JAM: August/September 2005 Hear and There

The three of us (Mike Metheny, Joe Klopus, and myself) had the same immediate thought following saxophonist Rob Scheps' May 26 performance at the Blue Room: Why isn't he better known? Rob can play on any stage, plays inside and outside with facility (and uses this skill to keep the listener on their toes), and writes fresh compositions. Fortunately, Rob is old friends with pianist Roger Wilder, and therefore gets to town with some regularity to play with Roger. I recommend that you catch him on his next visit.

Logan Richardson led a spirited Blue Monday Jam at the Blue Room in June. Fellow Paseo grad Harold O'Neal joined Logan on piano, and it seemed like the young players came out of the woodwork. We especially enjoyed Tim Perryman on trombone; we don't hear enough from Tim. Another young player who has been schooling in NYC, bassist Solomon Dorsey, joined Jim Eriksen's group during their Blue Monday Jam night. These jam sessions are never without surprise, another event worth keeping on your regular rounds.

Mark Southerland had a Friday night residency at the Cup and Saucer in July. The evening I dropped by, Mark was in a duo setting with turntablist Brother Alphonso Greer. Greer supplied the rhythm and riffs (lots of old Blue Notes were being dropped on the tables), and Mark soloed on top on tenor, with an occasional stop at his 8-track tape station for some tape scratching. Whatever the setting, Southerland's creativity sometimes shocks, but always shines.

Vocalist Laura Chalk is beginning a long Tuesday and Wednesday stay at the Fairmont. The evening that I caught her with Paul Smith on piano, Steve Rigazzi on bass, and Tim Cambron on drums, I noted that her playbook is ever expanding. Highlights included some nice vocalese on “Boplicity” and “Summertime,” which she took in a swing tempo, faster than we usually hear it. Laura continues to take chances with melody and timing, and it usually works.

Friends of Piano Room proprietor Dean Weiss know he loves jazz, and this summer he has followed his heart and brought in pianist Kevin Cloud on Saturdays while regular pianist/composer/singer Danny Beal takes his regular summer trip to Maine. During my stop in, Kevin was joined by UMKC alum Rich Willoughby on bass, and JAM contributor Kevin Rabas on drums, as they interpreted jazz standards. Cloud's wife Allison was also on hand to sing some of the standard fare. Willoughby's solos were especially notable throughout the set. Cloud will be around through August.

Jardine's was the host for Gary Sivils' CD release party for Pretty Wild. The party turned out to be a standing-room-only lovefest for Sivils. Gary was joined by Paul Smith, Bob Bowman, Tommy Ruskin, and Kim Parks. Sivils' daughter Kimberly played piano on one tune, and Sivils coaxed Marilyn Maye to sing on a couple of tunes. The music was great, all in attendance in agreement that this was THE way to spend a July 4th weekend Sunday afternoon.

Later that week, Danny Embrey had a rare trio gig at Jardine's. We see Danny regularly, but it always seems to be with someone else. This trio gig, with Bob Bowman and Tommy Ruskin completing the trio, allowed Embrey to stretch it out more than usual. “Valse Hot” was exactly that; Danny's “Door Prize” proved to be a quirky tune that was a wonderful solo vehicle; “I Love You” was a kicker; Bowman's solo on “If You Could See Me Now” almost made one forget Embrey's wonderful unaccompanied intro. I look forward to more evenings with Embrey leading the band. (Note: Danny's trio plus Kim Park will be at the Blue Room August 12) —Roger Atkinson

Kathleen Holeman's CD release party was held on June 21. Johnny Cascone's was really swinging, as Kathleen at times had fifteen musicians on stage. She didn't disappoint anyone as she sang a broad range of tunes; including “I'm All Smiles”, “In the Still of the Night”, and “Your Smiling Face”. Ably backed by Paul Smith, Al Wiley, Rod Fleeman, and Bob Branstetter she showed her big band chops with a rousing “I Let a Song Go Out of My Heart”. Terry Brock on violin made quite an impression on the crowd. Kathleen was able to show her perfect pitch with a tender “Smile” and “Lush Life”. The Slide Show Trombones along with four trumpets enhanced “Close Enough for Love”. Kathleen's original song “Smile All the While” had everyone tapping their feet. The entire group finished with an up-tempo “Bare Necessities”.

This is an artist who has it all. Be sure and catch Kathleen the next chance you get. —Don Merker

Trading Twelves Diva Duet

She opened her Folly Theater performance with a bang, introducing herself as “the love child of Lionel Hampton and Cab Calloway.” A couple of hours later, the renowned vocalist closed with a surprise. She pulled another singer – a Kansas City luminary – from the audience to join her on stage.

Side by side, the two improvised lyrics. As rhyming lines flowed back and forth, any generation gap dissolved into the night air. Sharing more than the stage, they embodied jazz artistry in action . . .

Who	Ann Hampton Callaway	Marilyn Maye
Roots	Chicago	Wichita and Des Moines
Lake of Note	Michigan	Okoboji (Iowa)
Birthdate	Undeclared	Undeclared
Mom's the Word	Shirley, a vocal coach	Lila, a pianist and singer
Award Nominations	2000 Tony for“Best Featured Actress in a Musical	1965 Grammy for“Best New Artist”
On Broadway	Leading role in the hit musical “Swing!” in NYC	Longstanding gig at Colony Steak House in KC
Big Break	Called by Fran Drescher	Spotted by Steve Allen
Claim to TV Fame	One memorable theme song for “The Nanny”	76 appearances on“The Tonight Show”
Super Fan	Barbra Streisand	Johnny Carson
Fun with Fitzgerald	Sang tribute to Ella atthe Folly;recorded “To Ella With Love”	Ella sang with her; said “I listen to Marilyn Maye!”
Rhymes With	Maye	Callaway

—Tom Fredrick