Wednesday MidDay Medley
Produced and Hosted by Mark Manning
90.1 FM KKFI – Kansas City Community Radio
TEN to NOON Wednesdays – Streaming at KKFI.org

Wednesday, July 13, 2022

New & MidCoastal Releases + Lee Walter Redding + Chalis O’Neal + Tucker Slough

1. “Main Title Instrumental – It’s Showtime Folks”
   from: Orig. Motion Picture Soundtrack All That Jazz / Casablanca / December 20, 1979
   [WMM’s Adopted Theme Song]

2. John Moreland – “Cheap Idols Dressed in Expensive Garbage”
   from: Birds in the Ceiling / Old Omens – Thirty Tigers / to be released later i, 2022
   [John Robert Moreland was born June 22, 1985. He is an American singer-songwriter from Tulsa, Oklahoma. // Moreland was born in Longview, Texas, the son of Robert Lloyd Moreland, an engineer, and Connie May Moreland (née Brandon), a school librarian. Moreland’s father worked for Sunoco as an electrical engineer, and because of this job the family moved a lot.His was a conservative Southern Baptist family. When he was a baby they moved to Northern Kentucky, across the river from Cincinnati, Ohio. Moreland credits his love for Cincinnati Reds to this time in Kentucky. // When Moreland was 10 years old Moreland’s family moved from Boone County, Kentucky to Tulsa, Oklahoma and, with the help of his father, he started playing the guitar. When he was 12 or 13 he started playing with a child he went to church with who wrote songs and inspired him to start writing songs. // Moreland played in his first show when he was 13 or 14 years old. In the early 2000s during high school, Moreland played in local punk and hardcore bands,] including local metalcore Oklahoma band, Thirty Called Arson. // Moreland put together the Black Gold Band in 2005, and released Endless Oklahoma Sky on Oklahoma City label Little Mafia Records in 2008. In 2009, he recorded the follow-up Things I Can’t Control at Armstrong Recording in Tulsa with producer and musician Stephen Egerton (Descendents, All).// Largely self-performed and self-produced, Moreland produces music that is influenced by his Oklahoma roots, music that is “gloriously and joyfully heartbreaking.” Moreland has released a constant stream of records (in 2011 he released two full length albums and two EPs), saying “I write a lot of songs. And I guess I feel like your most recent release kind of represents you.” Moreland has cited Steve Earle as his “gateway”[16] to folk music. He switched genres from hardcore to folk when he heard Earle’s song “Rich Man’s War”. His father was also a big Earle fan. Other influences were Guy Clark and Townes Van Zandt. // Moreland runs his own mail order business and ships his own records (packing the records, taking them to the post office himself) because all of his favorite labels (Ebullition Records, Level Plane Records, Dischord Records) used that method. // In 2015, Moreland released High on Tulsa Heat, his third full-length solo record release. It was produced by Moreland and features Jesse Aycock, John Calvin Abney, Chris Foster, Jared Tyler, and Kierston White. The album was recorded quickly and informally over the course of a few days in July 2014. Moreland used his parents’ home in Bixby, Oklahoma, as a studio while they were out of town on vacation. A video of the song “Cherokee” was conceived and shot by Joey Kneiser, and features bass player Bingham Barnes. Both are from the band Glossary. Moreland said the song was inspired by a dream. // Moreland participates in the Folk Alliance International Conference, a non-profit folk music conference that is held annually in Kansas City, Kansas. He participated in fellow singer-songwriter Jason Isbell’s 2013 national tour. // In 2017, Moreland released his seventh album, Big Bad Luv, on 4AD. The title is a nod to the book by that name by Larry Brown. The record is the first where Moreland recorded with a full band. Musicians from the bands Dawes (Griffin and Taylor Goldsmith) and Shovels And Rope (Carrie Ann Hearst and Michael Trent) contributed vocals. // His fifth solo album, LP5, was released February 7, 2020. Produced by Matt Pence of Centro-Matic, it marks his return to the label Thirty Tigers after his previous release via 4AD. // s songwriter. American television host and political commentator Rachel Maddow tweeted praise of Moreland’s work: “If the American music business made any sense, guys like John Moreland would be household names.” Moreland posits that Maddow probably saw him opening for Lucero, a band Maddow likes Moreland jokes that her remark was “the first time his dad has agreed with Rachel Maddow.” During the summer of 2015, Moreland opened for Jason Isbell, Dawes, and Patty Griffin. //Three of Moreland’s songs, “Heaven”, “Gospel”, and “Your Spell”, have been featured on the TV show, Sons of Anarchy. // Moreland is married to visual artist Pearl Rachinsky, who did the album layout for Big Bad Luv. // Around 2015, Moreland relocated to Norman, Oklahoma but then later that year moved back to Tulsa.]

