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Nationally and internationally recognized jazz musicians with area ties have been keeping the music (and Kansas City's place on the map) alive for decades. Here are some of the heavy-hitters, past and present, in alphabetical order. We encourage you to let us know of others who may also belong in this elite group. Omissions are inevitable and unintentional. * * * Karrin Allyson -- After ten years in Kansas City, the singer/pianist made the inevitable move to New York in 2000. Allyson has since been nominated for two Grammys, continues record for the prestigious Concord Jazz label, and still tours with longtime KC colleagues. Harold Ashby -- A direct link to such KC-connected tenor titans as Ben Webster and Lester Young, Ashby was born in Kansas City in 1925, was a member of Duke Ellington's legendary saxophone section in the '60s and '70s, and played his final gig at KC's Folly Theater in September 2002. Eddie Barefield -- Born in Iowa in 1909, the saxophonist/arranger played with various territory bands before joining KC's Bennie Moten in 1932. Barefield went on to appear with Cab Calloway, Fletcher Henderson, Ella Fitzgerald, Coleman Hawkins, Duke Ellington and many others. He died in New York City in 1991. William "Count" Basie -- One of the most celebrated of all KC jazz alumni, the pianist/leader fronted a series of acclaimed bands from his days at the Reno Club in the mid '30s until his death in 1984. The list of noted Basie sidemen is long and includes Freddie Green, Thad Jones, and Grover Mitchell, who had been leading the Basie band until his passing in August of this year. Ronnell Bright -- A list of those this veteran pianist has worked with is hard to keep short. Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Carmen McRae, Nancy Wilson, Dizzy Gillespie, Cannonball Adderley, Lena Horne, Peggy Lee, Joe Williams, Zoot Sims, Quincy Jones, Flip Wilson... And it goes on. In recent years Dr. Bright has appeared in select KC jazz clubs.
Bob Brookmeyer -- Born in KC in 1929, the valve trombonist, composer, arranger and educator paid early dues with the Warren Durrett Orchestra and at jam sessions at 18th & Vine. Since moving on in the early '50s, Brookmeyer has worked/recorded with a jazz world "who's who" including Stan Getz, Gerry Mulligan, Jimmy Giuffre, Bill Evans, Clark Terry, and the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra. Chris Connor -- Often compared to such "cool" jazz instrumentalists as Chet Baker and Paul Desmond, vocalist Connor (who was born in KC in 1927 and, in the late '40s, sang with a Conservatory big band led by Bob Brookmeyer) was one of the most popular jazz singers of the 1950s. Ms. Connor followed June Christy in the Stan Kenton Orchestra in 1952 and also appeared with Claude Thornhill. Coon-Sanders Nighthawks -- Founded by drummer Carlton Coon and pianist/arranger Joe Sanders, who met in a Kansas City music store, this band was one of the most popular of the 1920s. (The name "Nighthawks" came from appearances on a popular late night KC radio show.) The orchestra relocated to Chicago in 1924 and released more than 70 recordings before Coon's death in 1932. Nathan Davis -- A noted jazz educator, Nathan Davis (born in Kansas City, Kansas in 1937) also has solid credentials as a saxophonist. While growing up in the KC area, Davis worked with Jay McShann in the mid '50s before moving to Europe where he appeared with Kenny Clarke, Eric Dolphy and Art Blakey. Tommy Douglas -- After attending high school in Topeka, Douglas played alto sax and clarinet with Bennie Moten, Jap Allen, George E. Lee and Clarence Love. He also fronted a KC band of his own that featured a young Charlie Parker. Douglas (1906-1965) appeared with Duke Ellington in the early '50s. Eddie Durham -- A guitarist, trombonist, composer and arranger, Durham worked with Walter Page's Blue Devils, Bennie Moten, Jimmie Lunceford and Count Basie, among many others. His