JAM Magazine: April/May 1999 Issue: News and Notes

Wanted: Quality Projects
Any not-for-profit organization with 501(c)3 status and "a high-quality arts-focused project that will take place between July 1, 1999 and June 30, 2000" is encouraged to apply for the Missouri Arts Council's Minority Arts Program. Application deadline is April 15. "Those with a quality arts project and who have access to a not-for-profit organization who will act as the sponsor for the program are also encouraged to apply," says Pat Jacobs-Macdonald of the Black Economic Union (BEU) and also the MAP specialist. The program is administered by the Black Economic Union of Greater Kansas City. For more information, contact Jacobs-Macdonald at 816-474-1080, ext. 226.

"Montage of a Dream" Continues
"Jazz.... a Montage of a Dream," the inaugural exhibit in the American Jazz Museum's Changing Gallery, continues its current run through Friday, April 23. "(The exhibit) celebrates improvisation representing movement, a sound, a rhythm, a grace and a style that reflects America's classical music," says Rowena Stewart, Executive Director of the museum. "It is the culmination of a lifelong dream of many visual artists." Those artists include Phoebe Beasley, Camille Billops, Gloria Bohanon, Michael Cummings, Louis Delsarte, Malaika Favorite, Napoleon Jones-Henderson, Paul F. Keene, Jr., Alvin Loving, Valerie Maynard, William Pajaud, John Scott, Vincent Smith and Ann Tanksley. The American Jazz Museum (formerly the Kansas City Jazz Museum) is located at 18th & Vine, hours are 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, noon to 6:00 p.m. on Sunday. For additional information, call 474-VINE (8463).

Looking For Airplay? Read This
You will notice by both their ad in this issue and the updated schedule listing in "On The Air" that KCMW-FM in Warrensburg has revised its jazz programming. The good news is that there's more. The even better news is that every weeknight from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. "Dinner Jazz" showcases the music of Kansas City jazz artists. "We already have a fair supply of CDs by local musicians," says KCMW Program Coordinator Bob Milner, "but we need more!" Interested area jazz musicians with CDs should contact Milner at 1-800-487-5269 or just cut to the chase and send recordings to: Office of Broadcasting Services/KCMW-FM, Wood 11, Warrensburg, MO 64093.

The 1999 Jess Cole Award
As most KC jazz veterans will recall, saxophonist Jess Cole, who passed away in 1975, was not only an excellent musician, but an inspirational human being as well. Since 1976 an award in his name has been given annually by the state chapter of the IAJE for outstanding contributions to jazz education in Missouri. The recipient this year is retired bandleader, record producer and friend of the University of Missouri/Kansas City, Warren Durrett. "Warren has stepped forward on numerous occasions to help fund residencies and various concerts at UMKC," says Mike Parkinson, former Director of Jazz Studies at UMKC, now Chair of the Music Department at Webster University in St. Louis. "He has helped to bring in such artists as Bob Brookmeyer, Toshiko Akiyoshi and Gary Foster; and there have been many others." The traveling plaque for the Cole Award was presented to the UMKC Conservatory of Music on February 23. It will be on display in the Dean's office for the rest of '99.

New Sounds
Pianist Wayne Hawkins is releasing a new CD this spring. (Look for a review in a future issue of JAM.) To support and promote Trio: Volume II, Hawkins will be concertizing twice in April (with trio-mates Bob Bowman on bass and Todd Strait on drums), first on April 10, 7:00 p.m., at the Atonement Lutheran Church, 9948 Metcalf (phone 648-0595), then on April 18, 3:00 p.m., at St. Thomas Episcopal church, 12251 Antioch Rd. (923-4822). On the 18th there will be a $5 cover charge. Copies of the new album will be available at both shows as well as other upcoming appearances.

A Jazzy Matinee...
...for a good cause. On Saturday, April 17, saxophonist Horace Washington and his trio will provide the music for "A Jazz Matinee," a benefit for the Black Alumni Scholarship Fund at Rockhurst College. A $25 advance ticket ($28 at the door) includes music, hors d'oeuvres, beer, wine and soda. Or if you're unable to attend, the Scholarship Fund would still welcome your contribution. Direct all correspondence to: Office of Alumni Relations, Rockhurst College, 1100 Rockhurst Road, Kansas City, MO 64110-2561. The event on the 17th will take place in The Rock Room at Rockhurst's Massman Hall.

