JAM Magazine: October/November 1997 Issue: President's Corner

by Vanessa Barnard

Saluting Richard Ross
Last August, I had the privilege of presenting a plaque to jazz singer Richard Ross on behalf of the Kansas City Jazz Ambassadors.

On August 26, a tribute to Richard was held at Jardine's. It was a magical evening, an evening that celebrated Richard's contributions to jazz not only in Kansas City, but around the world. If you missed this special event, you missed an opportunity to honor a wonderful artist. Only a few members of the Kansas City jazz community were unable to attend; practically every musician in town made a point to be there, if not in person, then by personal message to Richard (or, in the case of Kevin Mahogany, by special phone call from New York). At one point, the line of "jammers" wanting to sit in was so long, it seemed it would be impossible to give everyone a turn. But everyone who wanted to join in this musical tribute eventually was included. All in honor of Richard Ross.

Why you need to know about this? Because I don't believe I have ever witnessed such an outpouring of love for one single person. The entire room had a mystical, almost surreal quality to it. The music was hot, the drinks did flow, but mostly, it was the love for one of Kansas City's best that shone through. If you were there, you'll know that you were a part of Kansas City jazz history.

A proclamation was presented by Dianne Cleaver, wife of the mayor. And many, many letters that had been sent in were given to Richard after he arrived by stretch limo (provided by Jardine's owner, Greg Halstead). Yellow roses were on his V.I.P. table (up front, of course!), and the musicians who sat in played to him. And for him. There was a feeling in the room that night that can only be described as intangible. But it was a feeling Richard Ross had earned. For me personally, it was one of those moments in time that will always be cherished. And one that made me proud to be a Jazz Ambassador.

God bless, Richard.

(A memorial service for Richard Ross will be held on Sunday, October 5, 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. at Unity Temple on the Plaza.)

Point Missed, Ball Dropped
With so many fine journalists contributing their talents to the Kansas City Star, it remains an ongoing mystery why the Star continues to give someone like Hearne Christopher, Jr. a thrice weekly column in which to share his penchant for perky gossip, pseudo controversy and tedious ennui.

Christopher's September 1 coverage of the August 26 Jardine's tribute in honor of the seriously ill Richard Ross was less about how the area jazz community gathered to salute the life and career of one of Kansas City's great jazz singers, and more about whatever Christopher's limited perspective could glean from the evening (including his spotlighting of the irrelevant social and domestic endeavors of the mayor's wife).

Richard Ross deserved better from Christopher. And from the Kansas City Star. Such giddy reporting speaks volumes of both simpering columnist and insensitive publication.

-- Mike Metheny

RETURN TO OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 1997 MAIN INDEX

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






	Search our site:		by Vanessa Barnard Saluting Richard Ross Last August, I had the privilege of presenting a plaque to jazz singer Richard Ross on behalf of the Kansas City Jazz Ambassadors. On August 26, a tribute to Richard was held at Jardine's. It was a magical evening, an evening that celebrated Richard's contributions to jazz not only in Kansas City, but around the world. If you missed this special event, you missed an opportunity to honor a wonderful artist. Only a few members of the Kansas City jazz community were unable to attend; practically every musician in town made a point to be there, if not in person, then by personal message to Richard (or, in the case of Kevin Mahogany, by special phone call from New York). At one point, the line of "jammers" wanting to sit in was so long, it seemed it would be impossible to give everyone a turn. But everyone who wanted to join in this musical tribute eventually was included. All in honor of Richard Ross. Why you need to know about this? Because I don't believe I have ever witnessed such an outpouring of love for one single person. The entire room had a mystical, almost surreal quality to it. The music was hot, the drinks did flow, but mostly, it was the love for one of Kansas City's best that shone through. If you were there, you'll know that you were a part of Kansas City jazz history. A proclamation was presented by Dianne Cleaver, wife of the mayor. And many, many letters that had been sent in were given to Richard after he arrived by stretch limo (provided by Jardine's owner, Greg Halstead). Yellow roses were on his V.I.P. table (up front, of course!), and the musicians who sat in played to him. And for him. There was a feeling in the room that night that can only be described as intangible. But it was a feeling Richard Ross had earned. For me personally, it was one of those moments in time that will always be cherished. And one that made me proud to be a Jazz Ambassador. God bless, Richard. (A memorial service for Richard Ross will be held on Sunday, October 5, 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. at Unity Temple on the Plaza.) Point Missed, Ball Dropped With so many fine journalists contributing their talents to the Kansas City Star, it remains an ongoing mystery why the Star continues to give someone like Hearne Christopher, Jr. a thrice weekly column in which to share his penchant for perky gossip, pseudo controversy and tedious ennui. Christopher's September 1 coverage of the August 26 Jardine's tribute in honor of the seriously ill Richard Ross was less about how the area jazz community gathered to salute the life and career of one of Kansas City's great jazz singers, and more about whatever Christopher's limited perspective could glean from the evening (including his spotlighting of the irrelevant social and domestic endeavors of the mayor's wife). Richard Ross deserved better from Christopher. And from the Kansas City Star. Such giddy reporting speaks volumes of both simpering columnist and insensitive publication. -- Mike Metheny RETURN TO OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 1997 MAIN INDEX ------------------------------------------------------------------------ © Kansas City Jazz Ambassadors 1996-2001. All rights reserved.