JAM Magazine: June/July 1997 Issue: News and Notes

"Raising The Roof"
(At the MMF)
When you're 93 years old, chances are your roof will leak from time to time. Such has been the case in recent months at the historic Mutual Musicians Foundation, 1823 Highland. The Foundation has had only two major renovations since 1904, the most recent in 1984 when the building was closed for 20 months for restoration. Now, with its second floor ceiling and exterior roof requiring occasional patchings (two were performed last summer), the first fundraising campaign of the 1990s titled "Raise The Roof" has been launched, its proceeds going toward needed repairs. Several prominent individuals and organizations have jumped in to lend a hand, and so can you. If you or your organization would like to contribute to a very worthwhile cause, call either the Black Economic Union (BEU) at 474-1080, or Foundation president, Marion Watkins, at 861-3030. And yes, those famous jazz jams are still happening late every Saturday night, from about midnight on. Bring your horn.

More Jazz On The Air
You may recall that in last issue's cover story about local jazz radio, KCMW's Brent Foster was quoted as saying "It's been a struggle for us to keep from having more jazz. We're actually interested in adding more." The struggle has ended. As you will note in "On The Air" -- as well as in KCMW's ad -- jazz programming at the Warrensburg-based station has increased dramatically. When it comes to jazz, there can never be enough of a good thing.

Local Jazz on "The City"
Speaking of jazz on the air, "smooth jazz" 106.5 "The City" has been featuring local jazz every Sunday night, 11:00 p.m. to midnight. "Cityscape" is the name of the show, and each week it spotlights the many CDs that have been recorded and released by area jazz musicians. Tune in and check it out.

A Big Band Jazz Party
Big bands may not be as popular as they once were, but many good ones are still out there working hard to keep the genre alive. Jack Taylor's New Vintage Big Band is one such unit, 18 pieces strong, that is dedicated to live performance of classic big band repertoire. "In order for this music to survive," says Taylor, "it must be performed in front of live audiences who appreciate the music and the musicians who perform it." No argument there. Catch the New Vintage Big Band in concert the first Tuesday of each month (June 3, July 1 upcoming), 8:00 to 11:00 p.m., at the Kaw River Brewery, 729 Mass. in Lawrence. There's no cover; call 913-438-6822 for more.

"Ready, Set... Shango"
...The curious title of Charlie Hunter's 1996 Blue Note release that, along with the more recent Natty Dread, is keeping the 29 year old at the leading edge of the next wave of young jazz musicians. And just what is a "shango?" "...It's a bogus cultural dance movement that's a figment of my imagination," says Hunter, "(and) it's done in an effort to hoodwink the record-buying public into thinking that there's actually a dance called the shango..." In addition to having a quirky (and refreshing) sense of humor, Hunter is also becoming known as one of the day's more innovative and inventive jazz guitarists. Catch Hunter and his quartet at the Grand Emporium, Tuesday, June 10. Advance tickets can be purchased by calling 753-0884.

Saluting Coleman Hawkins
On Saturday, June 14, the Topeka Friends Meeting will host the second annual Coleman Hawkins Neighborhood Festival at the intersection of 8th and Tyler in Topeka. Admission is free, but a $5 donation to help fund future events would be much appreciated. Saxophonist Dennis Mitcheltree will bring his quartet in from New York to perform; Topeka-area artists scheduled to appear include Dan Kozak Jazz and groups representing Washburn University and Topeka High School. There will be a post-fest party the evening of the 14th at Bonzo's Pub in Topeka. Like to know more? Call 913-354-4846.

Bobby's Back In Town
Of the many former Kansas Citians who've gone on to do quite well in the rough and tumble world of playing jazz, Bobby Watson remains at the top of the heap. His years with Art Blakey alone have secured his place in the jazz encyclopedias, and that's not to mention a lengthy tenure as both bandleader and solo recording artist. On Sunday, June 22, Watson returns to KC for a one-nighter at the Club at Plaza III (two shows, 7:00 and 9:00 p.m.). Backing the saxophonist will be Greg Richter (piano), Matt Pittman (bass) and Sam Johnson, Jr. (drums). It's a chance to say "hi" to one of KC's most noted grads. Call 753-0000 for reservations.