All in the Family
The '98-99 "Jammin' at the Gem" series at 18th & Vine has enabled discerning jazz aficionados to hear everyone from the Sun Ra Arkestra and the Jazz Messengers to Nnenna Freelon, Geri Allen and T.S. Monk Next up is an evening with The Heath Brothers, one of the great family dynasties in all of jazz. Catch Percy, Jimmy and Tootie in concert at the Gem Theater Saturday, April 17, at 8:00 p.m. For tickets, call the Gem at 842-1414, or Ticketmaster at 931-3330.

Number 28 For Wichita
The 28th annual Wichita Jazz Festival is all set for the week of April 18-25 and a host of heavyweights have signed up to perform. Appearing this spring at one of the country's longest running jazz events are such luminaries as Monty Alexander, Red Holloway, Conte Candoli, Bill Watrous, Warren Vache' and Harry Allen. And that's not to mention KC all-stars Danny Embrey, Gerald Spaits, Joe Cartwright, Tommy Ruskin, Bob Bowman and Todd Strait. KANU's Dick Wright will be on hand to emcee. Various groups will be gigging throughout the Wichita area the week of the 18th and the festival's main event on April 24 (at Wichita's Broadview Hotel) will showcase the headliners in an intimate party setting. Like to know more? Call 316-684-1100, or visit the festival website at: http://www.southwind.net/wichita-jazz.

Andre Previn: A Knight of Jazz
One of the world's most esteemed and versatile musicians will be making a rare KC-area appearance on Wednesday, April 21 when conductor, composer and pianist Andre Previn takes the Yardley Hall stage at Johnson County Community College. "Sir Andre Previn: A Knight of Jazz" will showcase the jazz side of this internationally renowned artist, knighted in 1996 by Queen Elizabeth II and also a Kennedy Center Lifetime Achievement Award recipient in 1998. "This will be Mr. Previn's very first piano jazz concert in Kansas City," says Steve Irwin of Kansas City Jazz International. "He is even bringing in his own Bosendorfer Imperial grand piano for the performance." Kansas City Jazz International is the not-for-profit behind the annual Kansas City International Jazz Festival in June, and the Andre Previn concert will benefit KCJI as it gears up for its 1999 edition, June 25-27.

Tickets for April 21 are $40, $30 and $25 and are on sale now at the Yardley Hall box office (469-4445). Contact Sara Allison at 960-2020 for information about patrons' tickets, corporate underwriting and other preferred seating, Steve Irwin at 931-2022 for more about KCJI.

Fiddler Flashes
Legendary jazz violinist Claude Williams must get tired of so much press about his age. But dang it, to be so musically active and vibrant at 91 is no small feat. On Thursday, April 22, "Fiddler" will appear on a one-hour WBGO radio/internet broadcast from the Priory in Newark, NJ along with Ray Drummond (bass), Joe Cohn (guitar) and Teri Thornton (vocals/piano). To hear the set, point your browser to www.wbgo.com at 8:00 p.m. and go from there. Then, on April 26-27, Claude heads into the studio to record a new CD for Rounder Records. With him at the historic Nola studios in New York will be Henry Butler (piano), Keter Betts (bass), Joe Cohn again on guitar, Jimmy Lovelace (drums) and a possible special guest TBA.

The KCJW for '98-'99 Comes to a Close
Chalk up one more eclectic series of concerts for the Kansas City Jazz Workshop. This season Junior Mance, Harry Allen, Terry Harrington, Skip Peck, Phil Wilson, Jimmy Seeley and Ted Rosenthal have served as headliners, and several have utilized stellar KC backup units when needed. The final show for 1998-99 is set for Sunday, April 25 when KC's Kerry Strayer Orchestra offers a "100th Birthday Salute to Duke Ellington." In addition to Strayer on bari sax, vocalists David Basse and Pat Wilson will also be featured. Things begin to swing at 1:00 p.m. in the Basie Ballroom of the Downtown Marriott, 200 W. 12th. Call 436-0318 or 737-3627 for tickets and additional information.

