JAM: APRIL/MAY 2007 Issue: President's Corner

By Bev Mann
President, Kansas City Jazz Ambassadors

We get our names mentioned on the inside of page four but very few members really know the Board of Directors of the Kansas City Jazz Ambassadors.

It is not a large group. We are musicians, students, entrepreneurs, retirees, sales people, administrators and CPA's. We are both young and old-er; male and female. And, obviously we all love jazz!

Penny Oathout is the secretary of the board. With her excellent job of writing minutes we always know what we have done in the past and with her monthly agenda we waste no time at our meetings. Like many of us she has heard many of the jazz greats such as Gerry Mulligan and Erroll Garner. Her husband was a classical musician and together they developed an appreciation of American Jazz.

Jerry Pollock is President-elect of the KCJA and was “the Man” responsible for getting a sponsor for the KCJA Concert Series from JAGUAR OF MERRIAM. Both Jerry and his life mate Leslie Maclean are performing musicians in Kansas City and throughout the Midwest .

Tom and Stephanie Yeo are the keepers of the merchandise of the KCJA. They love jazz, a favorite is Bram Wijnands, and are involved with the ambassadors to help support jazz in Kansas City.

Joyce Johnson is back on the board as treasurer, a position she gave up several years ago and passed on to me. However, as qualified as she is as an accountant with her own business she “loves the work”. She also loves jazz and the people she meets, old friends and new friends.

Tom Alexios is designated educator on the board. He travels a lot spreading the joy and history of jazz to children everywhere. He was associated with Down Beat Magazine for many years and now works with the Duke Ellington family.

Sharon Rabius is responsible for the planning and presentation of the KCJA Mini-Pub Crawls. Her detail to these events has been incredible and these events not only have been providing a great jazz evening for special groups but provide income to the Jazz Ambassadors for our educational gifts. Between her 2 careers she does find time to listen to our great jazz talents here in Kansas City .

Bob Rodina is the chairman for the concert series and has been involved with the series shortly after it started in 1993. He makes certain the performers have transportation, a room at the Marriott, etc. He also makes sure the piano is tuned, the stage set-up, and everyone is happy. Retired now, he has been interested in jazz since high school when he traded radio parts for, among others, a Les Brown All-Stars album.

Phyllis Sargeon is the membership chairman. She seems quiet and shy until you see her walking around an event/restaurant stopping at each table doing her “sell job” for membership in the KCJA. She knows jazz, knows the artists and loves it all.

Laura Glaeser is communication chairman and edits the Wholenotes as well. In addition many of you have probably heard her sing with local jazz groups around town and she is GOOD!

Although they are not on the board, we must also include Jayne Rudish and Darrell Hoffman as VIP's to the Kansas City Jazz Ambassadors. Jayne keeps members up to date on events and happenings of the Jazz Ambassadors via e-mail. In addition, she organizes the stuffing of JAM into envelopes that are mailed to all members and takes them to the post office. Darrell has the database of the membership and keeps this information up to date.

Bev Mann, that is me and I am president of the Kansas City Jazz Ambassadors. And what do I do? I call the meeting to order and listen to all these great board members help us direct the course of the jazz ambassadors and JAM magazine for another year and into the future. And yes, I have been known to express an opinion or make an executive decision.