JAM: June/July 2007 Issue: Off The Vine

Dear Friends and Supporters:

As the outgoing chairperson of the Board of Directors for the American Jazz Museum , it has been a great honor and a sincere pleasure to serve this institution and the greater Kansas City jazz community. I've enjoyed being a part of so many wonderful events and activities in the Historic 18 th & Vine Jazz District while serving as the Board Chairperson. These events could not have been possible without the tremendous efforts and support of so many passionate and committed individuals. As I pass the torch to our incoming Chairperson, I'm very pleased to share many exciting updates and news of recent happenings and great things to come down on the Vine!

The 3 rd Annual Rhythm & Ribs Jazz Festival is set for Father's Day Weekend, June 15 th & 16 th . It's a great opportunity for community members to come together to celebrate two of Kansas City 's richest traditions: jazz and barbecue! And at the core of those traditions lies one of the great crossroads of jazz — 18 th & Vine.

I'd like to emphasize the importance of 18 th & Vine and its role in carrying on Kansas City 's strong heritage — and this summer, Rhythm & Ribs is a perfect way to keep that heritage alive and strong. With live performances from some of the best national and local jazz and blues talent on two stages, the amateur barbecue cook-off contest, and a host of other activities, Rhythm & Ribs is sure to draw in people from all over Kansas City — and beyond!

And with names like George Benson, Al Jarreau, Pat Metheny, Bobby “Blue” Bland, and a top-notch lineup of local performers, the music is sure to be nothing short of spectacular!

This festival plays a key role in showcasing and supporting the Historic 18 th & Vine Jazz District , and it is poised to become a signature Kansas City event. Kansas City is Rhythm & Ribs. I'd like to encourage and invite everyone to do their part to support and celebrate the magnificence of Kansas City .

Here's the full lineup for Rhythm & Ribs:

Friday, June 15, 2007
Blue Cross Blue Shield Pavilion Stage
3p – 3:45p John Brewer Group
4p – 5p John Paul Drum & the Hatchlings
5:20 – 6:20p James Ward Band
6:40p – 7:40p Millage Gilbert Blues Band
8p – 9p Kansas City Jazz Orchestra
9:20p – 10:30p Double Exposure

Sprint Main Stage
5p - 6p Queen Bey & Friends
6:30p – 8p Bob Margolin & James Cotton
8:30p – 11p Pat Metheny Trio

Saturday, June 16, 2007
Blue Cross Blue Shield Pavilion Stage
11:30a – 12:30p Everette DeVan & Friends
1p – 2p Wild Women of KC
2:30p – 3:30p Heat Index w/Al Pearson
4p – 5p Charles Williams Quartet w/Ron Gutierrez
5:30p – 6:30p Bob Bowman & Bow Dog
7p – 8p DC Bellamy
8:30p – 9:30p Saturday Night Salsa w/Makusa
10p – 11p Saturday Night Salsa w/Son Venezuela

Sprint Main Stage
Noon – 1:15p Jazz Disciples with Deborah Brown
2p – 3:30p Maurice Brown Quintet
4:30p – 6p Javon Jackson Band with special guests Les McCann & Dr. Lonnie Smith
7p – 9p George Benson & Al Jarreau
10p – 11p Bobby “Blue” Bland

Adding to the excitement of Rhythm & Ribs is an outstanding lineup in the Blue Room for June and July. The first weekend features the Luqman Hamza Quartet on Friday, June 1 st , and the Jazz Disciples on Saturday, June 2 nd . The following weekend, Ida McBeth will grace the stage on Friday, June 8 th , and the masterful pianist Bill Charlap leads a trio on Saturday, June 9 th . On the same weekend as Rhythm & Ribs, the American Jazz Museum 's own Dennis Winslett will front an outstanding quintet on Friday, June 15 th , and vocalist Deborah Brown will appear with guitarist Andreas Pettersson's quartet on Saturday, June 16 th . To keep things sizzlin', Ida will return again on Friday, June 22 nd , and the legendary Bennie Maupin will appear on Saturday, June 23rd .

In July, Ida McBeth will kick off the first weekend on Friday, July 6 th , and Alaadeen & Group 21 will perform on Saturday, July 7 th . The next two weekends feature some of Kansas City 's best guitarists. On July 14 th , Charlie Gatschet will lead a quartet for his CD release party, and July 21 st will feature Kansas City native and Count Basie Orchestra guitarist Will Matthews, also in quartet form. The sensational Lisa Henry appears with the Jazz Disciples on Friday, July 27 th , and on July 28 th , we're putting on the 1 st Annual Blue Room/KKFI Benefit Concert, featuring a lineup of three bands to be determined — but determined to be a night of classic Kansas City jazz.

And of course, our monthly lineup wouldn't be the same without our regular Blue Monday Jams, Latin Jazz/Salsa nights and a host of other first-rate local talent. Refer to our inside cover ad for the full June & July Blue Room schedule!

I'm also extremely eager to announce our next Changing Gallery exhibit, opening on Friday, June 29 th . Featuring compelling images of legends such as Thelonious Monk, John Coltrane, Eric Dolphy, Sun Ra, Charles Mingus, Ornette Coleman, Louis Armstrong, and Charlie Parker (among many others!), Madison , Wisconsin , artist Martel Chapman's Portraits as Jazz translates the sounds of jazz into powerful and poignant portraits. Portraits as Jazz will be open through September 17, 2007 . Join us for an opening reception on Friday, June 29 th in the Changing Gallery!

Last, but certainly not least, mark your calendars for September 2007. The American Jazz Museum will be celebrating its 10-Year Anniversary. More details to come!

Please join us as we honor the past, enjoy the present, and celebrate the future of this uniquely American art form — and thank you all for your wonderful support of the American Jazz Museum throughout the years.

Best wishes and deepest thanks,

Georgia Buchanan

Georgia Buchanan served as the Chairperson of the American Jazz Museum Board of Directors from 2005 to 2007.