Good Luck, Paseo Academy!
Among the many commemorations of the 100th anniversary of Duke Ellington's birth this spring, the Smithsonian Institute in Washington D.C. is planning a series of concerts, one of which will feature KC's Paseo Academy Jazz Ensemble. Paseo is one of only two high school bands in the country -- and there are thousands -- to be picked to appear at this prestigious celebration. And through vigorous fundraising efforts this school year, the group has managed to raise the needed $30,000 to make the trip. Says band director Clarence Smith, "I'm very excited for the kids to have this opportunity to perform at the Smithsonian, to see the exhibits, and to interact with former members of the Duke Ellington orchestra. We're really looking forward to it." Paseo's performance will be on Ellington's birthday, April 29.

Jay McShann: Good Samaritan
On Sunday, May 2, Kansas City jazz legend Jay McShann will perform a benefit to help the Good Samaritan Center of Excelsior Springs. The concert is being sponsored by the Good Samaritan Center and the Elms Resort and Spa, which reopened last July after a complete renovation.

The Samaritan Center is now in its 13th year of providing families with the tools they need to raise their children and better their lives. The center's focus is "to provide the essential and most basic needs that people must have in order to succeed in life." The concert will be held at the Elms Hotel in Excelsior Springs and will be preceded by a barbecue dinner from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. McShann and his band will then perform from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. Reservations (seating is limited) include dinner, beer or wine, and the concert. The Center is also looking for corporate sponsors for the benefit. For information and/or reservations, contact the Center at 816-630-2718. Reservations and donations are tax deductible.

Norwegian Ragtime
When Norway's Ophelia Ragtime Orchestra appears in concert at Rockhurst High on Thursday, May 27, KC jazz fans will have a rare opportunity to hear one of the world's finest ragtime and vintage jazz orchestras. "Under the leadership of award-winning pianist Morten Gunnar Larsen," says Diane Capps of Kansas City Ragtime Revelry, Inc., sponsors of the event, "the orchestra has received rave reviews all over the world. This virtuoso pianist and his phenomenal 11-piece group are not to be missed." The 7:30 p.m. performance will take place in the Rose Theater at Rockhurst High School, 9301 State Line. Call 691-8781 for additional information.

Topeka Jazz Fest '99
Topeka Jazz Festival 1999 is fast approaching. And if it's on a par with last year's inaugural event, it should be another memorable three days of jazz at the Topeka Performing Arts Center. Scheduled for Memorial Day weekend, May 29-31, the festival plans to feature, among others, Monty Alexander, Bobby Shew, John Clayton, Jeff Hamilton, Ed Bickert, Rob McConnell, Bill Watrous, Tiger Okoshi, Bob Kindred and Trudy Desmond. And as was the case in '98, there will also be a healthy contingent of Kansas City-based jazz musicians. For additional information about tickets, call either 785-234-2787 or 785-267-1315.

It's Almost Festival Time
Believe it or not, the summer jazz fest season is fast approaching. (As always, the June/July JAM will preview them all.) One of the first local jazz events of the summer, of course, is the Corporate Woods Jazz Festival held each June at Corporate Woods Park and now in its tenth year. Already lined up to perform June 11-13 are such area notables as Ervin Brown, Doug Talley, The New Red Onion Jazz Babies, Sons of Brasil, Dan Doran, Ida McBeth, Sharon James, Lloyd Schad, Boko Maru and the Vince Bilardo Big Band. Pick up the next JAM for the particulars, or call 780-8246 for more info.

Add Two More
Jazz guitarist and KC native Pat Metheny continues to make his hometown proud. On February 24, the multiple Grammy winner added two more trophies to the stash, bringing the total to 12. (In a testament to the virtues of versatility, one award even came in the "Rock Instrumental" category.) Also, if you hung in there for the entire telecast of the 41st annual event, your heart was no doubt warmed by a solid performance from Clark Terry, 78, and a genuine show-stopper by Luciano Pavorotti, 63. Leave it to the old-timers to keep things in perspective.