charts on "Moten Swing," "Topsy" and "Jumpin' at the Woodside" remain big band standards to this day. Gary Foster -- A Leavenworth native and KU grad, woodwind master Foster moved to L.A. in the early '60s and has maintained a career as a top studio and jazz artist. Over the past 40 years he has appeared on numerous movie soundtracks and has performed/recorded with Clare Fischer, Natalie Cole and Diana Krall. Of his various solo recordings one is titled Kansas City Connections. Coleman Hawkins -- Born in St. Joseph and educated at Washburn University in Topeka, Hawkins' presence in the Midwest can still be felt. (There are annual summer festivals in his name in both St. Joe and Topeka.) "Hawk" was one of the first to gain widespread fame on the tenor sax following beginnings that included performing in KC theater pit orchestras. Gus Johnson -- An important early member of Jay McShann's band, circa late '30s-early '40s, Johnson was also the featured drummer with Count Basie, Peanuts Hucko, Ralph Sutton, and the World's Greatest Jazz Band. After settling in Denver in the mid '70s Gus Johnson was a frequent performer at the Dick Gibson jazz parties. Pete Johnson -- It was his boogie-woogie piano style that made Pete Johnson one of the most important musicians of KC's jazz heyday in the 1920s and '30s. And his association with singer "Big Joe" Turner remains an essential part of Kansas City jazz history. Johnson was born in Kansas City in 1904 and died in Buffalo, NY in 1967.
Carmell Jones -- Hard bop trumpeter Carmell Jones, born in KCK in 1936, was at his peak in the late '50s and early '60s before moving to Europe and becoming immersed in studio work. (He can be heard on Horace Silver's 1964 classic Song For My Father. And Mosaic has recently released a 3-CD set, reviewed in the Aug./Sept. '03 JAM.) Jones returned to KC in the early '80s where he performed until his death in 1996. Andy Kirk -- In the late '20s and early '30s Kirk's "Clouds of Joy" rivaled Bennie Moten's band in popularity in Kansas City. His group -- which featured star attraction Mary Lou Williams -- toured steadily for nearly 20 years and had a hit in 1936 called "Until the Real Thing Comes Along," sung by Pha Terrell. Kirk died in New York in 1992 at the age of 94. Ben Kynard -- KC saxophonist/composer Ben Kynard is best known for having written the jazz hit "Red Top" for Lionel Hampton in 1946. It was also covered by Gene Ammons the following year. Kynard toured with Hampton's band for seven years (1946-53) before settling down in Kansas City. Charles Kynard -- Born in St. Louis in 1933, organist Charles Kynard studied piano in Kansas City in the early '40s, received a music education degree from KU, and kept his KC contacts alive throughout an influential career that ultimately took him to L.A. There, when not touring with his own groups, he worked in the studios. Kynard died in Los Angeles in 1979. Julia Lee -- The acclaimed KC jazz singer/pianist appeared with brother/saxophonist/bandleader George E. Lee for 17 years. Then, for the next 25 years, prior to her death in 1958, she was a fixture on the Kansas City scene, working regularly as a single and recording several albums for the Capitol label with such sidemen as Jay McShann and Benny Carter. Lee and drummer Baby Lovett were invited to the Truman White House in 1949. Harlan Leonard -- Born in KC in 1904, saxophonist/leader Harlan Leonard initially worked with the Bennie Moten band before forming his own "Rockets" in 1934. Tadd Dameron was an arranger, Charlie Parker appeared briefly, and Myra Taylor was the featured vocalist in 1940-41. Melba Liston -- Although she was born in Kansas City (1926), the trombonist/composer/arranger grew up in L.A. As an instrumentalist Liston appeared with Gerald Wilson, Count Basie, Dexter Gordon and Billie Holiday. And her charts were performed by Randy Weston, Duke Ellington and Tony Bennett. She was also a staff arranger at Motown. Liston died in Los Angeles in 1999.
