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 Honoring a Legend The words "great" and "legend" tend to get tossed around pretty freely these days. But pianist/vocalist/bandleader Jay McShann is more than worthy of both. Since arriving in Kansas City in the 1930s, Jay has maintained his standing as not only a vital figure in the history of KC jazz and blues, but as an icon in the long chronology of America's music. On October 30, media, dignitaries, musicians and fans came together at the American Jazz Museum for the dedication of the "Jay McShann Pavilion," an outdoor performance venue that, according to the museum's Executive Director, Dr. Rowena Stewart, "will allow the American Jazz Museum to provide more programming to the community while recognizing one of the greatest local musicians of all time." On hand for the dedication were U.S. Senator Christopher Bond, former and current KC mayors Emanuel Cleaver and Kay Barnes, the Paseo Academy Jazz Band, and a glowing Jay McShann himself. For more about this momentous occasion, as well as a review of Mr. McShann's special Folly Theater concert on November 4, see John Leisenring's special profile. A Must See "Kansas City: Paris of the Plains, 1920-1940" is the latest jazz-related exhibit at UMKC's Miller Nichols Library. ("The Jazz Age in Paris: 1914-1940" was last summer's popular attraction.) Its current run (since opening on October 26) was originally scheduled to conclude on December 15, but due to continuing interest and traffic, the exhibit will remain on display through May 2001. "(This exhibit) chronicles life in Kansas City during the Jazz Age," says library spokesperson Marilyn Carbonell. "(It was) a time when the city was one of the most dynamic arts centers in America... (and) a mecca for artists and musicians, writers and inventors, grifters and tycoons. Kansas City and the City of Lights, though worlds apart geographically, shared a creative vitality that made them Jazz Age icons." In addition to its temporary home on the library's second floor, "Kansas City: Paris of the Plains, 1920-1940" is also available online. The web exhibit, designed by Robert Ray, Special Collections librarian, is linked to the UMKC Libraries' site at www.umkc.edu/lib/mnl/ and features audio selections from the Marr Sound Archives. Like to know more? Call 816-235-1580 or email CarbonellM@umkc.edu. This exhibit is a must see. Discovering KC Jazz On November 7 at the Mutual Musicians Foundation, not only was there another (#4) in the panel-performance-jam series called "Tradin' Fours," but the Discovery Channel was on hand to interview participating musicians and document the event. "We are doing a documentary series called 'Ties That Bind' for our new cable station, Discovery Civilization," said San Francisco-based producer Lydia Rheinfrank. "We wanted to come to Kansas City, interview its jazz musicians, and gain a general sense of what makes the Kansas City jazz community tick." Discovery Civilization is scheduled to launch in January. The timing of the filming couldn't have been better. The evening had already been planned as a special "Tradin' Fours" event to honor Ahmad Alaadeen (a recipient of the 2000 Governor's Humanities Award), followed by a panel discussion with drummer Terry Hughes, trumpeter Elmer Price, and saxophonists Ben Kynard and Eddie Saunders. Then, vintage jazz took over the spotlight as the Foundation filled with the sounds of a classic KC jam (featuring Kynard, Saunders, Hughes and Price), a set by Alaadeen's Group 21 (with bassist Tyrone Clark, pianist Chris Clarke and drummer Mike Warren), and still more jamming as the night went along (saxophonist Logan Richardson and trombonist Philip Eagle were standouts). The folks at the Discovery Channel picked a good time to be in KC. Their cameras captured still more MMF history. In Honor of Frank Of the many ways Kansas City honors those who keep KC jazz alive, one is the Frank Smith Spirit of Kansas City Jazz Awards, now in its second year. At a combined ceremony last year (see "News & Notes," JAM, December '99/January '00), 29 individuals were inducted into the Elder Statesmen of Kansas City Jazz, with 24 more receiving the first annual Spirit Awards made possible by the Elder Statesmen. On November 22, the tradition continued when 39 more awardees were honored at the American Jazz Museum, including posthumous recognition for Ed Billings, Fiermon Prymus and Willie Rice. "The Frank Smith Spirit of Kansas City Jazz Awards recognize Elder Statesmen, senior musicians and individuals who support the local music community in a fashion too noteworthy to ignore, "said Sam Johnson, Jr., president of the Elder Statesmen of Kansas City Jazz. "This award makes it possible to honor them for their continuous contributions to a musical style known and loved around the world."
