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Fairmont Brings in Best Pianist Joe Cartwright continues his Best of KC Jazz series at 7:30 p.m. on Sundays at the Fairmont Hotel, Wornall Rd. and Ward Parkway. The lineup includes: Charlie Gatschet – Oct. 3 In addition to adding Sundays to its schedule, the Fairmont has added vocalist David Basse to its nightly jazz lineup. Basse performs on Mondays and Thursdays, while Angela Hagenbach performs on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and Cartwright has Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. The performances are free. (Jazz Ambassadors with their ID will receive a free martini during the Sunday performances.) Jazz at Noon Johnson County Community College has started its Jazz at Noon series every Tuesday. The lineup includes: Joe Cartwright – Oct. 5 The 50-minute concerts take place at the Recital Hall of the Carlsen Center, JCCC, 12345 College Blvd. The concerts are free.
Burnett in Wine and Jazz Festival Chris Burnett and his quartet will perform at 8 p.m. on Friday, October 8, during the two-day 4th Annual Wine and Jazz Festival at the Elms Resort and Spa in Excelsior Springs, MO. The quartet includes Burnett on sax and woodwinds, Roger Wilder on piano, Seth Lee on bass, and Donivan Bailey on percussion. Burnett began his performing career in the U. S. military jazz bands. He returned home to the Kansas City area in 2001. He has performed thousands of engagements worldwide and even appeared on Italian television while a member of the special NATO Band based at Naples, Italy. The Chris Burnett Quartet debuted at the 2002 Roots Festival held at Paola, KS, and was the opening act for trumpet legend Maynard Ferguson during his recent concert here. Burnett has one commercially released CD on the market, and the group is currently preparing music for a new CD. The 4th Annual Wine and Jazz Festival features numerous vintners and wines from around the country along with jazz music. For hotel reservations and further information about the event, please call the Elms Resort & Spa at 816-630-5500 or 1-800-THE-ELMS, or contact online at www.elmsresort.com. Marilyn Maye Does It Again! The incomparable vocalist Marilyn Maye will be performing again in an extended engagement at Jardine's, 4536 Main St., from October 3–8, 10–13, 15, and 17–20. Her pianist Billy Stritch does a solo performance October 14. Also appearing with Maye are Hal Melia on the saxophone and flute; Jim Eklof, her drummer for 30 years and Gerald Spaits, bassist. The show's theme is “Something Cool” and will feature a collection of great American jazz standards, many of her signature songs and RCA recordings including: “Cabaret”, “If My Friends Could See Me Now”, “Misty”, “Step to the Rear and Let a Winner Lead the Way”, and “Take Five”. Last April, Maye's appearance at Jardine's sold out in advance. Admission is $20 per show (two shows nightly). Reservations must be made by calling Jardine's at 816-561-6480. Trumpeter Haji Hosts Jazz Poetry Sessions World-class jazz trumpeter Haji Ahkva will host a weekly jazz poetry session at Super Nova, 39th & Central, each Thursday evening at 7 p.m., October 7–December 23. Haji has performed with the Sun Ra Arkestra, Lou Donaldson, James Brown, Eddie “Cleanhead” Vincent, Dizzie Gillespie, Red Holloway, and more. His most recent tour was with Van Morrison. Having lived in Europe, the Milwaukee native returned home in 1997 to attend to his ailing mother. He only recently hit the local scene when he came to live with relatives here. For more information on the poetry sessions, call 816-531-5487.
“We Always Swing”Jazz Series Celebrates 10 Years The “We Always Swing” Jazz Series in Columbia, MO, is celebrating its 10th anniversary with an impressive lineup this year. The lineup includes: The Blue Note Set Sundays @ Murry's Set Rene Marie – Oct. 10 Nachito Herrera Quintet – Feb. 5 The concerts are held at either the Blue Note, 17 N. 9th St., or at Murry's, 3107 Green Meadows Way. Tickets can be purchased separately or in sets. For more information, call the jazz series box office at 573-449-3001 or visit www.wealwaysswing.org. Bud Shank at KC Jazz Workshop
Shank first began performing in the Charlie Barnet and Stan Kenton orchestras in the 1940s before settling in with Howard Rumsey's Lighthouse All Stars. In the 1960s, he became a charter member of the “West Coast” jazz movement taking on a “cool” approach to jazz, but still swinging. During this time he recorded 50 albums and eventually formed the LA Four. Tickets are $25 ($20 for Jazz Ambassadors). For more information, call 816-587-1894.
