JAM: October/November 2003 Issue: Celebrating Kansas City's Rich Jazz Heritage

Celebrating Kansas City's Rich Jazz Heritage

IN PRAISE OF THOSE WHO SPREAD THE WORD

Let us not forget about those with local connections who spread the gospel of Kansas City jazz on the national and international stage. They may not be in the history books (yet), but their work has been recognized coast-to-coast (and beyond) and the bios all mention KC. (And again, please let us know of inadvertent omissions. These lists are in no way definitive, and we welcome the feedback.)

Oleta Adams -- Her KC years in the '70s and '80s performing with local jazz musicians would become part of the foundation for future successes. Adams is now a top pop and R&B singer with platinum sales, several Grammy nominations and worldwide acclaim.

Ahmad Alaadeen -- Honored by the US Congress and Rep. Karen McCarthy in 2000, the saxophonist, bandleader and jazz educator is also the 1996 winner of Musician Magazine's "Best Unsigned Band Competition" ("Traditional Jazz" category).

David Basse -- With time divided between L.A. and KC over the years, bandleader, singer, drummer and radio host Basse has appeared both here and on the road with the City Light Orchestra. He has also worked and recorded with such luminaries as pianist Mike Melvoin and alto saxophone legend Phil Woods.

Queen Bey -- Named in 1994 by Mayor Emanuel Cleaver as "Kansas City's Ambassador of Jazz," singer/actress Queen Bey has known notoriety both in KC and around the world, including stage, TV and film appearances with stars like Patty Duke ("A Matter of Justice") and Martin Sheen ("Ninth Street"). Bey is currently based in L.A.

Bob Bowman -- Bowman's years as bassist for Carmen McRae and the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis and Toshiko Akiyoshi/Lew Tabakin big bands put this Topeka-born bassist on the map. He has also performed with Bud Shank and Freddie Hubbard and appears on numerous recordings.

Deborah Brown -- Jazz singer Brown, born in Kansas City, has performed in more than 50 countries, recorded eleven albums, and has appeared with Slide Hampton, Roger Kellaway, Cedar Walton, Dorothy Donegan, Clark Terry, Johnny Griffin, "Toots" Thielemans, Harry "Sweets" Edison, Bobby Shew and Roy Hargrove. She is now living in Europe.

Ervin Brown -- During his California years as a songwriter, the guitarist/saxophonist worked with everyone from Lou Rawls and Jeffrey Osborne to Ray Parker and Barry White. And it runs in the family; Brown's father Raymond Ice played with Jay McShann and Lionel Hampton.

Norman Brown -- A Grammy-winning guitarist and longtime star in the Contemporary Jazz world, Norman Brown (Wyandotte High, class of '81) has been recording for the MoJazz label for the past twelve years. Among other honors are Soul Train and American Jazz awards.

Steve Cardenas -- This well-traveled guitarist, now living in New York, began his musical career in KC and has backed jazz greats Jay McShann and Marilyn Maye. Since leaving town he has worked with such diverse artists as Maria Muldaur, Paul McCandless, Mark Isham and Marc Johnson and is currently a member of the Paul Motian Electric Bebop Band.

Carol Comer -- Singer, pianist and jazz journalist Carol Comer (along with former KCUR jazz host Dianne Gregg) helped launch the nationally acclaimed Women's Jazz Festival in 1978. She has also been KC's Down Beat correspondent and continues to travel the country as an in-demand jazz educator.

Phil DeGreg -- DeGreg made his mark in Kansas City in the late '70s while studying piano at UMKC. He went on to earn a masters at North Texas, tour with Woody Herman's "Thundering Herd," and perform with greats like Slide Hampton, J.J. Johnson, Zoot Sims and Mark Murphy. Today he is Associate Professor of Jazz Studies at the University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music.

Everette DeVan -- One of the premier jazz organists on the scene today, recording artist and bandleader Everette DeVan has taken the message of KC jazz to such distant lands as Africa (Madagascar) and Japan (Tokyo). In the Far East DeVan has become a returning favorite.

