JAM: August/September 2005 Issue: Folly Jazz News

by Doug Tatum

Announcing the 2005–2006 Folly Jazz Series

To open the 2005–2006 Folly Jazz Series, we will have the great honor once again to present Jay McShann and Friends, on Saturday, September 10. Performing around the world for over six decades, McShann is without question one of the greatest jazz/blues stylists of all time. At the age of 89, Jay is still “singing and swinging” in the Kansas City style that he helped create in the 1930s. For this concert, we are pleased also to be presenting local jazz favorites Tommy Ruskin, Gerald Spaits, and Rod Fleeman, along with special guest saxophonist, Red Holloway, who will be coming in from the West Coast.

On Saturday, October 1, the Folly will present Marilyn Maye - Her Way: A Tribute to Sinatra. Johnny Carson nicknamed Marilyn Maye “Super-Singer” and invited her back to The Tonight Show a record 76 times. Over the years, Marilyn has proven time and again that she deserves the title. About this show, here's what the Tulsa Reporter had to say: “The aptly named production is an unabashed valentine to the late superstar that intertwines anecdotes about Sinatra's career with an immensely talented peer's interpretations of the songs that made him famous. It's a full-scale labor of love…but that is exactly what makes the show a must-see experience. Of course, Marilyn Maye is an artist for connoisseurs too, and her powerhouse delivery and chatty rapport with the audience is what electrifies the proceedings…It just doesn't get any better than this.”

The Steve Turre Quartet will appear on Friday, October 28. Trombonist Steve Turre is one of the world's pre-eminent jazz innovators. He has consistently won both the Readers' and Critics' polls in JazzTimes, Downbeat, and Jazziz for Best Trombone. In addition to performing as a member of the Saturday Night Live Band since 1984, Turre is in constant demand; he has worked with Ray Charles, Art Blakey, Dizzy Gillespie, McCoy Tyner, J.J. Johnson, Herbie Hancock, Tito Puente, Mongo Santamaria, Horace Silver, Max Roach, and Rahsaan Roland Kirk, among many others. Website: www.steveturre.com

For the fifth consecutive season, the Folly is happy to present the Kansas City premiere of a rising jazz talent with our Folly Jazz Spotlight feature. This season, I have selected the Lynne Arriale Trio, who will appear on Saturday, December 17. Lynne Arriale is an exciting young pianist whose musical roots and inspiration derive from the late, great Bill Evans. Arriale is not an overnight discovery, however. Since 1993, she has recorded no less than nine increasingly acclaimed CDs as she has steadily built an impressive career. About her, the London Times stated, “Lynne Arriale belongs among the poets. A truly distinctive pianist, her improvisations weave a seductive combination of lyricism and muscle. She is a consummate jazz artist.” Check out her website: www.lynnearriale.com.

In a concert that is sure to be one of the highlights of the season, the Lee Konitz/Bill Frisell Quartet will take to the Folly stage on Saturday, February 11, 2006. At the time Lee Konitz emerged on the scene in the late 1940s during the era of numerous Charlie Parker clones, he was one of the few saxophonists who managed to create a completely personal, recognizable sound and style for himself. Over the course of a remarkable career, Konitz has remained devoted to beautiful melodic invention in its purest form. Over the past decade, Bill Frisell has quietly established himself as one of the most brilliant guitarists to come along in many years. His sound is unique and unmistakable. About Frisell, the Philadelphia Inquirer stated, “Frisell is a revered figure among musicians—like Miles Davis and few others, his signature is built from pure sound and inflection; an ‘anti-technique' that is instantly identifiable.”

The Regina Carter Quintet returns to the Folly on Saturday, March 4. Violinist Regina Carter's career has been a veritable crescendo of success that shows no sign of letting up. She is on a mission: to make a meaningful musical contribution and do it on her own terms. She tours with relentless purpose and a seemingly endless supply of energy. Since her last appearance at the Folly four years ago, Carter and her quintet have continued to bring audiences to their feet with exhilarating performances worldwide. “Regina Carter creates music that is wonderfully listenable, probingly intelligent and, at times, breathtakingly daring…taking the listener into the future of jazz.” - Time

In a rare solo piano appearance, Chick Corea will close out the Folly Jazz Series on Saturday, April 1. The four-decade career of Chick Corea is the stuff of jazz lore, an amalgamation of influential, limit-stretching musical experiences that have garnered him 12 Grammy awards. Corea first rose to true prominence after joining Miles Davis's band and Chick went on to form his own group, Return to Forever, which propelled audiences to explore the outer reaches of jazz and rock. Since then, his creative genius and genre-bending compositions have continued to stretch his own—and his audience's—imagination, and his spectacular performances have continued to amaze jazz fans around the world.

Discounted season subscriptions are available, and regular single ticket prices range from $20–35. For the second year we continue to offer specially discounted “Backbeat seats” priced at $15 for any of the concerts. These seats are located in the Folly's upper balcony section, where you can see just fine and the acoustics are great. (Keep in mind that the Folly is a small intimate theater to begin with.)

For more information or to request a flier, call the Folly Theater, 816-474-4444, or visit our website: www.follytheater.com.

Doug Tatum is Executive Director of The Folly Theater.