Kevin Mahogany -- Another homegrown talent who, in recent years, has brought KC jazz new recognition, Mahogany studied at the Charlie Parker Foundation, originally as a saxophonist. The singer/bandleader has since gone on to record for Enja and Warner Brothers, appear in Robert Altman's "Kansas City," teach at Berklee in Boston, and place high in national polls. Marilyn Maye -- After starting out as Warren Durrett's "girl singer" in the early '50s, Marilyn Maye went on to headline for eleven years at KC's Colony Steak House, which led to recordings for RCA, 76 appearances on Johnny Carson's "Tonight Show," a Grammy nomination, a place in the Smithsonian, and a busy touring schedule as one of the country's top jazz vocalists. Jay McShann -- One of the true Statesmen of Kansas City Jazz (and Blues), McShann has been a major part of the KC music scene since the late '30s when the pianist, singer and leader formed a popular band that featured a young Charlie Parker. Based in Kansas City for decades, Jay has toured the world, recorded numerous albums, won countless awards, appeared in films, and at a still very active 87, remains a true inspiration. Pat Metheny -- A Lee's Summit native (LSHS Class of '72), the Grammy-winning guitarist (15 trophies to date) paid first dues in KC with various local bands before joining Gary Burton at 19. Since 1977 he has toured with the Pat Metheny Group and has appeared on scores of recordings, either as a leader or collaborator. In 1996 Pat received an honorary doctorate from the Berklee College of Music. Bennie Moten -- It is generally recognized that pianist/bandleader Moten's death in 1935 signified the beginning of the Count Basie band when Basie (second pianist under Moten) regrouped the Moten band's remnants. Other noted Moten sidemen included Jimmy Rushing, "Hot Lips" Page, Eddie Durham, Harlan Leonard, Walter Page and Ben Webster. Oran "Hot Lips" Page -- After touring with Walter Page's original Blue Devils (1927-30), trumpeter Page went on to perform with Bennie Moten, Count Basie and Artie Shaw. He also appeared on recordings with Billie Holiday, Joe Turner and Ben Webster and was a bandleader in his own right. Walter Page -- Originally the bassist with Bennie Moten circa 1918-23, Page's Blue Devils was soon formed and featured a young Count Basie and Jimmy Rushing. Page (no relation to Hot Lips) rejoined Bennie Moten in the early '30s, and after Moten's death in 1935, became a vital part of the new Basie rhythm section. Charlie "Bird" Parker -- It seems only fitting that there is a large monument in KC's 18th & Vine Jazz District to the trail-blazing alto saxophonist who was an integral part of bop's beginnings. Jay McShann gave this great innovator a first gig in 1937 at a place in the Country Club Plaza that has been 210 at Fedora in recent years. And, as they say, the rest is history. Jesse Price -- Drummer (and also vocalist) Jesse Price was part of KC's jazz heyday of the '30s and '40s appearing with Count Basie and Harlan Leonard. He also performed with Stan Kenton (1944), Louis Armstrong, Benny Carter and Jay McShann. Price died in L.A. in 1974. Gene Ramey -- After coming to KC in the early '30s, Gene Ramey switched from tuba to bass for Walter Page's band. A long association with Jay McShann began in 1938. Ramey later appeared on NYC's 52nd Street with Charlie Parker, Coleman Hawkins and Ben Webster and toured with Count Basie and Art Blakey. Jimmy Rushing -- A native of Oklahoma City, Rushing joined Walter Page's Blue Devils in 1927, Bennie Moten in '29 and Count Basie in '35, making the band's trip to New York in '36. The great jazz/blues singer was with Basie until 1950 and then continued with a stellar solo career. Rushing died in 1972 at 68. Buster Smith -- An important influence for a teen-age Charlie Parker, Smith was a member of the Blue Devils (1925) alongside of Jimmy Rushing, "Hot Lips" Page and Eddie Durham. The alto saxophonist then joined Bennie Moten in '33 and Basie at the Reno Club in '36 contributing a large part of the band's book (i.e. "One O'clock Jump"). Buddy Tate -- Tenor saxophonist Tate worked with Andy Kirk and Count Basie in KC before replacing Herschel Evans in the Basie band in 1939 and staying for the next ten years. He also performed with "Hot Lips" Page, Jimmy Rushing and Jay McShann, among many others.