Danny Embrey -- A KC jazz perennial, this guitarist and area native achieved national notoriety during his L.A. years as a member of the Sergio Mendes (1980-87) and Clare Fischer (1982-85) bands. Embrey has also appeared with Alan Broadbent, Gary Foster, Bob Brookmeyer and Shelly Manne.

Dave Glenn -- A trombonist with KC roots (Ruskin High, class of '69), Glenn, a North Texas grad, spent eleven years in New York working with Bill Watrous, Diana Ross, Lou Rawls, Mel Lewis, Ed Palermo and Gerry Mulligan. These days he is Director of Jazz Studies at Whitman College in Walla Walla, Washington.

Angela Hagenbach -- Singer/bandleader Hagenbach has represented KC jazz at festivals and concerts around the country as well as internationally (in '98 and 2000) under the auspices of the US State Department of Cultural Relations and the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

Luqman Hamza -- It remains an enduring irony that this worldclass jazz singer is more popular elsewhere than right here in his hometown of KC. Hamza (formerly Larry Cummings) still packs 'em in at Jazz at the Bistro in St. Louis, and his recording career now spans more than 50 years.

Lisa Henry -- After winning the prestigious U.S. Information Agency "International Jazz Ambassador Award" at the 1994 Thelonious Monk Competition in Washington, D.C., this KC jazz singer was able to add congratulatory letters from President Clinton and Vice President Gore to an expanding press kit.

Paul Hofmann -- Based in KC for several years in the '90s, pianist/composer Paul Hofmann has released over ten albums on his own MHR label, many of which have featured KC notables. Hofmann is now on the faculty at the renowned Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY.

Russ Long -- His eight years (1973-81) as house pianist at the Lake Geneva (WI) Playboy Club put Russ Long in the company of numerous big league headliners including Milton Berle, Jay Leno, George Gobel and Joe Williams. Working with Williams led to the great jazz singer's recording of Long's frequently performed original, "Save That Time."

Arch Martin -- KC tends to think of this veteran trombonist and music educator as a steady force on the local scene (which he is), but Martin paid road dues in the 1950s with Claude Thornhill and Woody Herman. In the late '60s he also became a favorite front line partner of trumpet giant Clark Terry.

Will Matthews -- Since January of 1996, the KC-based guitarist has been a member of the world renowned Count Basie Orchestra sitting in the same chair once occupied by the great Freddie Green. Matthews has also appeared on several recordings with the Basie band, two of which have won Grammys.

Ida McBeth -- Singer/bandleader McBeth has been a KC jazz and blues institution for over 30 years. (In 1984, she was named by the Kansas City-based International Jazz Hall of Fame as "Best Female Jazz Vocalist.") More national exposure came in the summer of 2000 when Ida performed the national anthem at the Democratic National Convention in Los Angeles.

Paul McKee -- Trombonist McKee came to Kansas City when his wife (JoDee Davis, also a trombonist) joined the faculty at UMKC. Paul has been a member of the Woody Herman band since 1984, has served on the faculties of DePaul, Northern Illinois, and Youngstown universities, and is now an adjunct instructor at UMKC.

Steve Million -- Currently based in Chicago, the pianist/composer spent his KC years in the '70s working with Ida McBeth, Steve Cardenas and others. Million has since gone on to record with icons like Randy Brecker, earn a four and a half star rating in Down Beat, and become one of the Windy City's most in-demand performers.

Kim Park -- Park's time with the Stan Kenton band in the mid '70s afforded national recognition to this KC-based saxophonist, recording artist and woodwind specialist. Kim, a Springfield (MO) native, has also appeared with such jazz legends as Louie Bellson, Clark Terry, Stan Getz and Mel Torme'.

Mark Pender -- Today this former Kansas Citian is best known as the trumpeter (since 1993) in the house band for NBC's "Late Night with Conan O'Brien." Based in New York since 1980, Pender apprenticed as a member of KC's Inner City Orchestra in the late '70s and has gone on to become one of the top brassmen in the business.

