Dean Hampton


Please Support Public Radio!
One of the best things about jazz on public radio is that it provides local jazz musicians with an opportunity to get their music before the public, a public that, in turn, may go out and buy the CDs. Until recently, it has been pretty easy for a musician to make a phone call and ask to be on a local show to introduce that new music, promote the recordings, and announce release parties. In August that changed.

In recent years, KCMW has been a champion of area jazz musicians with, among many things, its "Dinner Jazz" show featuring local artists. As always, however, the bottom line was: the bottom line! And now KCMW is gone. If the bucks had been there, we would still have jazz on that station. But, not only did John Q. Public fail to pick up the phone during pledge drives and show support for KCMW's programming, neither did enough area jazz musicians who still counted on the free exposure.

It's not hard to ask, "Will you play my new CD?" But, in the case of KCMW, when it came time for fundraising, too few musicians made a donation to pledge their support. Public radio stations will be having their fall fund drives in mid October. Please support them!

Who Needs Gavin?
Yellow Dog Communications, Inc. has launched a new web site called the Yellow Dog Jazz Report. You can find it at www.yellowdogjazz.com. This site is poised to become the primary source of information for jazz radio and the jazz music industry. It includes Jazz and Smooth Jazz weekly national airplay charts and reports of news, events and activities.

The weekly charts are tabulated from playlists submitted by Jazz and Smooth Jazz radio stations across the United States and Canada. Says publisher Tony Gasparre, "This allows record companies and others in the industry to gather data in one place. With the void created by the demise of the previous national Jazz and Smooth Jazz charts, we are here to do our part to strengthen the jazz and smooth jazz radio formats. We are going to improve the connections between radio stations, record labels and retailers."

Dust Off Those Turntables
Pure Audiophile of Kansas City has entered into a licensing agreement with Concord Records to release Karrin Allyson's Ballads: Remembering John Coltrane on LP. That's right, LP. Says Concord's, Nick Phillips, "We have licensed to Pure Audiophile the rights to remaster Ballads: Remembering John Coltrane for the LP format, and to manufacture and distribute special, numbered, limited edition audiophile LP pressings in North America. The initial pressing will be 1,000 copies."

Dennis Cassidy of Pure Audiophile is excited about the artist, the album and the recording process. "The LPs will be mastered by Stan Ricker using the half-speed process he developed long ago," Cassidy says. "For us to get Stan to do the remastering is huge."

This two-record set will sell for $49.95 and include a bonus track, "Nature Boy," from Allyson's first Concord CD, I Didn't Know About You. The scheduled release is expected to be in early November, but you can preorder the recording for the dealer price of $40. Call 816-361-2713, email pure@kc.rr.com, or send a check or money order to Pure Audiophile 8215 Grand Avenue, Kansas City, MO 64114.

Auto MP3
The last time I reported to you on MP3 players for the car, the going low price was about $700. Fed up with the lack of jazz radio programming in the KC area these days, I decided to take another look. I found a real jewel at half the former price. Now, I can stick one homemade CD into my new Kenwood MP8017 CD/MP3 player and pick from one of its 115 tunes. With this much music, I could drive from KC to Chicago and not hear anything more than once. Unless you need a Walkman-style MP3 player, this is the ultimate player for today.

Hope In the Face of Tragedy
On Friday, September 14, 2001, ABC anchor Peter Jennings closed his broadcast with a very profound question: "Do you remember what it was like before Tuesday, September 11th?"

The impact of this tragedy on the jazz world was immediate. Jazz radio stations gave way to news coverage. Jazz events were cancelled or postponed. Many musicians were unable to get to or from gigs via air travel. And jazz clubs were nearly vacant, if they were open at all. All temporary inconveniences, for sure, and for some a loss of income.

On another level, however, music in general has changed. How many songs will never again have the same meaning as they did before September 11? What does "bombs bursting in air" mean to you now?

As a recipient of the emailed Jazz Programmers List, I have watched America's jazz DJs try to come up with just the right selections to help us heal our hearts and minds. Songs frequently played have included Roland Kirk's "I Say a Little Prayer," Steve Lacy's "Vespers," Sonny Rollins' "Freedom Suite," Charles Mingus' "Prayer For Passive Resistance," Karrin Allyson's "Everything Must Change," Ann Hampton-Calloway's "Come Hold My Hand," and Tom Harrell's "Morning Prayer."

Like all of America, jazz radio programmers have been struggling. But they are doing their best, in their own small way, to give the nation's jazz fans some hope in these uncertain times.

---

(L-R) Todd Wilkinson, Hal Melia, Bobby Watson, Gerald Dunn

Everybody Was a Winner
Back on August 16 a capacity crowd at the Grand Emporium not only heard several hours of spirited playing, but was able to add more cash to the coffers of the Musicians Emergency Assistance Fund. In prime form throughout "The Battle of the Saxes," now an annual benefit for MEAF, were saxophonists Gerald Dunn, Hal Melia, Bobby Watson and Todd Wilkinson. No 'battles" with these four fine players, but instead strong solo showcases followed by the kind of ensemble camaraderie only kindred spirits with strong mutual respect can enjoy. Also onboard were Roger Wilder (piano), Gerald Spaits (bass) and Tommy Ruskin (drums) as the ideal rhythm section for such a festive and philanthropic occasion. It was a grand night for a good cause. -- MM



RETURN TO OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2001 MAIN INDEX


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