JAM: December 2002/January 2003 Issue: News & Notes

The AJM Board Expands
The American Jazz Museum at 18th and Vine recently announced the appointment of vocalist Ida McBeth and trumpeter Mike Metheny to its Board of Directors. McBeth is a veteran of the Kansas City jazz and blues scene; Metheny has been the editor of JAM since 1994.

"Ida McBeth and Mike Metheny share an enthusiasm for the American Jazz Museum's role as a vital and vibrant tribute to Kansas City's jazz legacy," said Board Chairman, Rev. Emanuel Cleaver. "Their unique perspectives as accomplished jazz artists will be very valuable to the museum."

Other Board members are Beth Smith (also a new addition), Leon Arnold, Georgia Buchanan, Robert Firnhaber, Councilman Troy Nash, Leslie Parrette, Jr. and Michael T. White. National members include Bruce Lundvall and Ken Burns.

Charney Gets Syndicated
Much like former KXTR host George Harter ("A Night On the Town") longtime KPRS/Hot 103 JAMZ broadcaster Jeff Charney is reaching out to additional markets. Since early November, Charney's "Sunday Jazz Brunch" has been carried by KRNB 105.7 FM in Dallas. Catch Jeff from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. if you're down that way, and here in KC his weekly show airs from 10:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. at 103.3 on the FM dial.

Tell Me a Jazztime Story

Millie Edwards

Designed to introduce young children to the concepts of jazz in the relaxed environment of the American Jazz Museum, the AJM's Jazz Storytelling sessions are "a unique blend of learning and fun," according to Director of Public Relations, Allison Gallaway. "Singing, dancing and just plain jumping up and down are actually encouraged" when these gatherings take place two Fridays a month, beginning at 10:00 a.m. in the museum's atrium. Past sessions have been presented by series host Brother John and guests such as Millie Edwards and "Duck" Warner. The schedule for December and beyond looks like this: "Jumpin' Jam: Jam Session" (December 6 & 20); "Baby Blues: The Blues" (January 10 & 24); "Make Me Wanna Shout!: Gospel" (February 7 & 21); "Queens of Jazz: Women in Jazz" (March 7 & 21); "Do Watcha' Like: Jam Session" (April 11 & 25).

For more information and/or to register for Jazz Storytelling, contact Adrie Taylor at 816-474-8463 (ext. 208). The sessions are free and are sponsored by the City of Kansas City, Missouri: Evening Youth Program; the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation: JazzNet; the Nathan Cummings Foundation, and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Coming Home
If the name of Kansas City native John Stein isn't that familiar, it's because quite a few years have passed since the guitarist, composer and educator was a local musician. A 1967 graduate of Southwest High School and a former guitar student of the late Don Winsell, Stein has gone on to land a prime teaching position at Boston's prestigious Berklee College of Music. He has also released several well-received recordings, including 1995's Hustle Up!, which was reviewed in the April/May 1996 JAM. (Go to www.jazzkc.org; click on "Past Issues.")

On Saturday, December 14, Stein returns to KC for a homecoming gig when he appears at the Blue Room with Gerald Spaits (bass) and Tommy Ruskin (drums). And as he told us recently, the plan is to play here more often. "I plan to come back to Kansas City regularly to perform in the coming years, and I would love to develop an audience in my home town."

Call 816-474-2929 for additional information about this and other upcoming Blue Room shows at the American Jazz Museum, 18th & Vine.

Roots of Jazz, Part III
Multi-instrumentalist Gerald Trimble has been collaborating a lot lately with Afro-Cuban percussionist Bird Fleming as these two gifted musicians continue their mutual exploration of the roots of improvisation in music.
"Anyone interested in jazz and who pays attention to its roots will find that those roots go clear back to the Middle Ages and beyond," says Trimble. "...From the spread of the Moorish culture into Sicily and Italy in the 12th and 13th centuries, (this approach) was brought to America where it touches us even today. Believe it or not, you hear it every time you go to a jazz club in Kansas City."

