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 Congrats to Our Local Heroes...
...and to the Elder Statesmen of Jazz Numerous members of the local jazz community were recognized on November 22 when a new group of "Elder Statesmen of Kansas City Jazz" were honored in a ceremony at the American Jazz Museum. Among those elevated were pianists Ronnell Bright and Russ Long, singers Myra Taylor and Julie Turner, drummer Tommy Ruskin, and KKFI broadcaster Joseph Hall. Also honored with the first annual Frank Smith Spirit of Kansas City Jazz Award were Jay McShann, Milt Abel, Claude "Fiddler" Williams, Ahmad Alaadeen, Art Jackson, Raymond "Cowboy" Jones, Dr. Rowena Stewart, and the award's namesake, the late pianist Frank Smith (see below). A total of 29 new Statesmen and 24 Spirit awardees were added to an already impressive list of KC jazz treasures. Congratulations to all. Happy Birthday, Bob! Trombonist/pianist/composer, KC native and worldclass jazz artist Bob Brookmeyer will celebrate his 70th birthday on December 19 and several commemorative events are planned. First, Terry Teachout of The New York Times (and formerly The Kansas City Star) is writing a profile that will appear in the Sunday, December 19 issue. And Nancy Wilson's "Jazz Profiles" will pay tribute the week of December 15. Check local NPR stations for broadcast dates. Bob will also have two more CDs released that week, one a trio date with the leader playing only piano, the other a big band album produced by a group of his present and former students in Europe. Commissioned to write charts for that project were Maria Schneider, Bill Holman, Jim McNeely and Manny Albam. Then, to top off the celebrations, New York's Vanguard Jazz Orchestra will feature Mr. Brookmeyer on Monday, December 20. "Bob is finally receiving overdue deserved recognition," says saxophonist, longtime friend, and fellow late '40s Warren Durrett alum Ed Dix. "He is teaching at the New England Conservatory in Boston and still has his teaching gigs in Copenhagen and Cologne. His life and interest now seems centered around teaching and helping to advance the careers of outstanding young players and composers." There are a couple of good cyber-sources of info about Bob Brookmeyer's current activities. His web site can be found at www.jazzcorner.com, and there's also an interesting page at www.challenge.nl. A Jazzy Carol Fest 1999 marks the fourth year the sounds of jazz and Christmas will fill the sanctuary at the Community Christian Church, 4601 Main. On Sunday, December 5, an all-star gathering of Kansas City jazz musicians will interpret the music of the season for an expected capacity crowd. Scheduled to appear on this year's "Annual Jazz Community Carol Fest" are: James Albright, Everette DeVan, Rod Fleeman, Lisa Henry, Stan Kessler, Jim Mair, Ida McBeth, Pat Morrissey, Michael O'Shiver, Kim Park, Diane "Mama" Ray, Rusty Tucker, Jurgen Welge, the Scamps and Tim Whitmer. The music begins at 5:00 p.m. And if you're unable to make it on the 5th, the concert will be televised Monday, December 20, on KSHB-41 at 7:00 p.m. JCCC Jazz Get ready for a "Jazz Extravaganza" at Johnson County Community College, 12345 College Boulevard in Overland Park. On Wednesday, December 8 various JCCC jazz ensembles will be featured in concert including Midnight Express, the Midnight Blues and several smaller student combos. The music of Duke Ellington, Count Basie and Bill Holman will be performed as will a new vocal arrangement by JCCC music instructor Geoff Wilcken. The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. Admission is free. Like to know more? Call 913-469-3886. Hats 'n Horns New Year's Eve: the night when just about every musician in town has a gig. (And usually for pretty good bread.) JJ's Restaurant at 910 W. 48th street on the Plaza will be throwing one of the most ambitious jazz-related shindigs that night. In a benefit for the Leukemia Society of America, JJ's will turn a section of West 48th street into a ballroom with a 150-seat climate-controlled party tent. The headliners will be singers Kevin Mahogany and David Basse. Then over at 18th & Vine, the American Jazz and Negro Leagues Baseball Museums will host a millennium bash that will feature singers Ida McBeth and Ruby Wilson. Even baseball legend Buck O'Neil, now an ageless 88, will be on hand to sign autographs as will veteran singer/dancer Myra Taylor. For reservations at JJ's call 816-561-7136. To ring in the new year at 18th & Vine, call 816-474-6262. Learning from the Pros On Tuesday, January 4, at 7:00 p.m., the Mutual Musicians Foundation, 1823 Highland, will host a discussion focusing on career preparations for young jazz musicians emerging from the Kansas City metro area. The educational project, "Generations and the Gap," sponsored by Alaadeen Enterprises, Inc., is free and open to the public. "The exchange will focus on the sharing of knowledge between Kansas City jazz veterans and aspiring young players," says Fanny Scott, one of the event's organizers. "There will also be a jam session blending the old with the young, the professional with the aspiring musician, immediately following the discussion." Saxophonist, bandleader and recording artist Ahmad Alaadeen will moderate, and student participants will include Harold O'Neal and Logan Richardson (both are currently attending Boston's Berklee College of Music), Phillip Eagle who attends the University of Missouri-Kansas City, and Kyle Grigsby, a student at Lincoln University in Jefferson City. "These young jazz players are recent graduates of Kansas City high schools and are currently attending college to prepare for careers as professional jazz musicians," Scott says. Invited to be included in the audience will be jazz educators, band instructors, professional musicians, educational organizations and students from the entire metropolitan area. Institutions devoted to jazz education will be encouraged to attend in an effort to focus attention on the issues discussed. "It is hoped that the audience will also contribute to the discussion," says Scott, "and act upon any suggestions the student panel might make." Both the discussion and the jam will be video taped, and Tom Alexios, who heads up Down Beat magazine's Special Projects (and who is also the KCJA's Jazz Education Director) will arrange for the video to be broadcast via satellite by Starnet to 1100 schools in 22 states. "Through events like this," Scott adds, "the Kansas City jazz community will hopefully gain a better idea of how to prepare its youth for a career in the jazz performance industry." For more information about "Generations and the Gap," call 913-831-4396, or email: asrfanny@sprintmail.com. Heeeere's Doc! At an age when many music greats have long since retired -- or have gone on to that great gazebo in the sky -- Doc Severinsen (72) still sheds several hours every day and has great chops to show for it. Catch the legendary trumpeter when he appears with the Kansas City Symphony January 7-8 as part of its Nightlights Pops Series. Showtime both nights at the Music Hall, 13th & Central, is 8:00 p.m. Call 816-471-1100 for info and tickets. Workin' and Jamin' The Kansas City Jazz Workshop and the "Jamin' at the Gem" series are both in full swing for '99-2000. The KCJW at the Downtown Marriott has three more shows this winter-spring. Call 816-436-0318 or 816-737-3627 for tickets and info.
December 5 -- American Family Christmas, White Hall, 2:00 p.m., 7:30 p.m.
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