JAM: February/March 2002 Issue: Hampton's Hot Licks

Dean Hampton

Jazz Radio in KC
In the October issue of JAM, I asked our readers to support the public radio stations that play jazz. You responded very well and those stations exceeded their fundraising goals.

Then in the December JAM I offered you a toast for that support and expressed my desire, and yours too, for the stations to step up to the plate and add more jazz programming. To date, that has not happened.

So, now it's time for some action.

If the stations won't do it on their own, we need to bug them until they do. Send them your letters and emails. Let them know you are there and that their stations are not on your car's presets because they don't supply enough jazz programming to warrant it.

I'm one of the lucky ones who spends quite a bit of time at a computer with a high speed Internet connection. That gives me more jazz to listen to than I can find time for. I find myself switching that URL dial to just the right station for the mood I'm in at the time.

A couple of my favorites are WRTI in Philadelphia and KPLU in Seattle/Tacoma. However, on my "hot list" is WGMC in Rochester, NY. It's one of those 24/7 jazz stations that loves to have us computer nerds join them online. While listening with RealNetRadio.com, you can even chat with the DJs. I have yet to find one who is not a well informed jazz guru. (And yes, they pronounce the names of the artists correctly!) WGMC also features plenty of live artist interviews. Online, it's a continual fund drive for the Internet listener; currently, for a $20 pledge, they will send you a copy of their first "Meet the Artist" concert CD. For $50, you will receive Volumes 1 and 2.

Incidentally, on March 7, I will be tuned in via the Internet to one of the many NPR stations that carry "Jazz Set" with Dee Dee Bridgewater. Her guests for the day will be Karrin Allyson, Danny Embrey, Steve Wilson and Bruce Barth. The show will feature their video-taped 2001 appearance at Yoshi's in Oakland, CA.

Speaking of Karrin...
Last December, Kansas Citians were treated to several Karrin Allyson appearances. First, there were two evenings (two shows each night) at the Blue Room, December 13 and 14. The early set on the 14th was preceded by a release party for the LP version of Ballads: Remembering John Coltrane. And the soldout, standing room only shows that followed were typical of the audiences Karrin has been drawing lately across the country.

On the following Sunday, December 16, the Liberty Performing Arts Center was the place to be for "Jazz with Strings Attached," featuring Allyson's jazz quintet, and a string quartet made up of members of the Kansas City Symphony. The entire show was directed and narrated by Bill McGlaughlin, former Music Director of the Symphony, and the show's format was similar to McGlaughlin's "St. Paul Sunday" radio show which airs on Public Radio International stations.

That said, the most impressive news about Karrin Allyson these days is the Grammy nominations she has received for Ballads.

The day before the nominations were announced in early January, Karrin was hardly concerned about the honor that would soon surprise her. "I had just returned from several weeks away on tour and for the holidays," she said, "and I was busy preparing for my January schedule. I'd completely forgotten that the announcements would be made on January 4th."

Again, the Internet gave me an advantage. I had a first crack at the complete list of Grammy nominees as soon as they were announced. There they were: "Best Jazz Vocal Album," and "Best Engineered Album, Non Classical." I was lucky enough to be able to break the news to Karrin on the phone.

"Have you heard?"
"Heard what?"
"The Grammy nominations."
"What about them?"
"You got one!"
"Got what?"
"A nomination for Best Jazz Vocal Album!"
"I did? I didn't! I did? Wow... I better call Concord (records) right now! Are you sure? How do you know this?!..."

And so it went.

Karrin will be appearing at Catalina's in Hollywood the week prior to the Grammys and she plans to stick around for the show on February 27.

Herbie Mann in KC
As a kid, I remember becoming a huge fan of Herbie Mann. But I had never seen him live until his recent December 8 visit to Kansas City. It turned out to be quite a day.

It all began at the Gem Theater where Mann and his wife Janeal hosted a prostate cancer screening and awareness event, which was a collaborative effort by the American Cancer Society, the Folly Theater, the American Jazz Museum, the Herbie Mann Prostate Cancer Awareness Music Foundation, the R.A. Block Cancer Foundation, and the Samuel U. Rodgers Community Health Center.

All males who were screened for prostate cancer came away with a free Herbie Mann CD, and at noon, Herbie took to the stage with the Everette DeVan Trio for a brief concert. In the hour that would follow, many new jazz fans were born, including those guys and their families who came just for the PSA test and were not necessarily jazz fans. (Rarely has "America the Beautiful" been played with such emotion as it was by Mann during his a cappella version.)

And of course, the day was topped off with the flutist's well-attended and enthusiastically received Folly Theater concert that night.

For more information on the Herbie Mann Prostate Cancer Awareness Music Foundation, go to www.herbiemannpcamf.com.

Marcia Stalder
There are certain KC Jazz Ambassadors who are always in our hearts, mostly because they are not only great people, but because they continuously give and give and give to the organization and to the entire jazz community.

Merle and Marcia Stalder have always fit that mold as leaders of this elite group. So it is with great sadness that I must report the passing of Marcia Stalder on Tuesday, January 15, 2002.

Both Merle and Marcia have been very active supporters of jazz, particularly Kansas City jazz. Many area musicians have been a part of the Brownsville (NE) Concert Series, which was a pet project of Marcia's.

Marcia Stalder will be greatly missed by those who had the pleasure of knowing and working with her over the years. Memorial contributions may be made in her name to the Falls City Library Fund, c/o Richardson County Bank, 1616 Harlan St. Falls City, NE 68355.

Vanessa Barnard
1957-2001

Vanessa Barnard in 1998, leading a monthly KCJA meeting with cutomary wit, grace and style.

You never forget the first time you meet one of your best friends; it's a friendship you know almost instantly. You remember the surroundings, the circumstances and maybe the other people you were with, but you always remember the smile and the laugh.

Vanessa Barnard's smile and laugh were infectious. It was no more trouble for her to laugh, than it was for Charlie Parker to solo. You could close your eyes and find her in a crowded room.

It was May of 1994, my last year as President of the Jazz Ambassadors, and my responsibilities seemed endless. I was setting the time and place, and conducting all general meetings; writing for and helping edit JAM; billing and collecting all ad revenues; and writing and mailing what Mary Ellen Farney always called "That Damned Newsletter."

After several months of begging for a volunteer for the newsletter, I gave it one last shot during a general meeting at the City Light Jazz Club (now The Club at Plaza III). I told everyone that it really didn't take that much time to write the newsletter, and that it actually was rather easy. Then came this long sustained laugh followed by, "OK, I'll write it... but I know you're lying about the easy part." That was my introduction to Vanessa Barnard. We spoke nearly every day for the next four years.

Vanessa became President of the Jazz Ambassadors in 1996 and propelled this organization and its bank account for an unprecedented three terms. She was a walking promotion and PR machine for all events and causes the Ambassadors were involved in, and she was instrumental in the acquisition of the Jazz Lover's Pub Crawl in 1996 . Vanessa quickly made i t our biggestfundraiser .
In May 2000 Vanessa followed her dream and moved to Fairplay, Colorado. She tol d me it was truly God's country , and that she loved the town and the scenery along with all the new friends she was quickly making. If you became a friend of Vanessa's, she let you know it, and often.

Vanessa came back from Colorado for the first time to visit family and friends last Thanksgiving. Several of us had dinner with her at Jardine's, and on Thanksgiving night we went to the Stalder's Plaza Lighting party.

That night I got to hear that wonderful laugh several more precious times. She left the planet less than a week later.

Vanessa was my friend. And I miss her very much.

-- Mike Rollf

Mike Rollf is a former president of the Kansas City Jazz Ambassadors.