Discography – Studio albums

2008: Endless Oklahoma Sky with the Black Gold Band
2011: Things I Can’t Control with the Black Gold Band
2011: Everything the Hard Way with the Dust Bowl Souls
2011: Earthbound Blues (Memorial)
2013: In the Throes (Last Chance Records)
2015: High on Tulsa Heat (Old Omens / Thirty Tigers)
2017: Big Bad Luv (4AD)
2020: LP5 (Old Omens)
2022 (announced): Birds in the Ceiling]

3. Miki P – “Your Love”
   from: “Yor Love” – Single / Miki P / June 24, 2022
   [Singer, songwriter, dreamer. Miki P makes music sometimes by herself and she leads the band Miki P and the Swallowtails. This new single follows Miki P’s Mrch 18, 2022 singlere;ease “Peter Parker!” In 2021 Miki P released the EP, DON”T LOSE HOPE, 6 songs created in covid isolation, in Miki P’s home office space. Sitting & working from Miki’s computer, she composed and recorded 80% of the EP, working through the music like a journal entry, creating each song from her internal hurricane of emotions. All songs written, recorded, played, & mixed by Miki P. Recorded & Mixed with Emma Klien and Jake Hilger. Mastered by Joel Nanos.// Mikala Petillo, who was born in Kansas City, KS, and performed ‘She Loves You’ at her 7th grade talent show. In 9th grade she joined a teen-band called American Slim as drummer & vocalist, and released a full-length album, Irreplaceable, in 2017, played Middle of the Map Fest, Crossroads Music Fest, Kauffman Stadium, Arrowhead Stadium, and The Nelson Atkins Museum of Art before officially ending in 2018. That year, at 21, Miki P began work on her debut solo-record, Dome of Swallows, released August 2, 2018. She then formed Miki P and the Swallowtails who released their first EP, Swallowtail in 2019, with Rachel Lovelace on bassoon, Adee Dancy on cello & vocals, Cade Pool on drums, Robert Castillo on bass, and Miki P on guitar & lead Vocals. In June they’ll release a follow up. With half of the band’s members having Classical music degrees, and the other half with Jazz degrees, Miki P is a self-taught musician/multi-instrumentalist & songwriter driving the Swallowtails into a creative collaboration like any other. Each member is an integral part of the Kansas City music scene, writing, arranging, performing, and collaborating original music for their own groups and several other projects in the metro. “Introspective pop music with lyric-driven folk influences, mixed with collaborative energy & an odd pairing of instruments, Miki P locked in with the Swallowtails create a moment with music written and arranged from the heart.” Miki P started playing guitar in middle school. She taught herself to play the drums, while listening to Mitch Mitchell, Keith Moon and Ringo Starr. As a teen she played drums for various groups including American Slim. She wrote songs for their full-length album Irreplaceable released in 2017, followed by a single “Queen of Hearts” released April 11, 2018. Miki P and The Swallowtails –released, Right Where We Are /on August 21, 2020 with Rachel Lovelace on bassoon, Adee Dancy on cello & vocals, and Miki P on guitar & lead Vocals. Each member is an integral part of the Kansas City music scene, writing, arranging, performing, and collaborating original music for their own groups and several other projects in the metro. “Introspective pop music with lyric-driven folk influences, mixed with collaborative energy & an odd pairing of instruments, Miki P locked in with the Swallowtails create a moment with music written and arranged from the heart.” Miki P also plays ukulele & piano, teaching herself how to play both the instruments, using them frequently in all projects she is involved in. She was a featured vocalist with The Band That Fell to Earth Bowie Tribute. She’s played Boulevardia, Middle of the Map Fest, Royal’s Kaufman Stadium, recordBar, Uptown Theater, Arrowhead Stadium, Nelson Atkins Museum, the Crossroads Music Festival and the SXSW Music Fest. More info at: http://www.mikipmusic.com .]

[Miki P plays Lemonade Park, 1628 Wyoming KCMO, West Bottoms, Friday, July 15, at 7:00 PM, for the Carswell & Hope – Single Release Show with Kian Byrne.]

