JAM: June/July 2000 Issue: News & Notes

A Special CD

Frank Smith

Even though KC jazz legend Frank Smith left us last fall, both his spirit and his music live on. At the Elder Statesmen of Kansas City Jazz induction ceremony at the American Jazz Museum in November, the first annual Frank Smith Spirit of Kansas City Jazz Awards were given to deserving members of the jazz community. And now comes a new CD by the late pianist titled From Kansas City to Tokyo. Of the 15 tracks (including "Misty," "Cabin In the Sky," and four Smith originals), six were recorded in Japan where Smith played extended engagements over the years. Proceeds from the sales of this CD will go toward the Frank Smith Jazz Scholarship Fund at Johnson County Community College. "This has been such a good project," says Smith's widow, Doreen Maronde, Director of Humanities at JCCC. "And it's a wonderful reminder of the kind of music Frank gave us."

For more information, call 913-469-8500, ext. 3689.

You Can Make It!
There's a chance you'll pick up the June/July JAM (street date June 2) early enough to catch a couple of worthwhile events. First, in conjunction with Kansas City's 150th birthday, the American Jazz Museum will offer a multi-faceted event called "Vintage on the Vine." From 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. catch the swing dance competition (complete with big band cutting sessions) at the Museum. Other activities are planned. Call 816-474-VINE (8463) for more info. Then head on over to Johnson County Community College to hear the Count Basie Orchestra. JCCC, at 12345 College Boulevard, is the site for several different events June 2-3 celebrating KC's 150th, one of which is an appearance by the Basie band, led by trombonist Grover Mitchell. The June 2 concert takes place in Yardley Hall at 8:00 p.m. For ticket info, call JCCC's Carlsen Center box office at 913-469-4445.

150 Candles
The Elder Statesmen of Kansas City Jazz and its Outreach to Neighborhood and Community Program are also taking part in KC's 150th birthday celebration. Here are some related events to add to your jazz calendar.

Thursday, June 29 (5:00-8:00 p.m.) -- Outreach Jazz Ensemble, Mermaid Courtyard, Country Club Plaza.
Friday, June 30 -- Community Concert/Coming Out Party for this year's Outreach Jazz Ensemble (6:00-8:00 p.m.); Elder Statesmen (program instructors) performance (8:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m.), The Club at Plaza III.
Friday, July 21 (7:00 p.m.) -- Outreach Jazz Ensemble (featuring saxophonist Logan Richardson), Heritage Stage, KC Blues & Jazz Festival.
Saturday, July 22 (5:00 p.m.) -- Elder Statesmen of KC Jazz (featuring Pat Lyons-Cox, Ray Reed and Myra Taylor), Heritage Stage, KC Blues & Jazz Festival.

For more information, call 913-342-4233.

Kudos I

Clarence Smith

It's no secret that good things have been happening at Paseo Academy in recent years. Large and small jazz ensembles alike have maintained a high profile around KC in addition to making triumphant appearances in both '99 and 2000 in Washington D.C. (See "KC/DC" for June/July 2000.). The motivational force behind this thriving jazz program is Clarence Smith, now in his seventh year at the helm. At Paseo, Smith teaches jazz ensembles, combos and jazz history and continues to set high standards for one of the country's strongest school jazz programs. In May, Smith was honored for his work at Paseo when he received (along with University of Massachusetts/Amherst educator Dr. Willie Hill) Down Beat's 9th Annual Achievement Award for Jazz Education. About the award, Smith recently said, "I'm quite honored! I'm proud for myself, the kids and the Kansas City jazz community. This award is really about what the kids have been able to accomplish; without them and the KC jazz community, it just wouldn't have happened. Hopefully the award will help serve notice to the Kansas City School District that a public school performing arts program is important and they should continue to support it wholeheartedly. I hope everyone keeps pushing and motivating the jazz students across the entire metro area."

Well said. Congrats.

Kudos II
Bassist Jeff Harshbarger is getting the new millennium off to a good start. First was a trip to Washington D.C. in April as one of 23 recipients of the Kennedy Center's 2000 Betty Carter Jazz Ahead Award, "a national residency program for young, emerging artists," according to the Center. Capping an intense week of performances, composing and arranging were concerts on the Center's Millennium Stage April 27-28. Then, in June, Harshbarger will travel to France for several concerts with his own quintet, which includes Rich Wheeler (saxes), Jesse Krebs (piano), Trent Oehlert, (guitar) and Danny Rojas (drums). Recently relocated to KC from Lawrence, Harshbarger has worked with everyone from John Fedchock and Frank Mantooth to Tim Whitmer and the McFadden Brothers. Plan on seeing more of him in area jazz venues.