Honoring Another Jazz Legend
This seems to be the time to recognize jazz greats with monuments and sculptures. Not only has Charlie Parker been so honored, but more than 10 years after his death, trumpeter Chet Baker's memory will be kept alive by the Chet Baker Monument to be erected outside of the Prins Hendrik Hotel in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, where Baker died on May 13, 1988. The bronze sculpture plaquette will be financed by international donations sent to Swift A B N A N L 2 A, bank code 832.7.02 ABN/AMRO Epe. Acc. No. 40.00.33.461 in the name of Jazz Impuls, Nijbroek, The Netherlands (ref: Chet Baker Monument). "The name of each donor will be written in the register behind the monument," says Bob Hagen of Jazz Impuls. "So far here in Europe almost every musician who ever played with Chet Baker is eagerly connecting his name to the monument." Incidentally, word out of Hollywood is that Leonardo DiCaprio has been tapped to play Baker in an upcoming film.

L.C. "Speedy" Huggins
1913-1999
On February 20, Kansas City lost another important veteran of the jazz and blues community when dancer, singer and drummer L.C. "Speedy" Huggins passed away at age 85. As a teenager, Speedy tap-danced in the nightclubs of the original 18th & Vine district and was able to call many of the jazz greats of that era his friends. (He is featured in the 1979 documentary, "The Last of the Blue Devils.") In recent years, Speedy appeared with such area all-stars as The Scamps and Milt Abel and could be seen and heard at the Grand Emporium, Harling's and Jardine's. On February 27 at Watkins Brothers Memorial Chapel and also the Grand Emporium, Speedy received tributes befitting a true legend of KC jazz and blues. R.I.P.

Got News? Got Notes? Please send to: Editor/JAM, P.O. Box 36181, Kansas City, MO 64171-6181. Deadline for all submissions is the 15th of each odd numbered month.

