JAM Magazine: December/January 1999 Issue: First Take

by Mike Metheny
JAM Editor

In This Issue...
I've always considered Lyle Mays to be one of the world's finest jazz pianists. There's a level of breathtaking virtuosity in his playing that, to this day, leaves me speechless. I remember first hearing him at the 1975 Wichita Jazz Festival, about a year before he and brother Pat began their long association. As a student at North Texas State, Lyle had entered his quartet in the festival competition and, of the many college combos performing that day, the foursome of Lyle Mays, Marc Johnson, Pete Brewer and Steve Houghton left everyone else in the dust. Each of Lyle's solos electrified the room, group interplay was that of a veteran band, and, when all eyes and ears were trained on the pianist, it was clear that we were in the presence of developing greatness. In the 23 years since -- 21 of which have been with Pat's group -- Lyle has gone on to take his rightful place among the jazz world's elite, playing an integral role in the PMG's many successful tours and albums, and adding invaluable contributions to the band's ever-bulging book. It's an honor to have Lyle Mays as this issue's guest "Q&A."

Another outstanding pianist we're featuring this time actually has a coincidental connection to the Pat Metheny Group. John Rodby, cousin of PMG bassist Steve, has spent the last 30 years as one of L.A.'s most respected and in-demand session musicians. He has arranged for and accompanied a veritable "who's who" of show business headliners and is currently the musical director for KC's own Marilyn Maye. At one of Marilyn's Quality Hill performances in September I asked John if he'd be into doing a JAM profile. He was nice enough to say yes.

It's been a couple of years since we last loaded up the jazz boat and dropped off area musicians on the mythical "Desert Island." In keeping with this issue's theme, we surveyed pianists this time around, and, as expected, there was no shortage of variety with this eclectic bunch. Even more interesting was the sheer number of people we contacted. Who would have thought there were over 50 keyboardists either in the area or with current KC ties?

And then there's the controversy surrounding the relocation of Charlie Parker's grave. In these pages you'll find two views on this delicate subject, and Dean Hampton will preview plans for the new gravesite at 18th & Vine in his regular column, "Hampton's Hot Licks."
This plus "Folly Jazz News" from Folly Theater Executive Director Doug Tatum, reviews of new CDs from pianist Dave Zoller and singer Ida McBeth, and a farewell "President's Corner" from departing KCJA prez, Vanessa Barnard.

This Has Nothing To Do With Jazz, But...
Thank you Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa for taking our minds off the sordid soap opera in Washington as well as the many other depressing things about life (and death) on planet Earth in 1998. Your respective performances this year -- both on and off the field -- were diamonds in a grand heap of dung. (And hey, maybe this has something to do with jazz after all. Those cats definitely know how to swing.)

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
"I want to be a force for good. I know that there are bad forces; forces put here to bring suffering to others and misery to the world, but I want to be a force for what is truly good." -- John Coltrane

RETURN TO DECEMBER/JANUARY 1999 MAIN INDEX

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






	Search our site:		by Mike Metheny JAM Editor In This Issue... I've always considered Lyle Mays to be one of the world's finest jazz pianists. There's a level of breathtaking virtuosity in his playing that, to this day, leaves me speechless. I remember first hearing him at the 1975 Wichita Jazz Festival, about a year before he and brother Pat began their long association. As a student at North Texas State, Lyle had entered his quartet in the festival competition and, of the many college combos performing that day, the foursome of Lyle Mays, Marc Johnson, Pete Brewer and Steve Houghton left everyone else in the dust. Each of Lyle's solos electrified the room, group interplay was that of a veteran band, and, when all eyes and ears were trained on the pianist, it was clear that we were in the presence of developing greatness. In the 23 years since -- 21 of which have been with Pat's group -- Lyle has gone on to take his rightful place among the jazz world's elite, playing an integral role in the PMG's many successful tours and albums, and adding invaluable contributions to the band's ever-bulging book. It's an honor to have Lyle Mays as this issue's guest "Q&A." Another outstanding pianist we're featuring this time actually has a coincidental connection to the Pat Metheny Group. John Rodby, cousin of PMG bassist Steve, has spent the last 30 years as one of L.A.'s most respected and in-demand session musicians. He has arranged for and accompanied a veritable "who's who" of show business headliners and is currently the musical director for KC's own Marilyn Maye. At one of Marilyn's Quality Hill performances in September I asked John if he'd be into doing a JAM profile. He was nice enough to say yes. It's been a couple of years since we last loaded up the jazz boat and dropped off area musicians on the mythical "Desert Island." In keeping with this issue's theme, we surveyed pianists this time around, and, as expected, there was no shortage of variety with this eclectic bunch. Even more interesting was the sheer number of people we contacted. Who would have thought there were over 50 keyboardists either in the area or with current KC ties? And then there's the controversy surrounding the relocation of Charlie Parker's grave. In these pages you'll find two views on this delicate subject, and Dean Hampton will preview plans for the new gravesite at 18th & Vine in his regular column, "Hampton's Hot Licks." This plus "Folly Jazz News" from Folly Theater Executive Director Doug Tatum, reviews of new CDs from pianist Dave Zoller and singer Ida McBeth, and a farewell "President's Corner" from departing KCJA prez, Vanessa Barnard. This Has Nothing To Do With Jazz, But... Thank you Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa for taking our minds off the sordid soap opera in Washington as well as the many other depressing things about life (and death) on planet Earth in 1998. Your respective performances this year -- both on and off the field -- were diamonds in a grand heap of dung. (And hey, maybe this has something to do with jazz after all. Those cats definitely know how to swing.) THOUGHT FOR THE DAY "I want to be a force for good. I know that there are bad forces; forces put here to bring suffering to others and misery to the world, but I want to be a force for what is truly good." -- John Coltrane RETURN TO DECEMBER/JANUARY 1999 MAIN INDEX ------------------------------------------------------------------------ © Kansas City Jazz Ambassadors 1996-2001. All rights reserved.