4. Kat King – “New Sun”
   from: “New Sun” / Manor Records / July 29, 2021
   [Kansas City based 5-piece shimmer-pop band Kat King will release their single “New Sun” that breathes life back into life itself. Led by Kat, herself, a seasoned musician who charms with an infectious dance-inducing energy, the upcoming single is an electric blend of catchy bright melodies that find itself right in the heart & heat of summer. Derek Melies on guitar, John Kaul McCain on bass, Daniel Cole on drums, & Kara LePage on keys bring a
   refreshing dynamism both on and off the stage. Centering on themes of self-care, steadfast friendship, and revitalizing optimism, “New Sun” compels listeners to look towards new, more positive, more productive perspectives. Follow up to the June 9, 2021 SAY WHAT YOU MEAN 5-track EP recorded with her band. Kat King on guitar, keyboards, & vocals; Derek Melies on guitar & back ground vocals; John McCain on bass; Daniel Cole on drums. Co-produced & mixed/mastered by Joel Martin. Lawrence Kansas based singer songwriter Kat King released her last single Song of Spain in 2019 and her single “2017” in, 2018. She released her 5-song EP “Falling Up” on December 1, 2017. Kat King has been creating music since the 2nd grade. She’s produced one 13-song album and three EP’s, the first one released at the age of 14. More info at: http://www.katbking.com ]

-5. Amado Espinoza – “From la Cancha to Shinjuku”
    from: Q’ansas / Amado Espinoza / July 6, 2022
    [Amado Espinoza Quartet brings Andean soul to the American heartland. Amado plays traditional Andean instruments – the charango and sikus, as well as the mandolin and didgeridoo. He teams up with Andres Ramirez on percussion, Tina Bilberry on violin, and Johnny Hamil on bass, to bring a contemporary electric feel to Amado’s dynamic compositions. Expanding ideas of sound, texture and space, they invoke the musical ancestors of us all and activate the music that is alive in all our DNA. The journey is both ritual and joyous celebration.]

[Amado Espinoza Quartet premiers their new album, Q’ansas with a Album Release Show, at the Record Bar, Friday, July 15, 2022, with special guest Julia Othmer.]

[Amado Espinoza plays The Benefit for the People of Ukraine, on Saturday, July 16, at 7:00 PM at Lemonade Park, 1628 Wyoming KCMO, West Bottoms, with Jullia Othmer, Ivory Blue, Havilah Bruders, Johnny Hamil, Courtney Collado, spoken word artist José Faus, Poet-on-Demand Elizabeth Howard, and more! Hosted by Frickin’ Awesome Industries and InterUrban ArtHouse.]

6. Carswell & Hope – “Sign Of The Times”
   from: “Sign Of The Times” – Single / Silly Goose Records / June 12, 2018
   [Sign of the Times, the first single and title track from the Carswell & Hope full length. Featuring Katlyn Conroy on vocals. Single available on Bandcamp, Soundcloud and streaming platforms from July 12th, 2022. Carswell and Hope are releasing their album, SIGN OF THE TIMES, on August 30, 2022. Recorded and produced by Jason Slote and Nick Carswell. Mixed and mastered by Joel Nanos at Element Recording Studios. Lawrence KS based 5-piece band formed June 25, 2012. The band is: Nick Carswell, Jason Slote, Austin Quick, Chris Handley, and Jordan Tucker. Songwriter Nick Carswell is originally from Ireland and has found a new home on the plains of Kansas.Songwriter Nick Carswell is originally from Limerick, Ireland, Nick Carswell has been living in Lawrence, KS since 2011. He formed Carswell & Hope in late 2012. The band released their debut album in 2014, coinciding with a two week Irish tour. Nick also plays bass in the electro-pop band Pink Royal and is the force behind Silly Goose Records and the annual MixMaster music conference, now part of the Crossroads Music Festival. More info at: http://www.carswellandhope.bandcamp.com]

[Carswell and Hope play a Single Release Shows at Lemonade Park 1628 Wyoming KCMO, West Bottoms, on Friday, July 15 with Miki P and Kiane Byrne]

[Sign of the Times album release date is August 30th, 2022.]

[On August 31 Nick Carswell will be our guest on WMM]

10:30 – Underwriting

7. Lee Walter Redding – “We Could Be Warlords”
   from: “We Could Be Warlords”- Single / Lee Walter Redding / June 10, 2021
   [This is their second single from the upcoming EP LIVE FROM THE ARGYLE WALLPAPER, to be released in July. Lee Walter Redding on vocals, guitar; Justin Rogers on bass; Andy Kirk on guitar/synth and Justin Skinner on drums. Lee writes: We Could be Warlords is a story of two twisted, go-getters finding love through a mutual goal of taking over the world. They’re both so consumed with the day-to-day job of developing and controlling a police state that the only way they can get off is by manipulating and hurting the poor citizens of their respective countries.”We could be Warlords drumming up suspicion / Giving the finger to UN resolutions / We could wind em up to lull them down / We could be warlords in love”Lee Walter Redding released “Elephant Man (feat. Stephonne)” om April 9, 2021. Lee told us that he learned about Stephonne Singleton from listening to Wednesday MidDay Medley and hearing Stephonne for the first time. WMM bringing musical collaborations together since 2004. // Kansas City based Lee Walter Redding was raised on 60s rock, steeped in 90s Britpop ennui, and guided by contemporary neo-soul, Lee Walter Redding weaves dry humor into vibrant sonic textures that sway from wistful to chaotic. Think 2010s Nick Lowe fronting The Velvet Underground. On warped vinyl. More info at: http://www.leewalterredding.bandcamp.com]

[Lee Walter Redding plays a solo at The Pairing, 1615 Oak Street, in East Crossroads, with Nathan Corsi.]

