FROM KC TO DC FOR DUKE
KC's Paseo Academy Jazz Ensemble Celebrates Ellington's 100th In Nation's Capital

by Gregg Ottinger


WASHINGTON D.C. -- It is a rare treat when Kansas City musicians visit and perform in our nation's capital, and rarer still when a Kansas City jazz orchestra brings its show on the road. The Paseo Academy Jazz Ensemble, under the direction of Clarence Smith, provided that treat with a solid, swinging performance on April 29, in celebration of Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington's 100th birthday at the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of American History. Director Smith and the 18-piece Jazz Ensemble showed the crowd that the Duke's musical heritage is in capable hands in Kansas City.

Paseo Academy Jazz Ensemble

The Paseo Academy's performance was part of a week-long program to celebrate Duke Ellington's life and music. The Smithsonian, along with several other educational foundations, used the birthday of Ellington, who was born and raised in Washington, D.C., as a focal point for several workshops, lectures and concerts on America's jazz heritage. The Paseo Academy's performance was part of an interactive "distance learning" program that included live music, lectures and archival film footage in Washington, and similar offerings from students and educators in Cleveland, Ohio, who participated by satellite video conferencing.

The technology was fascinating, the film footage fun, and the remarks enlightening, but it was the music -- particularly that of the Paseo Academy Jazz Ensemble -- that highlighted the program. First, jazz violinist Lesa Terry performed the Ellington band's theme, the Billy Strayhorn classic "Take the A Train," backed up by a rhythm section of Paseo students, Harold O'Neal on piano, Harry Anderson on bass, and Justin Freeland on drums. Lesa Terry is a co-founder of the Grammy-nominated Uptown String Quartet (which appeared at the Lied Center at K.U. last year), and has performed with masters such as Max Roach, McCoy Tyner, Joe Williams and Ella Fitzgerald, played first violin with a dozen Broadway shows, and contributed to the soundtracks of Spike Lee films. She may have 70 more years to go before she can match Claude Williams, but her rendition was excellent, thanks in part to the rhythm section from Kansas City. O'Neal's piano solo was particularly swinging, and it got a great response from the crowd.

The full Paseo Academy Jazz Ensemble took the stage next, and proceeded to fill the hallowed hall with beautiful, big band bravura, offering renditions of "Perdido" and "Sophisticated Lady." The arrangements were superb, with Latin rhythms featured in "Perdido" (which was arranged by Steve Herold, a woodwind instructor at Paseo and a leader of and arranger for Kansas City's Trilogy Big Band) and the huge big band swell behind an alto sax lead by Aaron Harris on "Sophisticated Lady." The performance combined the excitement of a big band with the spontaneity and improvisation of solos usually found only in smaller ensembles. In addition to Aaron Harris and Harold O'Neal, other excellent solos were offered by Kyle Grigsby (trombone), Bobby Randolph (trumpet), and Philip Eagle (bass trombone). Not only did the Paseoans receive enthusiastic applause from the audience, but Dr. Luvenia George, the Director of the Duke Ellington Youth Project, described the band as "living up to Kansas City's name as the Jazz Capital," concluding that "Ellington would love it!" After the music, the program finished with a question and answer session, featuring a distinguished panel consisting of Ellington's relatives, jazz historians, and musicians, including the Dean of Kansas City Swing, Ahmad Alaadeen.

During their stay in Washington, the Paseo Ensemble and Mr. Smith took advantage of several other opportunities. In addition to seeing the sights, they sat in on a rehearsal of the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra, and met Director David Baker. Coincidentally, fellow Kansas Citian Kevin Mahogany was also rehearsing with the Smithsonians that day. Mr. Smith and company also visited the White House and received a personal tour of the Capitol building from Missouri's 5th District Congresswoman, Karen McCarthy.

The selection of the Paseo Academy Jazz Ensemble to participate in the Ellington festivities was appropriate. To my knowledge no one has ever suggested that Duke Ellington was directly influenced by the Kansas City jazz style that developed and flourished in the late 1920s and 1930s. To the contrary, Ellington is more noted for his beautiful compositions and sophisticated arrangements, and his use of all the colors of his orchestral palette, than for the swinging riffs and improvisational solos that are associated with the Kansas City bands. Yet, many of Ellington's band members came out of Kansas City or paid their dues with Kansas City bands. Ben Webster, one of the Duke's most important tenor soloists, was born in Kansas City and played with Bennie Moten and Andy Kirk before joining Ellington. Similarly, trumpeter Cootie Williams played with Lester Young's family band, while another trumpeter, Harold "Shorty" Baker was with Andy Kirk and Mary Lou Williams, prior to joining the Ellington orchestra. Vocalist Al Hibbler worked with Jay McShann and bassist Oscar Pettiford played in a band with Claude Williams before they became Ellington sidemen. Several of Ellington's band members had previously worked with Count Basie, including drummers Louis Bellson and Butch Ballard, and trumpeters Al Killian and Ernie Royal. The contributions that can be traced to Kansas City's musical history are still alive and evolving, thanks to Director Clarence Smith, his students, and the many other fine young musicians and educators in the Kansas City area.

Several recent Paseo Academy graduates have gone on to study music in college, and will no doubt soon be making their marks on the jazz scene, just as several did from the previous Paseo High School (where valve trombonist, pianist, and arranger Bob Brookmeyer graduated). "We are excited about our students and proud of their accomplishments," said Paseo Academy Principal Roger C. Williams, Jr. , when asked about the trip. "We hope that those in Washington, D.C. enjoyed their performances as much as we do here in Kansas City."

Rest assured, Mr. Williams, that the Paseo Academy Jazz Ensemble did a fine job of representing the community and the school, while showing Washington, D.C. that the future of jazz and American music is in strong and capable hands in Kansas City.


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