JAM: December 2006/January 2007 Issue: Off The Vine

Hey, Kansas City Jazz Lovers!
Just wanted to say I appreciate all the “love” I’ve been getting at the Museum from well-wishers. Thank you for welcoming me back so graciously.

As we head into the winter and a new year, it is important for us to take a moment to reflect on what’s important in our lives. This is a time when fond memories serve as a source of strength and
warmth, and we celebrate all those things we love. And it’s also a great time to be at 18th & Vine.

The sensational Josephine Baker once reminded us that, “The things we truly love stay with us always, locked in our hearts as long as life remains.” Her words undoubtedly ring true today, as jazz is locked in our hearts here in Kansas City and at 18th & Vine. In the same way, Baker’s magical stage presence and energetic performances, all with a comedic touch, remain in our hearts as we remember how her life onstage and offstage touched countless lives and helped define the Jazz Age.

One hundred years after her birth, the American Jazz Museum is proud to honor Josephine Baker’s memory with a special concert at the Gem Theater on Saturday, December 16, as part of our annual “Jammin’ at the Gem” concert series. Featuring
a performance by the Kansas City Friends of Alvin Ailey and the incomparable jazz vocalist Nnenna Freelon—who will channel Josephine Baker’s comic, yet sensual appeal that took Europe
by storm in the 1920s—it’s sure to be a night that will be locked in our hearts.

Earlier that same day, we’ll celebrate another aspect of our lives that remains with us always: the children. Our Jazz Storytelling Seasonal Celebration, entitled “Baby, It’s Cold Outside,” will bring Kansas City children and their parents together to enjoy a seasonal tale, yummy treats, and a special visit from Santa Claus, all while the Jazz Storytelling crew has the crowd stompin’, clappin’, dancin’, and scattin’ to some classic Kansas City jazz.

“The Light in the Other Room” is a collaborative of Kansas City based African American artists showcasing the broad range of creative visions and artistic voices within Kansas City’s visual arts community. On December 22, we’ll unveil a new Changing Gallery exhibit featuring works by members of this group, who are dedicated to preserving their heritage and the heritage of Kansas City.

For the ninth consecutive year, the American Jazz Museum will host Kansas City’s City-Wide Kwanzaa Celebration at the Gem Theater, December 26 through December 31. With a variety of performances including music, poetry, and theatre, each nightly program will highlight one of the “Nguzo Saba,” or Seven Principles of Kwanzaa: Unity, Self-Determination, Collective Work, Responsibility, Cooperative Economics, Purpose,
Creativity, and Faith.

Join us this New Year’s Eve for a delectable buffet, party favors, a champagne toast, and best of all—the McFadden Brothers. Ring in the New Year with the McFadden Brothers’ popular combination of Kansas City blues and jazz, electrifying tap-dance, and a touch of vaudeville at the Blue Room. Don’t miss this outstanding opportunity to welcome 2007 at 18th & Vine!

On Saturday, January 13, 2007, our Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration will take place at the Gem Theater. In honor of Dr. King’s dream and his vision for a progressive and positive race, the American Jazz Museum is staging a public event featuring actor and author Hill Harper and his newly released book, Letters to a Young Brother: Manifest Your Destiny. Harper will share his inspiration for publishing the book as well as his insights into the rigors of the real world facing African-American young men.

Monday, January 22, 2007, will be a night of jazz guitar with the Pat Martino Quartet. One of the most original of the jazz-based guitarists to emerge in the 1960s, Pat Martino made a remarkable comeback after brain surgery in 1980 to correct
an aneurysm that caused him to lose his memory and completely forget how to play. Martino’s dynamic form on the guitar is certainly a living reinforcement of Josephine Baker’s words.

Born in America, jazz is one of our nation’s greatest treasures. Kansas City made it swing. Loved by people worldwide, it is a language that crosses all cultural borders. As it was years ago
and still is today, jazz is close to our hearts at 18th& Vine. During these cold months, remember and celebrate those things you truly love. Be proud that your hometown is a glowing source of something loved worldwide. And remember that jazz is a true
gem that can give a little warmth to the soul—and this is “where it lives.” We’ll see you at 18th & Vine!

Carol Rhodes-Dyson is the Interim Executive Director of the American Jazz Museum .






