Dean Hampton


Ten Years Later
This issue of JAM is very special to me. The new year we are about to celebrate is not only the end of one century and the beginning of another, but it marks the end of my first decade as a member of the Kansas City Jazz Ambassadors.

Jazz in Kansas City is quite different today than it was back in 1990. And JAM has become the most complete history of KC jazz for the era that would follow. My first copy of JAM was the February/March 1990 issue. Jay McShann was on the cover, the format was small (5.5" by 8.5"), and it was only 24 pages long. There were just 36 musicians listed in Music Mart, only 14 ads (eight of which were trade outs), and, in 1990, the number of issues printed ranged from 1,500 to 3,000.

Now, a decade later, JAM is consistently at 56 pages (sometimes 64), the cover is four-color glossy, and we are printing up to 14,000 copies.

Why mention any of this? Without the revival of KC jazz in the '90s, JAM would still be small, both in size and in page count, and it would be much harder to find.

We've come a long way in the last ten years.


MP3: A Preview
In the February/March 2000 JAM, we are planning to bring you up to speed on the brand new world of MP3 recorded music. If you consider yourself knowledgeable about MP3, I need to hear from you. If you've never heard of MP3, then now is the time to go online and learn more. MP3 is about to change the way you buy and listen to music. And, if you are a musician or composer and are not familiar with MP3, your entire career is about to change! In the next issue of JAM, we will tell you why.


Roasts & Toasts
As the century comes to an end, I'd like to share some personal thoughts about Kansas City jazz in the '90s -- things we should toast, others that should roast. These are just my opinions, and not necessarily those of other members of the KCJA.

* Special Toasts -- To the many corporate sponsors that have helped make KC jazz what it is today by putting up the bucks to make good things possible. I would like to give special mention to my own employer, Sprint (and the Sprint Foundation). Sprint's credits over the last ten years include support of the 18th & Vine Festivals as well as large amounts of funding for current 18th & Vine projects. Sprint has been there for the Kansas City International Jazz Festival the past three years, and they are the folks who bring you music at the Nelson-Atkins Museum every Friday night. Sprint has also backed a worthwhile CD/tape called The Clear Sound of Kansas City Jazz. Thank you, Sprint, for all you have done. We hope your support for KC jazz will continue with WORLDCOM when the merger is approved.

A special toast to the beverage companies Miller, Budweiser, Coca Cola and Pepsi who have stepped up to the plate and helped quench KC's thirst for jazz. Our cups runneth over with thanks!

A special toast to The Kansas City Star and Pitch Weekly. Both have been there to help many jazz organizers and presenters get the word out, and we have all benefited from their financial participation in KC jazz.

And, a special toast to radio stations KPRS-FM, KCIY-FM, KCUR-FM, KANU-FM, KCMW-FM and KKFI-FM. Each have played an important role in contributing to the success of regional jazz. Because of these stations, we jazz fans have enjoyed hours of excellent recordings as well as the benefits of hearing news of upcoming jazz events. We thank them for doing so much to preserve and promote this great art form.

* A Special Roast -- To the 18th & Vine Authority, former mayor Emanuel Cleaver's office and Count Basie Enterprises for not getting beyond their differences and problems. It was unforgivable when a 27-year Basie veteran came to town last summer, visited the American Jazz Museum and found virtually nothing about the great Count Basie band.

* More Toasts -- To Ron Schoonover, Tim Whitmer and Rich Denny. Ron has given much to the KC jazz community and I was sorry to see him leave the downtown Phoenix. But let's also toast new Phoenix owners Tim Whitmer and Rich Denny for making an investment in KC jazz. (And, thanks to all three for sponsoring the Jazz Hotline!)

* Another Roast -- To jazz club owners and operators who do not advertise in JAM, where their word would reach the 20,000 people who are most likely to visit their establishments.

* A Very Big Toast -- To Patti Wilkinson, who became our new ad rep last spring. Patti has helped to completely change the face of JAM. Without her you wouldn't have said "wow" when you saw Keith Kavanaugh's super cover this issue.

* And a Very Big Roast -- To KCMO's Mike Murphy for allowing singer Queen Bey to come on his show and whine about the KC jazz scene. It's time for another point of view, Mike.

* A Toast -- To Steve Irwin, Jo Boehr and John Jessup for deciding to present a great jazz festival every year even when they're not sure they will be able to pull it off. Last year's Kansas City International Jazz Festival was the jazz event of the year, maybe even the decade. I salute them and hope that their festival in 2000 is just as successful.

* A Roast -- To "Bird's Birthday Bash." The Charlie Parker Foundation claims to hold an annual Charlie Parker grave side birthday celebration every year, including a 21-sax salute. Two years ago, I offered to help them gather a crowd for this occasion but was told that it was their event and that they would take care of it. This year, The Star carried an article in which the event organizers complained that nobody showed up... on August 28, the day before Bird's actual birthday.

* A Toast -- To Mike Shanin for plugging the Jazz Workshop Concert Series in particular and KC jazz in general on radio (KPHN-AM 1190) and on television ("Ruckus" on KCPT-TV, Channel 19).

* A Roast -- To the KC Parks and Recreation Department for not painting over the signs that read "Secured by convict labor - Municipal Corrections Institution" that are found on the windows to the east of Club Mardi Gras. What kind of impression does this make on people visiting 18th & Vine for the first time?

Karrin Allyson

* A Toast -- To Kevin Mahogany and Karrin Allyson for doing so well on the national and international scenes, and for letting the world know that KC is still producing some fantastic jazz talent. And to singer Marilyn Maye for her recent KC engagements. Marilyn still packs the house and captivates an audience. Kansas City could use more of her special appearances around town.

* A Roast -- To the local musicians who want to receive but ignore opportunities to give. There are those who want to spread the word about new recordings on public radio, but when it comes time to pledge they have a hard time picking up the phone with even a $5 donation.

* A Toast -- To Pat Metheny for giving back to his community during the Flood of '93. The "Secret Story" benefit concert at the Midland Theater was a wonderful cause and a wonderful event. Thanks, Pat.

* And... to Mike Metheny, Keith Kavanaugh, Rod McBride and the entire KCJA Publications group, a toast for helping JAM continue to improve and grow.


And now, let's get started with that new millennium!

Dean Hampton is Director of Publications for the KC Jazz Ambassadors.
 

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