"Winter Solstice," the third fall-winter concert of the Trimble-Fleming series titled "Africa, Andalusia, America" will take place on Saturday, December 21, at Unity Temple on the Plaza. Featured will be Trimble, Fleming, singer David Basse, the group BCR, and drummer Barry Bernstein. For more information contact the Kansas City Arts Initiative at 816-960-4636 or visit the website at www.geraldtrimble.com.

More AJM News
"One Mic, Two Rhythms and Poetic Pieces," the American Jazz Museum's free open mic jazz poetry series for teens, is quickly becoming one of the most popular platforms for Kansas City's growing spoken word community. "Teen poets are discovering the Jazz Museum's Blue Room as a great place to hone their craft," says Adrie Taylor, Education Coordinator for the AJM. Teens can spend the third Saturday of every month at the Blue Room spittin' rhymes with their friends and a Master Poet from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. The series, which continues through March 2003, culminates with a midnight Grand Slam event in April after the following upcoming sessions: "Word-Smithing: Tricks of the Verbal Trade" on December 21; "Poetic Devices: Tighten Your Rhyme" on January 18; "Divine Rhymes: Spirituality" on February 15; "Spittin': Performance" on March 15; and the finale, "Roc, Rule & Pass the Mic," at the Gem Theater, on April 19. Like to know more? Call 816-474-VINE, ext. 221.

(L-R) Gerald Spaits, James Albright, Craig Akin, and Bob Bowman

A 4-Bass Hit...
...is a reference we've used before to describe this unique band, but it remains a perfect fit. The KC Bass Quartet, founded in 2000, is comprised of four of the area's finest and most in-demand bassists. On Saturday, January 18, Craig Akin, James Albright, Bob Bowman and Gerald Spaits will appear in concert at the Atonement Lutheran Church at 99th and Metcalf in Overland Park. Admission is free, and the music begins at 7:00 p.m. Call 913-897-6874 for additional information.

Welcome Back, Kevin
The local jazz scene got a little quieter a couple of years ago when singers Karrin Allyson and Kevin Mahogany hit the road for the east coast, Allyson to New York, Mahogany to Boston and the Berklee staff. Fortunately for KC both make occasional return visits, and Mahogany's next will be as part of the Jammin' at the Gem concert series at 18th and Vine's Gem Theater. Catch Kevin on Saturday, January 18, when his live show will be recorded for future release. Call 816-474-8463 (VINE) for the details.

UMKC Jazz: Looking Ahead
For years the UMKC Jazz Festival has been held in the spring. But beginning in 2003 the event will be combined with the annual George Salisbury Memorial Cabaret Concert forming the first ever UMKC Jazz Weekend, Friday, January 31 through Sunday, February 2. A non-competitive festival (sponsored by Down Beat) will take place on the 31st and 1st and will include performances by junior high, high school and college bands, clinics by adjudicators and guests John McNeil, Andy Green, Tom Hubbard and Ron Vincent, and the music of UMKC's 11 O'Clock Jazz Band (Hal Melia, director; UMKC jazz faculty members Paul McKee and Mike Metheny, guests) and Concert Jazz Ensemble (Bobby Watson, director; Paquito D'Rivera and Alon Yavnai, guest soloists and also clinicians).

Then on Sunday, the 2nd, the Salisbury concert, running from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. and emceed by Marr Sound Archives curator Chuck Haddix, will feature the UMKC Student Jazz Combo, Tim Whitmer and the KC Express (with Lucky Wesley, Rusty Tucker and Myra Taylor) additional UMKC jazz faculty (including Rod Fleeman, Gerald Spaits and Tommy Ruskin), and Bobby Watson's Concert Jazz Ensemble (with special guest Marilyn Maye). It should be quite a weekend of jazz at UMKC. Call 816-235-6078 for additional details.