RETURN TO APRIL/MAY 1999 MAIN INDEX

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






	Search our site:		Wanted: Quality Projects Any not-for-profit organization with 501(c)3 status and "a high-quality arts-focused project that will take place between July 1, 1999 and June 30, 2000" is encouraged to apply for the Missouri Arts Council's Minority Arts Program. Application deadline is April 15. "Those with a quality arts project and who have access to a not-for-profit organization who will act as the sponsor for the program are also encouraged to apply," says Pat Jacobs-Macdonald of the Black Economic Union (BEU) and also the MAP specialist. The program is administered by the Black Economic Union of Greater Kansas City. For more information, contact Jacobs-Macdonald at 816-474-1080, ext. 226. "Montage of a Dream" Continues "Jazz.... a Montage of a Dream," the inaugural exhibit in the American Jazz Museum's Changing Gallery, continues its current run through Friday, April 23. "(The exhibit) celebrates improvisation representing movement, a sound, a rhythm, a grace and a style that reflects America's classical music," says Rowena Stewart, Executive Director of the museum. "It is the culmination of a lifelong dream of many visual artists." Those artists include Phoebe Beasley, Camille Billops, Gloria Bohanon, Michael Cummings, Louis Delsarte, Malaika Favorite, Napoleon Jones-Henderson, Paul F. Keene, Jr., Alvin Loving, Valerie Maynard, William Pajaud, John Scott, Vincent Smith and Ann Tanksley. The American Jazz Museum (formerly the Kansas City Jazz Museum) is located at 18th & Vine, hours are 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, noon to 6:00 p.m. on Sunday. For additional information, call 474-VINE (8463). Looking For Airplay? Read This You will notice by both their ad in this issue and the updated schedule listing in "On The Air" that KCMW-FM in Warrensburg has revised its jazz programming. The good news is that there's more. The even better news is that every weeknight from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. "Dinner Jazz" showcases the music of Kansas City jazz artists. "We already have a fair supply of CDs by local musicians," says KCMW Program Coordinator Bob Milner, "but we need more!" Interested area jazz musicians with CDs should contact Milner at 1-800-487-5269 or just cut to the chase and send recordings to: Office of Broadcasting Services/KCMW-FM, Wood 11, Warrensburg, MO 64093. The 1999 Jess Cole Award As most KC jazz veterans will recall, saxophonist Jess Cole, who passed away in 1975, was not only an excellent musician, but an inspirational human being as well. Since 1976 an award in his name has been given annually by the state chapter of the IAJE for outstanding contributions to jazz education in Missouri. The recipient this year is retired bandleader, record producer and friend of the University of Missouri/Kansas City, Warren Durrett. "Warren has stepped forward on numerous occasions to help fund residencies and various concerts at UMKC," says Mike Parkinson, former Director of Jazz Studies at UMKC, now Chair of the Music Department at Webster University in St. Louis. "He has helped to bring in such artists as Bob Brookmeyer, Toshiko Akiyoshi and Gary Foster; and there have been many others." The traveling plaque for the Cole Award was presented to the UMKC Conservatory of Music on February 23. It will be on display in the Dean's office for the rest of '99. New Sounds Pianist Wayne Hawkins is releasing a new CD this spring. (Look for a review in a future issue of JAM.) To support and promote Trio: Volume II, Hawkins will be concertizing twice in April (with trio-mates Bob Bowman on bass and Todd Strait on drums), first on April 10, 7:00 p.m., at the Atonement Lutheran Church, 9948 Metcalf (phone 648-0595), then on April 18, 3:00 p.m., at St. Thomas Episcopal church, 12251 Antioch Rd. (923-4822). On the 18th there will be a $5 cover charge. Copies of the new album will be available at both shows as well as other upcoming appearances. A Jazzy Matinee... ...for a good cause. On Saturday, April 17, saxophonist Horace Washington and his trio will provide the music for "A Jazz Matinee," a benefit for the Black Alumni Scholarship Fund at Rockhurst College. A $25 advance ticket ($28 at the door) includes music, hors d'oeuvres, beer, wine and soda. Or if you're unable to attend, the Scholarship Fund would still welcome your contribution. Direct all correspondence to: Office of Alumni Relations, Rockhurst College, 1100 Rockhurst Road, Kansas City, MO 64110-2561. The event on the 17th will take place in The Rock Room at Rockhurst's Massman Hall. All in the Family The '98-99 "Jammin' at the Gem" series at 18th & Vine has enabled discerning jazz aficionados to hear everyone from the Sun Ra Arkestra and the Jazz Messengers to Nnenna Freelon, Geri Allen and T.S. Monk Next up is an evening with The Heath Brothers, one of the great family dynasties in all of jazz. Catch Percy, Jimmy and Tootie in concert at the Gem