Smooth Horns, Guitars & More
Connoisseurs of "smooth jazz" will be familiar with the trumpet work of Rick Braun, one of the rising young stars of the genre. On Thursday, June 26, Braun will team up with saxophonist Richard Elliot, and guitarists Craig Chaquico and Peter White for an evening of "Guitars, Saxes & More" at the pavilion at Station Casino. Showtime is 8:00 p.m. Call 414-7000 for ticket info and reservations.

A New CD From Alaadeen
As a follow-up to his award-winning Alaadeen and the Deans of Swing Plays Blues for RC and Josephine Too, saxophonist Alaadeen is set to release new music this July. Time Through The Ages is the title of the CD, and it features Alaadeen (tenor/soprano), Everette Freeman and Reggie Thomas (piano), Matt Kane and Montez Coleman (drums), Tyrone Clark and Matt Pittman (bass), Danny Campbell (trumpet) and Marlin Bonds (flugelhorn). (FYI: Thomas, Coleman and Campbell hail from St. Louis.) There's a release party on the jazz calendar to properly launch this new CD. On Tuesday, July 1, at the Mutual Musicians Foundation, the festivities get underway at 7:00. For more information about the party and/or this new CD, call 831-4396.

Direct From Dallas
Guitarist Lewis Hutcheson's latest CD, Space and Time (Seahorse) has gotten plenty of play on the radio stations of his native Texas. And there's been some nice press, too ("Lite 'n' jazzy... breezy and cheery sounding," says The Dallas Morning News). Hutcheson will bring his lite 'n jazzy sounds to KC for an extended run in July with numerous dates booked in area clubs. Among them: Fat Cats (July 11), Club 427 (July 12), Blayney's (July 14) and the Club at Plaza III (July 18). Call 229-5229 for additional information about this tour.

Got News? Got Notes? Please send to: Editor/JAM, P.O. Box 36181, Kansas City, MO 64171-6181. Deadline for all submissions is the 15th of each odd numbered month.

RETURN TO JUNE/JULY 1997 MAIN INDEX

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© Kansas City Jazz Ambassadors 1996-2001. All rights reserved.






