JAM: October/November 2001 Issue: News & Notes

Nice Going

Joe Cartwright

Three veteran members of the Kansas City jazz scene have new trophies for their mantles. In the August 2001 issue of Ingram's, awards for "Best Local Musician or Jazz Group" went to vocalist Ida McBeth (gold), pianist and band leader Joe Cartwright (silver) and singer/band leader/drummer David Basse (bronze). Said Cartwright, "Thanks to all those who participated in the poll. I greatly appreciate the support you have given me over the years." Incidentally, Cartwright's steady at the Fairmont Hotel, 401 Ward Parkway, is alive and well. Catch Joe every Friday and Saturday through January, and possibly beyond, when he is joined by such KC notables as trumpeter Stan Kessler.

Jazz at UMKC...
With Professor Bobby Watson back in town, and his talented teammate Hal Melia always close by, you just know that any jazz happenings at UMKC will be worth checking out. Listed on the Conservatory's performance calendar for the fall are concerts by the Conservatory Jazz Ensemble on Wednesday, October 3, and Tuesday, December 4. Both will take place in White Hall and begin at 7:30 p.m. (Note: the concert on December 4 will be a combined effort with the Conservatory Wind Ensemble.) Call the Central Ticket Office at 816-235-6222 for more.

Also, there will be a short residency at UMKC by the acclaimed British alto saxophonist Peter King, Monday-Wednesday, November 12-14. King's activities will include a master class (Nov. 12, 3:00 p.m., Room 326 in the PAC), and a concert with the UMKC jazz faculty (Nov. 14; location TBA). Call 816-235-2900 for updates and additional info.

...and JCCC
The fall jazz series at Johnson County Community College is now underway, and as always, it features the upper rung of KC jazz talent. These free Tuesday concerts begin at noon in the Recital Hall of the Carlsen Center where seating is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Call 913-469-8500 (ext. 3689) if you'd like to know more.

October 2 -- Gerald Dunn Quartet
October 9 -- Dan DeLuca Trio
October 16 -- Charles Gatschet Quartet
October 23 -- Ray Reed Quartet
October 30 -- Horace Washington Quartet

Also, the JCCC Midnight Express Jazz Ensemble will be in concert on Wednesday, October 17, 7:30 p.m. in the Carlsen Center Theater. For the details, call 913-469-8500 (ext. 3275).

Stephanie Nakasian & Hod O'Brien

The KCJW for 2001-2002
The Kansas City Jazz Workshop has launched its 2001-2002 concert series and as always, it's an eclectic mix of straightahead jazz headliners with all-star KC support. Unless otherwise noted, all concerts take place in the Downtown Marriott's 12th Street Rag Room on Monday nights and begin at 7:00 p.m. Call 816-436-0318 or 816-737-3627 for all KCJW-related info.

October 8 -- Hod O'Brien (piano), Mark Elf (guitar), Stephanie Nakasian (vocalist).
November 12 -- Bucky Pizzarelli (guitar), Kenny Davern (clarinet), with Frank Mantooth (piano), Bob Bowman (bass), Tommy Ruskin (drums).
February 25, 2002 -- Vocalist Shanna Carlson with Dan DeLuca (piano), Bob Bowman (bass), and Tommy Ruskin (drums).
March 18, 2002 -- Harry Allen (tenor sax), Carl Saunders (trumpet), with Frank Mantooth (piano), Bob Bowman (bass), Tommy Ruskin (drums).
Sunday, April 28, 2002 (2:00 p.m., Basie Ballroom) -- Eldar Djangirov (piano), with Gerald Spaits (bass), Todd Strait (drums).

Note: The KCJW has also scheduled a fundraiser concert (separate admission) for Sunday-Monday, November 4-5 featuring guitar great Pat Martino. Martino has been at the vanguard of jazz guitarists for the past 35 years, both as a leader and as a sideman (Jimmy Smith, Jack McDuff, Richard "Groove" Holmes, Jimmy McGriff). And, although it happened 20 years ago, his recovery from a brain aneurysm remains one of the most remarkable stories in jazz. Following brain surgery to correct the problem, Martino lost all memory of how to play, but has since recovered beautifully. Like other KCJW events, the shows on November 4-5 will take place at the Downtown Marriott's 12th Street Rag Room and begin at 7:00 p.m. Again, call 816-436-0318 or 816-737-3627 for more information about these special shows.