[Lee Walter Redding plays a Live From The Argyle Wallpaper EP Release show at Lemonade Park 1628 Wyoming KCMO, West Bottoms, on August 5, 2022.]

10:35 – Interview with Joshua Davidson

Joshua Davidson is a Kansas City based musician who records and performs music as Lee Walter Redding. Raised on 60s rock, steeped in 90s Britpop ennui, and guided by contemporary neo-soul, Lee Walter Redding weaves dry humor into vibrant sonic textures that sway from wistful to chaotic. Think 2010s Nick Lowe fronting The Velvet Underground. On warped vinyl. Lee Walter Redding has released one album, one EP and multiple singles. Before recording as Lee Walter redding, Joshua Davidson recorded and performed as Orthon Anderthon. He has collaborated with Stephonne and Teri Quinn and is releasing a new EP called, LIVE FROM THE ARGYLE WALLPAPER on July 15, 2022. More information at: linktr.ee/leewalterredding

Joshua Davidson Thank you for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley

For live performances and recording the band includes: Lee Walter Redding on vocals, guitar; Justin Rogers on bass; Andy Kirk on guitar/synth and Justin Skinner on drums.

Joshua Davidson grew up in the small town of Guilford, Missouri, he moved to Kansas City because he felt “different” from everyone else in his small town.

Joshua studied at Northwest Missouri State University and UMKC.

Joshua is married and has two daughters age 3 and 7.

Lee Walter Redding plays a solo at The Pairing, 1615 Oak Street, in East Crossroads, with Nathan Corsi.

Lee Walter Redding plays a Live From The Argyle Wallpaper EP Release show at Lemonade Park 1628 Wyoming KCMO, West Bottoms, on August 5, 2022.

10:45

8. Lee Walter Redding – “Last Show in Town”
   from: Live From The Argyle Wallpaper / Lee Walter Redding / July 15, 2022

[Lee Walter Redding plays a solo at The Pairing, 1615 Oak Street, in East Crossroads, with Nathan Corsi.]

[Lee Walter Redding plays a Live From The Argyle Wallpaper EP Release show at Lemonade Park 1628 Wyoming KCMO, West Bottoms, on August 5, 2022.]

10:48 – More Interview with Joshua Davidson

We are talking with Joshua Davidson is a Kansas City based musician who records and performs music as Lee Walter Redding. Raised on 60s rock, steeped in 90s Britpop ennui, and guided by contemporary neo-soul, Lee Walter Redding weaves dry humor into vibrant sonic textures that sway from wistful to chaotic. Think 2010s Nick Lowe fronting The Velvet Underground. On warped vinyl. Lee Walter Redding has released one album, one EP and multiple singles. Before recording as Lee Walter Redding, Joshua Davidson recorded and performed as Orthon Anderthon. He has collaborated with Stephonne and Teri Quinn and is releasing a new EP called, LIVE FROM THE ARGYLE WALLPAPER on July 15, 2022.

Joshua Davidson Thank you for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley

Joshua’s band meets weekly to rehearse, sometimes even more often. The band offers Josh needed feedback on the music and sound of Lee Walter Redding.

Joshua told us that “Lee” is his middle name, he has always thought “Walter” was a strong name, and “Redding” is in honor of his musical hero, Otis Redding.

After hearing our Wednesday MidDay Medley interview with Stephonne Singleton, Joshua
reached out to him to record the vocals for his single, “Elephant Man.”

Joshua Davidson Thank you for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley

More information at: linktr.ee/leewalterredding

10:57

9. Lee Walter Redding – “Ain’t It Criminal”
   from: Live From The Argyle Wallpaper / Lee Walter Redding / July 15, 2022

[Lee Walter Redding plays a solo at The Pairing, 1615 Oak Street, in East Crossroads, with Nathan Corsi.]

[Lee Walter Redding plays a Live From The Argyle Wallpaper EP Release show at Lemonade Park 1628 Wyoming KCMO, West Bottoms, on August 5, 2022.]