Teaching Teachers On the Vine
The International Association of Jazz Educators (IAJE) has joined forces with MENC: the National Association for Music Education, BET on Jazz, and the Thelonious Monk Institute to present an intensive two and a half day Teacher Training Institute at three sites around the country, one of which will be in Kansas City. Designed for instrumental, vocal and general music teachers "who desire to increase their understanding and competency in jazz education," the institute is also open to college students currently enrolled in a music education program. Many topics are to be covered, including teaching jazz improv, jazz history, jazz in the general music curriculum, new vocal and big band music and much more. The Institute's site in KC will be the American Jazz Museum at 18th & Vine, Thursday-Saturday, June 22-24, and the staff will include Dr. Rene Boyer-Alexander and Gloria Fuoco-Lawson (general music), Jennifer Shelton and Mike Plunkett (vocal), Gordon Foote and Steve Houghton (instrumental), and Shelly Berg and Dr. Leonard Brown (improvisation and history). Said one satisfied music teacher last summer, "I am a real novice in this musical idiom. I found the sessions and handouts to be extremely useful. The faculty were very knowledgeable and approachable. I'm excited, and ready to go home and revamp my course curriculum and implement these great ideas."

Like to know more? Contact Adrie Taylor, the museum's Special Events Coordinator, at 816-474-8463, or email ataylor@kcjazz.org. And for a detailed brochure, call the IAJE at 785-776-8744, email info@iaje.org.

"After Hours" at Science City
Get ready for the sounds of live jazz at Union Station. Beginning with a 7:00 p.m. premier on Friday, June 23, the stage production of "After Hours" will continue for a limited time on Science City's H&R Block City Stage at the newly refurbished Union Station, Main and West Pershing Road. Regular showtimes will be 7:00 and 9:00 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. "It's the hottest live jazz show to hit Kansas City since the '30s," says Union Station spokesperson Laura Davis. "And it's (also) a chance to step back in time... and experience the power, excitement and high energy of the music Kansas City made famous." Of course, bringing such an ambitious production to life requires a talented cast, and "After Hours" will feature some of KC's finest. Onboard will be the singing/dancing/horn-playing McFadden Brothers, with solid support from vocalists Geneva Price and Sharon Thompson. The renowned pianist/accompanist Dr. Ronnell Bright will serve as Musical Director. Like to know more? Call 816-460-2020 for reservations and additional info.

Free Jazz
KC drummer/vocalist Bradley Allen and his trio will present a free concert at Fairway Park, 62nd and Mission in Fairway, June 24, 5:00-7:00 p.m. Joining Allen will be Tom DeMasters (guitar/vocals) and Craig Akin (bass). On the set list will be selections from Allen's recent CD (reviewed in the April/May JAM) as well as new arrangements and other jazz standards. Bring lawn chairs and blankets. Call 816-318-8907 for more info.

The Jazz Age in Paris... in KC

Sidney Bechet, circa 1930. (Duncan P. Schiedt Collection)

"The Jazz Age in Paris, 1914-1940" is organized by the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service and the American Library Association. It has been made possible through the generous support of the National Endowment for the Humanities. This exhibition is part of America's Jazz Heritage, a Partnership of the Lila Wallace-Reader's Digest Fund and the Smithsonian Institution. The early jazz movement in Europe, its American roots, and the exotic cabaret culture of Paris between the world wars are the focus of "The Jazz Age in Paris: 1914-1940," a national traveling exhibition that will begin a six-week visit at UMKC's Miller Nichols Library on July 27. "The Miller Nichols Library is one of 28 libraries nationwide to host this exhibition," says Elizabeth Henry, Assistant Director for Public Services. "The exhibit provides a wonderful opportunity to expand awareness of jazz and of the exciting period known as the Jazz Age in both Europe and the United States."

Portraits of the artists and performers of the era such as James Reese Europe, Josephine Baker, Sidney Bechet, Ada "Bricktop" Smith and Django Reinhardt appear throughout the exhibition. There is also a video featuring interviews with surviving artists and their descendants as well as music from the period.