Theater Saturday, April 17, at 8:00 p.m. For tickets, call the Gem at 842-1414, or Ticketmaster at 931-3330. Number 28 For Wichita The 28th annual Wichita Jazz Festival is all set for the week of April 18-25 and a host of heavyweights have signed up to perform. Appearing this spring at one of the country's longest running jazz events are such luminaries as Monty Alexander, Red Holloway, Conte Candoli, Bill Watrous, Warren Vache' and Harry Allen. And that's not to mention KC all-stars Danny Embrey, Gerald Spaits, Joe Cartwright, Tommy Ruskin, Bob Bowman and Todd Strait. KANU's Dick Wright will be on hand to emcee. Various groups will be gigging throughout the Wichita area the week of the 18th and the festival's main event on April 24 (at Wichita's Broadview Hotel) will showcase the headliners in an intimate party setting. Like to know more? Call 316-684-1100, or visit the festival website at: http://www.southwind.net/wichita-jazz. Andre Previn: A Knight of Jazz One of the world's most esteemed and versatile musicians will be making a rare KC-area appearance on Wednesday, April 21 when conductor, composer and pianist Andre Previn takes the Yardley Hall stage at Johnson County Community College. "Sir Andre Previn: A Knight of Jazz" will showcase the jazz side of this internationally renowned artist, knighted in 1996 by Queen Elizabeth II and also a Kennedy Center Lifetime Achievement Award recipient in 1998. "This will be Mr. Previn's very first piano jazz concert in Kansas City," says Steve Irwin of Kansas City Jazz International. "He is even bringing in his own Bosendorfer Imperial grand piano for the performance." Kansas City Jazz International is the not-for-profit behind the annual Kansas City International Jazz Festival in June, and the Andre Previn concert will benefit KCJI as it gears up for its 1999 edition, June 25-27. Tickets for April 21 are $40, $30 and $25 and are on sale now at the Yardley Hall box office (469-4445). Contact Sara Allison at 960-2020 for information about patrons' tickets, corporate underwriting and other preferred seating, Steve Irwin at 931-2022 for more about KCJI. Fiddler Flashes Legendary jazz violinist Claude Williams must get tired of so much press about his age. But dang it, to be so musically active and vibrant at 91 is no small feat. On Thursday, April 22, "Fiddler" will appear on a one-hour WBGO radio/internet broadcast from the Priory in Newark, NJ along with Ray Drummond (bass), Joe Cohn (guitar) and Teri Thornton (vocals/piano). To hear the set, point your browser to www.wbgo.com at 8:00 p.m. and go from there. Then, on April 26-27, Claude heads into the studio to record a new CD for Rounder Records. With him at the historic Nola studios in New York will be Henry Butler (piano), Keter Betts (bass), Joe Cohn again on guitar, Jimmy Lovelace (drums) and a possible special guest TBA. The KCJW for '98-'99 Comes to a Close Chalk up one more eclectic series of concerts for the Kansas City Jazz Workshop. This season Junior Mance, Harry Allen, Terry Harrington, Skip Peck, Phil Wilson, Jimmy Seeley and Ted Rosenthal have served as headliners, and several have utilized stellar KC backup units when needed. The final show for 1998-99 is set for Sunday, April 25 when KC's Kerry Strayer Orchestra offers a "100th Birthday Salute to Duke Ellington." In addition to Strayer on bari sax, vocalists David Basse and Pat Wilson will also be featured. Things begin to swing at 1:00 p.m. in the Basie Ballroom of the Downtown Marriott, 200 W. 12th. Call 436-0318 or 737-3627 for tickets and additional information. Good Luck, Paseo Academy! Among the many commemorations of the 100th anniversary of Duke Ellington's birth this spring, the Smithsonian Institute in Washington D.C. is planning a series of concerts, one of which will feature KC's Paseo Academy Jazz Ensemble. Paseo is one of only two high school bands in the country -- and there are thousands -- to be picked to appear at this prestigious celebration. And through vigorous fundraising efforts this school year, the group has managed to raise the needed $30,000 to make the trip. Says band director Clarence Smith, "I'm very excited for the kids to have this opportunity to perform at the Smithsonian, to see the exhibits, and to interact with former members of the Duke Ellington orchestra. We're really looking forward to it." Paseo's performance will be on Ellington's birthday, April 29. Jay McShann: Good Samaritan On Sunday, May 2, Kansas City jazz legend Jay McShann will perform a benefit to help the Good Samaritan Center of Excelsior Springs. The concert is being sponsored by the Good Samaritan Center and the Elms Resort and Spa, which reopened last July after a complete renovation. The Samaritan Center is now in its 13th year of providing families with the tools they need to raise their children and better their lives. The center's focus is "to provide the essential and most basic needs that people must have in order to succeed in life." The concert will be held at the Elms Hotel in