JAM: April/May 2005 Issue: Off The Vine

Weaving Together the Past, Present, and Future of Kansas City's Best Music at the American Jazz Museum

Jazz is rooted in tradition. Yes, it is—by design—experimental and of the moment. Yet the trailblazing efforts of America's jazz legends continue to impact the depth and direction of modern musicians.

Tradition is an essential ingredient in assuring the vitality of the jazz genre. In this spirit, the American Jazz Museum is paying tribute to one Kansas Citian who helped shape our community's unique connection to jazz. Jay McShann, a renowned pianist, National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Master, and the man who “discovered” Charlie Parker, will be honored May 7 during our annual Fascinatin' Rhythms gala. Although the height of his career found FDR in the White House and jitterbugging all the rage, Jay continues to serve as a mentor for many young musicians at the beginning of their musical journeys.

A host of internationally recognized jazz musicians, including Ernie Andrews, Eldar Djangirov, Eric Reed, and the 18th & Vine Big Band with Bobby Watson, will also celebrate Jay's unique contributions. Dinner will follow the concert, and sponsorships are now available. For more information, contact Paul Lerner at 816-474-8463, ext. 205, or plerner@kcjazz.org .

In the Blue Room this April and May, you'll be able to hear musicians at the beginning of their journeys, established favorites, as well as local legends. That includes: the incomparable Ida McBeth April 1st and 8; Luqman Hamza April 2; the Kerry Strayer Quintet with special guest Gary Foster April 7 ($5 admission); and the Wild Women of Kansas City April 9.

Also this April, we will feature the Doug Talley Quartet with Lisa Henry April 15; the James Ward Band April 16; from the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame, Chuck Sissle & Friends April 29; and the Lester “Duck” Warner Project April 30.

This May we will host the Bill Crain Quartet as well as Mike Deleon & the Latin Jazz Review May 5; Alaadeen & Group 21 May 14; the Jerry Hahn Trio with Gerald Spaits and Tommy Ruskin May 16 (7:30 p.m., $5 admission); the Robert Wilder Trio with Rob Scheps May 26; and the Greg Meise Quartet with Millie Edwards May 28.

We're especially excited to welcome, for the first time, the KC/LA Connection with Bobby Watson, Eric Reed, and Ernie Andrews May 6 ($20 admission). The Mike Melvoin Trio with David Basse will perform May 7 ($20 admission, or $30 for both performances May 6 and 7).

Jazz Poetry Jams continue every third Tuesday through May, with featured poets and live music. Gino Morrow will be featured April 19, and Natasha Ria El-Scari will headline May 17. Local poets have a chance to win $100 for each night's best performance, and now through May, winners also receive five hours of studio time at Chapman Studios, including 50 professionally produced CDs. This is a great opportunity for budding artists to share their work with the public.

Jazz Storytelling will continue to delight the young and the young at heart this spring with “Journey through Jazz” April 8 and 22 and “Can't Sit Still!” May 20.

“Everybody's Hero,” a one-hour family-oriented musical salute to baseball legend Jackie Robinson will be performed at the Gem Theater Sunday, April 3rd, at 3:00 p.m. The American Jazz Museum and the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, in partnership with the Carlsen Center, are partnering to bring this new play to 18 and Vine ($5 admission).

The American Jazz Museum is pleased to announce the opening of a one-of-a-kind exhibition of fiber works depicting the giants of jazz. The Fabric of Jazz is a colorful, swinging look at America's music, made entirely of fabric and thread. Lauren Camp has a unique way of capturing her subject that is stylized, yet profoundly realistic, with a sensibility and style unmatched by a painter's brush. It is her first show in Kansas City.

Admission is free. The Fabric of Jazz: A Tribute to the Genius of American Music is partially supported by a grant from Golden Star, Inc.

W. Somerset Maugham once said, “tradition is a guide and not a jailer.” We heartily agree. Great artists use the past as a platform for creativity. They never stare; rather, they use traditions to chart their own course, to develop their unique voice. The American Jazz Museum feels privileged to provide a link between yesterday and tomorrow. Our efforts in this regard will help assure that the timeline of jazz will remain constant but always on the forefront of innovation and discovery.

Be sure to visit our Web site, www.americanjazzmuseum.org , for a complete calendar of performances and programs, including plans for Rhythm & Ribs, a new jazz festival to be held in the 18th & Vine District Father's Day weekend, June 17, 18, and 19. We'll be making an initial announcement regarding national acts within the next few weeks.

Juanita Moore is the Executive Director of the American Jazz Museum.






