JAM Magazine: April/May 1999 Issue: First Take

by Mike Metheny
JAM Editor

In This Issue...
As the Jazz Century comes to a close, the icons and innovators of America's Classical Music stand tall. Armstrong, Ellington, Miles... Dizzy, Monk, 'Trane... Only an elite few have played pivotal roles in shaping this indigenous musical hybrid.

Charlie Parker is one of the brightest stars in this noble constellation. Without his advances -- and those of his brilliant peers -- the language of today's jazz improvisers would be vastly different. Has Kansas City treated the memory of this native son with dignity and respect? Not always. There is the well-documented saga of various (and flawed) markers at the desolate Lincoln Cemetery gravesite, and there are occasional reminders that, upon Parker's death in 1955, The Kansas City Star didn't even spell his name right.

Now comes resolution and closure.

With a majestic memorial at 18th & Vine's new Charlie Parker Plaza, an end should be put to any doubts about Kansas City's high regard for this musical genius. In his regular column, Dean Hampton will give you a synopsis of the long journey leading up to the unveiling, and guest contributor Don Rose, who actually knew Parker in the late '40s and early '50s, has written a piece that further illustrates why, even 44 years later, 'Bird still lives.

A Fanfare, Please
JAM is pleased to introduce Patti Wilkinson as the magazine's new ad rep. (See the updated masthead for additional info.) Patti's ties to the music community are strong and we think she'll do a terrific job. Welcome aboard.

(gulp) Could It Be? (...nah)
Just after we decided to go with this issue's cover photo, a minor tremor rumbled through the corporate offices of JAM headquarters. "That is an alto sax, right? Because if it's some weird kind of tenor -- especially after all the hooting about the 'eternal typo' on Bird's grave -- we're really gonna look like weenies!" An emergency meeting of the Joint Chiefs was quickly convened and within minutes 40 emails went out to various experts and professionals around the country. With the exception of four who thought it was a tenor, we were repeatedly assured that it was indeed an alto. An old Buffet, as a matter of fact. And so the issue was put to rest. But if, by some unexpected twist, someone is able to come forward and prove otherwise, then the buck will have to stop with the JAM editor, a contrite jazz trumpet player who gave the go-ahead to use the image, and who is prepared to testify -- under oath -- that he was and still is uncertain about what the meaning of the word "is" is. As per advice of counsel.

Coming Attractions
It may be frosty outside now, but soon summer will be upon us. And with that time of year comes a busy season for jazz in KC. Look for a complete preview in the June/July JAM (on the streets May 28) including a look at the Jazz Lover's Pub Crawl (June 24) and the many events and festivals that make Kansas City the place to be for great summer jazz.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
"Bird's mind and fingers worked with incredible speed. He could imply four chord changes in a melodic pattern where another musician would have trouble inserting two." -- Leonard Feather

RETURN TO APRIL/MAY 1999 MAIN INDEX

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






	Search our site:		by Mike Metheny JAM Editor In This Issue... As the Jazz Century comes to a close, the icons and innovators of America's Classical Music stand tall. Armstrong, Ellington, Miles... Dizzy, Monk, 'Trane... Only an elite few have played pivotal roles in shaping this indigenous musical hybrid. Charlie Parker is one of the brightest stars in this noble constellation. Without his advances -- and those of his brilliant peers -- the language of today's jazz improvisers would be vastly different. Has Kansas City treated the memory of this native son with dignity and respect? Not always. There is the well-documented saga of various (and flawed) markers at the desolate Lincoln Cemetery gravesite, and there are occasional reminders that, upon Parker's death in 1955, The Kansas City Star didn't even spell his name right. Now comes resolution and closure. With a majestic memorial at 18th & Vine's new Charlie Parker Plaza, an end should be put to any doubts about Kansas City's high regard for this musical genius. In his regular column, Dean Hampton will give you a synopsis of the long journey leading up to the unveiling, and guest contributor Don Rose, who actually knew Parker in the late '40s and early '50s, has written a piece that further illustrates why, even 44 years later, 'Bird still lives. A Fanfare, Please JAM is pleased to introduce Patti Wilkinson as the magazine's new ad rep. (See the updated masthead for additional info.) Patti's ties to the music community are strong and we think she'll do a terrific job. Welcome aboard. (gulp) Could It Be? (...nah) Just after we decided to go with this issue's cover photo, a minor tremor rumbled through the corporate offices of JAM headquarters. "That is an alto sax, right? Because if it's some weird kind of tenor -- especially after all the hooting about the 'eternal typo' on Bird's grave -- we're really gonna look like weenies!" An emergency meeting of the Joint Chiefs was quickly convened and within minutes 40 emails went out to various experts and professionals around the country. With the exception of four who thought it was a tenor, we were repeatedly assured that it was indeed an alto. An old Buffet, as a matter of fact. And so the issue was put to rest. But if, by some unexpected twist, someone is able to come forward and prove otherwise, then the buck will have to stop with the JAM editor, a contrite jazz trumpet player who gave the go-ahead to use the image, and who is prepared to testify -- under oath -- that he was and still is uncertain about what the meaning of the word "is" is. As per advice of counsel. Coming Attractions It may be frosty outside now, but soon summer will be upon us. And with that time of year comes a busy season for jazz in KC. Look for a complete preview in the June/July JAM (on the streets May 28) including a look at the Jazz Lover's Pub Crawl (June 24) and the many events and festivals that make Kansas City the place to be for great summer jazz. THOUGHT FOR THE DAY "Bird's mind and fingers worked with incredible speed. He could imply four chord changes in a melodic pattern where another musician would have trouble inserting two." -- Leonard Feather RETURN TO APRIL/MAY 1999 MAIN INDEX ------------------------------------------------------------------------ © Kansas City Jazz Ambassadors 1996-2001. All rights reserved.