JAM: December 2004/January 2005 Issue: Folly Jazz News

by Doug Tatum

The next concert of the 2004-2005 Folly Jazz Series will feature the Benny Golson Quartet on December 10. Benny Golson is a legendary jazz master – tenor saxophonist, composer, arranger, lyricist and producer.

Born in Philadelphia in 1929, Golson's musical credentials were well established early in his career, having played in the bands of Benny Goodman, Dizzy Gillespie, Lionel Hampton, Earl Bostic and Art Blakey. In 1959, with trumpeter Art Farmer, he co-founded the legendary Jazztet; together they created some of the most memorable recordings in jazz, which are now available as a Mosaic box set (www.mosaicrecords.com). Equally renowned as a composer, Golson's jazz standards include Killer Joe, I Remember Clifford, Along Came Betty, Stablemates, Whisper Not , and Blues March . His prolific writing also includes scores for many hit TV series and films.

Most recently, Benny Golson has added “actor” to his list of accomplishments, with an appearance in the film “The Terminal,” starring Tom Hanks and directed by Steven Spielberg. Golson's latest recording is entitled “Terminal 1” and includes music inspired by the movie (which is scheduled for DVD release on November 23). Benny's part in the film is actually an element of the plot, tied in to the fact that he was one of 57 famous jazz musicians included in the 1958 Art Kane photograph commonly known as “A Great Day in Harlem .” The photo is unique because it captures a rare moment where so many jazz greats were together in one place at one time. Today, only a relatively few (six by my count) of the portrait's subjects still remain. Two of the survivors, Golson and pianist Marian McPartland, are both featured on this season's Folly Jazz Series, an event that is unlikely to ever again be repeated.

To commemorate this rare occurrence, the Folly has partnered with the Screenland Theatre to present a free screening of “A Great Day in Harlem ,” a 1994 Academy Award-nominated documentary film about the taking of the famous photograph. Benny Golson will be in attendance; at the event he will present the American Jazz Museum with a signed copy of the famous “ Harlem ” photograph for their archives. The Screenland Theatre is located at 1656 Washington, KCMO. A reception starts at 7 pm with the film screening at 8 pm. Admission for the December 9 event is free and tickets are not required, however RSVPs are appreciated. Please contact Adam Gebhardt, Director of Marketing and Development at the Folly Theater, at 816-474-4444 or e-mail adam@follytheater.com . The first 150 individuals to respond will be guaranteed seating. An additional screening will be scheduled at 9 pm there is high demand for a second showing.

On Saturday, January 22, the Folly will once again have the great honor or presenting the Marian McPartland Trio. McPartland's virtuoso performances at the piano and her own personal style have won her international acclaim as one of the most important figures in jazz today. McPartland is remarkable in her ability to adapt to virtually any jazz style, from Eubie Blake to Bill Evans, from swing and bebop to contemporary and everything in between. She is just as comfortable playing a John Coltrane modal tune as she is performing the standards of her youth. In describing Marian's playing, jazz historian James Maher wrote, “She has a beguiling presence, a rare mixture of elegance and impishness...and both are reflected in her music, in her cool command of labyrinthine invention and sudden bursts of pure fun.”

Rounding out the lineup of the 2004-2005 Folly Jazz Series is Ann Hampton Callaway– February 26, Dr. John– March 12, and the Russell Malone Quartet–April 15. Single tickets start at $15 for each of the concerts. For more information, call the Folly Theater, 816-474-4444 or visit our website: www.follytheater.com.

For tickets or information please call the Folly Theater: (816) 474-4444.
-- Doug Tatum Executive Director, Folly Theater

RETURN TO DECEMBER 2004/JANUARY 2005 MAIN INDEX

© Kansas City Jazz Ambassadors 1996-2005. All rights reserved.






	Search our site:		by Doug Tatum The next concert of the 2004-2005 Folly Jazz Series will feature the Benny Golson Quartet on December 10. Benny Golson is a legendary jazz master – tenor saxophonist, composer, arranger, lyricist and producer. Born in Philadelphia in 1929, Golson's musical credentials were well established early in his career, having played in the bands of Benny Goodman, Dizzy Gillespie, Lionel Hampton, Earl Bostic and Art Blakey. In 1959, with trumpeter Art Farmer, he co-founded the legendary Jazztet; together they created some of the most memorable recordings in jazz, which are now available as a Mosaic box set (www.mosaicrecords.com). Equally renowned as a composer, Golson's jazz standards include Killer Joe, I Remember Clifford, Along Came Betty, Stablemates, Whisper Not , and Blues March . His prolific writing also includes scores for many hit TV series and films. Most recently, Benny Golson has added “actor” to his list of accomplishments, with an appearance in the film “The Terminal,” starring Tom Hanks and directed by Steven Spielberg. Golson's latest recording is entitled “Terminal 1” and includes music inspired by the movie (which is scheduled for DVD release on November 23). Benny's part in the film is actually an element of the plot, tied in to the fact that he was one of 57 famous jazz musicians included in the 1958 Art Kane photograph commonly known as “A Great Day in Harlem .” The photo is unique because it captures a rare moment where so many jazz greats were together in one place at one time. Today, only a relatively few (six by my count) of the portrait's subjects still remain. Two of the survivors, Golson and pianist Marian McPartland, are both featured on this season's Folly Jazz Series, an event that is unlikely to ever again be repeated. To commemorate this rare occurrence, the Folly has partnered with the Screenland Theatre to present a free screening of “A Great Day in Harlem ,” a 1994 Academy Award-nominated documentary film about the taking of the famous photograph. Benny Golson will be in attendance; at the event he will present the American Jazz Museum with a signed copy of the famous “ Harlem ” photograph for their archives. The Screenland Theatre is located at 1656 Washington, KCMO. A reception starts at 7 pm with the film screening at 8 pm. Admission for the December 9 event is free and tickets are not required, however RSVPs are appreciated. Please contact Adam Gebhardt, Director of Marketing and Development at the Folly Theater, at 816-474-4444 or e-mail adam@follytheater.com . The first 150 individuals to respond will be guaranteed seating. An additional screening will be scheduled at 9 pm there is high demand for a second showing. On Saturday, January 22, the Folly will once again have the great honor or presenting the Marian McPartland Trio. McPartland's virtuoso performances at the piano and her own personal style have won her international acclaim as one of the most important figures in jazz today. McPartland is remarkable in her ability to adapt to virtually any jazz style, from Eubie Blake to Bill Evans, from swing and bebop to contemporary and everything in between. She is just as comfortable playing a John Coltrane modal tune as she is performing the standards of her youth. In describing Marian's playing, jazz historian James Maher wrote, “She has a beguiling presence, a rare mixture of elegance and impishness...and both are reflected in her music, in her cool command of labyrinthine invention and sudden bursts of pure fun.” Rounding out the lineup of the 2004-2005 Folly Jazz Series is Ann Hampton Callaway– February 26, Dr. John– March 12, and the Russell Malone Quartet–April 15. Single tickets start at $15 for each of the concerts. For more information, call the Folly Theater, 816-474-4444 or visit our website: www.follytheater.com. For tickets or information please call the Folly Theater: (816) 474-4444. -- Doug Tatum Executive Director, Folly Theater RETURN TO DECEMBER 2004/JANUARY 2005 MAIN INDEX © Kansas City Jazz Ambassadors 1996-2005. All rights reserved.