	Search our site:		Weaving Together the Past, Present, and Future of Kansas City's Best Music at the American Jazz Museum Jazz is rooted in tradition. Yes, it is—by design—experimental and of the moment. Yet the trailblazing efforts of America's jazz legends continue to impact the depth and direction of modern musicians. Tradition is an essential ingredient in assuring the vitality of the jazz genre. In this spirit, the American Jazz Museum is paying tribute to one Kansas Citian who helped shape our community's unique connection to jazz. Jay McShann, a renowned pianist, National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Master, and the man who “discovered” Charlie Parker, will be honored May 7 during our annual Fascinatin' Rhythms gala. Although the height of his career found FDR in the White House and jitterbugging all the rage, Jay continues to serve as a mentor for many young musicians at the beginning of their musical journeys. A host of internationally recognized jazz musicians, including Ernie Andrews, Eldar Djangirov, Eric Reed, and the 18th & Vine Big Band with Bobby Watson, will also celebrate Jay's unique contributions. Dinner will follow the concert, and sponsorships are now available. For more information, contact Paul Lerner at 816-474-8463, ext. 205, or plerner@kcjazz.org . In the Blue Room this April and May, you'll be able to hear musicians at the beginning of their journeys, established favorites, as well as local legends. That includes: the incomparable Ida McBeth April 1st and 8; Luqman Hamza April 2; the Kerry Strayer Quintet with special guest Gary Foster April 7 ($5 admission); and the Wild Women of Kansas City April 9. Also this April, we will feature the Doug Talley Quartet with Lisa Henry April 15; the James Ward Band April 16; from the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame, Chuck Sissle & Friends April 29; and the Lester “Duck” Warner Project April 30. This May we will host the Bill Crain Quartet as well as Mike Deleon & the Latin Jazz Review May 5; Alaadeen & Group 21 May 14; the Jerry Hahn Trio with Gerald Spaits and Tommy Ruskin May 16 (7:30 p.m., $5 admission); the Robert Wilder Trio with Rob Scheps May 26; and the Greg Meise Quartet with Millie Edwards May 28. We're especially excited to welcome, for the first time, the KC/LA Connection with Bobby Watson, Eric Reed, and Ernie Andrews May 6 ($20 admission). The Mike Melvoin Trio with David Basse will perform May 7 ($20 admission, or $30 for both performances May 6 and 7). Jazz Poetry Jams continue every third Tuesday through May, with featured poets and live music. Gino Morrow will be featured April 19, and Natasha Ria El-Scari will headline May 17. Local poets have a chance to win $100 for each night's best performance, and now through May, winners also receive five hours of studio time at Chapman Studios, including 50 professionally produced CDs. This is a great opportunity for budding artists to share their work with the public. Jazz Storytelling will continue to delight the young and the young at heart this spring with “Journey through Jazz” April 8 and 22 and “Can't Sit Still!” May 20. “Everybody's Hero,” a one-hour family-oriented musical salute to baseball legend Jackie Robinson will be performed at the Gem Theater Sunday, April 3rd, at 3:00 p.m. The American Jazz Museum and the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, in partnership with the Carlsen Center, are partnering to bring this new play to 18 and Vine ($5 admission). The American Jazz Museum is pleased to announce the opening of a one-of-a-kind exhibition of fiber works depicting the giants of jazz. The Fabric of Jazz is a colorful, swinging look at America's music, made entirely of fabric and thread. Lauren Camp has a unique way of capturing her subject that is stylized, yet profoundly realistic, with a sensibility and style unmatched by a painter's brush. It is her first show in Kansas City. Admission is free. The Fabric of Jazz: A Tribute to the Genius of American Music is partially supported by a grant from Golden Star, Inc. W. Somerset Maugham once said, “tradition is a guide and not a jailer.” We heartily agree. Great artists use the past as a platform for creativity. They never stare; rather, they use traditions to chart their own course, to develop their unique voice. The American Jazz Museum feels privileged to provide a link between yesterday and tomorrow. Our efforts in this regard will help assure that the timeline of jazz will remain constant but always on the forefront of innovation and discovery. Be sure to visit our Web site, www.americanjazzmuseum.org , for a complete calendar of performances and programs, including plans for Rhythm & Ribs, a new jazz festival to be held in the 18th & Vine District Father's Day weekend, June 17, 18, and 19. We'll be making an initial announcement regarding national acts within the next few weeks. Juanita Moore is the Executive Director of the American Jazz Museum. RETURN TO APRIL/MAY 2005 MAIN INDEX © Kansas City Jazz Ambassadors 1996-2005. All rights reserved.