JAM: December 2006/January 2007 Issue: News & Notes

Bird Statue Renovation Complete

Robert Graham’s statue of Charlie Parker, a prominent sight in the Historic Jazz District, has undergone a renovation. After enduring seasonal conditions for seven years, the Charlie “Bird” Parker Memorial sculpture was in need of expert conservational attention in late September 2006. Graham sent two of his protégés to perform several procedures designed to restore and strengthen the sculpture. The restoration involved the use of a propane torch and a proprietary chemical mix, which is the artist’s unique formula. “The preservation of the Charlie Parker Memorial is vital to keeping the history of 18th & Vine alive – we’re very pleased with the results of the project,” says American Jazz Museum Interim Executive Director Carol
Rhodes Dyson.

It’s Flat Five Reunion Time
The Flat Five Reunion remains a sure sign that the holidays are near. This year’s reunion if the group will be the true original Flat Five, as drummer Ron Vincent joins colleagues Stan Kessler,
Paul Smith, Bob Bowman, and homecomers Dave Brandom and Steve Cardenas. This year there will be two appearances – January 3 at Jardine’s, and January 5 at the Blue Room.

Brandom has recorded extensively and played in numerous Broadway productions, and is currently working on his second CD. He is an instructor at Purchase University and Lehigh University. Cardenas has emerged in recent years, and is
currently playing with the current version of Charlie Haden’s Liberation Music Orchestra and Paul Motian’s band, plus leading his own bands in New York City. He has appeared on numerous recordings, including the latest Liberation Music
Orchestra CD, Not In Our Name, and his second CD Panoramic is on the Fresh Sound New Talent label.

Long CD Release Set
The new Russ Long CD, Time To Go, which is reviewed in this issue, has its formal release on December 3 at Jardine’s. Good advice would be to make a reservation (I already made mine), as this promises to be crowded early, if Russ’ prior tribute show is any indication. Jardine’s number is 816-561-6480.

And Speaking of Russ…
Paul Smith was among those deeply moved by the Russ Long tribute at Jardine’s, and wrote the following for JAM:
Cheers to my dear friend Carol Comer for two WONDERFUL articles about Russ Long and the “party” celebrating his music.

I just wanted to stress the importance of the work Gerald Spaits did in putting the whole thing together. He hired the band, set up the rehearsals, did the arrangements (or transcribed them from Russ’s dictation), wrote all the parts out for the band . . and still had the energy to play the gig.

All for the love of one of Kansas City’s treasures, Russ Long.

Thank you Gerald, Gary Sivils and the rest for making the evening a magical, musical experience.

And thank you Russ Long for being the amazing talent you are.

I couldn’t agree more, Paul. Thanks. And Gerald, your efforts have been heroic.

Holiday Sounds
Tim Whitmer will again host a Community Carol Fest, this year on December 3 and Community Christian Church. This is an all-star Kansas City Jazz program, and is always a holiday season
highlight. For more information call 816-561- 6531.

KC Jazz Orchestra Presents
“Home For the Holidays”
The KCJO will present a concert to celebrate the holidays, “Big Band Style”, presenting Duke Ellington’s scoring of the Nutcracker Suite. Vocalist and former Kansas Citian, now residing in the Big Apple, Michelle Miller, will perform holiday
favorites. There will be a special guest appearance by a certain jolly old elf. The concert will be held December 8 at Unity Temple on the Plaza. For information call 913-780-5250, or go to the KCJO Web site at www.kcjazzorchestra.org.

And a New “Nutcracker”
The People’s Liberation Big Band of Greater Kansas City will be presenting “The Nutcracker” on December 10 at 4:00 p.m. at All Souls Unitarian Universalist Church. The address is 4501 Walnut in Kansas City. The performance will feature new arrangements by P. Alonzo Conway, Brad Cox, Jeff Harshbarger, Stan Kessler, Bill McKemy, and Jeffrey Ruckma. Also performing will be Jake Blanton, Mark Southerland, Rich Wheeler, and Roger Wilder, and numerous other musicians. More information is available from Brad Cox at info@bradcoxmusic. com, or by phone at 816-931-1277.

Jazz Series at All Souls
All Souls has also announced their brand new JAZZ and Beyond concert series, with The Jake Blanton Quartet on Saturday., January 13 at 7:30 p.m. (exact date was tentative as of press time). With six concerts planned per year, series director Tom Buck promises a “fire-breathing, no-holds-barred” jazz series. “Our goal is to produce the finest local jazz series imaginable, with a diverse range of music and musicians – from hard bop to progressive, and traditional to the avantgarde.”
Tom even hopes to even bring in an occasional surprise guest artist from beyond Kansas City. Please call 816-531-2131 for more information. All Souls is at 4501 Walnut in Kansas City.

