JAM: June/July 2007 Issue: Hampton's Hot Licks

Reunion in New York ...

Karrin Allyson's recent nights at Birdland (4 nights/8 shows) proved to be one of her Hot Licks for the current tour which landed her at home in NYC. New York Times writer, Steve Holden was impressed and wrote, “With Ms. Allyson there is never any nonsense. She doesn't preen, flirt or act coy. What you see and hear is what you get: a musically and psychologically centered gamine, deeply schooled in jazz, who is without neurotic tics and devoid of grandiosity.”

An additional treat for the audience on Friday night, May 12th, was another former KC jazz sit in, Eldar Djangirov . According to former Jam writer (Scrapple from the Apple), Russ Dantzler, “I had never met or heard Eldar before; however, I was pleasantly shocked at his maturity and taste. He has a lot more than chops -- there seems to be some great, established, master musician living in that 20-year-old body!”

Dantzler commented about the addition of Steve Nelson on vibes to the Allyson group: “The interplay between the known-to-me quantities (Karrin, Rod, and Todd) with Steve, is part of what made me wish I could have gone every night. Steve is a sensitive, no-ego-ever-in-the-way team player. He is just right with subtle accompaniment during other's solos, really soft and sweet. Musicians and knowledgeable fans alike seemed to hope that Steve would be with Karrin more -- that certainly applies to me.”

After the gig, Karrin, Todd, Rod, Bill McGlaughlin, Eldar and Melba Joyce gathered at Russ' new place for kind of a good ole times KC reunion.

Hot Licks with Lisa at The Argosy. . .
I always expect great music coming from Lisa Henry. I know it will be good and when she works with Tyrone Clark on bass and Mike Warren on drum, it will be really tight. On Wednesday, May 16th it proved to be a super treat when she brought pianist, Dan DeLuca along for the evening. DeLuca is one of those sleeping giants. We don't see him nearly enough in the clubs and seldom if ever in concert. We need more of Dan DeLuca on the KC jazz scene.

Mutual Musicians Foundation - getting close!
Since last September, the Mutual Musicians Foundation had not enjoyed its dry spell. The booze drought has been costly to the Foundation and to those fans who like the late night jam sessions. The taps may be turned on before long through a lot of work by a lot of very interested and concerned people throughout the State of Missouri , but mostly from Kansas city . Missouri legislators have passed bills that would allow for the Foundation to serve liquor until 6:00 am . As I write, we are awaiting the Governor's signature. Next, a Kansas City ordinance must be amended to make a like provision and the license must be granted to the Foundation. The state legislative change is to take effect on August 28th. With any kind of luck and some more hard work, the City portion of this can be accomplished by the same time. Whenever it happens, let's celebrate!!

Charlie Parker Birthday Celebration.
I have had many calls and emails asking about the 2007 version of the Charlie Parker grave site birthday celebration. The spirit of this event in the past two years has been great. So, we are planning on doing it again. To help you remember the date, we will try to hold this event on the August Sunday closest to Bird's actual birthday - August 29th. That places the celebration on the calendar for August 26th this year. Watch Webjazz.net for details. We may even throw in a Yardbird Suite chicken dinner and Jam session afterwards this year. If you would be interested in attending such an event following the grave site activities, please email me yardbirdjam@webjazz.net .

Jazz On Wood - Portraits of the Music Masters
That is not a typo for jazz in the woods, it really is Jazz On Wood. KC Jazz Ambassador sponsor member from Tokyo , Japan is in the process of launching a new web site: JazzOnWood.com. Jazz On Wood will present woodblock prints made by Japanese music producer and woodblock print artist, Taka Watanabe. Mr. Watanabe's creations are Japanese products that pay tribute to the Music Masters whose genius is readily recognized around the world. They represent a collaboration of: Art and Music, Eastern and Western cultures, hand craft and high technology.

Yoko with Jay and Maryanne McShann

So far, Mr. Watanabe has created woodblocks and prints of the following artists: Bobby Watson, Count Basie, Pat Metheny, Larry Carlton, Quincy Jones and more. Bobby Watson commented about the prints, "Taka is an artist of exceptional grace, style, and beauty. His prints are magic." Ahmad Alaadeen said, "Taka's images are so realistic that I'm waiting on them to speak to me."

The web site shows the complete, detailed process used to develop the exquisite prints. Prints will be available for purchase through the web site when it is completed.

If you are a jazz art collector (or would like to be), some of the Jazz On Wood prints are a must for your collection.