11:00 – Station ID

10. Chalis O’Neal – “PLC”
    from: FLIRTING / Chalis O’Neal / November 15, 2021
    [Chalis O’Neal debut album FLIRTING was #48 in WMM’s 120 Best recordings of 2021. Chalis O’Neal picked up the trumpet at the age of eleven and began studying music at Paseo Academy of Fine and Performing Arts. Chalis majored in Jazz Studies with a minor in Classical Trumpet under the direction of Jazz legend Bobby Watson at the University of Missouri Kansas City. O’Neal’s eclectic style ranges from jazz venues to theatre work with the New Theatre Restaurant performing and acting in the The Buddy Holly Story. O’Neal also has burlesque experience with Quixotic Cirque Nouveau. Chalis is also the lead trumpeter for the Afro futuristic band, Arquesta Del SolSoul. O’Neal has performed with Bobby Watson, Harold O’Neal, Tivon Pennicott, Marcus Strickland, Lisa Henry, and David Basse. // Chalis O’Neal is the youngest brother of Harold Mujahid O’Neal who was born March 27, 1981, and is an American pianist, composer, record producer, public speaker, dancer, and storyteller. He has recorded and performed with artists in a variety of musical genres (U2, Lupe Fiasco, Busta Rhymes, Damien Rice, Aloe Blacc, and Jay Z). O’Neal has been profiled and featured in numerous publications and programs including Forbes, NPR’s All Things Considered, Fortune, Studio 360, and the 92Y, with The New York Times comparing him to Duke Ellington, Kenny Kirkland, and Maurice Ravel. He is considered to be of this generation’s greatest pianists and composers. O’Neal has been awarded fellowship to the Royal Society of the Arts, with the Patron being Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, and recently played a role as a creative expert for the Academy Award winning Pixar film, Soul. ]

[Chalis O’Neal plays Johnnie’s Jazz Bar & Grille, 1400 Main St KCMO in Power & Light District, Thursday, July 14, at 6:30 to 9:30 PM]

[Chalis O’Neal plays Ambassador Hotel at 1111 Grand Ave, KCMO, Friday, July 15, 2022 at 8:00 PM]

[Chalis O’Neal plays The Mutual Musicians Foundation 1823 Highland Ave. KCMO, on July 29 at 1:30 AM].

11:06 – Interview with Chalis O’Neal

KC based musician and performer Chalis O’Neal joins us to talk about his debut album, FLIRTING and his work as lead trumpeter for the Afro futuristic band, Arquesta Del SolSoul. Chalis picked up the trumpet at the age of eleven and began studying music at Paseo Academy of Fine and Performing Arts. Chalis majored in Jazz Studies with a minor in Classical Trumpet under the direction of Jazz legend Bobby Watson at the University of Missouri Kansas City. O’Neal’s eclectic style ranges from jazz venues to theatre work with the New Theatre Restaurant performing and acting in the The Buddy Holly Story. O’Neal also has burlesque experience with Quixotic Cirque Nouveau. Chalis O’Neal has performed with Bobby Watson, Harold O’Neal, Tivon Pennicott, Marcus Strickland, Lisa Henry, and David Basse. Chalis O’Neal plays Johnnie’s Jazz Bar & Grille, 1400 Main Street, KCMO in Power & Light District, on Thursday, July 14, at 6:30 to 9:30 PM Chalis O’Neal plays Ambassador Hotel at 1111 Grand Ave, KCMO, on Friday, July 15, 2022 at 8:00 PM. Chalis O’Neal plays The Mutual Musicians Foundation 1823 Highland Ave. KCMO, on July 29 at 1:30 AM. More info at: http://www.facebook.com/chalis.oneal

Chalis O’Neal, Thank you for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley

The album features KC personnel: O’Neal on trumpet, Desmond Mason on piano and keyboards, Tim Ogutu on electric bass, Brad Williams on drums—along with feature appearances by Amber “Flutienastiness” Underwood on flute and Jessica Ayala and Les Izmore on vocals and spoken word.

Chalis picked up the trumpet at the age of eleven. Chalis comes from a family of artists, teachers, and activists.

Chalis attended the Paseo Academy of Fine and Performing Arts. Chalis majored in Jazz Studies with a minor in Classical Trumpet under the direction of Jazz legend Bobby Watson at the University of Missouri Kansas City.

O’Neal’s eclectic style ranges from jazz venues to theatre work with the New Theatre Restaurant performing and acting in the The Buddy Holly Story.

O’Neal also has burlesque experience with Quixotic Cirque Nouveau.

Chalis is also the lead trumpeter for the Afro futuristic band, Arquesta Del SolSoul.

