KCJA Concert Series Continues
The Jazz Ambassadors 2005-2006 concert series continues on Monday, February 27, with the Harry Pickens Trio. Pianist Pickens will be joined by Gerald Spaits on bass and Tommy Ruskin on drums. On March 27, tenor saxophonist Steve Wilkerson and vocalist Andrea Baker will perform with Joe Cartwright on piano and Spaits and Ruskin. The concerts are held at the 12th Street Rag Room in the Downtown Marriott and start at 7 pm. Tickets may be purchased at the door. Remember that KCJA members receive a $5 discount.
“Ladies Sing the Blues”
Moves to May
The Jazz Ambassadors' annual “Ladies Sing the Blues” show, originally scheduled for February, has been rescheduled for May 11. The event will still be held at Johnny Cascone's in Overland Park . More details will be available in the next issue.
Phoenix Celebrates Its “Sweet 16” Birthday
It was in March, 1990 that the Phoenix Piano Bar & Grill at 8th & Central first opened its doors to jazz. So, they're going to have a “Sweet 16 Birthday Party”. It will go on all weekend on Saturday, March 4 and Sunday, March 5. Birthday cake will be served both days while the music is playing.
Tim Whitmer and the KC Express will kick off the festivities at 5 on Friday followed by Dan Doran at 9. Saturday, the Scamps will play from 4 until 8 and then The KC Express comes back on at 9. Any musicians who have appeared at the Phoenix over those sixteen years are invited, and welcome, to fall by and sit in with any of the groups.
By the way, the Phoenix is now open on Mondays. Check the schedule .
Jazz at KU
The Turtle Island String Quartet will be playing the music of John Coltrane at the Lied Center at the University of Kansas in Lawrence on February 10. Concert time is 7:30 pm . This will be a swinging night of chamber jazz. Ticket information is available by calling 785-864-2787.
Swope Parkway Health Center “Jazz Outreach”
Jazz Outreach 2006 will be held on Sunday, March 12th, from 4 pm to 9 pm at the Beaumont Club, 4050 Pennsylvania Avenue in Westport . The event features more than 50 top performers, including Everette DeVan, Millie Edwards, Cotton Candy, Diane Ray, Horace Washington, Angela Hagenbach, Tim Whitmer, The Scamps, Kent Means, The Wild Women, just to name a few. VIP tickets are $60 and include a Bar-B-Q buffet, two free drinks, compliments of the Beaumont club, and preferred seating. General Admission tickets are $25 and include 2 free drinks and great food will be available for purchase. Call 816-922-7606 for tickets.
UMKC Jazz Festival to Feature Baritone Saxophonist and Tuba Player Howard Johnson
The annual UMKC Conservatory of Music Jazz Festival and the George Salisbury Memorial Scholarship Concert take place February 3 and 4 . All daytime events are free and open to the public. The schedule:
- The Jazz Festival, both days, 9 am to 3 pm, Pierson Auditorium, University Center, 50th and Rockhill Road
- Jazz Concert, Friday, 5 pm, Pierson Auditorium, University Center, 50th and Rockhill Road, featuring UMKC 11 O'Clock Jazz Band, directed by Michael Pagán, and UMKC Jazz Combo 1, directed by Bobby Watson. Tickets $8 adults; seniors $6; students free with 24-hour advance ticket request.
- Clinic for participating bands and combos by guest artist Howard Lewis Johnson, baritone saxophonist and tuba player, Saturday, 1—2 pm, Room 106, University Center
- The George Salisbury Memorial Scholarship Concert, Saturday, 7:30 pm , Pierson Auditorium. Featured artists are the UMKC Concert Jazz Ensemble, directed by Bobby Watson with special artist Howard Johnson. This event benefits the Conservatory of Music's Salisbury Jazz Scholarship.
Tickets $15; seniors and students $12.
For more information about the UMKC Conservatory Jazz Festival, please call 816-235-2741 or check out the Web site at www.umkc.edu/conservatory/cmda.
Tickets for both the Friday night Jazz Festival concert and the George Salisbury Memorial Scholarship Concert are available from the Central Ticket Office at 816-235-6222.
Alexander Bailey to Grammies
Sumner Academy of Arts and Sciences student Alexander Bailey has been honored by being selected as the drummer in the 2006 Grammy Foundation Jazz Ensemble. He'll be traveling to Los Angeles for Grammy Week in February to take part in the festivities. Don Rogers is the proud band director at Sumner. Congratulations, Alexander!
Plaza Rotary Jazz Cabaret
The 5th Annual Plaza Rotary Jazz Cabaret will be held Sunday, March 5, at the American Heartland Theatre. The event benefits Turning Point: The Center for Hope and Healing, the Bridge Home for Children, and the Plaza Rotary Foundation. This year's event features Karrin Allyson and the “ Kansas City Keys,” featuring Tim Whitmer, Everette DeVan, and Bram Wijnands . Tickets are $50 and are available from Tim Schmidt at 816-822-1088.
Music Continues at the Hotel InterContinental Kansas City at the Plaza
The Fairmont Hotel has been sold to the InterContinental Hotel group, but the music fortunately is unchanged. David Basse continues to lead his trio on Monday and Thursday evenings; the Laura Chalk Quartet has Tuesday and Wednesday , and Joe Cartwright leads his trio and guests on Friday (with Duck Warner ) and Saturday (with Stan Kessler ).
“We Always Swing” Series presents Schneider and World Saxophone Quartet
The “We Always Swing” series in Columbia continues its 2005-2006 season with two outstanding concerts in February and March. On February 19, the World Saxophone Quartet has a 7 pm show at the Blue Note. Then, on March 2, Grammy Award-winning conductor and composer Maria Schneider and the Maria Schneider Orchestra appear at Jesse Hall at the University of Missouri . Fans of modern big band music should take advantage of this opportunity to hear one of the best. This show is also at 7 pm. Details are available at 573-449-3001 or www.wealwaysswing.org.
Drummer Joe Chambers Featuring Logan Richardson
Kansas City alto saxophonist Logan Richardson , a student at the New School in New York City , is being featured in Joe Chambers and the Outlaw Band at NYC jazz club Sweet Rhythm on February 28. Also included in the band is tenor saxophonist Javon Jackson and bassist Dwayne Burno. Richardson is on Chambers' CD The Outlaw, to be released in February on Savant.
New Jam at 12 Baltimore
12 Baltimore has started Thursday evening jam sessions, starting at 8 pm. Mark Montgomery is the host, and recent host players include pianist Mark Lowrey and guitarist Tom Pender. 12 Baltimore is in the Phillips Hotel on 12th St. , in downtown Kansas City , Missouri .
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.
