JAM: Oct/Nov 2007 Issue: Off The Vine

Dear Friends & Supporters:

First and foremost, on behalf of the American Jazz Museum , I'd like to extend our deepest gratitude and appreciation for the outstanding contributions of our community partners, volunteers, the Kansas City community and all others who joined us in celebration of our 10 th Anniversary. The event was truly an amazing success, and it wouldn't have happened without the enduring support of countless passionate and committed people.

All of us here at 18 th & Vine have been inspired by the unification of so many devoted enthusiasts of Kansas City 's rich cultural heritage – and we're excited at the prospect of continuing that momentum. We should all feel extremely proud of everything we've accomplished – and we should look to the future with great anticipation for the wonderful accolades and achievements that are to come.

That being said, I'd like to inform all of you of another upcoming opportunity to join us in another all-inclusive community effort to share in all the American Jazz Museum has to offer and help us begin to shape the next decade of our presence in the Historic 18 th & Vine Jazz District. This fall, we'll be hosting an event that is free and open to the public; join us as we enjoy some top-notch live music, refreshments, and each other's company.

Afterwards, we'll gather in the Gem Theater, and we'll unveil some of our plans and ideas for future programming and developments at the American Jazz Museum . Then we'll give you the microphone – and an opportunity to share your thoughts, comments and feedback on everything we've done in the past 10 years – and what we can do in the next 10.

Join us in our efforts to cultivate new audiences for the American Jazz Museum and raise our profile as one of the premier incubators of this music by helping build the blocks that will enhance Kansas City – and 18 th & Vine's mark on the global jazz landscape. The future of the American Jazz Museum will be constructed by – and for – everyone. We'd like to encourage all of you to take ownership in this place – and craft a world-class destination that will entertain and educate audiences worldwide for generations to come.

As we swing into this fall season, a new series of education programs and concert performances will begin as well. Our Jazz Storytelling team of storyteller Brother John, vocalist Lisa Henry, bassist Tyrone Clark and drummer Mike Warren will have local children stompin', clappin', dancin' and scattin', all while exploring a topic in each session, including jazz, its history, and its legends.

The Jazz Poetry Jams season will also kick off on October 16 with Khari B in the Blue Room, featuring the regular open-mic competition, special guest poets and a live jazz trio. American Jazz Museum Poet-in-Residence Glenn North and community activist, author, UMKC Professor and former KC Chief Pellom McDaniels will be the featured poets on November 20.

Beginning November 2, 2007 we'll be presenting “If Jazz Was a Color,” an exhibition of textile collages created by world-renowned quilt artist Jacquelyn Hughes Mooney. Mooney's work has been exhibited all over the country and is included in the collections of Ray Nagin, Mayor of New Orleans, radio host Tom Joyner, Exxon Mobil Oil, Temple University and Howard University Hospital . More information will be available on our website soon.

Our annual Jammin' at the Gem series also kicks off this fall. This year's series – the 11 th we've presented - features a diversity of artists and styles that appeal to a plethora of musical tastes, ranging from swing, post-bop and contemporary jazz to soul, R&B and world music:

Dee Dee Bridgewater, October 13, 2007 – Touring in support of her April 2007 release Red Earth: A Malian Journey , t he Grammy and Tony-winning vocalist will be accompanied by a ten piece band featuring her trio plus seven musicians from Mali , presenting jazz standards on traditional American and African instruments, resulting in a breathtaking and totally organic musical journey.

NEA Jazz Master Ahmad Jamal, January 19, 2008 – The NEA Jazz Master's minimalist approach to piano and outstanding technical command gained the admiration of Miles Davis and John Coltrane, heavily influencing several of their greatest compositions such as “So What, and “Impressions;” his 1958 classic live recording Ahmad Jamal at the Pershing: But Not for Me spent an unprecedented 108 weeks – for a jazz album – on the Ten Best-Selling Pop Charts.

Najee, February 9, 2008 – A true pioneer of contemporary jazz, the versatile saxophonist toured and recorded with Prince for three years; his August 2007 release Rising Sun , debuted at #1 on the contemporary jazz charts and showcases him as a serious jazz player with tastes for pop, world music and R&B, attracting straight-ahead jazz, indie rock and old-school soul fans alike.

18 th & Vine Big Band, March 15, 2008 – Under the direction of renowned saxophonist Bobby Watson, the 18 th & Vine Big Band, featuring a lineup of some of Kansas City's finest musicians, will be joined by Mary Stallings, referred to by the New York Times as “the best jazz singer alive today that everyone seems to have missed;” also performing is vocalist Karrin Allyson, formerly of Kansas City and now a popular and critically acclaimed fixture in jazz.

Tribute to Ray Brown, April 18, 2008 – Ray Brown played with Dizzy Gillespie, Ella Fitzgerald, Milt Jackson, and Oscar Peterson - among several other jazz luminaries. Featuring the trio of bassist Christian McBride, pianist Benny Green and drummer Gregory Hutchinson - each of whom worked with the late bassist - this performance honors the life and work of a true jazz band.

A full schedule of events for our fall programs is available at www.americanjazzmuseum.org. And as always, the current Blue Room performance schedule is available online as well as the inside front cover ad of JAM.

Thank you all for your wonderful support. We'll see you at 18 th & Vine – where it's all about the music!

Best wishes and deepest thanks,

Greg Carroll is the executive director of the American Jazz Museum.