Excelsior Springs and will be preceded by a barbecue dinner from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. McShann and his band will then perform from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. Reservations (seating is limited) include dinner, beer or wine, and the concert. The Center is also looking for corporate sponsors for the benefit. For information and/or reservations, contact the Center at 816-630-2718. Reservations and donations are tax deductible. Norwegian Ragtime When Norway's Ophelia Ragtime Orchestra appears in concert at Rockhurst High on Thursday, May 27, KC jazz fans will have a rare opportunity to hear one of the world's finest ragtime and vintage jazz orchestras. "Under the leadership of award-winning pianist Morten Gunnar Larsen," says Diane Capps of Kansas City Ragtime Revelry, Inc., sponsors of the event, "the orchestra has received rave reviews all over the world. This virtuoso pianist and his phenomenal 11-piece group are not to be missed." The 7:30 p.m. performance will take place in the Rose Theater at Rockhurst High School, 9301 State Line. Call 691-8781 for additional information. Topeka Jazz Fest '99 Topeka Jazz Festival 1999 is fast approaching. And if it's on a par with last year's inaugural event, it should be another memorable three days of jazz at the Topeka Performing Arts Center. Scheduled for Memorial Day weekend, May 29-31, the festival plans to feature, among others, Monty Alexander, Bobby Shew, John Clayton, Jeff Hamilton, Ed Bickert, Rob McConnell, Bill Watrous, Tiger Okoshi, Bob Kindred and Trudy Desmond. And as was the case in '98, there will also be a healthy contingent of Kansas City-based jazz musicians. For additional information about tickets, call either 785-234-2787 or 785-267-1315. It's Almost Festival Time Believe it or not, the summer jazz fest season is fast approaching. (As always, the June/July JAM will preview them all.) One of the first local jazz events of the summer, of course, is the Corporate Woods Jazz Festival held each June at Corporate Woods Park and now in its tenth year. Already lined up to perform June 11-13 are such area notables as Ervin Brown, Doug Talley, The New Red Onion Jazz Babies, Sons of Brasil, Dan Doran, Ida McBeth, Sharon James, Lloyd Schad, Boko Maru and the Vince Bilardo Big Band. Pick up the next JAM for the particulars, or call 780-8246 for more info. Add Two More Jazz guitarist and KC native Pat Metheny continues to make his hometown proud. On February 24, the multiple Grammy winner added two more trophies to the stash, bringing the total to 12. (In a testament to the virtues of versatility, one award even came in the "Rock Instrumental" category.) Also, if you hung in there for the entire telecast of the 41st annual event, your heart was no doubt warmed by a solid performance from Clark Terry, 78, and a genuine show-stopper by Luciano Pavorotti, 63. Leave it to the old-timers to keep things in perspective. Honoring Another Jazz Legend This seems to be the time to recognize jazz greats with monuments and sculptures. Not only has Charlie Parker been so honored, but more than 10 years after his death, trumpeter Chet Baker's memory will be kept alive by the Chet Baker Monument to be erected outside of the Prins Hendrik Hotel in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, where Baker died on May 13, 1988. The bronze sculpture plaquette will be financed by international donations sent to Swift A B N A N L 2 A, bank code 832.7.02 ABN/AMRO Epe. Acc. No. 40.00.33.461 in the name of Jazz Impuls, Nijbroek, The Netherlands (ref: Chet Baker Monument). "The name of each donor will be written in the register behind the monument," says Bob Hagen of Jazz Impuls. "So far here in Europe almost every musician who ever played with Chet Baker is eagerly connecting his name to the monument." Incidentally, word out of Hollywood is that Leonardo DiCaprio has been tapped to play Baker in an upcoming film. L.C. "Speedy" Huggins 1913-1999 On February 20, Kansas City lost another important veteran of the jazz and blues community when dancer, singer and drummer L.C. "Speedy" Huggins passed away at age 85. As a teenager, Speedy tap-danced in the nightclubs of the original 18th & Vine district and was able to call many of the jazz greats of that era his friends. (He is featured in the 1979 documentary, "The Last of the Blue Devils.") In recent years, Speedy appeared with such area all-stars as The Scamps and Milt Abel and could be seen and heard at the Grand Emporium, Harling's and Jardine's. On February 27 at Watkins Brothers Memorial Chapel and also the Grand Emporium, Speedy received tributes befitting a true legend of KC jazz and blues. R.I.P. Got News? Got Notes? Please send to: Editor/JAM, P.O. Box 36181, Kansas City, MO 64171-6181. Deadline for all submissions is the 15th of each odd numbered month. RETURN TO APRIL/MAY 1999 MAIN INDEX ------------------------------------------------------------------------ © Kansas City Jazz Ambassadors 1996-2001. All rights reserved.