Richie Pratt -- Prior to his career in music, Pratt (who is originally from Olathe) attended KU on a football scholarship. Then came a career-ending knee injury, a move to New York in the early '70s, and a first paying gig as the drummer with Junior Mance. He has since worked with The New York Jazz Quartet, Billy Taylor, Milt Jackson, Lionel Hampton and Benny Goodman.

Dave Scott -- New York-based trumpeter/pianist Scott is from KC (Ruskin High, Class of '71) and has worked with Gerry Mulligan and the Clark Terry, Jim Widner and Tom Harrell big bands. In recent years he has also appeared with Bobby Shew, Gary Foster and Joe LaBarbera.

Jay Sollenberger -- Trumpeter Sollenberger has toured as a sideman and appeared as a soloist with many of the great names in jazz. Among them are Bill Chase (as a member of Chase's all-trumpet jazz rock band of the early '70s), Stan Kenton, Buddy Rich and Woody Herman.

Todd Strait -- An area mainstay during his KC years (Strait now lives in Portland, OR), this drummer, recording artist and former New Yorker has done road time with Woody Herman and Marian McPartland among many others.

Ron Vincent -- A Rhode Island native, Berklee grad, and current New York City resident, drummer Vincent spent three years (1979-82) performing in KC. Over the span of a 30-year career he has recorded and/or appeared with Gerry Mulligan, Randy Brecker, Dave Douglas, Phil Woods, Carol Sloane, Bill Charlap, John McNeil and Bob Brookmeyer.

Rob Whitsitt -- After a first road gig with organist Jack McDuff, Whitsitt held down the guitar chair in George Shearing's group for four years. These days singer Ida McBeth keeps Rob busy with high profile gigs both near and far.

Dave Zoller -- As a student at UMKC in the mid '60s, pianist, composer and arranger Zoller worked with a cross section of the KC jazz scene. Since relocating to Dallas in 1969, he has written and performed over 1600 tracks for national radio and TV spots as a studio musician, served as music director for Al Hirt, and has released many jazz recordings as a leader.

COMING IN THE DECEMBER/JANUARY JAM:
Saluting The Elder Statesmen of Kansas City Jazz






