Doug Tatum


Another Great Jazz Master Is Gone
As many of you already know, the historic Folly Theater turned 100 years old on September 23rd. Because the entire history of jazz is encompassed within the time that the Folly Theater itself has existed, it was only natural for me to program the Folly Jazz Series in a manner that would highlight the evolution of the music during our Centennial season.

Thus, to represent the period of jazz coming after bebop, I had booked the great Stanley Turrentine to appear next February in a concert billed as "The Post-bop Groove." For me, it was pretty much a no-brainer to select Stanley Turrentine for this concert. I think that he was absolutely the best artist alive to fill this slot. Well, as many of you already are aware, Stanley died recently following a stroke. The account that I heard of his death advised that he was stricken shortly after a last performance at the Blue Note in New York.

With Stanley's death, yet another great jazz master is gone. This is, of course, a tremendous loss for the jazz community, and the immediate challenge for me is to fill the now empty slot in the Folly's jazz series. In facing this situation, I am struck by the magnitude of this void, and I don't mean just as it relates to the Folly's series. I'm confident that I will be able to book another artist for the February concert. Despite this, however, the truth is that Stanley Turrentine is simply irreplaceable, just as each and every musician possessing a unique voice in jazz is irreplaceable. So, I offer a gentle reminder that no one lives forever; we should all strive to get out and hear the remaining jazz masters at every opportunity.

Jay McShann

Looking Ahead
After having covered ragtime and early jazz with pianist Butch Thompson at a lively opening concert, the Folly's Centennial season will continue on October 14 with "The Roaring Twenties & the Hot Jazz Sound of Chicago" featuring Vince Giordano and the Nighthawks Orchestra. Giordano's New York-based Nighthawks Orchestra recreates the authentic sound of the earliest "big band" arrangements in jazz. When not performing, Giordano works for BMG Records in New York where he is a researcher in the musical archives of the former RCA Victor label. Vince has dedicated himself to preserving and presenting the hot music of fabled bands such as the California Ramblers, the Missourians, McKinney's Cotton Pickers, Bix Beiderbecke with the Wolverines, and Frankie Trumbauer with the Paul Whiteman Orchestra.

Because the 78 rpm records from this period were of such low fidelity, most people can't quite comprehend the true sound of this music when listening to the primitive recordings of the past. To hear the Nighthawks perform, however, it really is quite a revelation to experience the original live sound of this fun music from the past. About his concerts, Vince comments, "After every performance people tell me how amazed they are at how lively and exciting this music is." In describing the Nighthawks, the Village Voice stated, "They're hot. Torrid, even… a mix of wig-flipping stomps and grinding slow drags."

On Saturday, November 4, we will move on to "The Swing Era-Kansas City Style!" with Jay McShann. Jay is, of course, a veteran Kansas City jazz legend. Jay left his native Oklahoma and arrived in Kansas City in 1937 after touring the Southwest with a variety of bands. In 1938, he led his own small band and soon was able to expand his group to a big band. In 1941 Jay recorded "Confessin' the Blues" with singer Walter Brown, which became a national hit. Jay's band was booked on a national tour following this success. They made an appearance with a young Charlie Parker as featured soloist in a battle of the bands at New York's Savoy Ballroom, which caused quite a stir. Throughout the ensuing years Jay remained active, adding singing to his talents in the early 1950s. Today, Jay is recognized worldwide as being one of the finest jazz/blues stylists of all time. He truly is an international jazz icon.

"JazzTalk" pre-concert discussions take place at 7:00 p.m. prior to each concert. For more information about the Centennial season Folly Jazz Series, please call the Folly Theater during regular business hours at 816-474-4444.

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Doug Tatum is the Executive Director of the Folly Theater.


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