They Always Swing
It's not that far down the pike to Columbia, and now's a good time to make plans to support the annual We Always Swing jazz series, now in its seventh year. According to Executive Director Jon Poses, the 2001-2002 lineup "is filled with exciting and varied performances by talent-laden individuals and groups." And it's easy to purchase tickets on the Ticketmaster charge line at 866-646-8849; online at www.ticketmaster.com. For additional information, call the We Always Swing office at 573-449-3009 (email: jazznbsbl@aol.com) or visit the web site at www.wealwaysswing.org. Here's a partial peek at the '01-02 season:

October 4 -- Annual Downtown Columbia "Jazz, Wine & Beer Pub Crawl," featuring KC's Sons of Brasil, 9:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m. at the Blue Note
October 21 -- Danilo Perez at the Blue Note.
November 18 -- Mulgrew Miller at Murry's
December 2 -- Jane Monheit at Murry's
December 7 -- Steve Wilson at Stephens College
January 18 -- Claudia Acuna at Whitmore Recital Hall (MU)
February 10 -- Matt Wilson at Murry's
February 24 -- Houston Person, Russell Malone, Hank Marr, Grady Tate at the Blue Note
March 16 -- Dave Holland at the Blue Note
March 17 -- David Berkman at Murry's
April 21 -- Ray Drummond, Bill Drummond, Renee Rosnes at Murry's

Word Jazz
Poet Dan Jaffe, formerly of KC and now a Florida resident, has long been inspired by and connected to the Kansas City jazz scene. That connection is still very much intact. In his forthcoming book, Playing the Word: Jazz Poems, there are references to such KC musicians as Frank Smith, George Salisbury, Jay McShann, Herb Six, Milt Abel, Charlie Parker, Claude "Fiddler" Williams, Speedy Huggins and Tim Whitmer.
In October, Kansas Citians will have several opportunities to enjoy Jaffe's readings from the book in different jazz settings. They are:

Wednesday, October 10, 7:00 p.m. at the New Point Grille, 917 W. 44th Street; phone 816-561-7600.
Friday, October 12, 8:00 p.m. at the Writers Place, 3607 Pennsylvania; phone 816-753-1090.
Saturday, October 13, 2:00 p.m. at the Phoenix Piano Bar & Grill, 302 W. 8th Street; call 816-472-0001.

Playing the Word: Jazz Poems is scheduled for publication on November 30. And you can contact BkMk Press at 816-235-2558 for the details. Says the great multi-instrumentalist Ira Sullivan, "After reading these poems a second time, I began to feel as if I were hearing individual jazz solos -- a quick turn of phrase here, a surprise riff there. They got my attention, and made me want to hear more."

A Good Cause
On Thursday, October 11, an all-star gathering of KC jazz musicians will lend their talents to Jazzin' 2001!, a fundraiser now in its fifth year to benefit Renaissance West and Comprehensive Mental Health Services, Inc. Scheduled to appear are Tim Whitmer & the KC Express, Millie Edwards, Rusty Tucker, and Diane "Mama" Ray. Tickets are $50 and include a light hors d'oeuvres buffet, dance and costume contests. The event runs from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. at the Broadway Room in the Uptown Theater, 3700 Broadway. For more information, call 816-254-3652, ext. 265.

ESS #6
On Sunday, October 14, 4:00 to 6:00 p.m., the sixth annual fundraiser for Episcopal Social Services will take place at the Folly Theater, 300 W. 12th St. "Servin' Up Jazz" will feature singer Angela Hagenbach, Danny Embrey (guitar), Steve Rigazzi (bass), Gary Helm (percussion) and Doug Auwarter (drums) with proceeds going to various ESS concerns. Among them: Meals on Wheels, backpacks for underprivileged children, hospital aftercare, parenting/life skills, Turner House Community Center, "Missionpalooza" for teenage volunteers, St. Paul's KCK after school program, and nursing home ministry. Tickets are $25; $20 is tax deductible. Call 816-561-8920 for additional information.

Luqman Hamza

Luqman (and Lucky) in the Lounge
What used to be Inge's Lounge at 84th and Wornall has emerged from a recent makeover to become The Piano Room. And like the moniker would imply, a piano and a first rate pianist/singer -- like KC's esteemed jazz great Luqman Hamza -- are the center of attention. Catch Luqman every Wednesday through Saturday, 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. at The Piano Room, 8410 Wornall; and on Wednesdays look for the Scamps' bassist Lucky Wesley when he makes it a duo from 9:30 to 11:30 p.m. Call 816-363-8722 for more.

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.

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