	Search our site:		Celebrating Kansas City's Rich Jazz Heritage IN PRAISE OF THOSE WHO SPREAD THE WORD Let us not forget about those with local connections who spread the gospel of Kansas City jazz on the national and international stage. They may not be in the history books (yet), but their work has been recognized coast-to-coast (and beyond) and the bios all mention KC. (And again, please let us know of inadvertent omissions. These lists are in no way definitive, and we welcome the feedback.) Oleta Adams -- Her KC years in the '70s and '80s performing with local jazz musicians would become part of the foundation for future successes. Adams is now a top pop and R&B singer with platinum sales, several Grammy nominations and worldwide acclaim. Ahmad Alaadeen -- Honored by the US Congress and Rep. Karen McCarthy in 2000, the saxophonist, bandleader and jazz educator is also the 1996 winner of Musician Magazine's "Best Unsigned Band Competition" ("Traditional Jazz" category). David Basse -- With time divided between L.A. and KC over the years, bandleader, singer, drummer and radio host Basse has appeared both here and on the road with the City Light Orchestra. He has also worked and recorded with such luminaries as pianist Mike Melvoin and alto saxophone legend Phil Woods. Queen Bey -- Named in 1994 by Mayor Emanuel Cleaver as "Kansas City's Ambassador of Jazz," singer/actress Queen Bey has known notoriety both in KC and around the world, including stage, TV and film appearances with stars like Patty Duke ("A Matter of Justice") and Martin Sheen ("Ninth Street"). Bey is currently based in L.A. Bob Bowman -- Bowman's years as bassist for Carmen McRae and the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis and Toshiko Akiyoshi/Lew Tabakin big bands put this Topeka-born bassist on the map. He has also performed with Bud Shank and Freddie Hubbard and appears on numerous recordings. Deborah Brown -- Jazz singer Brown, born in Kansas City, has performed in more than 50 countries, recorded eleven albums, and has appeared with Slide Hampton, Roger Kellaway, Cedar Walton, Dorothy Donegan, Clark Terry, Johnny Griffin, "Toots" Thielemans, Harry "Sweets" Edison, Bobby Shew and Roy Hargrove. She is now living in Europe. Ervin Brown -- During his California years as a songwriter, the guitarist/saxophonist worked with everyone from Lou Rawls and Jeffrey Osborne to Ray Parker and Barry White. And it runs in the family; Brown's father Raymond Ice played with Jay McShann and Lionel Hampton. Norman Brown -- A Grammy-winning guitarist and longtime star in the Contemporary Jazz world, Norman Brown (Wyandotte High, class of '81) has been recording for the MoJazz label for the past twelve years. Among other honors are Soul Train and American Jazz awards. Steve Cardenas -- This well-traveled guitarist, now living in New York, began his musical career in KC and has backed jazz greats Jay McShann and Marilyn Maye. Since leaving town he has worked with such diverse artists as Maria Muldaur, Paul McCandless, Mark Isham and Marc Johnson and is currently a member of the Paul Motian Electric Bebop Band. Carol Comer -- Singer, pianist and jazz journalist Carol Comer (along with former KCUR jazz host Dianne Gregg) helped launch the nationally acclaimed Women's Jazz Festival in 1978. She has also been KC's Down Beat correspondent and continues to travel the country as an in-demand jazz educator. Phil DeGreg -- DeGreg made his mark in Kansas City in the late '70s while studying piano at UMKC. He went on to earn a masters at North Texas, tour with Woody Herman's "Thundering Herd," and perform with greats like Slide Hampton, J.J. Johnson, Zoot Sims and Mark Murphy. Today he is Associate Professor of Jazz Studies at the University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music. Everette DeVan -- One of the premier jazz organists on the scene today, recording artist and bandleader Everette DeVan has taken the message of KC jazz to such distant lands as Africa (Madagascar) and Japan (Tokyo). In the Far East DeVan has become a returning favorite. Danny Embrey -- A KC jazz perennial, this guitarist and area native achieved national notoriety during his L.A. years as a member of the Sergio Mendes (1980-87) and Clare Fischer (1982-85) bands. Embrey has also appeared with Alan Broadbent, Gary Foster, Bob Brookmeyer and Shelly Manne. Dave Glenn -- A trombonist with KC roots (Ruskin High, class of '69), Glenn, a North Texas grad, spent eleven years in New York working with Bill Watrous, Diana Ross, Lou Rawls, Mel Lewis, Ed Palermo and Gerry Mulligan. These days he is Director of Jazz Studies at Whitman College in Walla Walla, Washington. Angela Hagenbach -- Singer/bandleader Hagenbach has represented KC jazz at festivals and concerts around the country as well as internationally (in '98 and 2000) under the auspices of the US State Department of Cultural Relations and the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Luqman Hamza -- It remains an enduring irony that this worldclass jazz singer is more popular elsewhere than right here in his hometown of KC. Hamza (formerly Larry Cummings) still packs 'em in at Jazz at the Bistro in St. Louis, and his recording career now spans more than 50 years. Lisa Henry -- After winning the prestigious U.S. Information Agency "International