News & Notes

JAM Welcomes Connie Humistonas Ad Manager.

As you read in the recent JAM issues, the passing of former Ad Manager and All-About-Jazz-Guy Ed Fenner
has left a huge void in the Jazz world. We continue to miss Ed, who never failed to step to the plate.
One brave soul is stepping up as our new JAM Ad Manager.
Connie “Crash” Humiston is no stranger to the musicscene. She was assistant director of the Kansas City
Blues & Jazz Festival from 1997 until 2002, when theFestival ceased operations after the economic “crash”
of 9/11. And anyone with ears heard that unmistakable voice as Tuesday’s “Hostess Twinkie” of KKFI’s Soul
Fixin’ Blues from 1999 to late last year. Currently, Connie operates Crash in Communications – writing/
editing, marketing, public/media relations, event production/promotion, voice-overs and everything in
between.

For rates, check out the JAM section of the new Web site: www.kcjazzambassadors.com, or contact
Connie at advertising@kcjazzambassadors.com or (913)322-3378.

CODA Jazz Fund Health and Financial Fitness Fair at AJM

The CODA Jazz Fund has successfully helped with burial expenses for jazz musicians. They are now looking
to help jazz musicians, family, and friends with a Health and Financial Fitness Fair, to be held October 11 at the American Jazz Museum from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. There will be health screenings for blood pressure, kidneys, dental, bone density, diabetes, and depression, plus financial information for such items as budgeting, insurance, and taxes. More information is
available by calling 816-474-8463, extension 238. Also read Greg Carroll’s comments about the event in this
issue’s “Off the Vine” column.

Blue Room Highlights

Note the front cover ad for the October/November schedule. There is great listening four nights aweek. Included on the schedule are shows by Logan Richardson, the Rob Scheps / Roger Wilder Quintet,
Bram Wijnands with Hal Melia, the Charles Perkins / Rich Hill Group, Michael Carvin with Bobby Watson, and Joey DeFrancesco. You can also hear Lisa Henry, Greg Carroll, Ida McBeth, James Ward, Kelley Hunt, Alaadeen, Charles Williams, and the Jazz Disciples as well, or go to the Sons of Brasil CD release party. And there’s more: the KC Jazz 5, Rob Whitsitt, Max
Groove, Pablo Sanhueza & Makusa, and the new Kerry Strayer / Stan Kessler band called PolyCurrents. Plus the Monday jams, with Rich Hill, Dwight Foster, Jason Goudeau, Luqman Hamza, Matt Hopper, and the Jazz Disciples as hosts. Like big bands? Kerry Strayer and Louis Neal bring their bands in, also. Good listening on “the Vine”!

Jazz & Beyond presents Brian Baggett’s DOJO fusion trio

Brian Baggett, one of Kansas City f inest of a younger generation of jazz guitarists, has a secret to
share — his alter ego leading the stunning instrumental jazz/rock fusion trio DOJO. Owing as much to early progressive rock
groups such as YES, King Crimson, and Genesis, as it does the classic 70’s fusion of Pat Metheny and John McLaughlin — DOJO releases their third CD entitled “Studiojo”, and is the next installment on the exciting Jazz & Beyond concert series at All Souls Unitarian Universalist Church, at 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 8.

Tickets are only $10 at the door, and student tickets are half price. All Souls is located at 4501 Walnut in Kansas City, one block east of Jardine’s. For more info, contact Tom Buck at 816-931-6415.

Strayer to Appear at American Royal

The American Royal Presents A Concert of Dancing Horses on Saturday, October 11, 2008, at 7:00p.m. at the American Royal Complex. The horses will be performing to live music performed by The Kerry Strayer Orchestra featuring Kathleen Holeman
& Ron Gutierrez. The Kerry Strayer Orchestra is a 17 piece big band featuring many of Kansas City’s finest
musicians, including Stan Kessler, Bob Harvey, Mark Cohick, Greg Briggs, Jeff Hamer, Bob Koester, Danny Embrey, James Albright, Wayne Hawkins and Tim Cambron. Arrangements are by Strayer, Steve Herold, Paul Roberts, and Dave Sharp.

Tickets are available from Ticketmaster, www.ticketmaster.com, or 816-561- 2929.

Vanguard Jazz Orches ra and Bob Brookmeyer Coming to Columbia

The “We Always Swing” Jazz Series is now in its fourteenth year of presenting excellent concerts just down the road in Columbia.
One very special concert features the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, who will be playing a new Bob Brookmeyer composition that was commissioned for the event. A Kansas City native and NEA Jazz Master, Brookmeyer is one of the jazz greats, both as a valve trombonist and composer and arranger. He was one of the charter members of the Thad Jones / Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra, the band that continues today as the VJO, continuing the legacy of Thad and Mel and Bob as well as presenting new works written for the band. Bob will be conducting the new piece, and will also be interviewed by fellow Jazz Master Dan Morgenstern the day prior to the world premiere concert. The concert is February 18 at the Missouri Theatre Center for the Arts in Columbia.

