Jazz on the Lunch Menu
If you haven't taken advantage of the free noon concerts at Johnson County Community College on Tuesdays , then you still have a chance to do so.
Pianist/vocalist Candace Evans will be performing jazz standards and pop tunes on March 30, with bassist Steve Rigazzi and drummer Larry Ruzich
The Bill Crain Quartet featuring Frank Smith Scholarship recipient Scott King will conclude the 6-week series on April 6.
The concerts are held in the Recital Hall of the Carlsen Center . For more information, call 913-469-8500, ext. 3689.
Bryan Savage Performs at World Revival Church
Saxophonist Bryan Savage will perform at the World Revival Church , 9900 View High Drive off I-470, on Saturday, April 3 , at 7 pm .
The smooth jazz saxophonist/flutist will be performing from his albums as well as with his friend Pastor Steve Gray and the church band. (See interview in this issue.)
The concert is free and open to the public. For more information, call 816-763-0708. PHOTO SHOULD BE SENT TO YOU BY LIN TEASLEY
Herbie Hancock in Columbia
The Herbie Hancock Quartet will be performing in Columbia at Jesse Auditorium on the University of Missouri campus on Thursday, April 8 , at 8 pm .
“It is his only performance in a 300-mile radius,” says Jon Poses, executive director of the “We Always Swing” Jazz Series which is presenting the concert. “And it's his first time in Columbia .
"This is a first opportunity in seven years for Kansas Citians to hear the Grammy winning pianist. He last appeared in concert in 1997 at the International Kansas City Jazz Festival at Starlight.
Hancock will be appearing with saxophonist Gary Thomas, bassist Scott Colley, and drummer Terri Lyne Carrington.
Tickets are $25 to $31.50 and can be purchased through Ticketmaster at www.ticketmaster.com or through the “We Always Swing” Jazz Series Box Office at 866-646-8849.
The jazz series also presents pianist Monty Alexander along with Hassan Shakur on bass and Mark Taylor on drums at Murry's in Columbia on Sunday, April 18. Tickets can also be ordered through the “We Always Swing” Jazz Series Box Office.
Newly Renovated Jardine's Features Marilyn Maye
Vocalist Marilyn Maye will perform for nine nights at Jardine's, 4536 Main, from Easter Sunday, April 11 to Tuesday, April 20 .
The engagement, called Theater of Jazz, showcases Broadway show tunes that have become jazz standards.
Marilyn will appear with saxophonist Hal Melia, pianist Billy Stritch, drummer Jim Eklof and bassist Andy Hall (who will alternate with bassist Gerald Spaits).
The performance coincides with Jardine's recent renovation of its stage area, lighting and sound system. Owner Beena Brandsberg has also decorated the walls with Timothy Moore's jazz artwork.
In addition to the renovation, Jardine's will kick off their Sunday jazz brunch on Easter morning, April 11. Millie Edwards and Becky Berry will entertain.
Marilyn Maye performs in two shows per night excluding Saturday, April 17. For reservations, call 816-561-6480.
Grandview High School at MENC Convention
The Grandview High School Jazz Ensemble has been selected to perform at the MENC (National Association of Music Education) National Convention in Minneapolis , Minnesota , on Thursday, April 15.
The ensemble will perform in a Send-Off Concert on Tuesday, April 13 , 7 pm , at Grandview High School , 2300 High Grove Rd. They will perform selections from Count Basie, Bobby Watson, Charles Mingus, and more.
For more information, call 816-316-5800.
Bilardo Big Band Celebrates Basie Birthday
Percussionist Vince Bilardo had the pleasure of performing with the Count Basie Orchestra twice in his lifetime.
Once was in 1967, when he received a call out of the blue to perform with Count Basie in Grinnell, Iowa.
“It was such a great experience,” recalls Bilardo. “Basie was very kind and complimentary.”
The second time was in 1997 at Station Casino with Will Matthews as Orchestra leader.
“It was real fun,” said Bilardo. “At this point, I had played enough Count Basie that I knew my stuff.”
“It's very poignant for me to do a tribute to Count Basie,” he says.
Bilardo will lead a 19-piece big band in the Kansas City Jazz Workshop's Count Basie 100 th Birthday Tribute on Sunday, April 18 , at 2 pm , in the Basie Ballroom at the Downtown Marriott , 12 th & Central.
In the Count Basie tradition of featuring male vocalists, the big band will include Ray Reed, a former vocalist with the late Eddie Baker's New Breed Orchestra. “He has a great scat voice,” says Bilardo.
In addition, special guests guitarist Rod Fleeman will be featured in a couple of numbers, and saxophonist Hal Melia will end the set with a jam on “One O'Clock Jump.”
The tribute will have cabaret seating with snacks and a cash bar. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased by calling 816-436-0318 or 816-737-3627.
Leon Brady's Youth Jazz Bands Perform Tribute to Basie
In celebration of Count Basie's 100 th Birthday, Leon Brady's highly acclaimed Kansas City Youth Jazz Bands will perform a “ Tribute to Count Basie ” at Unity Temple on the Plaza , Sunday, April 18 , from 4-6 pm. Performing will be the Lab Band (middle grade students), Intermediate Band (lower high school students) and Advanced Band (junior and senior high school students).
Brady hints at the possibility of a special guest.
The event is free to the public. Call 913-371-4157 for more information.