Chalis O’Neal is the youngest brother of Harold Mujahid O’Neal who was born March 27, 1981, and is an American pianist, composer, record producer, public speaker, dancer, and storyteller. He has recorded and performed with artists in a variety of musical genres (U2, Lupe Fiasco, Busta Rhymes, Damien Rice, Aloe Blacc, and Jay Z). O’Neal has been profiled and featured in numerous publications and programs including Forbes, NPR’s All Things Considered, Fortune, Studio 360, and the 92Y, with The New York Times comparing him to Duke Ellington, Kenny Kirkland, and Maurice Ravel. He is considered to be of this generation’s greatest pianists and composers. O’Neal has been awarded fellowship to the Royal Society of the Arts, with the Patron being Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, and recently played a role as a creative expert for the Academy Award winning Pixar film, Soul. // Harold O’Neal was born in Arusha, Tanzania, and raised in Kansas City, Missouri. His great-grandfather, Ollie Harold Pennington, was a jazz pianist and composer for silent film in Kansas City, where his grandmother walked to school with Charlie Parker. O’Neal began playing the piano by ear at age four on his father’s miniature keyboard. He found his earliest inspirations in the music of Tom and Jerry, Looney Tunes, and Disney. While growing up, he spent a considerable amount of time with his grandmother exploring various creative outlets, before eventually becoming a pianist. Having spent much of his youth living in the projects (Public Housing) and surviving near-death experiences, he credits music with saving his life. O’Neal attended the Paseo Academy Of Fine And Performing Arts, with classmates Logan Richardson, Lil’ Ronnie, and Brian Kennedy, where he began his jazz piano studies while being mentored by Ahmad Alaadeen. He studied classical piano and composition with Margie Cameron-Jarrett, whose musical lineage can be traced back to Franz Liszt. // O’Neal began working with musical luminaries from a young age – touring with Bobby Watson when he was 19 after studying composition at the Berklee College of Music. He then went on to the Manhattan School of Music, to study with Kenny Barron. It was there where he met the great American jazz pianist and composer, Andrew Hill, with whom he soon became the apprentice of. Mr. Hill was an apprentice of prolific composer Paul Hindemith. Following Andrew Hill’s advice, O’Neal left the Manhattan School of Music to replace pianist Jason Moran in the influential band, the Greg Osby 4, making his major-label debut recording for Blue Note Records at the age of 21. In 2004, O’Neal premiered a jazz quartet featuring Greg Osby, Jeff “Tain” Watts, and Matt Brewer. // In the following years, O’Neal released a number of critically acclaimed albums including — “Charlie’s Suite” (2006), which was a compilation of his family’s legacy, “Whirling Mantis” (2010) with a jazz quartet, and a solo piano album “Marvelous Fantasy” (2011) on Smalls Records. He then partnered with Ski Beats and Damon Dash, after being signed to Universal Music Group as a songwriter and producer, to release the albums 24 Hour Karate School 2 (2011), Twilight (2012), and Cam’Ron And Vado’s Blu Tops (2012). In 2012, O’Neal formed a partnership with producers Lil Ronnie and Jerry Wonda working with many Pop and R&B artists (Miguel, Akon, Melissa Ethridge, Raphael Saadiq, French Montana). In 2013, he released the album “Man on the Street” featuring a jazz quartet as well as solo piano for BluRoc, an at the time incarnation of Rocafella Records distributed by Def Jam Records. // O’Neal worked as a composer for a featurette and the documentaries of the 2015 Disney film Tomorrowland produced by Academy Award winning filmmaker Anthony Giacchino, which starred George Clooney and Britt Robertson. The film was directed by Brad Bird with the film-score being composed by Michael Giacchino. His solo piano album “Piano Cinema” was released in May 2018, with “Sam and Sam” serving as the lead single. Following the album release, O’Neal completed a spring tour across the U.S. with The Blk Shp with Pixar as a partner. Recently, at the suggestion of Ed Catmull, O’Neal played a role with the filmmakers (Pete Docter, Dana Murray, Kemp Powers) as a creative expert in the development of Pixar’s Soul. // As a keynote speaker and storyteller, O’Neal has been featured at Google, The World Economic Forum, TEDX, Hatch Experience, C2 Montréal, Blk Shp Power Shift, and many other leading platforms.// In 2019, O’Neal was among the 100 international individuals selected to be a Gates Foundation Goalkeeper. Goalkeepers (Gates Foundation) is an initiative of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Its aim is to bring together leaders from around the world to accelerate progress toward achieving the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). Invitations are issued to global leaders and aspiring personalities who have been personally selected by the board. Previous attendees include Barack Obama, Emmanuel Macron, Amina J. Mohammed, Erna Solberg, Malala Yousafzai, and Trevor Noah.// In 2019, O’Neal was awarded fellowship to the Aspen Institute’s Aspen Ideas Festival, a week-long event held in Aspen, Colorado in the United States. The Aspen Ideas Festival program of events includes discussions, seminars, panels, and tutorials from journalists, designers, innovators, politicians, diplomats, presidents, judges, musicians, artists, and writers. Topics covered during the festival include global politics and economics, U.S. Policy, the environment, technology, science, health, education, the arts, and economic issues. // In 2019, O’Neal was awarded fellowship to the Royal Society of the Arts. Founded in 1754 by William Shipley, it was granted a Royal Charter in 1847, and the right to use the term “Royal” in its name by King Edward VII in 1908. Notable past fellows include Charles Dickens, Benjamin Franklin, Stephen Hawking, Karl Marx, Adam Smith, Nelson Mandela, David Attenborough, William Hogarth, John Diefenbaker, and Tim Berners-Lee. Today, the RSA has fellows elected from 80 countries worldwide.// NPR All Things Considered: The Yule Log (TV program), Pianist Harold O’Neal and Bill Cosby’s Christmas story[8] On 25 December 2011, O’Neal was featured along with Bill Cosby for the Christmas Day edition of NPR’s All Things Considered, with O’Neal being hosted and interviewed by Guy Raz. // Electric Burma On June 18, 2012, O’Neal performed with U2, Lupe Fiasco, Bob Geldof, Damien Rice, Angelique Kidjo and many other major artists for the presentation of Amnesty International’s prestigious ‘Ambassador of Conscience’ Award to Aung San Suu Kyi. The award was originally announced from the stage when U2 played Croke Park in July 2009 – while the Burmese Nobel Peace Prize recipient was still under house arrest in Burma. // Global Citizen: World on Stage[10] On 22 September 2016, O’Neal performed with Aloe Blacc and Maya Jupiter for The Global Citizen Festival’s The World on Stage, a night curated by Tom Morello and Jon Batiste. The evening was dedicated to several prominent speakers who addressed various causes—such as education, the refugee crisis, gender equality, poverty, hunger, and much more—and the presentation of the inaugural George Harrison Global Citizen award, presented by Paul Simon to Olivia and Dhani Harrison (George’s widow and son). // On December 4, 2018, Herbie Hancock received the prestigious Benjamin Franklin Medal (Royal Society of Arts) from the Royal Society for the Arts at the Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania—being recognized for his long lifetime of creative achievements and humanitarian efforts. The 264-year-old Royal Society for the Arts, based in London, includes Franklin as a founding fellow and initiated the Benjamin Franklin medal in 1956 to honor people who transcend their vocation to generally benefit mankind. The ceremony featured bassist Christian McBride and pianist O’Neal as guest star performers, each musically representing the electric and acoustic side of Hancock’s legacy. // In 2009, O’Neal appeared as an actor in Jay Z’s music video for the hit record Young Forever, from his multi-platinum album The Blueprint 3. In 2010, he was cast in the HBO television series Boardwalk Empire, portraying James P. Johnson. He was also featured in MTV’s Sucker Free.

