JAM: October/November 2005 Issue: Off The Vine

Goin' to Kansas City for the Coolest Jazz, the Sound of Our Cities

By Juanita Moore

This fall, it's not just the color of the leaves that is changing. With “Goin' to Kansas City” our community's official song, a new park dedicated at 12 th & Vine, and construction projects in full swing in the District, it's a great time to live, work, and play where jazz lives.

To the causal passerby, it may be a little easier these days to recognize Kansas City 's musical heritage. But our greatest treasure is still easy to miss if you're not looking for it: Friends and neighbors who share our deep love and respect for jazz. In fact, your banker, lawyer, or preacher might just know how to do some woodsheddin' with the best of them.

That's just what will happen October 28 th at the Gem Theater during our second annual Jazz Gems concert.

Talented Kansas Citians participate in this benefit performance in support of the American Jazz Museum 's educational programming, where professional musicians are paired with amateur volunteers, including:

UMB CEO Peter deSilva, an accomplished trumpeter,
Dr. Marilyn Metzl, a prize-winning ballroom dancer,
Julia Irene Kauffman, who can tickle the ivories with the best of them, and
Trust attorney John Readey and his band “The Counselors.”

This year's theme is “All Around the Town,” with people from all walks of life making music together. Other scheduled participants include the museum's board chair, Georgia Buchanan ; Rev. John Macklin and Andrea Macklin-Tribbet ; board member Al Pearson ; board member Mike White ; John Bluford ; Steve Chick ; and Gary Gradinger . The concert includes spoken word, vocal, dance, and instrumental performances.

Individual seats are $50 and special patron tickets are available for $100, which includes premium seating, a special dessert reception, and a gift.

For tickets, contact the American Jazz Museum box office at 816-474-6262.

This season's Jammin' at the Gem series continues with NEA Jazz Master Wayne Shorter October 15 th ($45 in advance) and Kansas City original Karrin Allyson November 19 th ($28 in advance). This marks only the second time we've included a homegrown star in this national jazz series, so we hope you'll consider attending and showing Karrin your support.

More great jazz will be calling you to the Blue Room, with Ida McBeth October 7 th and 21 st , the “Queen of Beale Street” Ruby Wilson October 8 th ($15 in advance, $20 at the door), the Luqman Hamza Quartet with Raynola Ortega October 14 th , and the McFadden Brothers October 15 th ($15 admission). We'll also feature Native Language recording artist Sara Gazarek from Los Angeles October 17 th , and Blue Jazz recording artist Joann Daugherty Trio, with some great Chicago-style jazz, October 22 nd ($10 admission).

Some of Kansas City 's hottest spoken word performers will attend Jazz Poetry Jams in the Blue Room October 18 th , featuring the museum's own Glenn North, and November 15 th with featured poet Randi McCreary.

As the temperature outside cools down, the Blue Room stays hot, with the Eric Person's Quartet November 4 th ($10 admission); a CD release party with Doug Talley November 5 th , Ida McBeth November 11 th and 25 th ; from Los Angeles, Justin Time recording artist Carmen Lundy November 12 th ($10 admission); and master drummer Michael Carvin November 19 th ($15 admission). Local favorites the Wild Women of Kansas City return November 26 th . Please don't forget we will be closed Thanksgiving evening, November 24 th .

With the change in seasons, Jazz Storytelling is back in full swing. Introduce children ages 2-7 to your favorite music and original stories from Brother John, Lisa Henry, and Kansas City jazz musicians. Performances will be held 10 a.m. October 14 th (“Get Jazzed!”), October 28 th (“Play That Funky Beat”), November 4 th (“Heidi, Heidi, Heidi Ho”), and November 18 th (“Meet the Rhythm Section”).

And for those of you who enjoy the visual arts as well as musical performances, be sure to visit our Changing Gallery for the new Anthony Ramos exhibit “Jazz Universe,” opening October 8 th . The abstract paintings in the show were created as Ramos listened to recordings by many of jazz's legendary performers.

We're pleased to welcome Mr. Ramos, who was one of the earliest artists to use video as a way to capture the complexity and drama of contemporary world affairs. He currently lives in France at Aix-en-Provence , and his portfolio has grown to include a variety of mixed mediums. In the 1970s, he consulted with the United Nations and the National Council of Churches. During the 1980s, he lived in Paris , where he was a video director at the American Center , and a program director for French television. He also has taught at the Rhode Island School of Design; New York University ; and the University of California at San Diego .

The show will run through February 25, 2006, with a companion show, “Legally Done,” at the Bruce R. Watkins Cultural Heritage Center , along with a variety of educational programs.

For more information about our programs and events, call 816-474-8463 or visit our Web site, www.americanjazzmuseum.org .

