Off the Vine
Greetings Music Lovers -
I'm thinking of a standard: “Summertime, and the livin' is easy…”
With the arrival of a new season also comes a new string of events at the American Jazz Museum. Between world class performances in our award-winning venues, exceptional educational programming, striking exhibitions in the Changing Gallery and other special events, one thing is absolutely certain: it's busy down here on the Vine!
We'd like to thank all of our patrons for their constant support of our programs – and encourage you to branch out and participate in new programs on the Vine. You'll find that across all platforms in which we celebrate, exhibit and present jazz to different audiences – there's something that speaks to you. Throughout the diverse range of events at the American Jazz Museum, there is one constant theme you'll find – it's all about the music.
And as always, special thanks are extended to our generous sponsors, partners, volunteers and other contributors – without you and your tireless efforts, all of the wonderful events happening down on the Vine wouldn't be possible.
Without further ado, here's a rundown of what's coming up in June & July, beginning with…
4th Rhythm & Ribs Jazz Festival…
We're pleased to announce that the American Jazz Museum is once again a presenting partner of the Rhythm & Ribs Jazz Festival, June 13-14, now in its fourth year! As always, we're extremely excited at the prospect of the thousands of visitors, music lovers, families & Kansas City community members that will converge on the Vine for two days of jazz and barbecue.
The Jazz Links education program has been expanded to three days this year, featuring master classes, film seminars, panel sessions – and a performance by students to kick off the festival. And of course, Rhythm & Ribs wouldn't be complete without the “Smoke it Baby” Amateur BBQ Contest. It's guaranteed to be an enthralling time for all as we gather on the Vine to enjoy “the heart, the soul & the sauce.”
Friday's headline acts include R&B/soul sensation Angie Stone and contemporary jazz pioneers Fourplay, featuring Larry Carlton, Nathan East, Harvey Mason & Bob James – a native of Marshall, MO. We'll be presenting him with a proclomation for all of his contributions to jazz as a native of the great state of Missouri.
Saturday's headline acts include keyboardist George Duke's group with special guest vocalist Patti Austin, blues/soul crossover guitar slinger & singer Robert Cray, and Kansas City's own jazz/gospel star Oleta Adams – who will also receive a special recognition from the City.
Additional acts include Louis Hayes & the Cannonball Adderley Legacy Band, the Elderstatesmen of Kansas City Jazz, the Rhythm & Ribs Jazz Links Ensembles, the American Jazz Museum All-Stars featuring Lisa Henry and several other groups.
And as always – there's something for the folks with the blues, the Saturday Night Salsa and tons of activities for the kids at the Target Children's Pavilion. Tickets are on sale now; the pre-sale runs through June 1 – get ‘em while they're hot! For tickets, call 816-474-6262 or Ticketmaster. For more information on the festival, visit www.kcrhythmandribs.com . We'll see you June 13-14 on the Vine!
Changing Gallery
On Friday, May 2, we were pleased to unveil a new exhibit in the Changing Gallery entitled Jazz in Black & White . Featuring the work of internationally acclaimed photographers Bob Barry (United States), William Ellis (United Kingdom) and Jos Knaepen (Belgium), this exhibit casts many great jazz performers in a different light – in their black & white essence – after an exploration of the colors of jazz when the Museum hosted “If Jazz Was a Color?” in the fall.
This exhibit features compelling snapshots of celebrated jazz performers including James Moody, Nancy Wilson, Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie, McCoy Tyner, Jim Hall (and several other guitarists) as well as hometown faces such as Pat Metheny and Karrin Allyson. Jazz in Black & White will be on display during regular Museum hours through July 20. Admission is free.
A special thanks to all those who came out for the wonderful opening reception; we encourage you to help spread the word about this wonderful exhibit and hope that you will continue to return for more Changing Gallery exhibits.
381 Days: The Montgomery Bus Boycott Story , is planned to open in August. Presented in partnership with AARP, 381 Days is an engaging & thought-provoking look at a significant period in American history and will also feature a full schedule of free public programming to support the exhibit. We'll examine engaging topics including Kansas City's own civil rights movement – and how jazz was influential and influenced by civil rights – and served as the ‘soundtrack' to an important time in the nation's history. A third program will include the “Children's March” and focuses on the importance of raising awareness amongst our youth about civil rights.
More information to come at www.americanjazzmuseum.org...
Blue Room…
The Blue Room calendar is jam-packed with a variety of local and national acts across a spectrum of styles within jazz. Some highlights include:
June 7, Greg Carroll & the Midnight Blue Quintet
June 20, Reggie Thomas Trio featuring Mardra Thomas
July 18, Charles Williams Trio featuring Wayne Goins
July 24, AACM Tribute featuring Dennis Winslett
July 26, Chicago Jazz Legend Fred Anderson Trio
July 31, PBT Trio featuring Deborah Brown
There are many other great acts lined up which we can't fit in here – but as always, the current Blue Room performance schedule is available online as well as the inside front cover ad of JAM.
Jazz Poetry Jams…
The Museum is pleased to announce that our ever-growing Jazz Poetry Jams program will extend into the summer as we continue to explore the dynamic relationship between jazz & the spoken word. Special thanks to all of you who have come out to support our talented local jazz musicians and poets as well as our stellar guest poets.
For more information, contact education coordinator Glenn North at 816-474-8463, x221 or gnorth@kcjazz.org.
Jammin' at the Gem 2008-2009 Preview…
The 2007-2008 Jammin' at the Gem series ended on an excellent note with an exceptional performance by the Ray Brown Tribute Band, featuring pianist Benny Green, bassist Christian McBride & drummer Gregory Hutchinson. Not only were we all moved by the music created by these talented players, we were also touched by each musician's personal stories about working with Ray Brown as a musical mentor, father figure – and all around musician's musician.
A special thanks to all of you who came out for this season's concerts; we're pleased that you were able to share in the sheer excitement & energy of the music at the Gem – and we look forward to hosting you again for the 2008-2009 series!
On that note, we've got the 2008-2009 schedule partially booked and would like to encourage you to take advantage of our Early “Bird” Ticket program as a season subscriber, which includes many great benefits, including preferred pricing/seating, a free glass of wine (or soda) at each show, special pre-concert receptions and many more surprises…call 816-474-6262 for more information.
Here's a sneak peek at the 2008-2009 lineup:
September 2008 – Kirk Whalum
October 2008 – Art Blakey Reunion Band
January 2009 – American Jazz Museum All-Star Showcase
February 2009 – Blue Note Records 70 th Anniversary All-Star Group
Check back at www.americanjazzmuseum.org in the coming months for more information.
Thank you all for your wonderful support. We'll see you at 18 th & Vine!
Best wishes and deepest thanks,
Greg Carroll
Greg Carroll is the Executive Director of the American Jazz Museum.
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