Myra Taylor -- A veteran of the original 18th & Vine, Taylor began her singing career in the 1930s working in such haunts as Piney Brown's Sunset Club and the Reno Club. She was soon appearing with Harlan Leonard's Rockets, had a hit single with "The Spider and the Fly," and spent 30 years on the road, including USO tours during World War II, Korea and Vietnam. Frank Trumbauer -- A master of the C-melody saxophone, "Tram" became an important factor in the early evolution of jazz through his work with cornetist Bix Beiderbecke and bandleaders Jean Goldkette and Paul Whiteman. Cited as a major influence for Lester Young and Benny Carter, Trumbauer lived his last 16 years in KC. He died in 1956. "Big Joe" Turner -- Born in Kansas City in 1911, this legendary blues shouter is prominently featured in the documentary "Last of the Blue Devils." KC's wide-open years of the '30s brought Turner and boogie-woogie pianist Pete Johnson together; and in 1954 the singer became a first "rock star" with the hit "Shake, Rattle and Roll." Turner died in 1985. Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson -- His time in KC was brief (1962-64 according to Leonard Feather), but those who were around then will tell you it was memorable. The singer, saxophonist and composer ("Four," "Tune Up") also spent two years in Omaha working with big bands and small groups. He died in L.A. in 1988 at the age of 70. Bobby Watson -- One of the biggest news stories for KC jazz in recent years was the announcement that the world-renowned alto saxophonist would return to the Midwest to oversee jazz studies at UMKC. Watson has worked Art Blakey and Wynton Marsalis, and for the past 25 years has been a high-profile leader and recording artist. Ben Webster -- The great tenor saxophonist was born in Kansas City in 1909, performed with Andy Kirk and Bennie Moten, and began a long association with Duke Ellington in 1935. Webster also worked/recorded with Fletcher Henderson, Lionel Hampton, Woody Herman, Billie Holiday, Teddy Wilson and Jay McShann. Frank Wess -- Saxophonist/flutist Frank Wess was born in Kansas City in 1922, moved to Oklahoma and then Washington D.C. when he was a teen. Wess has performed with Billy Eckstein (1946-47) and Count Basie (1953-64), and became a successful NYC studio musician in the '60s. He joined The New York Jazz Quartet (with Sir Roland Hanna, Ron Carter and Ben Riley) in 1975.
Claude "Fiddler" Williams -- Along with Jay McShann, Fiddler has maintained his status of a bona fide KC jazz legend. An important part of the 18th & Vine scene from 1928 on, Williams has played alongside of Charlie Parker, Lester Young and Mary Lou Williams, and as a guitarist in the mid '30s, he preceded Freddie Green in the Basie band. In recent years Claude has performed at the White House, at various festivals, on numerous recordings, and has received many awards. Mary Lou Williams -- From 1930 to '42, pianist/arranger Mary Lou Williams was a vital part of Andy Kirk's "Clouds of Joy." She also wrote charts for Benny Goodman, Tommy Dorsey, Earl Hines, Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington and Dizzy Gillespie. Along with Gillespie, Thelonious Monk and Bud Powell, Williams was at the forefront of the bop movement in the 1940s. Lammar Wright, Sr. -- Another important member of the Bennie Moten band (1923-28), trumpeter Wright also played with Cab Calloway (17 years), Don Redman, Claude Hopkins and Cootie Williams. Wright's sons, Lammar, Jr. and Elmon (also trumpet players) both appeared with Dizzy Gillespie's big band. Lester "Prez" Young -- After leaving Walter Page's Blue Devils in 1933, the future tenor sax giant settled in KC, worked with Andy Kirk and then with Count Basie at the Reno Club in '36. Young made the trip with Basie to NYC that same year, and over the span of the coming decades performed frequently with Billie Holiday, who named him "Prez." * * * Sources include:
* * * RETURN
TO OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2003 MAIN INDEX |
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