	Search our site:		"Raising The Roof" (At the MMF) When you're 93 years old, chances are your roof will leak from time to time. Such has been the case in recent months at the historic Mutual Musicians Foundation, 1823 Highland. The Foundation has had only two major renovations since 1904, the most recent in 1984 when the building was closed for 20 months for restoration. Now, with its second floor ceiling and exterior roof requiring occasional patchings (two were performed last summer), the first fundraising campaign of the 1990s titled "Raise The Roof" has been launched, its proceeds going toward needed repairs. Several prominent individuals and organizations have jumped in to lend a hand, and so can you. If you or your organization would like to contribute to a very worthwhile cause, call either the Black Economic Union (BEU) at 474-1080, or Foundation president, Marion Watkins, at 861-3030. And yes, those famous jazz jams are still happening late every Saturday night, from about midnight on. Bring your horn. More Jazz On The Air You may recall that in last issue's cover story about local jazz radio, KCMW's Brent Foster was quoted as saying "It's been a struggle for us to keep from having more jazz. We're actually interested in adding more." The struggle has ended. As you will note in "On The Air" -- as well as in KCMW's ad -- jazz programming at the Warrensburg-based station has increased dramatically. When it comes to jazz, there can never be enough of a good thing. Local Jazz on "The City" Speaking of jazz on the air, "smooth jazz" 106.5 "The City" has been featuring local jazz every Sunday night, 11:00 p.m. to midnight. "Cityscape" is the name of the show, and each week it spotlights the many CDs that have been recorded and released by area jazz musicians. Tune in and check it out. A Big Band Jazz Party Big bands may not be as popular as they once were, but many good ones are still out there working hard to keep the genre alive. Jack Taylor's New Vintage Big Band is one such unit, 18 pieces strong, that is dedicated to live performance of classic big band repertoire. "In order for this music to survive," says Taylor, "it must be performed in front of live audiences who appreciate the music and the musicians who perform it." No argument there. Catch the New Vintage Big Band in concert the first Tuesday of each month (June 3, July 1 upcoming), 8:00 to 11:00 p.m., at the Kaw River Brewery, 729 Mass. in Lawrence. There's no cover; call 913-438-6822 for more. "Ready, Set... Shango" ...The curious title of Charlie Hunter's 1996 Blue Note release that, along with the more recent Natty Dread, is keeping the 29 year old at the leading edge of the next wave of young jazz musicians. And just what is a "shango?" "...It's a bogus cultural dance movement that's a figment of my imagination," says Hunter, "(and) it's done in an effort to hoodwink the record-buying public into thinking that there's actually a dance called the shango..." In addition to having a quirky (and refreshing) sense of humor, Hunter is also becoming known as one of the day's more innovative and inventive jazz guitarists. Catch Hunter and his quartet at the Grand Emporium, Tuesday, June 10. Advance tickets can be purchased by calling 753-0884. Saluting Coleman Hawkins On Saturday, June 14, the Topeka Friends Meeting will host the second annual Coleman Hawkins Neighborhood Festival at the intersection of 8th and Tyler in Topeka. Admission is free, but a $5 donation to help fund future events would be much appreciated. Saxophonist Dennis Mitcheltree will bring his quartet in from New York to perform; Topeka-area artists scheduled to appear include Dan Kozak Jazz and groups representing Washburn University and Topeka High School. There will be a post-fest party the evening of the 14th at Bonzo's Pub in Topeka. Like to know more? Call 913-354-4846. Bobby's Back In Town Of the many former Kansas Citians who've gone on to do quite well in the rough and tumble world of playing jazz, Bobby Watson remains at the top of the heap. His years with Art Blakey alone have secured his place in the jazz encyclopedias, and that's not to mention a lengthy tenure as both bandleader and solo recording artist. On Sunday, June 22, Watson returns to KC for a one-nighter at the Club at Plaza III (two shows, 7:00 and 9:00 p.m.). Backing the saxophonist will be Greg Richter (piano), Matt Pittman (bass) and Sam Johnson, Jr. (drums). It's a chance to say "hi" to one of KC's most noted grads. Call 753-0000 for reservations. Smooth Horns, Guitars & More Connoisseurs of "smooth jazz" will be familiar with the trumpet work of Rick Braun, one of the rising young stars of the genre. On Thursday, June 26, Braun will team up with saxophonist Richard Elliot, and guitarists Craig Chaquico and Peter White for an evening of "Guitars, Saxes & More" at the pavilion at Station Casino. Showtime is 8:00 p.m. Call 414-7000 for ticket info and reservations. A New CD From Alaadeen As a follow-up to his award-winning Alaadeen and the Deans of Swing Plays Blues for RC and Josephine Too, saxophonist Alaadeen is set to release new music this July. Time Through The Ages is the title of the CD, and it features Alaadeen (tenor/soprano), Everette Freeman and Reggie Thomas (piano), Matt Kane and Montez Coleman (drums), Tyrone Clark and Matt Pittman (bass), Danny Campbell (trumpet) and Marlin Bonds (flugelhorn). (FYI: Thomas, Coleman and Campbell hail from St. Louis.) There's a release party on the jazz calendar to properly launch this new CD. On Tuesday, July 1, at the Mutual Musicians Foundation, the festivities get underway at 7:00. For more information about the party and/or this new CD, call 831-4396. Direct From Dallas Guitarist Lewis Hutcheson's latest CD, Space and Time (Seahorse) has gotten plenty of play on the radio stations of his native Texas. And there's been some nice press, too ("Lite 'n' jazzy... breezy and cheery sounding," says The Dallas Morning News). Hutcheson will bring his lite 'n jazzy sounds to KC for an extended run in July with numerous dates booked in area clubs. Among them: Fat Cats (July 11), Club 427 (July 12), Blayney's (July 14) and the Club at Plaza III (July 18). Call 229-5229 for additional information about this tour. Got News? Got Notes? Please send to: Editor/JAM, P.O. Box 36181, Kansas City, MO 64171-6181. Deadline for all submissions is the 15th of each odd numbered month. RETURN TO JUNE/JULY 1997 MAIN INDEX ------------------------------------------------------------------------ © Kansas City Jazz Ambassadors 1996-2001. All rights reserved.