On November 26, at the Village Presbyterian Church in Prairie Village, an all-star gathering of Kansas City jazz musicians came together in support of KC jazz favorite Pete Eye. Illness has incurred some mounting medical bills for the veteran pianist, and the jam -- featuring more than 30 musicians -- was intended to help out. (And also raise the spirits of one of the jazz community's most beloved members.) Donations are still being accepted. Send checks (payable to "Pete Eye Benefit Fund") to: Pete Eye Benefit Fund, c/o Mission Bank, 5201 Johnson Drive, Mission, KS 66205. And we're sure Pete would appreciate cards and letters of support as well. Those can be sent to: Pete Eye, 12817 W 77th Street, Lenexa, KS 66216. You Can Make It! If you're flipping through this issue of JAM either the first or second day of publication, you still have time to get over to the Carlsen Center at Johnson County Community College for "A Victorian Christmas" with the Paragon Ragtime Orchestra, Friday-Saturday, December 1-2. Led by maestro Rick Benjamin, this 13-member Julliard-trained ensemble has a fine rep as a group capable of bringing intelligence and a sense of humor to the preservation of America's ragtime tradition. On December 1st and 2nd, they will offer everything from 1921's "Parade of the Tin Soldiers" to 1987's "The Christmas Rag," and with many other stops in between. Things get underway both nights in the Carlsen Center's Yardley Hall at 8:00 p.m. Call the Carlsen Center Box Office at 913-469-4445 for tickets and additional information. Young Blood On Saturday, December 2, the Wichita Jazz Festival and the Wichita Blues Society will come together at Wichita's Orpheum Theater to present "Jazz & Blues at the Orpheum" featuring several fine young performers who are poised to take jazz and blues into the new century. Among the jazz headliners will be pianist Eldar Djangirov (13) and saxophonist Ben Kincaid (also 13) who met last summer at Interlochen. On the blues side of the bill will be an all-star aggregation of equally promising talent including guitarists/vocalists Matt Walsh (22) and Jessie Thompson (17), organist Dustin Lentz (20), and harpist Dustin Arbuckle (21). This all-ages show starts at 7:00 p.m. and is expected to draw a multi-generational crowd. Like to know more? There are four different numbers you can call: 316-773-4333 (Jazz Festival), 316-945-2583 (Blues Society), 316-681-0232 (Yesterday's Discs), or 316-263-0884 (Orpheum Theater). A Holiday Tradition The fifth annual "Jazz Carol Fest" at the Community Christian Church is all set to go for Sunday, December 3. And as always, a representative cross-section of high profile KC jazz artists will be on hand to jazz up the holiday season. The lineup this year includes Diane "Mama" Ray, Millie Edwards, Sharon Thompson and Dave Stephens (vocals), Everette DeVan, Wayne Hawkins, Tim Whitmer, Bram Wijnands and Eldar Djangirov (keyboards), Rod Fleeman (guitar), James Albright (bass), Jurgen Welge (drums), Kim Park and Jim Mair (saxophone), Pat Morrissey and Stan Kessler (trumpet), Michael O'Shiver (harp), and the Scamps (Lucky Wesley, Art Jackson, Allen Monroe and Rusty Tucker). Showtime is 5:00 p.m., the church is located at 4601 Main just north of the Plaza, 816-561-6531 is the number to call for tickets and additional information.
On Saturday, December 9, Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau will present trumpet/flugelhorn master Clark Terry with an honorary doctorate (his 11th). The timing is good; the ceremony will take place just five days before Dr. Terry celebrates his 80th birthday, and word is that Down Beat plans to run an expansive article about this jazz giant in its December issue. If you're in the neighborhood on the 9th, things get underway at 2:00 p.m. And on Sunday, December 10 (location and time TBA) there will be a special "Jazz Brunch" featuring Terry and the Southeast Missouri State Studio Jazz Ensemble. Like to know more? Contact Barry Bernhardt, Director of University Bands, at 573-651-2334. A Good Foundation for History The fall-winter series of jazz/blues history classes at the Mutual Musicians Foundation got off to a good start on October 28 with a stimulating presentation by Pittsburgh State University jazz studies prof, Robert Kehle ("very educational and entertaining," said one satisfied attendee). Even jazz vet/vocalist Myra Taylor was on hand to offer lively eyewitness accounts. The series continues on Saturday, December 16 at 7:00 p.m. when the topic of discussion will be "Bebop & Cool Jazz." Plan on plenty of talk about Bird, Monk and Miles; and there's no charge, although donations will be accepted. The Mutual Musicians Foundation is located in the 18th & Vine Historic District at 1823 Highland. Call either 816-471-5212 or 816-247-2316 for additional information. The KCJW Hits Its Stride Riding a wave of favorable reports about increased attendance this season, the Kansas City Jazz Workshop for 2000-2001 reaches its midway point on Monday, January 15 when pianist Derek Smith comes to town. A native of England, Smith has worked with Benny Goodman, John Dankworth and Cleo Laine, and the (New York/Doc Severinsen) Tonight Show band, has appeared on countless recordings with such music world giants as Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme, Dizzy Gillespie, and Buddy DeFranco, and has even recorded movie soundtracks for Woody Allen ("Hannah and Her Sisters") and Martin Scorsese ("The Age of Innocence"). And that's not to mention performances with everyone from Frank Sinatra and Luciano Pavorotti to Placido Domingo and Robert Palmer.
Incidentally, the rest of the KCJW season looks like this. Call 816-436-0318 or 816-737-3627 for info about remaining concerts.
Jammin' At the Gem:
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