Blue Room Highlights
In addition to the Flat Five show, we see several other “no miss” shows on the Blue Room December- January schedule (the full schedule in on the inside front cover). Our own Logan Richardson brings in a quartet on January 13. Looks like Logan is now recording for Fresh Sound New Talent. Steve Million
brings in a trio on January 20, and Pat Martino’s Quartet will follow on January 22 (here’s hoping Jake Blanton that KC native Scott Allan Robinson will be Pat’s drummer on this trip). Then, Clay Jenkins joins Bob Bowman on January 26. So keep 18th and Vine on your car’s GPS!

Elder Statesmen To Honor The Scamps
The Elder Statesmen of Kansas City Jazz proudly announce the 60th Anniversary of the Scamps starts at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday December 3 at the Mutual Musicians Foundation, 1823 Highland
Avenue. The observance pays tribute to this timeless band and is held in conjunction with the 2006-2007 induction ceremony slated for Spring 2007. Since the passing of celebrated Elder Statesman and Scamp member Orestie “Rusty” Tucker earlier this year, it was only fitting to dedicate the semi-annual induction to the Scamps. There are 2-surviving original Scamps - Rudy Massingale and Earl Robinson, and those recognized posthumously are - Orestie “Rusty” Tucker, Elbert “Coots”
Dye, Ed Stafford, Wyatt Griffin, Torrence Griffin, and James Whitcomb. Also, Harold Slaughter, Richard Smith, Sam Alexander, Clarence “Sonny” Kenner, Samuel Johnson, Sr., L.C. “Speedy” Huggins and the first lady-Scamp - Evelyn Twine, just
to name a few. Oscar “Lucky” Wesley, Allen Monroe, Dwight Foster, Eddie Saunders, Arthur“Art” Jackson, Wallace Jones, Massingale, and the youngest Scamp, saxophonist Charles Perkins, is the roster of current performing Scamps. These
musicians have performed professionally as the Scamps, the 5-Scamps and the Red Hot Scamps for over 60-years. Call 913-342-4233 or 816-392-3236 for more additional information.

UMKC Concert
The UMKC 11 O’Clock Jazz Band and the Concert Jazz Band will be in concert on December 8 at White Recital Hall at the UMKC Performing Arts Center. Special guests the McFadden Brothers will also be performing. The concert starts at 7:30
p.m. For information, try the Conservatory Web site, www.concervatory.umkc.edu

More On-Line Jazz
I think we got more response on our jazz on the Web blurb a couple of issues ago than anything we’ve done. We’re glad to see that so many folks are sharing what they’ve discovered!

DJ Sweeney has told us about a 24-hour service from Los Angeles, the link is www.jazzandblues.org/programming/listen. It’s KJAZZ 88.1. As we write, they are playing some Terry Gibbs Big Band, and it sounds damn fine.

Maye Triumphant in NYC
Kansas City’s favorite singer Marilyn Maye is still knocking them dead in New York. Recent “big time” performances at the new Metropolitan Room and the Rose Theater in Lincoln Center resulted in super reviews from Charles Cochran and Rex Reed,
who noted the voice, the showmanship, and appreciated the performance and entertainment. Quoting Rex Reed: “There is simply nobody around with more talent, personality and class.”
Congratulations, Marilyn!

And Congratulations to Mark Southerland
Mark Southerland has received an award from the Boston-based Tanne Foundation. The unrestricted grant was provided to support Mark’s continued sound and visual art explorations.
“Southerland turns the stage work into an Alexander Calderesque circus of visual and sound possibilities,” according to the Foundation press release. The Foundation has awarded almost a halfmillion dollars to over 50 artists and organizations
since it was founded in 1998.

Last we heard, Mark is performing with his Snuff Jazz regularly on Thursdays at the Eighth Street Tap Room in Lawrence. Might be wise to call first - 785-841-6918.

Sonny Cohn, 1925-2006
George “Sonny” Cohn, lead trumpeter and manager for the Count Basie Orchestra for over thirty years, passed away on November 7, 2006. Cohn was known for his muted style. He retired from the Orchestra in the 1990’s. He appeared on numerous Basie recordings starting in the early 1960’s, including The Legend, Basie Straight Ahead, and the series of Basie Big Band albums in the 1970’s and 1980’s on the Pablo label. Cohn was from Chicago.

Got News? Got Notes? Please send to: Editor/JAM, P.O. Box 36181, Kansas City, MO 64171-6181. Deadline for all submissions is the 15th of each odd numbered month.