	Search our site:		by Doug Tatum Announcing the 2005–2006 Folly Jazz Series To open the 2005–2006 Folly Jazz Series, we will have the great honor once again to present Jay McShann and Friends, on Saturday, September 10. Performing around the world for over six decades, McShann is without question one of the greatest jazz/blues stylists of all time. At the age of 89, Jay is still “singing and swinging” in the Kansas City style that he helped create in the 1930s. For this concert, we are pleased also to be presenting local jazz favorites Tommy Ruskin, Gerald Spaits, and Rod Fleeman, along with special guest saxophonist, Red Holloway, who will be coming in from the West Coast. On Saturday, October 1, the Folly will present Marilyn Maye - Her Way: A Tribute to Sinatra. Johnny Carson nicknamed Marilyn Maye “Super-Singer” and invited her back to The Tonight Show a record 76 times. Over the years, Marilyn has proven time and again that she deserves the title. About this show, here's what the Tulsa Reporter had to say: “The aptly named production is an unabashed valentine to the late superstar that intertwines anecdotes about Sinatra's career with an immensely talented peer's interpretations of the songs that made him famous. It's a full-scale labor of love…but that is exactly what makes the show a must-see experience. Of course, Marilyn Maye is an artist for connoisseurs too, and her powerhouse delivery and chatty rapport with the audience is what electrifies the proceedings…It just doesn't get any better than this.” The Steve Turre Quartet will appear on Friday, October 28. Trombonist Steve Turre is one of the world's pre-eminent jazz innovators. He has consistently won both the Readers' and Critics' polls in JazzTimes, Downbeat, and Jazziz for Best Trombone. In addition to performing as a member of the Saturday Night Live Band since 1984, Turre is in constant demand; he has worked with Ray Charles, Art Blakey, Dizzy Gillespie, McCoy Tyner, J.J. Johnson, Herbie Hancock, Tito Puente, Mongo Santamaria, Horace Silver, Max Roach, and Rahsaan Roland Kirk, among many others. Website: www.steveturre.com For the fifth consecutive season, the Folly is happy to present the Kansas City premiere of a rising jazz talent with our *Folly Jazz Spotlight* feature. This season, I have selected the Lynne Arriale Trio, who will appear on Saturday, December 17. Lynne Arriale is an exciting young pianist whose musical roots and inspiration derive from the late, great Bill Evans. Arriale is not an overnight discovery, however. Since 1993, she has recorded no less than nine increasingly acclaimed CDs as she has steadily built an impressive career. About her, the London Times stated, “Lynne Arriale belongs among the poets. A truly distinctive pianist, her improvisations weave a seductive combination of lyricism and muscle. She is a consummate jazz artist.” Check out her website: www.lynnearriale.com. In a concert that is sure to be one of the highlights of the season, the Lee Konitz/Bill Frisell Quartet will take to the Folly stage on Saturday, February 11, 2006. At the time Lee Konitz emerged on the scene in the late 1940s during the era of numerous Charlie Parker clones, he was one of the few saxophonists who managed to create a completely personal, recognizable sound and style for himself. Over the course of a remarkable career, Konitz has remained devoted to beautiful melodic invention in its purest form. Over the past decade, Bill Frisell has quietly established himself as one of the most brilliant guitarists to come along in many years. His sound is unique and unmistakable. About Frisell, the Philadelphia Inquirer stated, “Frisell is a revered figure among musicians—like Miles Davis and few others, his signature is built from pure sound and inflection; an ‘anti-technique' that is instantly identifiable.” The Regina Carter Quintet returns to the Folly on Saturday, March 4. Violinist Regina Carter's career has been a veritable crescendo of success that shows no sign of letting up. She is on a mission: to make a meaningful musical contribution and do it on her own terms. She tours with relentless purpose and a seemingly endless supply of energy. Since her last appearance at the Folly four years ago, Carter and her quintet have continued to bring audiences to their feet with exhilarating performances worldwide. “Regina Carter creates music that is wonderfully listenable, probingly intelligent and, at times, breathtakingly daring…taking the listener into the future of jazz.” - Time In a rare solo piano appearance, Chick Corea will close out the Folly Jazz Series on Saturday, April 1. The four-decade career of Chick Corea is the stuff of jazz lore, an amalgamation of influential, limit-stretching musical experiences that have garnered him 12 Grammy awards. Corea first rose to true prominence after joining Miles Davis's band and Chick went on to form his own group, Return to Forever, which propelled audiences to explore the outer reaches of jazz and rock. Since then, his creative genius and genre-bending compositions have continued to stretch his own—and his audience's—imagination, and his spectacular performances have continued to amaze jazz fans around the world. Discounted season subscriptions are available, and regular single ticket prices range from $20–35. For the second year we continue to offer specially discounted “Backbeat seats” priced at $15 for any of the concerts. These seats are located in the Folly's upper balcony section, where you can see just fine and the acoustics are great. (Keep in mind that the Folly is a small intimate theater to begin with.) For more information or to request a flier, call the Folly Theater, 816-474-4444, or visit our website: www.follytheater.com. Doug Tatum is Executive Director of The Folly Theater. RETURN TO AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2005 MAIN INDEX © Kansas City Jazz Ambassadors 1996-2005. All rights reserved.