JAM: December/January 2001 Issue: First Take

by Mike Metheny
JAM Editor

Renaissance Man,
and Friend of Jazz
Leno and Letterman may rule the late-night airwaves now, and the classy, jazz-savvy (and greatly missed) Johnny Carson may be happy in J.D. Salinger-like retirement, but before each there was Steve Allen, who died on October 30 at 78. Allen was the father of the "Tonight Show," a genuine renaissance man with a lightning-quick wit, and a high profile friend of jazz. Here's what Dr. Billy Taylor had to say about early talk TV in a JAM interview last spring.

"Of the people who were the hosts of those shows, Steve was the hippest and featured the most jazz artists. He had Erroll Garner, Art Tatum... You name 'em, they were on his show. Sarah, Ella, everybody. Instrumentalists, in particular, got a chance to do things. Buddy DeFranco, Chet Baker..."

Steve Allen also wrote numerous books and songs ("This Could Be the Start of Something Big" was his theme), appeared in films (including "The Benny Goodman Story" in 1956), and recorded 40 albums as an accomplished jazz pianist. But above all, he set a standard of humor and eclectic intelligence that is sadly absent from many of today's screechy, brain-dead talk shows. KC-based jazz drummer Todd Strait backed Allen at one of his last appearances on September 28 in Lawrence.

"I'd done one other Steve Allen show, around '93 or '94, and he was unbelievably nice to me then. But what really stands out in my mind about September 28 is how he played piano. He played beautifully, segued into whatever he felt like playing, and seemed so relaxed, at times almost introspective. I think he could have played for hours.

"Although he seemed a bit tired physically that night, his wit was sharp as a pin and he didn't miss a beat. He made a huge hall feel like a family hang in his own living room.

"I am not that familiar with his career in TV, but having had the chance to work with him and spend a minute with him, I can say that he was a consummate professional and a wonderful piano player. But mostly, he was a genuinely kind and sincere human being."

In This Issue...
The dictionary defines "Odyssey" as "any extended journey."

And even though the journey that has been Kansas City jazz is nothing like what "Dave" endured to get to the final frames of Kubrick's 1968 masterpiece, it has been, and continues to be an odyssey unto itself.

Remember little Aubrey's jazz-studded "rainbow" on the cover of the last issue? Post-publication, there were several good suggestions of notables we could have/should have listed, like "Herbie," "Brownie," and yes, "Hootie," better known as the great Jay McShann. Jay's jazz odyssey now spans two different millennia, and an update on his recent activities can be found here. Last issue's lapse is now this issue's homage.

Another major exponent of the Kansas City jazz tradition is the acclaimed valve trombonist, composer and arranger Bob Brookmeyer. Although Bob moved on years ago, his KC roots have served him well in a remarkable career now spanning five decades. If you're familiar with Bob's web site, you know of his frank (and always refreshing) opinions about a wide range of things. His "Q&A" with us was everything we hoped it would be, and then some.

Also included this time are profiles of piano prodigy Eldar Djangirov, saxophonist Gerald Dunn, singer Geneva Price, another former Kansas Citian Chuck Lamb, the Phoenix Piano Bar & Grill, and much, much more.

So, strap yourself in, boot up your Hal 9000 (www.jazzkc.org next time you're surfing), and enjoy the trip. Thanks to people like Jay McShann, Bob Brookmeyer and so many others, the history of KC jazz is still a worthy monolith as the year 2001 arrives.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
"Ten years from now, THESE will be The Good Old Days." -- Saxophonist and UMKC professor Bobby Watson, at UMKC's "Jazz Age in Paris/American Musicians in Europe" panel discussion, July 27, 2000.

RETURN TO DECEMBER/JANUARY 2001 MAIN INDEX

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






	Search our site:		by Mike Metheny JAM Editor Renaissance Man, and Friend of Jazz Leno and Letterman may rule the late-night airwaves now, and the classy, jazz-savvy (and greatly missed) Johnny Carson may be happy in J.D. Salinger-like retirement, but before each there was Steve Allen, who died on October 30 at 78. Allen was the father of the "Tonight Show," a genuine renaissance man with a lightning-quick wit, and a high profile friend of jazz. Here's what Dr. Billy Taylor had to say about early talk TV in a JAM interview last spring. "Of the people who were the hosts of those shows, Steve was the hippest and featured the most jazz artists. He had Erroll Garner, Art Tatum... You name 'em, they were on his show. Sarah, Ella, everybody. Instrumentalists, in particular, got a chance to do things. Buddy DeFranco, Chet Baker..." Steve Allen also wrote numerous books and songs ("This Could Be the Start of Something Big" was his theme), appeared in films (including "The Benny Goodman Story" in 1956), and recorded 40 albums as an accomplished jazz pianist. But above all, he set a standard of humor and eclectic intelligence that is sadly absent from many of today's screechy, brain-dead talk shows. KC-based jazz drummer Todd Strait backed Allen at one of his last appearances on September 28 in Lawrence. "I'd done one other Steve Allen show, around '93 or '94, and he was unbelievably nice to me then. But what really stands out in my mind about September 28 is how he played piano. He played beautifully, segued into whatever he felt like playing, and seemed so relaxed, at times almost introspective. I think he could have played for hours. "Although he seemed a bit tired physically that night, his wit was sharp as a pin and he didn't miss a beat. He made a huge hall feel like a family hang in his own living room. "I am not that familiar with his career in TV, but having had the chance to work with him and spend a minute with him, I can say that he was a consummate professional and a wonderful piano player. But mostly, he was a genuinely kind and sincere human being." In This Issue... The dictionary defines "Odyssey" as "any extended journey." And even though the journey that has been Kansas City jazz is nothing like what "Dave" endured to get to the final frames of Kubrick's 1968 masterpiece, it has been, and continues to be an odyssey unto itself. Remember little Aubrey's jazz-studded "rainbow" on the cover of the last issue? Post-publication, there were several good suggestions of notables we could have/should have listed, like "Herbie," "Brownie," and yes, "Hootie," better known as the great Jay McShann. Jay's jazz odyssey now spans two different millennia, and an update on his recent activities can be found here. Last issue's lapse is now this issue's homage. Another major exponent of the Kansas City jazz tradition is the acclaimed valve trombonist, composer and arranger Bob Brookmeyer. Although Bob moved on years ago, his KC roots have served him well in a remarkable career now spanning five decades. If you're familiar with Bob's web site, you know of his frank (and always refreshing) opinions about a wide range of things. His "Q&A" with us was everything we hoped it would be, and then some. Also included this time are profiles of piano prodigy Eldar Djangirov, saxophonist Gerald Dunn, singer Geneva Price, another former Kansas Citian Chuck Lamb, the Phoenix Piano Bar & Grill, and much, much more. So, strap yourself in, boot up your Hal 9000 (www.jazzkc.org next time you're surfing), and enjoy the trip. Thanks to people like Jay McShann, Bob Brookmeyer and so many others, the history of KC jazz is still a worthy monolith as the year 2001 arrives. THOUGHT FOR THE DAY "Ten years from now, THESE will be The Good Old Days." -- Saxophonist and UMKC professor Bobby Watson, at UMKC's "Jazz Age in Paris/American Musicians in Europe" panel discussion, July 27, 2000. RETURN TO DECEMBER/JANUARY 2001 MAIN INDEX © Kansas City Jazz Ambassadors 1996-2001. All rights reserved.