	Search our site:		Bird Statue Renovation Complete Robert Graham’s statue of Charlie Parker, a prominent sight in the Historic Jazz District, has undergone a renovation. After enduring seasonal conditions for seven years, the Charlie “Bird” Parker Memorial sculpture was in need of expert conservational attention in late September 2006. Graham sent two of his protégés to perform several procedures designed to restore and strengthen the sculpture. The restoration involved the use of a propane torch and a proprietary chemical mix, which is the artist’s unique formula. “The preservation of the Charlie Parker Memorial is vital to keeping the history of 18th & Vine alive – we’re very pleased with the results of the project,” says American Jazz Museum Interim Executive Director Carol Rhodes Dyson. It’s Flat Five Reunion Time The Flat Five Reunion remains a sure sign that the holidays are near. This year’s reunion if the group will be the true original Flat Five, as drummer Ron Vincent joins colleagues Stan Kessler, Paul Smith, Bob Bowman, and homecomers Dave Brandom and Steve Cardenas. This year there will be two appearances – January 3 at Jardine’s, and January 5 at the Blue Room. Brandom has recorded extensively and played in numerous Broadway productions, and is currently working on his second CD. He is an instructor at Purchase University and Lehigh University. Cardenas has emerged in recent years, and is currently playing with the current version of Charlie Haden’s Liberation Music Orchestra and Paul Motian’s band, plus leading his own bands in New York City. He has appeared on numerous recordings, including the latest Liberation Music Orchestra CD, Not In Our Name, and his second CD Panoramic is on the Fresh Sound New Talent label. Long CD Release Set The new Russ Long CD, Time To Go, which is reviewed in this issue, has its formal release on December 3 at Jardine’s. Good advice would be to make a reservation (I already made mine), as this promises to be crowded early, if Russ’ prior tribute show is any indication. Jardine’s number is 816-561-6480. And Speaking of Russ… Paul Smith was among those deeply moved by the Russ Long tribute at Jardine’s, and wrote the following for JAM: Cheers to my dear friend Carol Comer for two WONDERFUL articles about Russ Long and the “party” celebrating his music. I just wanted to stress the importance of the work Gerald Spaits did in putting the whole thing together. He hired the band, set up the rehearsals, did the arrangements (or transcribed them from Russ’s dictation), wrote all the parts out for the band . . and still had the energy to play the gig. All for the love of one of Kansas City’s treasures, Russ Long. Thank you Gerald, Gary Sivils and the rest for making the evening a magical, musical experience. And thank you Russ Long for being the amazing talent you are. I couldn’t agree more, Paul. Thanks. And Gerald, your efforts have been heroic. Holiday Sounds Tim Whitmer will again host a Community Carol Fest, this year on December 3 and Community Christian Church. This is an all-star Kansas City Jazz program, and is always a holiday season highlight. For more information call 816-561- 6531. KC Jazz Orchestra Presents “Home For the Holidays” The KCJO will present a concert to celebrate the holidays, “Big Band Style”, presenting Duke Ellington’s scoring of the Nutcracker Suite. Vocalist and former Kansas Citian, now residing in the Big Apple, Michelle Miller, will perform holiday favorites. There will be a special guest appearance by a certain jolly old elf. The concert will be held December 8 at Unity Temple on the Plaza. For information call 913-780-5250, or go to the KCJO Web site at www.kcjazzorchestra.org. And a New “Nutcracker” The People’s Liberation Big Band of Greater Kansas City will be presenting “The Nutcracker” on December 10 at 4:00 p.m. at All Souls Unitarian Universalist Church. The address is 4501 Walnut in Kansas City. The performance will feature new arrangements by P. Alonzo Conway, Brad Cox, Jeff Harshbarger, Stan Kessler, Bill McKemy, and Jeffrey Ruckma. Also performing will be Jake Blanton, Mark Southerland, Rich Wheeler, and Roger Wilder, and numerous other musicians. More information is available from Brad Cox at info@bradcoxmusic. com, or by phone at 816-931-1277. Jazz Series at All Souls All Souls has also announced their brand new JAZZ and Beyond concert series, with The Jake Blanton Quartet on Saturday., January 13 at 7:30 p.m. (exact date was tentative as of press time). With six concerts planned per year, series director Tom Buck promises a “fire-breathing, no-holds-barred” jazz series. “Our goal is to produce the finest local jazz series imaginable, with a diverse range of music and musicians – from hard bop to progressive, and traditional