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






	Search our site:		Goin' to Kansas City for the Coolest Jazz, the Sound of Our Cities By Juanita Moore This fall, it's not just the color of the leaves that is changing. With “Goin' to Kansas City” our community's official song, a new park dedicated at 12 th & Vine, and construction projects in full swing in the District, it's a great time to live, work, and play where jazz lives. To the causal passerby, it may be a little easier these days to recognize Kansas City 's musical heritage. But our greatest treasure is still easy to miss if you're not looking for it: Friends and neighbors who share our deep love and respect for jazz. In fact, your banker, lawyer, or preacher might just know how to do some woodsheddin' with the best of them. That's just what will happen October 28 th at the Gem Theater during our second annual Jazz Gems concert. Talented Kansas Citians participate in this benefit performance in support of the American Jazz Museum 's educational programming, where professional musicians are paired with amateur volunteers, including: UMB CEO Peter deSilva, an accomplished trumpeter, Dr. Marilyn Metzl, a prize-winning ballroom dancer, Julia Irene Kauffman, who can tickle the ivories with the best of them, and Trust attorney John Readey and his band “The Counselors.” This year's theme is “All Around the Town,” with people from all walks of life making music together. Other scheduled participants include the museum's board chair, Georgia Buchanan ; Rev. John Macklin and Andrea Macklin-Tribbet ; board member Al Pearson ; board member Mike White ; John Bluford ; Steve Chick ; and Gary Gradinger . The concert includes spoken word, vocal, dance, and instrumental performances. Individual seats are $50 and special patron tickets are available for $100, which includes premium seating, a special dessert reception, and a gift. For tickets, contact the American Jazz Museum box office at 816-474-6262. This season's Jammin' at the Gem series continues with NEA Jazz Master Wayne Shorter October 15 th ($45 in advance) and Kansas City original Karrin Allyson November 19 th ($28 in advance). This marks only the second time we've included a homegrown star in this national jazz series, so we hope you'll consider attending and showing Karrin your support. More great jazz will be calling you to the Blue Room, with Ida McBeth October 7 th and 21 st , the “Queen of Beale Street” Ruby Wilson October 8 th ($15 in advance, $20 at the door), the Luqman Hamza Quartet with Raynola Ortega October 14 th , and the McFadden Brothers October 15 th ($15 admission). We'll also feature Native Language recording artist Sara Gazarek from Los Angeles October 17 th , and Blue Jazz recording artist Joann Daugherty Trio, with some great Chicago-style jazz, October 22 nd ($10 admission). Some of Kansas City 's hottest spoken word performers will attend Jazz Poetry Jams in the Blue Room October 18 th , featuring the museum's own Glenn North, and November 15 th with featured poet Randi McCreary. As the temperature outside cools down, the Blue Room stays hot, with the Eric Person's Quartet November 4 th ($10 admission); a CD release party with Doug Talley November 5 th , Ida McBeth November 11 th and 25 th ; from Los Angeles, Justin Time recording artist Carmen Lundy November 12 th ($10 admission); and master drummer Michael Carvin November 19 th ($15 admission). Local favorites the Wild Women of Kansas City return November 26 th . Please don't forget we will be closed Thanksgiving evening, November 24 th . With the change in seasons, Jazz Storytelling is back in full swing. Introduce children ages 2-7 to your favorite music and original stories from Brother John, Lisa Henry, and Kansas City jazz musicians. Performances will be held 10 a.m. October 14 th (“Get Jazzed!”), October 28 th (“Play That Funky Beat”), November 4 th (“Heidi, Heidi, Heidi Ho”), and November 18 th (“Meet the Rhythm Section”). And for those of you who enjoy the visual arts as well as musical performances, be sure to visit our Changing Gallery for the new Anthony Ramos exhibit “Jazz Universe,” opening October 8 th . The abstract paintings in the show were created as Ramos listened to recordings by many of jazz's legendary performers. We're pleased to welcome Mr. Ramos, who was one of the earliest artists to use video as a way to capture the complexity and drama of contemporary world affairs. He currently lives in France at Aix-en-Provence , and his portfolio has grown to include a variety of mixed mediums. In the 1970s, he consulted with the United Nations and the National Council of Churches. During the 1980s, he lived in Paris , where he was a video director at the American Center , and a program director for French television. He also has taught at the Rhode Island School of Design; New York University ; and the University of California at San Diego . The show will run through February 25, 2006, with a companion show, “Legally Done,” at the Bruce R. Watkins Cultural Heritage Center , along with a variety of educational programs. For more information about our programs and events, call 816-474-8463 or visit our Web site, www.americanjazzmuseum.org . Juanita Moore is the Executive Director of the American Jazz Museum. RETURN TO OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2005 MAIN INDEX © Kansas City Jazz Ambassadors 1996-2005. All rights reserved.