A Proclamation & A Partnership
Fresh from being honored last fall by Missouri Governor Bob Holden "for his outstanding achievements in the musical art form of jazz," saxophonist, recording artist and bandleader Ahmad Alaadeen has received a grant award from the National Endowment for the Arts to support a Bi-State partnership with the Oregon Trail and Santa Fe Trail Junior High Schools in Olathe and the Paseo Academy in Kansas City. The grant makes possible a residency and associated performances by Alaadeen with the project getting underway on January 1 and concluding with a final Bi-State concert on March 1 at the Ozborn Auditorium in Olathe. Look for additional details about the grand finale in the February/March JAM.

These Ladies Will Sing the Blues
2003 will get off to a rousing start for the Jazz Ambassadors when the KCJA hosts a special edition of "Ladies Sing the Blues" on Thursday, February 20. Featured at this unique dinner-and-jazz event at The Club at Plaza III, 4749 Pennsylvania, will be vocalists Angela Hagenbach, Kathleen Holeman and Sharon Thompson backed by an all-star KC band including Paul Smith (piano) and Steve Rigazzi (bass). As we go to press the evening is taking shape nicely and will also feature singer/pianist Luqman Hamza and bassist Lucky Wesley, who will provide the dinner hour music starting at 6:30 p.m. The show itself begins at 8:00, and selected UMKC jazz students will perform during the breaks. Seating is $100 per person (which includes dinner), there will be a cash bar, and reservations are now being taken. (Members of the Jazz Ambassadors will be able to purchase standing room only tickets for $5.) Call either 913-649-7320 or 913-967-6767 for more information, and look for additional details in the February/March JAM.

Farewells
On September 26 a familiar voice for the Kansas City jazz scene was stilled when Dick Dexter passed away at the age of 82. Following a successful career in advertising, Dexter hosted "The Saturday Afternoon Swing Club" on KCUR-FM where, for eight-plus years, he presented classic swing era jazz with customary pep and enthusiasm. Dexter's successor and current KCUR "Take Five" host, Robert Moore (who offered a tribute to Dexter on his October 6 show) spoke with us about his departed colleague.

"Dick was a mentor and a friend. When he passed the 'Swing Club' torch to me, he passed on his love for the Kansas City style and the importance in keeping it alive. He was passionate about public radio, swing music and his beloved Missouri Tigers. I enjoyed his announcing style; he was truly a professional."

And if you've followed The New Red Onion Jazz Babies over the years, you no doubt have enjoyed the spirited cornet playing of Don "Shotgun" Carlton, who passed away on September 30. Diane Capps of Kansas City Ragtime Revelry was one of many Kansas City jazz fans who held "Shotgun" in high esteem.

"The Kansas City jazz community lost one of its finest when Don 'Shotgun' Carlton died on September 30th. He had been battling cancer for well over a year. Don was the leader and cornetist for The New Red Onion Jazz Babies, which he founded in June of 1981. The Jazz Babies, along with many loyal followers, enjoyed a 14-year gig at the old Bristol Bar & Grill on the Plaza. Fond memories still linger for many from those lively sessions."
Don Carlton was 75.

Matt Betton 1913-2002
Matt Betton, founder and Executive Director Emeritus of the IAJE (International Association of Jazz Education) passed away on November 3, 2002. He was 89. A true pioneer in the world of jazz education, Betton is credited with building the IAJE from the ground up just down the pike from KC at his alma mater, Kansas State University in Manhattan. Today, the IAJE has upwards of 8,000 members in 42 countries.

"Matt's contributions to the field of jazz education are incalculable," said current IAJE President and Indiana University Distinguished Professor of Music David Baker. "He and his wife Betty were the rocks in the IAJE's foundation. Without their dedication and personal sacrifice, there would be no IAJE today." Among Betton's numerous awards are an honorary doctorate from Boston's Berklee College of Music and induction into the Kansas State University Music Service Guild Hall of Fame. Contributions in his name can be made to the IAJE Matt Betton Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 724, Manhattan, KS 66505, or to the KSU Foundation Matt Betton Scholarship Fund, 2323 Anderson Rd., Suite 500, Manhattan, KS 66502.

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.