Berman Jazz Series The Berman Jazz Series at the Topeka Performing Arts Center, 214 SE 8th St., features some of the top Kansas City jazz musicians. They include: Doug Talley Quartet – Oct. 24 Series tickets are $75 for the series or $20 per show and can be purchased by calling TicketMaster at 816-931-3330. Jazz Ambassadors Host First Friday Event The Jazz Ambassadors will host a membership drive at Arts Incubator, 113 W. 18th St., on Friday, November 3, during the popular art outing First Fridays at the Crossroads. Live jazz and appetizers will be available at the event. The first 10 new members to join will receive the CD “Out of the Comfort Zone” by Gerald Dunn and the Jazz Disciples. For more information, call 913-967-6767. KC Jazz Orchestra Gives Basie Tribute The Kansas City Jazz Orchestra performs "In the Spirit of Count Basie" on Friday, November 12, 7:30 p.m., at Unity Temple on the Plaza. Special guests include Count Basie Orchestra alumni trumpeter Clark Terry and drummer Harold Jones. Vocalist Lisa Henry will also join the orchestra. Tickets are $22 or $27 through the Central Ticket Office at 816-235-6222, or for $20 and $25 at Barnes and Noble on the Plaza and the Good Book Store at Unity. Kats on Keys at Jardine's The Jazz Ambassadors will present their second Kats on Keys on Sunday, November 14, 7:30 p.m., at Jardine's, 4536 Main St. The event will feature pianists Roger Wilder, Bram Wijnands, and TBA. For more information, call 913-967-6767.
Vocalist Karrin Allyson will perform for three nights, November 15-17, at Jardine's, 4536 Main St. (See interview in this issue.) Having recently released her newest CD, Wild For You, Allyson has been on a heavy touring schedule performing throughout the world. She returns home, however, to perform with pianist Paul Smith, guitarist Danny Embrey, guitarist Rod Fleeman, bassist Bob Bowman, and percussionist Todd Strait. Admission is $20. Reservations can be made by calling 816-561-6480.
Saxophonist Pietro in Lawrence Dave Pietro's Banda Brazil will perform in the Jazz at the Arts Center Series on Thursday, November 18, 7:30 p.m., at the Lawrence Arts Center, 940 New Hampshire in Lawrence. Pietro has long been the lead saxophonist in the Toshiko Akioshi Big Band, but has recently branched out into new projects. This concert will feature Pietro with four jazz musicians from Brazil, giving it a sensual Brazilian/jazz cocktail flavor. Tickets are $30 and can be purchased by calling 785-843-ARTS or accessing www.lawrenceartscenter.com. Joanne Brackeen at KC Workshop Innovative pianist Joanne Brackeen will perform in the Kansas City Jazz Workshop concert on Monday, November 22, at 7 .pm., in the 12th Street Rag Room at the Downtown Marriot Hotel, 12th & Central. Throughout her career, JoAnne has operated in a male-dominated field, breaking through the glass ceiling and becoming an icon for women in jazz. After gaining distinction as the first and only female member of Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers (1969–1972), Brackeen went on to perform extensively with Joe Henderson (1972–1975) and Stan Getz (1975–1977). Brackeen's innovative style and compositions enabled her to go solo, receiving all kinds of awards, honors, and offers. Tickets are $25 ($20 for Jazz Ambassadors) and can be purchased by calling 816-587-1894.
After 25 years on the air, Jeff Charney is saying goodbye to jazz programming. The Sunday Morning Jazz Brunch on KPRS (103.3 FM) has been replaced with gospel and regular formatting. Charney spent 14 years spinning jazz on KPRT-AM, and 10 years playing smooth jazz on its sister FM station, KPRS. (He was a jazz DJ for two years in Columbia prior to his Kansas City stint.) Charney said he wanted to express a heartfelt “thanks for the support of the Kansas City audience.” “I'll miss doing the show,” he said. According to a statement put out by KPRS, the change was due to the “ever evolving and changing radio landscape.” Charney will remain production manager for the station. Smooth jazz listeners can continue to find jazz on Saturday nights on KUDL (98.9 FM) and Sunday afternoons on KMJK (107.3 FM). Dixieland Jazz On Air A new jazz radio show has hit the airwaves. Dick Hawk's Jazz is an hour radio show that features Dixieland jazz from the 1910s up to the present. The show airs on KXTR (1660 AM) every Friday evening at 8 pm. The host, Dick Hawk, is owner of the Country Club Hotel & Spa at the Lake of the Ozarks and has an office in Overland Park, KS. Phoenix Changes Hands Pianist Tim Whitmer has retired his position as part owner and manager of The Phoenix, 8th & Central. Jalene Lambert will take over his position. Whitmer says he is happy with the transaction. “It has been a once in a lifetime dance to have been a club owner at a premier jazz club for over 5-1/2 years,” he says. “I feel that I am leaving the Phoenix on solid ground to be part of the exciting and dynamic revitalization of downtown KC.” “As for me, I'm going to go hug my bride and get back to practicing the piano. Maybe I will get to play Carnegie Hall again!” Whitmer will continue to perform at the Phoenix and consult with Lambert on booking the room. He is currently busy working on his first Christmas CD set for release in November. Got News? Got Notes? Please send to: Editor/JAM, P.O. Box 36181, Kansas City, MO 64171-6181. Deadline for all submissions is the 15th of each odd numbered month. RETURN TO OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2004 MAIN INDEX © Kansas City Jazz Ambassadors 1996-2004. All rights reserved. |
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Renowned saxophonist Bud Shank will perform at the Kansas City Jazz Workshop concert on Monday, October 11, at 7 p.m., at the 12th Street Rag Room at the Downtown Marriott Hotel, 12th & Central. He will be performing with bassist David Friesen. 
Karrin Allyson at Jardine's
Jazz Brunch Off Air