is history. Today, the great swinging legacy of the Basie Band lives on under the skillful direction of trombonist Grover Mitchell.

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Charles McPherson

Alto saxophonist Charles McPherson, who is definitely out of the Charlie Parker school of jazz, will appear on Saturday, November 14. It was McPherson who was selected to record Parker's alto parts on the soundtrack of Clint Eastwood's film, "Bird." McPherson is no mere Charlie Parker clone, however. His playing possesses an individual raw energy and excitement that developed during his 12 years with Charles Mingus.

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The Freddy Cole Quartet will perform on Friday, December 11. Freddy's older brother, Nat "King" Cole, was certainly the most famous member of the family. And just like Nat, Freddy sings and plays the piano. Although there are certain unmistakable similarities in their voices, Freddy doesn't apologize for sounding so much like his brother. With his fifth CD released on Fantasy, Freddy's career continues to ascend. His vocals -- suave, elegant, articulate and polished -- are among the most respected in jazz. After many years, Freddy has emerged from the awesome shadow cast by his older brother to receive the attention he deserves.

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Ray Drummond

On Saturday, February 13, the Folly will present Ray Drummond's All-Star "Excursion" Band. One of the busiest and most respected bassists in jazz, Drummond now works regularly as a leader. For this tour, Ray has put together one of the hottest bands to be found anywhere, featuring some of the finest talent in jazz today. In particular, saxophonists David Sanchez and Craig Handy have been delivering smokin' performances wherever they appear.

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Over the last five years, the Folly Theater, as a founding member of the Lila Wallace-Reader's Digest National Jazz Network, has been fortunate to receive major grants in support of our Jazz Series. While the National Jazz Network will continue on as a national consortium, the underwriting support from the Lila Wallace-Reader's Digest Fund will come to an end at the close of the 1998 calendar year. In response to this, the Folly Theater must secure alternative funding.

Dave Brubeck

For this reason, on Sunday, March 7, 1999, we will be presenting the Dave Brubeck Quartet in a special benefit concert in support of the Folly Jazz Series. Without a doubt, Dave Brubeck is a legend and a true jazz icon. Over the years, Brubeck's quartet recordings and concert appearances have probably introduced more new fans to jazz than any other group in jazz history. Fortunately for all of us, this phenomenon still continues. Please note that Folly Jazz Subscribers and members of the Kansas City Jazz Ambassadors are being extended the opportunity to purchase specially discounted tickets to this concert. For more information about this, please give us a call at 474-4444.

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Eliane Elias

Brazilian-born pianist and singer Eliane Elias (pronounced "Il-ee-ah-nee Il-ee-us") will appear in concert with her "Three Americas" Band on Friday, April 9. Spanning a broad musical spectrum, this special touring project combines jazz with the bossa nova rhythms of Brazil, the music of the Caribbean, and the tango rhythms of Argentina. About Elias' work, critic Dan Ouellette wrote, "An exquisite session of delicate thunder, elegant exuberance, dazzling turbulence, restless frivolity and lyrical frenzy... (her) interpretations... are stunning."

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To bring the season to a close, the Michael Brecker Quartet will appear on Saturday, May 15. Simply put, Brecker is one of modern jazz's most sensational soloists. A native of Philadelphia, Michael Brecker and his brother Randy, the highly acclaimed trumpet player, spent most of the 1970s wowing crowds with the popular funk of The Brecker Brothers, and into the 1980s with Steps Ahead. The Philadelphia City Paper wrote, "Brecker has managed to revolutionize the voice of the modern tenor saxophone; the deep clarity and warmth of his tone, along with unparalleled technical virtuosity and style, has essentially become the standard to which the rest of the world aspires."

Michael Brecker

A flyer with complete details about the Folly Jazz Series is now available. To request a copy, simply call the Folly Theater at (816) 474-4444 during regular business hours.

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








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