JAM Magazine: December/January 1999 Issue: Scrapple From The Apple

by Russ Dantzler

Tim Whitmer Brings His Audience to New York City
"The Pride of Kansas City" is how Jim Mair introduced his associate Tim Whitmer to approximately 260 people at a nearly full Weill Recital Hall on November 15. Audience members, many of whom had traveled from Kansas City, loved the introduction, as well as the concert that followed.

About ten years ago I first visited this smaller hall within the Carnegie Hall building to hear John Lewis play solo on its Steinway grand. There was no sound system other than the well-designed space itself. Whitmer also wisely chose not to use microphones (or drums) in this acoustically and visually marvelous room.

My dated memories of Tim Whitmer were of an entertainer who normally had to drive his music through the clanking of glasses and chatter of patrons. So, when the star of the show came out in a tuxedo with tails to open the program with several slower paced solo numbers, it was a surprise. They were his own compositions, beginning with "Carnegie Overture," then "Lake Geneva," and "Dancing With Theresa," the latter named for his grandmother. (Whitmer remarked that she had always hoped he would "grow up and play Carnegie Hall.")

James Albright on bass and Jim Mair on a full-bodied soprano sax then joined the pianist to enhance duo versions of Whitmer compositions. It wasn't until "Señoritas," that the tempo finally changed a bit giving us an up-beat pace, before settling into a gentler groove.

Terry Peffer next appeared on alto sax completing the quartet, as Jim Mair changed over to tenor. "Player Piano" swung with KC familiarity along with some gratifying left-handed work on the keys. A very nice "Autumn Leaves" was the first unplanned selection, followed by "Water's Edge," which returned to the light, breezy style that began the evening. "Humorous Intentions" began a medley of several cheerfully upbeat songs that ended with "Take the A Train."

"Suite for Black Orpheus" ended the program and "Cloud Walking" was the encore, as required by the standing fans. Tim was later seen beaming among members of the audience, most of whom had stayed for the reception. It was a large and happy group of fans who could be heard speaking highly of the concert. Tim later confided that the stage manager had stayed in the hall all night to listen, which apparently is unusual for her. She told Tim that it had been the best concert she'd heard at Weill all year.

Check out Russ Dantzler's web site at -- http://soho.ios.com/~hotjazz/HOTJAZZ.html

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






	Search our site:		by Russ Dantzler Tim Whitmer Brings His Audience to New York City "The Pride of Kansas City" is how Jim Mair introduced his associate Tim Whitmer to approximately 260 people at a nearly full Weill Recital Hall on November 15. Audience members, many of whom had traveled from Kansas City, loved the introduction, as well as the concert that followed. About ten years ago I first visited this smaller hall within the Carnegie Hall building to hear John Lewis play solo on its Steinway grand. There was no sound system other than the well-designed space itself. Whitmer also wisely chose not to use microphones (or drums) in this acoustically and visually marvelous room. My dated memories of Tim Whitmer were of an entertainer who normally had to drive his music through the clanking of glasses and chatter of patrons. So, when the star of the show came out in a tuxedo with tails to open the program with several slower paced solo numbers, it was a surprise. They were his own compositions, beginning with "Carnegie Overture," then "Lake Geneva," and "Dancing With Theresa," the latter named for his grandmother. (Whitmer remarked that she had always hoped he would "grow up and play Carnegie Hall.") James Albright on bass and Jim Mair on a full-bodied soprano sax then joined the pianist to enhance duo versions of Whitmer compositions. It wasn't until "Señoritas," that the tempo finally changed a bit giving us an up-beat pace, before settling into a gentler groove. Terry Peffer next appeared on alto sax completing the quartet, as Jim Mair changed over to tenor. "Player Piano" swung with KC familiarity along with some gratifying left-handed work on the keys. A very nice "Autumn Leaves" was the first unplanned selection, followed by "Water's Edge," which returned to the light, breezy style that began the evening. "Humorous Intentions" began a medley of several cheerfully upbeat songs that ended with "Take the A Train." "Suite for Black Orpheus" ended the program and "Cloud Walking" was the encore, as required by the standing fans. Tim was later seen beaming among members of the audience, most of whom had stayed for the reception. It was a large and happy group of fans who could be heard speaking highly of the concert. Tim later confided that the stage manager had stayed in the hall all night to listen, which apparently is unusual for her. She told Tim that it had been the best concert she'd heard at Weill all year. Check out Russ Dantzler's web site at -- http://soho.ios.com/~hotjazz/HOTJAZZ.html RETURN TO DECEMBER/JANUARY 1999 MAIN INDEX ------------------------------------------------------------------------ © Kansas City Jazz Ambassadors 1996-2001. All rights reserved.