"The Jazz Age in Paris: 1914-1940" will open on July 27 with a program featuring a special panel of speakers including Kansas City Star senior writer/editor Steve Paul, singer and KC jazz legend Myra Taylor, acclaimed jazz saxophonist (and soon-to-be UMKC prof) Bobby Watson, and the renowned pianist, singer and bandleader Jay McShann. This 7:30 p.m. program will take place at UMKC's Pierson Auditorium and is free and open to the public. Also, stay tuned for forthcoming information about another jazz-related exhibit at the Miller Nichols Library opening on October 26.

Jazz At Sea (Times Two)
If you're in the market for "floating jazz festivals" at sea this fall, then you will want to sign up for the KCUR-FM Jazz Cruise hosted by radio partners Ruth Rhoden and Ginney Coleman. For seven days aboard the S/S Norway, October 21-28, the lush scenery of the Western Caribbean will be complimented by the sounds of such jazz artists as Kevin Mahogany, Shirley Horn, John Bunch, the Clayton Brothers, Red Holloway, Frank Foster's Non-Electric Company and many others. Cozumel (Mexico) and Ocho Rios (Jamaica) are two of the scheduled stops. Like to know more? Contact Carlson Wagonlit Travel/Sunflower Travel Service in Lawrence at 785-842-4000, toll free at 800-444-4248. You can also send an email to smenze@carlsontravel.com.

And then there's the S/S Norway's next swing around the Caribbean (Eastern this time) when Norwegian Cruise Line's "Smooth Jazz Cruise" sets sail October 28-November 4. (See Jeff Charney's "Contemporary Jazz" column for June/July 2000.) Now in its second year, this Travelnet Concepts cruise will feature Patti Austin, Jonathan Butler, the Marcus Johnson Project, Craig Chaquico, Stanley Jordan, Grady Nichols, Marion Meadows, Kim Waters, Warren Hill and others. Guests are even encouraged to bring along their instruments and sit in with selected headliners just as guitarist Chester Burden did last fall (JAM, February/March 2000). The '99 cruise attracted over 2000 people from around the world. For details and reservations, contact Twentieth Century Travel at 816-753-4410 (ext. 108) or 800-659-4410 (ext. 108). Both cruises will feature ship-loads of great jazz.

The KCJW's New Season

Lynn Roberts

The Kansas City Jazz Workshop (in conjunction with its counterparts in Topeka and St. Joseph) has released a tentative lineup for its 2000-2001 concert series. As always, it's an eclectic mix of straight-ahead jazz headliners with all-star KC support TBA. Unless otherwise noted, all concerts take place in the Downtown Marriott's 12th Street Rag Room on Monday nights and begin at 7:00 p.m. Here are the dates to pencil in to your jazz calendar.

September 11 (Basie Ballroom) -- The Four Freshmen.
October 16 -- Tom Ranier (piano) and Andy Martin (trombone).
November 13 -- Vocalist Lynn Roberts.
January 15, 2001 -- Pianist Derek Smith.
February 19, 2001 -- Red Holloway (alto saxophone) and John Allred (trombone).
A sixth bonus concert TBA.

For more information about tickets and/or the new schedule, call 816-436-0318 or 816-737-3627.

Farewells
When pianist Roy Searcy passed away on May 19, the Kansas City music community lost one of its most enduring jazz and blues musicians. Born in Mississippi, and with dues paid in Chicago, Alabama and Ohio, Searcy settled in Kansas City in the early '40s where he quickly became an 18th Street mainstay. (The Rendezvous and the El Capitan were regular haunts.) In 1983, he became one of the original Elder Statesmen of Kansas City Jazz (along with Count Basie), and in recent years he performed at both Stroud's restaurants (North and South). Searcy was also prominently featured in the January-February 2000 "Kansas City Special" issue of Living Blues magazine along with Jay McShann, Claude "Fiddler" Williams, Little Hatch and Sonny Kenner. Roy Searcy was 81.

And, as we go to press we are learning the sad news of the May 24th passing of bassist/trumpeter Ed Billings. Like Roy Searcy, Billings also was a mainstay in the local music community for multiple decades appearing with Pete Eye, Paul Smith, Carol Comer and Julie Turner among others. In the mid '80s he hosted a popular jazz jam at Yaadboid's in the Downtown Airport, and for the last four years he has held down the bass chair in Dean Stringer's River City Jazz Orchestra. "Ed and I go back over 50 years," a shaken Stringer said. "He will be missed."

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.

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