JAM Magazine: June/July 1997 Issue: First Take

by Mike Metheny
JAM Editor

In This Issue...
If ever there was a good time to take the pulse of the Kansas City jazz scene, it's during the months of summer. There are jazz festivals galore, the annual Jazz Lover's Pub Crawl, and this year a planned resurrection of the city's famed 18th & Vine district. In this special Summer Jazz issue of JAM, we offer coverage of those events, Dean Hampton's annual "Jazz Vacation: Kansas City," and our yearly synopsis of the area's club scene. If this were a "state of the union" communiqué, we'd have to say that Kansas City jazz in 1997 appears to be quite strong.

Buddy Anderson
As a rookie co-host (with Diane Gregg) of KCUR's "Jazz Place Magazine" in 1978, I once had the opportunity to interview the late Buddy Anderson (1919-1997). As I look back now, I'm sure the pleasure was mostly mine. Still a jazz novice in those days, my line of questioning was sophomoric at best; I had no idea who I was talking to, nor was I fully aware of what an important historical figure Mr. Anderson was (see Dean Hampton's tribute in "Hot Licks"). But "Step-Buddy" was patient. And informative. (And diplomatic!) And most of all, a soft-spoken gentleman. It was a brush with an eyewitness to, and participant in jazz history that only years later was, and still is, fully appreciated. R.I.P.

Hitting a Klam?
Of course, we offer our congratulations to Kevin Mahogany, the Dave Stephens Swing Sextet, Sonny Kenner, Ida McBeth and Milt Abel, winners and/or participants at May 9th's "Klammies" (a.k.a. the "first annual Kansas City/Lawrence Area Music Awards"). Such recognition calls attention to the city's jazz community as a whole, and there can never be enough of that. But is it possible that the efforts of the event's organizers at Pitch Weekly have been undermined by an ill-conceived name? Ask any jazz (or classical) musician and they will tell you that a "clam" is universally synonymous with a "mistake" or a "missed note" (trust me, you're reading the words of one who has amassed many a bushel), and most would agree that calling a music awards gala the "Klammies" is analogous to calling one for baseball "The Passed Balls." Catchers everywhere would be scratching their heads, as would others in the know.

The idea for an annual music awards show is a timely one. Kudos to Pitch Weekly for its good intentions. But Kansas City's musical standing around the country runs the risk of appearing minor league and easily mocked if the event's moniker remains the same. Here's hoping Pitch will consider a name change for next year ("The Kansas City Music Awards"?), if for no other reason than to show proper respect for Kansas City's rich jazz heritage as well as the jazz nominees and winners honored by the event.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
"Music is your own experience, your thoughts, your wisdom. If you don't live it, it won't come out of your horn." -- Charlie Parker

RETURN TO JUNE/JULY 1997 MAIN INDEX

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






	Search our site:		by Mike Metheny JAM Editor In This Issue... If ever there was a good time to take the pulse of the Kansas City jazz scene, it's during the months of summer. There are jazz festivals galore, the annual Jazz Lover's Pub Crawl, and this year a planned resurrection of the city's famed 18th & Vine district. In this special Summer Jazz issue of JAM, we offer coverage of those events, Dean Hampton's annual "Jazz Vacation: Kansas City," and our yearly synopsis of the area's club scene. If this were a "state of the union" communiqué, we'd have to say that Kansas City jazz in 1997 appears to be quite strong. Buddy Anderson As a rookie co-host (with Diane Gregg) of KCUR's "Jazz Place Magazine" in 1978, I once had the opportunity to interview the late Buddy Anderson (1919-1997). As I look back now, I'm sure the pleasure was mostly mine. Still a jazz novice in those days, my line of questioning was sophomoric at best; I had no idea who I was talking to, nor was I fully aware of what an important historical figure Mr. Anderson was (see Dean Hampton's tribute in "Hot Licks"). But "Step-Buddy" was patient. And informative. (And diplomatic!) And most of all, a soft-spoken gentleman. It was a brush with an eyewitness to, and participant in jazz history that only years later was, and still is, fully appreciated. R.I.P. Hitting a Klam? Of course, we offer our congratulations to Kevin Mahogany, the Dave Stephens Swing Sextet, Sonny Kenner, Ida McBeth and Milt Abel, winners and/or participants at May 9th's "Klammies" (a.k.a. the "first annual Kansas City/Lawrence Area Music Awards"). Such recognition calls attention to the city's jazz community as a whole, and there can never be enough of that. But is it possible that the efforts of the event's organizers at Pitch Weekly have been undermined by an ill-conceived name? Ask any jazz (or classical) musician and they will tell you that a "clam" is universally synonymous with a "mistake" or a "missed note" (trust me, you're reading the words of one who has amassed many a bushel), and most would agree that calling a music awards gala the "Klammies" is analogous to calling one for baseball "The Passed Balls." Catchers everywhere would be scratching their heads, as would others in the know. The idea for an annual music awards show is a timely one. Kudos to Pitch Weekly for its good intentions. But Kansas City's musical standing around the country runs the risk of appearing minor league and easily mocked if the event's moniker remains the same. Here's hoping Pitch will consider a name change for next year ("The Kansas City Music Awards"?), if for no other reason than to show proper respect for Kansas City's rich jazz heritage as well as the jazz nominees and winners honored by the event. THOUGHT FOR THE DAY "Music is your own experience, your thoughts, your wisdom. If you don't live it, it won't come out of your horn." -- Charlie Parker RETURN TO JUNE/JULY 1997 MAIN INDEX ------------------------------------------------------------------------ © Kansas City Jazz Ambassadors 1996-2001. All rights reserved.