JAM: August/September 2006 Issue: Off The Vine

New Jammin' at the Gem Season Highlights Jazz's Creative Diversity

Josephine Baker once said, “Art is an elastic sort of love.” That’s certainly true of jazz; improvisation allows the artists to take the music wherever their souls and experiences lead them.

As we began to plan for our annual Jammin’ at the Gem concert series, we realized it wouldn’t be complete without a centennial celebration of Josephine Baker’s style, grace, and deep appreciation of humanity.

Ms. Baker, who would have been 100 this year, sashayed onto a Paris stage during the 1920s with a comic, yet sensual appeal that took Europe by storm. She represented American culture at a time when Europeans thought America had no culture.

From her early years as a Paris celebrity, to her participation in the French resistance during World War II, to her involvement in the American civil rights movement in the 1950s and ‘60s, she helped define the Jazz Age.

So this season will feature a tribute to Josephine Baker featuring the Alvin Ailey dancers at the Gem Theater December 16th. We’ll also be doing a bit of elastic improvisation ourselves throughout the season by hosting a variety of jazz genres.

Jammin’ at the Gem will debut October 21st with NEA Jazz Master McCoy Tyner and his bluesbased piano style. This season also will include the SFJAZZ Collective, led by renowned saxophonist and artistic director Joshua Redman, March 18th;
and Grammy® winner Dianne Reeves will focus her amazing vocal talents on classic jazz and smoky ballads April 14th.

We’re especially excited to host the SFJAZZ Collective, about which The New York Times said “a serious jazz band rises in San Francisco” upon the group’s debut in 2004. Besides saxophonist Redman, it includes Bobby Hutcherson (vibes/marimba), Nicholas Payton (trumpet), Miguel Zenón
(alto sax and flute), Andre Hayward (trombone), Renee Rosnes (piano), Matt Penman (bass), and Eric Harland (drums). Each year, the ensemble performs an entirely new list of works, consisting of compositions by a modern jazz master (this year
Herbie Hancock) and one new piece by each of its members.

American Century is the presenting sponsor of this year’s concert series. We’re also thankful for the generous underwriting support of the Muriel McBrien Kauffman Foundation.

Jazz in Kansas City is blessed to have the support of many individuals and businesses in our community. Working together, we’re ensuring that the tradition of 18th & Vine lives on. Our Fascinatin’ Rhythms gala honoring Dr. Billy Taylor and Ms.
Myra Taylor was a tremendous success, and it was wonderful to see both of our honorees thoroughly enjoying the evening.

Rhythm & Ribs was a huge hit Father’s Day weekend, with more than 30,000 people experiencing three days of great music and fun served family-style. I’d like to extend a special thank-you
to everyone in the jazz and blues community, our volunteers, sponsors, and partners, who helped plan, fund, secure talent, market, and host such an outstanding event. It was truly gratifying to have such a large and diverse group of music lovers at
18th & Vine.

Now through November, we will host a traveling exhibit in our Changing Gallery organized and circulated by the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, Nazi Olympics: Berlin 1936.

Sponsored by the Midwest Center for Holocaust Education, the exhibit includes thought-provoking photographs, written documents, film footage, and athlete testimonies that explore how the Nazis subverted the true meaning of the Games.

Jazz played an active role in the struggle against Nazism in Germany, as it represented not only American culture, but often was performed by African Americans. It was officially forbidden by the Nazi regime, but that didn’t keep many “Swing Kids” from dancing to it as a way to express their dislike of an oppressive government.

The American Jazz Museum is partnering with the MCHE and the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum to create special events and programs throughout the exhibit’s stay in Kansas City. Visit
our Web site for more details.

Don’t miss Karrin Allyson’s return to 18th & Vine for four shows August 1st and 2nd (7:30 p.m. and 9 p.m.) ($20 admission). She’ll be followed in the Blue Room by Savant Recording Artist Winard Harper August 4th and 5th ($15 admission).

Take time for the Vine throughout August and September. Acts scheduled to appear include Alaadeen & Group 21 August 12th, the Charles Williams Quartet with vocalist Ron Guiterrez August 18th, and the Jazz Disciples with Pam Watson August 19th ($10 admission). Be sure to catch Ida McBeth when she returns to the Blue Room August 11th and 25th.

Also this September, we will host Bob Bowman and special guest Bob Shepherd September 2nd ($10 admission), the Kenny Werner Trio September 18th ($15 admission), and Will Matthews September 29th ($10 admission). The McFadden
Brothers return September 16th ($15 admission), and enjoy pianist Kenny Drew, Jr. September 23rd ($20 admission).

Our most popular programs, including Jazz Storytelling and Jazz Poetry Jams, will return this fall. Check our Web site, www.americanjazzmuseum. org, for the latest details and a complete events calendar.

