JAM: December 2004/January 2005 Issue: Hampton's Hot Licks

Dean Hampton

The 2004 Roasts and Toasts of Jazz

The year is ending with some high marks in KC jazz. I don't know about you, but there are more jazz events in our town than I have the time to attend. It is impossible to catch all of them while many cities are starved for some jazz action. Then there is the real heart of KC jazz - the clubs. All you have to do is listen to the Jazz Hotline (816-753-5277) or the Hotline Online (www.jazzkc.org) each week to understand KC is really jazzed - 365 days a year. With all of the quality jazz action we have, we could do better. So here are this year's Roasts and Toasts.

Toast : The New York Times for their January 3, 2004 , article about us. Writer Stephen Kinzer wrote, “Although the musical scene that produced Mr. McShann faded long ago, Kansas City still has more than two dozen clubs where jazz is played regularly, making it one of the country's leading jazz centers.”

Roast : Tom Leathers and The Squire for a February 2004 article titled. “Farewell to KC Jazz” and proclaiming that jazz is dead in KC.

Toast : Jim Mair and the Kansas City Jazz Orchestra for some really fine concerts with top-of-the-line guest artists. If you are not attending these you are missing some of the very best in KC jazz. Watch their web site for the 2005 concerts. See kcjazzorchestra.org

Roast (and Toast) : Hal Melia for leaving KC, the Jazz Ambassadors and UMKC. But he also gets a Toast for coming back once in a while to spread his wonderful talent.

Toast : Yoko Takemura for making two trips to KC from Tokyo to study the KC jazz scene, return to her city and spread the good word. Yoko is a true international KC jazz ambassador for us.

Roast : The American Jazz Museum still doesn't have any billboards advertising their facility. Unless they are really hidden, I don't think there is even a sign on the Interstate telling one where to exit to the Jazz Museum .

Toast : Mike Murphy. While Mike doesn't stay on top of all the current scene, he has been really great to the KC jazz scene throughout his career. Mike is retiring from KCMO this month. Give him a big hand for helping over the years.

Roast : Hearne Christopher. I think his column's motto is, “The only way to make a mountain out of a mole hill is to add a little (or a lot) of dirt. He could be doing so much for us.

Toast : Joe Klopus for fantastic weekly coverage of the current jazz scene with plenty. Joe gets people to the clubs and concert halls for us.

Toast : Oleta Adams, Karrin Allyson and Concord Records for the wonderful “roving” Concord Jazz Festivals that feature both KC jazz ladies in major cities throughout the US . Also on their tour is Diane Schuur and Sara Gazarek.

Toast : Tim Whitmer and Jaylene Lambert at The Phoenix . Tim turned over the raines to Jaylene in mid year so he could concentrate on his highest area of interest-- the music. Jaylene has made smooth transition to jazz club owner, kicked the menu up a few notches and added some music that has not been there in the past. Be sure to catch the Sunday Gospel gigs there from 11 am to 3 pm every week.

Toast : Steve Kraske for jazzing up his “Up To Date” show on KCUR-FM. Steve frequently covers jazz topics on his Friday shows aired at 11 am . If you can't listen at that time, listen online via their archived programs - www.kcur.org .

Toast : Beena!! Those days when you didn't know of you should go to Jardines or not? They are gone thanks to Beena's devotion to the KC jazz scene. (And that Jardine's Special Filet is one of the best steaks in town!)

I hope all of you have your best holiday season ever and that your 2005 will be your jazziest year ever.

--Dean Hampton






	Search our site:		Dean Hampton The 2004 Roasts and Toasts of Jazz The year is ending with some high marks in KC jazz. I don't know about you, but there are more jazz events in our town than I have the time to attend. It is impossible to catch all of them while many cities are starved for some jazz action. Then there is the real heart of KC jazz - the clubs. All you have to do is listen to the Jazz Hotline (816-753-5277) or the Hotline Online (www.jazzkc.org) each week to understand KC is really jazzed - 365 days a year. With all of the quality jazz action we have, we could do better. So here are this year's Roasts and Toasts. Toast : The New York Times for their January 3, 2004 , article about us. Writer Stephen Kinzer wrote, “Although the musical scene that produced Mr. McShann faded long ago, Kansas City still has more than two dozen clubs where jazz is played regularly, making it one of the country's leading jazz centers.” Roast : Tom Leathers and The Squire for a February 2004 article titled. “Farewell to KC Jazz” and proclaiming that jazz is dead in KC. Toast : Jim Mair and the Kansas City Jazz Orchestra for some really fine concerts with top-of-the-line guest artists. If you are not attending these you are missing some of the very best in KC jazz. Watch their web site for the 2005 concerts. See kcjazzorchestra.org Roast (and Toast) : Hal Melia for leaving KC, the Jazz Ambassadors and UMKC. But he also gets a Toast for coming back once in a while to spread his wonderful talent. Toast : Yoko Takemura for making two trips to KC from Tokyo to study the KC jazz scene, return to her city and spread the good word. Yoko is a true international KC jazz ambassador for us. Roast : The American Jazz Museum still doesn't have any billboards advertising their facility. Unless they are really hidden, I don't think there is even a sign on the Interstate telling one where to exit to the Jazz Museum . Toast : Mike Murphy. While Mike doesn't stay on top of all the current scene, he has been really great to the KC jazz scene throughout his career. Mike is retiring from KCMO this month. Give him a big hand for helping over the years. Roast : Hearne Christopher. I think his column's motto is, “The only way to make a mountain out of a mole hill is to add a little (or a lot) of dirt. He could be doing so much for us. Toast : Joe Klopus for fantastic weekly coverage of the current jazz scene with plenty. Joe gets people to the clubs and concert halls for us. Toast : Oleta Adams, Karrin Allyson and Concord Records for the wonderful “roving” Concord Jazz Festivals that feature both KC jazz ladies in major cities throughout the US . Also on their tour is Diane Schuur and Sara Gazarek. Toast : Tim Whitmer and Jaylene Lambert at The Phoenix . Tim turned over the raines to Jaylene in mid year so he could concentrate on his highest area of interest-- the music. Jaylene has made smooth transition to jazz club owner, kicked the menu up a few notches and added some music that has not been there in the past. Be sure to catch the Sunday Gospel gigs there from 11 am to 3 pm every week. Toast : Steve Kraske for jazzing up his “Up To Date” show on KCUR-FM. Steve frequently covers jazz topics on his Friday shows aired at 11 am . If you can't listen at that time, listen online via their archived programs - www.kcur.org . Toast : Beena!! Those days when you didn't know of you should go to Jardines or not? They are gone thanks to Beena's devotion to the KC jazz scene. (And that Jardine's Special Filet is one of the best steaks in town!) I hope all of you have your best holiday season ever and that your 2005 will be your jazziest year ever. --Dean Hampton RETURN TO DECEMBER 2004/JANUARY 2005 MAIN INDEX © Kansas City Jazz Ambassadors 1996-2004. All rights reserved.