	Search our site:		Hey, Kansas City Jazz Lovers! Just wanted to say I appreciate all the “love” I’ve been getting at the Museum from well-wishers. Thank you for welcoming me back so graciously. As we head into the winter and a new year, it is important for us to take a moment to reflect on what’s important in our lives. This is a time when fond memories serve as a source of strength and warmth, and we celebrate all those things we love. And it’s also a great time to be at 18th & Vine. The sensational Josephine Baker once reminded us that, “The things we truly love stay with us always, locked in our hearts as long as life remains.” Her words undoubtedly ring true today, as jazz is locked in our hearts here in Kansas City and at 18th & Vine. In the same way, Baker’s magical stage presence and energetic performances, all with a comedic touch, remain in our hearts as we remember how her life onstage and offstage touched countless lives and helped define the Jazz Age. One hundred years after her birth, the American Jazz Museum is proud to honor Josephine Baker’s memory with a special concert at the Gem Theater on Saturday, December 16, as part of our annual “Jammin’ at the Gem” concert series. Featuring a performance by the Kansas City Friends of Alvin Ailey and the incomparable jazz vocalist Nnenna Freelon—who will channel Josephine Baker’s comic, yet sensual appeal that took Europe by storm in the 1920s—it’s sure to be a night that will be locked in our hearts. Earlier that same day, we’ll celebrate another aspect of our lives that remains with us always: the children. Our Jazz Storytelling Seasonal Celebration, entitled “Baby, It’s Cold Outside,” will bring Kansas City children and their parents together to enjoy a seasonal tale, yummy treats, and a special visit from Santa Claus, all while the Jazz Storytelling crew has the crowd stompin’, clappin’, dancin’, and scattin’ to some classic Kansas City jazz. “The Light in the Other Room” is a collaborative of Kansas City based African American artists showcasing the broad range of creative visions and artistic voices within Kansas City’s visual arts community. On December 22, we’ll unveil a new Changing Gallery exhibit featuring works by members of this group, who are dedicated to preserving their heritage and the heritage of Kansas City. For the ninth consecutive year, the American Jazz Museum will host Kansas City’s City-Wide Kwanzaa Celebration at the Gem Theater, December 26 through December 31. With a variety of performances including music, poetry, and theatre, each nightly program will highlight one of the “Nguzo Saba,” or Seven Principles of Kwanzaa: Unity, Self-Determination, Collective Work, Responsibility, Cooperative Economics, Purpose, Creativity, and Faith. Join us this New Year’s Eve for a delectable buffet, party favors, a champagne toast, and best of all—the McFadden Brothers. Ring in the New Year with the McFadden Brothers’ popular combination of Kansas City blues and jazz, electrifying tap-dance, and a touch of vaudeville at the Blue Room. Don’t miss this outstanding opportunity to welcome 2007 at 18th & Vine! On Saturday, January 13, 2007, our Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration will take place at the Gem Theater. In honor of Dr. King’s dream and his vision for a progressive and positive race, the American Jazz Museum is staging a public event featuring actor and author Hill Harper and his newly released book, Letters to a Young Brother: Manifest Your Destiny. Harper will share his inspiration for publishing the book as well as his insights into the rigors of the real world facing African-American young men. Monday, January 22, 2007, will be a night of jazz guitar with the Pat Martino Quartet. One of the most original of the jazz-based guitarists to emerge in the 1960s, Pat Martino made a remarkable comeback after brain surgery in 1980 to correct an aneurysm that caused him to lose his memory and completely forget how to play. Martino’s dynamic form on the guitar is certainly a living reinforcement of Josephine Baker’s words. Born in America, jazz is one of our nation’s greatest treasures. Kansas City made it swing. Loved by people worldwide, it is a language that crosses all cultural borders. As it was years ago and still is today, jazz is close to our hearts at 18th& Vine. During these cold months, remember and celebrate those things you truly love. Be proud that your hometown is a glowing source of something loved worldwide. And remember that jazz is a true gem that can give a little warmth to the soul—and this is “where it lives.” We’ll see you at 18th & Vine! Carol Rhodes-Dyson is the Interim Executive Director of the American Jazz Museum . RETURN TO DECEMBER 2006/JANUARY 2007 MAIN INDEX © Kansas City Jazz Ambassadors 1996-2006. All rights reserved.