Chalis O’Neal is the nephew of Felix Lindsey “Pete” O’Neal, Jr. (born 1940), was the chairman of the Kansas City chapter of the Black Panther Party in the late 1960s. He led implementation of many free programs, such as providing free breakfast to children around the city. // O’Neal had trouble with authority figures in high school and dropped out. Soon afterwards, he joined the military, following the steps of his father. Once done with service, he moved to Stockton, California, where in 1959 he was sentenced to 9 months in jail for theft. He escaped from jail after 3 months, traveling back to Kansas City, MO. In 1961, law enforcement caught him and he was sent back to California to serve his remaining sentence. // After completing his sentence, the felony should have been cleared as indicated by Californian law, but it was not. This significantly hindered his chances for employment. // On October 30, 1969, he was arrested again for the transporting of a gun across state lines (under a law that went into effect just two weeks prior to his arrest). A year later a court convicted him and in October 1970, he was sentenced to four years in prison. O’Neal jumped his bail and fled to Algeria, where a number of other Black Panther Party members had also absconded to in the face of imprisonment in the United States. This group became known as the “International Section” of the Black Panther Party, and was centered around Eldridge and Kathleen Cleaver. A year later O’Neal moved on to Tanzania, motivated to immigrate there as the then President of Tanzania, Julius Nyerere, was both a Pan-Africanist and Socialist. O’Neal has remained in Tanzania ever since. // Together with his wife, Charlotte Hill O’Neal, he is the co-founder of the United African Alliance Community Center (UAACC) in the village of Imbaseni, near the northern city of Arusha, Tanzania. The UAACC is a center focusing on healing the community by providing a diverse array of free art, music, film and other classes to members of the community. The UAACC also serves as a hostel for people travelling through the area—offering several “huts” with bunk beds. The center has been frequented by several celebrities, American politicians, study abroad programs, students, documentary film makers, and artists. Pete and Charlotte provide numerous jobs to locals of the community and the center is entirely run by local Tanzanians. // O’Neal’s family still resides in the Kansas City area. He is a third cousin to US Representative Emmanuel Cleaver. Since 1991, Cleaver and others have unsuccessfully attempted to obtain a pardon for O’Neal, and took the issue to both President Bill Clinton and President Barack Obama. Both declined to pardon O’Neal. // His life and exile in Tanzania is the subject of the PBS documentary ‘A Panther in Africa’, by Aaron Matthews, and a book ‘Black Panther in Exile: The Pete O’Neal Story’ by Pete’s attorney, Paul J. Magnarella.]