Jazz Night at Shawnee Mission East
Shawnee Mission East will host their annual Jazz Night at the Folly Theater , Sunday, April 18 , at 6:30 pm . The high school's Blue Knights jazz ensemble has received superior ratings during jazz competitions this year along with the school's Blue Notes ensemble. The Mission Valley and Indian Hills middle school jazz bands will also perform. The groups will perform a variety of jazz tunes including Ellington, Count Basie, and contemporary numbers.
Tickets are $5, including refreshments, and can be purchased at the door. For more information call 913-648-5808.
Northtown Brings Back Jazz Jams
Why pack into crowded clubs for popular Saturday afternoon jazz jams around town when you can spend it outdoors?
Starting in May, the Northtown resumes its Saturday in the Square Jazz Jams in historic Town Square , 321 Armour Rd., from 11- 1 pm. The performances are hosted by jazz recording artists Mike Ning and Sherry Jones . Both aspiring and accomplished guest musicians are welcomed to bring their instruments and join in. Lawn chairs, sack lunches and instruments are optional.
Harry's Back in Town
Harry Connick, Jr. will be in Kansas City to perform with his Big Band and String Orchestra at the Midland Theater , 13 th & Main St. , on May 4 , at 8 pm. Tickets can be purchased through the Midland Theater Box Office or through TicketMaster at 816-931-3330.
Coda Jazz Fund Benefit Concert
Mark your calendars for May 15 at the Gem Theater for one of the most anticipated concerts of the year: the Coda Jazz Fund Benefit Concert . Noted Kansas City jazz vocalists and musicians gather together to help raise money for burial costs of qualified career jazz musicians. Last year, Clark Terry headlined the event. This year promises even more noteworthy musicians. For more information, call 816-234-4417.
“Louis and Ella Together” with the Kansas City Jazz Orchestra
The theme “Louis and Ella—Together Again” will be the theme of the upcoming Kansas City Jazz Orchestra concert on May 14 , 7:30 pm, at Unity Temple on the Plaza , 707 W. 47 St. The concert will feature Woody Herman veteran Byron Stripling and Paseo graduate Deborah Brown. Tickets can be purchased at the Central Ticket Box Office at 816-235-6222.
Candace Evans at Cherokee Christian Church
Vocalist/pianist Candace Evans will be the upcoming guest artist at the ongoing music series at the Cherokee Christian Church , 7457 Cherokee Dr. in Prairie Village. She will perform at 7 pm , Thursday, May 20 , along with Ricky Anderson on bass, Larry Ruzich on drums and Greg Briggs on saxophone and flute.
The series has included the Pete Eye Trio, Scott McDonald and Eldar Djangirov's farewell concert.
Tickets are $7 in advance and $8 at the door. For more information, 913-362-7077.
Summer Begins with the Topeka Jazz Festival
Eleven sessions of world-class jazz will be presented during the Jazz Party at the 7 th Annual Topeka Jazz Festival over Memorial Day Weekend, May 28-31 , at the Topeka Performing Arts Center , 214 SE 8 th Ave.
A free Yard Party kicks off the music-packed weekend on Friday, May 28 th beginning at 4:30 p.m. World-renowned and Kansas-bred jazz singer Karrin Allyson will headline the open-air performance on the west lawn of the Arts Center . Food and beverages will be available.
The Jazz Party continues Saturday morning, May 29, at 10:45 a.m. and ends on Monday, May 31, at 7 p.m.
The line-up includes the Eldar Djangirov Trio, Jennifer Leitham Trio, Gary Foster, Ken Peplowski, Paul Smith Trio, John Allred, Joe Cartwright, to name a few. For more information on the line-up go to www.tpactix.org.
You can purchase three-day passes or sponsoring packets, and spend the entire weekend enjoying jazz at the Topeka Performing Arts Center. Single session tickets cost $25 each plus tax and fee, and average two hours in length. For tickets, call 785-234-2787.
Vocalist Rosetta Robinson Dies
Vocalist Rosetta Robinson collapsed from an aneurysm while performing in a Monday night jam at the Blue Room on March 15.
“We were coming back in on the bridge on her third tune,” says John Doubleday who was the percussionist that night. “And that's when she collapsed.”
She died the next day.
Robinson had once said in an interview with JAM magazine that “no matter what happens, I do love to sing.” She proved that up to the very end.
Robinson was born 57 years ago in Poplar Bluff , Missouri . She began singing in the church choir with her father and sisters. At age 12 she became the featured singer in her family.
In 1981, Robinson came to Kansas City where she made a name for herself as a gospel singer.
Robinson met pianist Steve Miller through his sister, who was also a co-worker with the vocalist. She auditioned for him.
“She sang ‘God Bless the Child,'” recalls Miller. “It was so moving I asked her to sing professionally with me.”
They performed together for 12 years.
One of her highlights was singing with Doc Severinson and his Big Band. “She knocked them out,” says Miller.
“She really had an unusual voice and great jazz conception,” he adds.
Miller got to see her one final time while she was being wheeled through St. Luke's hospital. “She looked up at me and said ‘What's happening to me?' I threw her a kiss. She threw me one. And then she went out.”
“It's a big loss.”
Jardine's Hosts Tributes to Jenkins and Robinson
On Thursday, April 29 , Steve Miller will host a tribute for the late Rosetta Robinson at Jardine's , 4536 Main, at 7:30 pm. Robinson and Miller performed together for 20 years.
On Sunday, May 2 , John Doubleday and Gary Sivils will co-host a memorial jam for their friend and saxophonist Travis Jenkins at Jardine's from 2–6 pm . Present will be Jenkins' two sons and his mother who are traveling from Dallas . For more information, call 816-561-6480.
For more information, call 816-561-6480.