Jazz Ambassador Award" at the 1994 Thelonious Monk Competition in Washington, D.C., this KC jazz singer was able to add congratulatory letters from President Clinton and Vice President Gore to an expanding press kit. Paul Hofmann -- Based in KC for several years in the '90s, pianist/composer Paul Hofmann has released over ten albums on his own MHR label, many of which have featured KC notables. Hofmann is now on the faculty at the renowned Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY. Russ Long -- His eight years (1973-81) as house pianist at the Lake Geneva (WI) Playboy Club put Russ Long in the company of numerous big league headliners including Milton Berle, Jay Leno, George Gobel and Joe Williams. Working with Williams led to the great jazz singer's recording of Long's frequently performed original, "Save That Time." Arch Martin -- KC tends to think of this veteran trombonist and music educator as a steady force on the local scene (which he is), but Martin paid road dues in the 1950s with Claude Thornhill and Woody Herman. In the late '60s he also became a favorite front line partner of trumpet giant Clark Terry. Will Matthews -- Since January of 1996, the KC-based guitarist has been a member of the world renowned Count Basie Orchestra sitting in the same chair once occupied by the great Freddie Green. Matthews has also appeared on several recordings with the Basie band, two of which have won Grammys. Ida McBeth -- Singer/bandleader McBeth has been a KC jazz and blues institution for over 30 years. (In 1984, she was named by the Kansas City-based International Jazz Hall of Fame as "Best Female Jazz Vocalist.") More national exposure came in the summer of 2000 when Ida performed the national anthem at the Democratic National Convention in Los Angeles. Paul McKee -- Trombonist McKee came to Kansas City when his wife (JoDee Davis, also a trombonist) joined the faculty at UMKC. Paul has been a member of the Woody Herman band since 1984, has served on the faculties of DePaul, Northern Illinois, and Youngstown universities, and is now an adjunct instructor at UMKC. Steve Million -- Currently based in Chicago, the pianist/composer spent his KC years in the '70s working with Ida McBeth, Steve Cardenas and others. Million has since gone on to record with icons like Randy Brecker, earn a four and a half star rating in Down Beat, and become one of the Windy City's most in-demand performers. Kim Park -- Park's time with the Stan Kenton band in the mid '70s afforded national recognition to this KC-based saxophonist, recording artist and woodwind specialist. Kim, a Springfield (MO) native, has also appeared with such jazz legends as Louie Bellson, Clark Terry, Stan Getz and Mel Torme'. Mark Pender -- Today this former Kansas Citian is best known as the trumpeter (since 1993) in the house band for NBC's "Late Night with Conan O'Brien." Based in New York since 1980, Pender apprenticed as a member of KC's Inner City Orchestra in the late '70s and has gone on to become one of the top brassmen in the business. Richie Pratt -- Prior to his career in music, Pratt (who is originally from Olathe) attended KU on a football scholarship. Then came a career-ending knee injury, a move to New York in the early '70s, and a first paying gig as the drummer with Junior Mance. He has since worked with The New York Jazz Quartet, Billy Taylor, Milt Jackson, Lionel Hampton and Benny Goodman. Dave Scott -- New York-based trumpeter/pianist Scott is from KC (Ruskin High, Class of '71) and has worked with Gerry Mulligan and the Clark Terry, Jim Widner and Tom Harrell big bands. In recent years he has also appeared with Bobby Shew, Gary Foster and Joe LaBarbera. Jay Sollenberger -- Trumpeter Sollenberger has toured as a sideman and appeared as a soloist with many of the great names in jazz. Among them are Bill Chase (as a member of Chase's all-trumpet jazz rock band of the early '70s), Stan Kenton, Buddy Rich and Woody Herman. Todd Strait -- An area mainstay during his KC years (Strait now lives in Portland, OR), this drummer, recording artist and former New Yorker has done road time with Woody Herman and Marian McPartland among many others. Ron Vincent -- A Rhode Island native, Berklee grad, and current New York City resident, drummer Vincent spent three years (1979-82) performing in KC. Over the span of a 30-year career he has recorded and/or appeared with Gerry Mulligan, Randy Brecker, Dave Douglas, Phil Woods, Carol Sloane, Bill Charlap, John McNeil and Bob Brookmeyer. Rob Whitsitt -- After a first road gig with organist Jack McDuff, Whitsitt held down the guitar chair in George Shearing's group for four years. These days singer Ida McBeth keeps Rob busy with high profile gigs both near and far. Dave Zoller -- As a student at UMKC in the mid '60s, pianist, composer and arranger Zoller worked with a cross section of the KC jazz scene. Since relocating to Dallas in 1969, he has written and performed over 1600 tracks for national radio and TV spots as a studio musician, served as music director for Al Hirt, and has released many jazz recordings as a leader. COMING IN THE DECEMBER/JANUARY JAM: Saluting The Elder Statesmen of Kansas City Jazz RETURN TO OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2003 MAIN INDEX © Kansas City Jazz Ambassadors 1996-2003. All rights reserved.