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






	Search our site:		New Jammin' at the Gem Season Highlights Jazz's Creative Diversity Josephine Baker once said, “Art is an elastic sort of love.” That’s certainly true of jazz; improvisation allows the artists to take the music wherever their souls and experiences lead them. As we began to plan for our annual Jammin’ at the Gem concert series, we realized it wouldn’t be complete without a centennial celebration of Josephine Baker’s style, grace, and deep appreciation of humanity. Ms. Baker, who would have been 100 this year, sashayed onto a Paris stage during the 1920s with a comic, yet sensual appeal that took Europe by storm. She represented American culture at a time when Europeans thought America had no culture. From her early years as a Paris celebrity, to her participation in the French resistance during World War II, to her involvement in the American civil rights movement in the 1950s and ‘60s, she helped define the Jazz Age. So this season will feature a tribute to Josephine Baker featuring the Alvin Ailey dancers at the Gem Theater December 16th. We’ll also be doing a bit of elastic improvisation ourselves throughout the season by hosting a variety of jazz genres. Jammin’ at the Gem will debut October 21st with NEA Jazz Master McCoy Tyner and his bluesbased piano style. This season also will include the SFJAZZ Collective, led by renowned saxophonist and artistic director Joshua Redman, March 18th; and Grammy® winner Dianne Reeves will focus her amazing vocal talents on classic jazz and smoky ballads April 14th. We’re especially excited to host the SFJAZZ Collective, about which The New York Times said “a serious jazz band rises in San Francisco” upon the group’s debut in 2004. Besides saxophonist Redman, it includes Bobby Hutcherson (vibes/marimba), Nicholas Payton (trumpet), Miguel Zenón (alto sax and flute), Andre Hayward (trombone), Renee Rosnes (piano), Matt Penman (bass), and Eric Harland (drums). Each year, the ensemble performs an entirely new list of works, consisting of compositions by a modern jazz master (this year Herbie Hancock) and one new piece by each of its members. American Century is the presenting sponsor of this year’s concert series. We’re also thankful for the generous underwriting support of the Muriel McBrien Kauffman Foundation. Jazz in Kansas City is blessed to have the support of many individuals and businesses in our community. Working together, we’re ensuring that the tradition of 18th & Vine lives on. Our Fascinatin’ Rhythms gala honoring Dr. Billy Taylor and Ms. Myra Taylor was a tremendous success, and it was wonderful to see both of our honorees thoroughly enjoying the evening. Rhythm & Ribs was a huge hit Father’s Day weekend, with more than 30,000 people experiencing three days of great music and fun served family-style. I’d like to extend a special thank-you to everyone in the jazz and blues community, our volunteers, sponsors, and partners, who helped plan, fund, secure talent, market, and host such an outstanding event. It was truly gratifying to have such a large and diverse group of music lovers at 18th & Vine. Now through November, we will host a traveling exhibit in our Changing Gallery organized and circulated by the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, Nazi Olympics: Berlin 1936. Sponsored by the Midwest Center for Holocaust Education, the exhibit includes thought-provoking photographs, written documents, film footage, and athlete testimonies that explore how the Nazis subverted the true meaning of the Games. Jazz played an active role in the struggle against Nazism in Germany, as it represented not only American culture, but often was performed by African Americans. It was officially forbidden by the Nazi regime, but that didn’t keep many “Swing Kids” from dancing to it as a way to express their dislike of an oppressive government. The American Jazz Museum is partnering with the MCHE and the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum to create special events and programs throughout the exhibit’s stay in Kansas City. Visit our Web site for more details. Don’t miss Karrin Allyson’s return to 18th & Vine for four shows August 1st and 2nd (7:30 p.m. and 9 p.m.) ($20 admission). She’ll be followed in the Blue Room by Savant Recording Artist Winard Harper August 4th and 5th ($15 admission). Take time for the Vine throughout August and September. Acts scheduled to appear include Alaadeen & Group 21 August 12th, the Charles Williams Quartet with vocalist Ron Guiterrez August 18th, and the Jazz Disciples with Pam Watson August 19th ($10 admission). Be sure to catch Ida McBeth when she returns to the Blue Room August 11th and 25th. Also this September, we will host Bob Bowman and special guest Bob Shepherd September 2nd ($10 admission), the Kenny Werner Trio September 18th ($15 admission), and Will Matthews September 29th ($10 admission). The McFadden Brothers return September 16th ($15 admission), and enjoy pianist Kenny Drew, Jr. September 23rd ($20 admission). Our most popular programs, including Jazz Storytelling and Jazz Poetry Jams, will return this fall. Check our Web site, www.americanjazzmuseum. org, for the latest details and a complete events calendar. By Juanita Moore is Executive Director of the American Jazz Museum. RETURN TO AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2006 MAIN INDEX © Kansas City Jazz Ambassadors 1996-2006. All rights reserved.