Other upcoming shows in the series are the Hilario Duran Trio on October 16, Miguel Zenin on November 9, and the Frank Wess All-Stars on November 16. More information is available by calling 573-449-3009, or their Web site www.wealwaysswing.org.

Tommy Ruskin Jamming Again at Jardine’s

The Tommy Ruskin jams have been a Kansas City fixture for as long as we can remember, and they were
sorely missed when they stopped earlier this year. Well, the jams are back, this time on every other Saturday afternoon from 2:00 to 5:00, starting September 20. Tommy’s guests always include some of the best players in the city. Thanks, Jardine’s, and welcome back, Tommy!

Eldar Appearing at Jardine’s

Jardine’s is pleased to present 2007 Grammy nominee and Kansas City favorite Eldar for a five night stay, November 16-20. There will be two shows nightly, at 6:00 and 8:30. Eldar has been emerged as one of the brightest young stars in jazz, playing the best clubs in the world. This should sell out, so early reservations are wise! Contact Jardine’s at 816-561-6480.

Eldar on Playboy Jazz Cruise

Another great way to hear Eldar is on the Playboy Jazz Cruise, sailing January 25 until February 1, 2009. Eldar, Herbie Hancock, James Moody, James Carter, Roy Hargrove, and others will join host Marcus Miller for the inaugural Playboy cruise. See the ad on the back cover for more details and contact information, and also the inside back for information on their Smooth Jazz Cruise. We understand there will be special pricing for KCJA members, be sure to mention that you are a member when you book the trip!

Topeka Jazz Workshop Series Continues

The Topeka Jazz Workshop, Inc. is celebrating its 40th anniversary season of presenting outstanding concerts for Topeka jazz fans. The upcoming concerts are:

• October 19 - Aaron Weinstein, jazz violinist, with Rod Fleeman, guitar, and Gerald Spaits, bass
• November 23 - Tamir Hendelman, piano, with Tommy Ruskin, drums, and Bob Bowman, bass

The concerts will be from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Topeka Ramada Hotel and Convention Center, 420 SE 6th.
Note that admission is by season ticket only, and these will be available for sale at the door. For more information about TJW, Inc., contact the Executive Director, Marcene Grimes, at mgrimes14@cox.net or 379-5169, or the TJW website at www.topekajazz.com.

OJT in Lawrence

It used to be easy to find jazz near college campuses, but times have changed. So it is good to see that the Organ Jazz Trio will have a regular gig in Downtown Lawrence. Ken Lovern’s OJT (Organ Jazz Trio) will be playing in the Jayhawker Pub at the Eldridge Hotel on the first Wednesday of every month. The Eldridge is located at 701 Massachusetts in downtown Lawrence. The hours are 7:00-10:00 p.m. OJT consists of Lovern on Hammond Organ, Brian Baggett on guitar, and Kevin Frazee on drums.

Stride Piano at its Finest—on 2 Pianos!

If the upbeat strains of “Fats” Waller, Willie “The Lion” Smith and James P. Johnson get your mojo working, check out the concert Kansas City Ragtime Revelry is presenting on Saturday, November 15 at the Community Christian Church, 4601 Main Street on
the Plaza. Brian Holland and Jeff Barnhart are two young performers who are a couple of the finest stride pianists around today. A solo concert with either of these artists is something to behold but with both of them on the same stage at the same time—with two pianos!—fasten your seat belts! Ragtime pieces will also be on the program that night.

Tickets are $20.00 and are available at the door. Any student with a parent or an ID is admitted FREE! Concert is at 7:00 p.m.
More info: (913) 491-6923.

Thelma Adams, 1921-2008

Thelma E. Adams passed away on Friday, August 22, 2008. For many years Marianne, as she was known to those in the music business, was the personal manager and companion to the late Jay McShann.

Donald Mathewson, 1928-2008

On September 16, 2008, we lost Donald Mathewson, one of our most loyal and active Jazz Ambassadors.
Don and his wife Barb were instrumental in organizing and keeping our Jazz Concert Series operating for many years. As a team, they also were one of our best “delivery boys”, distributing thousands of JAMs every other month all over Johnson County. They supported the Kansas City jazz scene throughout the years, attending as many events as possible. Don will surely be missed and our sympathy and love go out to Barb and their family.