to the avantgarde.” Tom even hopes to even bring in an occasional surprise guest artist from beyond Kansas City. Please call 816-531-2131 for more information. All Souls is at 4501 Walnut in Kansas City. Blue Room Highlights In addition to the Flat Five show, we see several other “no miss” shows on the Blue Room December- January schedule (the full schedule in on the inside front cover). Our own Logan Richardson brings in a quartet on January 13. Looks like Logan is now recording for Fresh Sound New Talent. Steve Million brings in a trio on January 20, and Pat Martino’s Quartet will follow on January 22 (here’s hoping Jake Blanton that KC native Scott Allan Robinson will be Pat’s drummer on this trip). Then, Clay Jenkins joins Bob Bowman on January 26. So keep 18th and Vine on your car’s GPS! Elder Statesmen To Honor The Scamps The Elder Statesmen of Kansas City Jazz proudly announce the 60th Anniversary of the Scamps starts at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday December 3 at the Mutual Musicians Foundation, 1823 Highland Avenue. The observance pays tribute to this timeless band and is held in conjunction with the 2006-2007 induction ceremony slated for Spring 2007. Since the passing of celebrated Elder Statesman and Scamp member Orestie “Rusty” Tucker earlier this year, it was only fitting to dedicate the semi-annual induction to the Scamps. There are 2-surviving original Scamps - Rudy Massingale and Earl Robinson, and those recognized posthumously are - Orestie “Rusty” Tucker, Elbert “Coots” Dye, Ed Stafford, Wyatt Griffin, Torrence Griffin, and James Whitcomb. Also, Harold Slaughter, Richard Smith, Sam Alexander, Clarence “Sonny” Kenner, Samuel Johnson, Sr., L.C. “Speedy” Huggins and the first lady-Scamp - Evelyn Twine, just to name a few. Oscar “Lucky” Wesley, Allen Monroe, Dwight Foster, Eddie Saunders, Arthur“Art” Jackson, Wallace Jones, Massingale, and the youngest Scamp, saxophonist Charles Perkins, is the roster of current performing Scamps. These musicians have performed professionally as the Scamps, the 5-Scamps and the Red Hot Scamps for over 60-years. Call 913-342-4233 or 816-392-3236 for more additional information. UMKC Concert The UMKC 11 O’Clock Jazz Band and the Concert Jazz Band will be in concert on December 8 at White Recital Hall at the UMKC Performing Arts Center. Special guests the McFadden Brothers will also be performing. The concert starts at 7:30 p.m. For information, try the Conservatory Web site, www.concervatory.umkc.edu More On-Line Jazz I think we got more response on our jazz on the Web blurb a couple of issues ago than anything we’ve done. We’re glad to see that so many folks are sharing what they’ve discovered! DJ Sweeney has told us about a 24-hour service from Los Angeles, the link is www.jazzandblues.org/programming/listen. It’s KJAZZ 88.1. As we write, they are playing some Terry Gibbs Big Band, and it sounds damn fine. Maye Triumphant in NYC Kansas City’s favorite singer Marilyn Maye is still knocking them dead in New York. Recent “big time” performances at the new Metropolitan Room and the Rose Theater in Lincoln Center resulted in super reviews from Charles Cochran and Rex Reed, who noted the voice, the showmanship, and appreciated the performance and entertainment. Quoting Rex Reed: “There is simply nobody around with more talent, personality and class.” Congratulations, Marilyn! And Congratulations to Mark Southerland Mark Southerland has received an award from the Boston-based Tanne Foundation. The unrestricted grant was provided to support Mark’s continued sound and visual art explorations. “Southerland turns the stage work into an Alexander Calderesque circus of visual and sound possibilities,” according to the Foundation press release. The Foundation has awarded almost a halfmillion dollars to over 50 artists and organizations since it was founded in 1998. Last we heard, Mark is performing with his Snuff Jazz regularly on Thursdays at the Eighth Street Tap Room in Lawrence. Might be wise to call first - 785-841-6918. Sonny Cohn, 1925-2006 George “Sonny” Cohn, lead trumpeter and manager for the Count Basie Orchestra for over thirty years, passed away on November 7, 2006. Cohn was known for his muted style. He retired from the Orchestra in the 1990’s. He appeared on numerous Basie recordings starting in the early 1960’s, including The Legend, Basie Straight Ahead, and the series of Basie Big Band albums in the 1970’s and 1980’s on the Pablo label. Cohn was from Chicago. Got News? Got Notes? Please send to: Editor/JAM, P.O. Box 36181, Kansas City, MO 64171-6181. Deadline for all submissions is the 15th of each odd numbered month. RETURN TO DECEMBER 2006/JANUARY 2007 MAIN INDEX © Kansas City Jazz Ambassadors 1996-2006. All rights reserved.