JAM: October/November 2000 Issue: First Take

Mike Metheny
JAM Editor

The KCJA Mission
In Mike Fitzgerald's "President's Corner," and also Dean Hampton's "Hot Licks," there is some long overdue horn tooting regarding the KC Jazz Ambassadors' credo to help "develop and promote Kansas City jazz." For several years the KCJA has been quietly reinvesting monies made from such high profile events as the Jazz Lover's Pub Crawl and the KC Blues & Jazz Festival by awarding donations to various jazz-related causes and entities. In this issue of JAM the Jazz Ambassadors are not only listing the recipients of their annual September donations, but, after firing up the calculator and hitting the "=" key, the KCJA is going on record with some significant grand totals.

Look for these numbers to grow in the new century as the Jazz Ambassadors continue to do their part to keep jazz alive in Kansas City. And special thanks to each and every KC jazz fan who has helped the KCJA realize its goals.

Domino Effect
No sooner had classical FM radio station KXTR been knocked unconscious and dragged over to the AM side of the dial (love the new reception!) than 20-plus years of evening jazz programming on KCUR-FM came to an abrupt end. As of September 7, "Take Five," KCUR's long-running weeknight jazz show was snuffed in favor of classical music piped in from some place in Minnesota, all in an apparent move to fill KC's new classical radio void. Even the nationally broadcast shows of Marian McPartland ("Piano Jazz"), Ed Bradley ("Jazz From Lincoln Center"), Branford Marsalis ("Jazz Set") and Nancy Wilson ("Jazz Profiles") are now gone. Of course, these matters are all about money, not musical priorities, and of the many sad aspects of this regrettable decision, one is the loss of worldclass jazz broadcaster, Mike Pettengell. They don't come much better than Dr. Mike. You can read his thoughts about this curve in the road in "News & Notes," and longtime KCUR listener-supporter Dr. John Leisenring goes on record with his views in "Correspondence."

Also In This Issue...
It's exciting to think that anyone born in 1999 -- as our photogenic cover model was -- automatically has a century's worth of great jazz at their fingertips. As young Aubrey will tell you (someday, when she's old enough to say "Satchmo"), the history of jazz is a growing rainbow of worthy icons.

In keeping with our annual October-November jazz education theme, the words and deeds of several notable teachers and students are featured in this issue. Based on what each have to say (and play), it would appear that America's music is safe and secure in the eager hands of a new generation of jazz exponents.

Also, because this is an election year, it seemed timely to offer some thoughts on the outgoing Saxophonist-in-Chief, a genuine jazzer if ever there was one. The last eight years will not be soon forgotten.

And rounding things out you will find more news, views and reviews than you can shake a stogie at, all from the potent, never-flaccid world of jazz.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
"Those who declare that Shakespeare and Beethoven should be permitted to die a natural death if they can't compete against Jackie Collins and Kenny G must be prepared to live in the world that results." -- Kansas City Star classical music writer Paul Horsley, commenting on the decision to remove longtime classical radio station KXTR from the FM side of the dial.

RETURN TO OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2000 MAIN INDEX

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






	Search our site:		Mike Metheny JAM Editor The KCJA Mission In Mike Fitzgerald's "President's Corner," and also Dean Hampton's "Hot Licks," there is some long overdue horn tooting regarding the KC Jazz Ambassadors' credo to help "develop and promote Kansas City jazz." For several years the KCJA has been quietly reinvesting monies made from such high profile events as the Jazz Lover's Pub Crawl and the KC Blues & Jazz Festival by awarding donations to various jazz-related causes and entities. In this issue of JAM the Jazz Ambassadors are not only listing the recipients of their annual September donations, but, after firing up the calculator and hitting the "=" key, the KCJA is going on record with some significant grand totals. Look for these numbers to grow in the new century as the Jazz Ambassadors continue to do their part to keep jazz alive in Kansas City. And special thanks to each and every KC jazz fan who has helped the KCJA realize its goals. Domino Effect No sooner had classical FM radio station KXTR been knocked unconscious and dragged over to the AM side of the dial (love the new reception!) than 20-plus years of evening jazz programming on KCUR-FM came to an abrupt end. As of September 7, "Take Five," KCUR's long-running weeknight jazz show was snuffed in favor of classical music piped in from some place in Minnesota, all in an apparent move to fill KC's new classical radio void. Even the nationally broadcast shows of Marian McPartland ("Piano Jazz"), Ed Bradley ("Jazz From Lincoln Center"), Branford Marsalis ("Jazz Set") and Nancy Wilson ("Jazz Profiles") are now gone. Of course, these matters are all about money, not musical priorities, and of the many sad aspects of this regrettable decision, one is the loss of worldclass jazz broadcaster, Mike Pettengell. They don't come much better than Dr. Mike. You can read his thoughts about this curve in the road in "News & Notes," and longtime KCUR listener-supporter Dr. John Leisenring goes on record with his views in "Correspondence." Also In This Issue... It's exciting to think that anyone born in 1999 -- as our photogenic cover model was -- automatically has a century's worth of great jazz at their fingertips. As young Aubrey will tell you (someday, when she's old enough to say "Satchmo"), the history of jazz is a growing rainbow of worthy icons. In keeping with our annual October-November jazz education theme, the words and deeds of several notable teachers and students are featured in this issue. Based on what each have to say (and play), it would appear that America's music is safe and secure in the eager hands of a new generation of jazz exponents. Also, because this is an election year, it seemed timely to offer some thoughts on the outgoing Saxophonist-in-Chief, a genuine jazzer if ever there was one. The last eight years will not be soon forgotten. And rounding things out you will find more news, views and reviews than you can shake a stogie at, all from the potent, never-flaccid world of jazz. THOUGHT FOR THE DAY "Those who declare that Shakespeare and Beethoven should be permitted to die a natural death if they can't compete against Jackie Collins and Kenny G must be prepared to live in the world that results." -- Kansas City Star classical music writer Paul Horsley, commenting on the decision to remove longtime classical radio station KXTR from the FM side of the dial. RETURN TO OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2000 MAIN INDEX © Kansas City Jazz Ambassadors 1996-2001. All rights reserved.