JAM Magazine: February/March 1999 Issue: First Take

by Mike Metheny
JAM Editor

What's Old Is New Again
However you see the current popularity of swing music, it seems safe to say that we live in an age where lines that once defined musical styles -- as well as eras -- are forever blurred. And that may be an okay thing. As the new millennium approaches, this could be as good a time as any to look back at the 20th century, pick out what worked best, mix it all together and move on.

If nothing else, the revival of swing is turning a whole new generation on to the infectious grooves that led to bop (which will next have its own revival, right? Or did that already happen in the '80s?), and it's putting an important style of instrumental jazz back in the spotlight, always a good thing no matter what the catalyst. In light of all the hubbub of late, we thought it timely to take a closer look at the neo-swing phenomenon, and contributor Bill Fogarty's cover story offers a variety of views from local swing band vets, a musician on the vanguard of KC's contribution to the revival, plus Fogarty's own personal reflections. Bill, you see, is a longtime jazz buff who actually caught the tail end of swing's first incarnation... well before anyone had ever heard about clothes from The Gap.

Also In This Issue...
A hearty KCJA welcome to the Jazz Ambassadors' new president, Mike Fitzgerald. Mike's first "President's Corner" can be found here.

Ever wonder how those Grammy nominees get picked? Contributor Jeff Charney will take you to school in his regular column, "Contemporary Jazz."

And with a major international jazz event just around the corner, Dean Hampton offers a status report in "Hampton's Hot Licks!" on plans to dedicate Charlie Parker's new tomb come March 27.

This plus reviews of new CDs, Doug Tatum's "Folly Jazz News," Russ Dantzler's "Scrapple from the Apple," and an erudite piece in "Storyville" from guest contributor Don Rose about a new Bill Evans bio.

Thank You KCJA
So there I am at the December Jazz Ambassadors meeting (and annual holiday/awards party) at the Mutual Musicians Foundation, with expectations limited to enjoying the hang, lifting a few brews, and taking in the fine sounds of the Dunn/Freeman Mix, when outgoing prez Vanessa Barnard goes and surprises me with the KCJA's "Outstanding Service Award for 1998." Not a lucid speechmaker even with preparation, my halting remarks were mostly about how "shiny" the award was, but I did have the presence of mind to note that putting this magazine together is very much a team effort, not at all a one-man job. Take a look at the masthead on page 2 and you'll see the names of the many people who've helped bring JAM to new heights in the last four and a half years. Without each, who knows where we'd be today. Still, many thanks to the Jazz Ambassadors for such recognition in '98, and for hiring me to edit and assemble JAM back in '94. It has been, and continues to be, a pleasure to serve.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
"My greatest fear in life is that no one will remember me when I'm gone." -- Anonymous

RETURN TO FEBRUARY/MARCH 1999 MAIN INDEX

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






	Search our site:		by Mike Metheny JAM Editor What's Old Is New Again However you see the current popularity of swing music, it seems safe to say that we live in an age where lines that once defined musical styles -- as well as eras -- are forever blurred. And that may be an okay thing. As the new millennium approaches, this could be as good a time as any to look back at the 20th century, pick out what worked best, mix it all together and move on. If nothing else, the revival of swing is turning a whole new generation on to the infectious grooves that led to bop (which will next have its own revival, right? Or did that already happen in the '80s?), and it's putting an important style of instrumental jazz back in the spotlight, always a good thing no matter what the catalyst. In light of all the hubbub of late, we thought it timely to take a closer look at the neo-swing phenomenon, and contributor Bill Fogarty's cover story offers a variety of views from local swing band vets, a musician on the vanguard of KC's contribution to the revival, plus Fogarty's own personal reflections. Bill, you see, is a longtime jazz buff who actually caught the tail end of swing's first incarnation... well before anyone had ever heard about clothes from The Gap. Also In This Issue... A hearty KCJA welcome to the Jazz Ambassadors' new president, Mike Fitzgerald. Mike's first "President's Corner" can be found here. Ever wonder how those Grammy nominees get picked? Contributor Jeff Charney will take you to school in his regular column, "Contemporary Jazz." And with a major international jazz event just around the corner, Dean Hampton offers a status report in "Hampton's Hot Licks!" on plans to dedicate Charlie Parker's new tomb come March 27. This plus reviews of new CDs, Doug Tatum's "Folly Jazz News," Russ Dantzler's "Scrapple from the Apple," and an erudite piece in "Storyville" from guest contributor Don Rose about a new Bill Evans bio. Thank You KCJA So there I am at the December Jazz Ambassadors meeting (and annual holiday/awards party) at the Mutual Musicians Foundation, with expectations limited to enjoying the hang, lifting a few brews, and taking in the fine sounds of the Dunn/Freeman Mix, when outgoing prez Vanessa Barnard goes and surprises me with the KCJA's "Outstanding Service Award for 1998." Not a lucid speechmaker even with preparation, my halting remarks were mostly about how "shiny" the award was, but I did have the presence of mind to note that putting this magazine together is very much a team effort, not at all a one-man job. Take a look at the masthead on page 2 and you'll see the names of the many people who've helped bring JAM to new heights in the last four and a half years. Without each, who knows where we'd be today. Still, many thanks to the Jazz Ambassadors for such recognition in '98, and for hiring me to edit and assemble JAM back in '94. It has been, and continues to be, a pleasure to serve. THOUGHT FOR THE DAY "My greatest fear in life is that no one will remember me when I'm gone." -- Anonymous RETURN TO FEBRUARY/MARCH 1999 MAIN INDEX ------------------------------------------------------------------------ © Kansas City Jazz Ambassadors 1996-2001. All rights reserved.