Arquesta Del SolSoul includes: Les Izmore, Jessica Ayala, Brad Williams, Chalis O’Neal, Jade Green, and Hadiza.

Jessica Ayala is an Indigenous Colombian Two-Spirit multi discipline artist. Miss Ayala is a spoken word poet, musician, published author, cultural worker, light worker, activist, public speaker, and writer-in-residence alumni of Charlotte Street Foundation. Their work is a fusion of her heritage merging oral tradition, storytelling, poetry, song, and native percussion; creating spaces to explore concepts of internalized oppression and decolonization. Ayala immigrated to the United States at the age of three, publishing her first series of poems for the Young Authors Conference at the age of eight. Her current poetry has been published in two anthologies winning an Honorable Medal in the 2017 International Latino Book Awards. Additionally, Miss Ayala is the recipient of the 2018 Best Kansas City Spoken Word Artist Award and was recently awarded the 2020 Civil and Human Rights Award by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).

Les Izmore is highly trained in Middle Of The Map Music. His tribal connection is Octavia E. Butler’s SUN, which was spawned in the inner sanctum of African Futurity. He’s been performing through existing channels for 1000’s of years. Known for his work fronting the legendary Kansas City collective Hearts of Darkness and the influential hip hop band Heartfelt Anarchy with Conductor Williams aka d/will, and many other projects, including his solo work and with Les Izmore and the GOATs. Les is a culture builder, continually pushing the bouudaries to create music that honors his ancestors amd gets everyone dancing. Les is also a farmer and gardener growing food in the city and teachong others about food, music, history, and poetry.

Brad Wiiliams is a Native to Kansas City, this percussionist takes no issue with referencing his blues, gospel, jazz and folk roots while leaving room for spontaneous, in the moment expression. Brad has been playing in Kansas City’s arts scene for nearly 20 years building style and techniques that have garnered a sound all his own. He has been fortunate to share creative space with a myriad of artists and looks forward to cultivating new opportunities for growth and collaboration. Brad has also taken time to offer what he has learned to new up and coming musicians through private instruction and by hosting concept sessions. Brad has played with everyone including Hearts of Darkness, and Krystle Warren.

Chalis O’Neal released his debut solo album Flirting on November 15, 2021. The track “La Tienda de Regalos” features spoken word poet Jessica Ayala. Musician and performer Chalis O’Neal about his upcoming debut album, FLIRTING. Chalis picked up the trumpet at the age of eleven and began studying music at Paseo Academy of Fine and Performing Arts. Chalis majored in Jazz Studies with a minor in Classical Trumpet under the direction of Jazz legend Bobby Watson at the University of Missouri Kansas City. O’Neal’s eclectic style ranges from jazz venues to theatre work with the New Theatre Restaurant performing and acting in the The Buddy Holly Story. O’Neal also has burlesque experience with Quixotic Cirque Nouveau. Chalis is also the lead trumpeter for the Afro futuristic band, Arquesta Del SolSoul. O’Neal has performed with Bobby Watson, Harold O’Neal, Tivon Pennicott, Marcus Strickland, Lisa Henry, and David Basse. // Chalis O’Neal is the youngest brother of Harold Mujahid O’Neal who was born March 27, 1981, and is an American pianist, composer, record producer, public speaker, dancer, and storyteller. He has recorded and performed with artists in a variety of musical genres (U2, Lupe Fiasco, Busta Rhymes, Damien Rice, Aloe Blacc, and Jay Z). O’Neal has been profiled and featured in numerous publications and programs including Forbes, NPR’s All Things Considered, Fortune, Studio 360, and the 92Y, with The New York Times comparing him to Duke Ellington, Kenny Kirkland, and Maurice Ravel. He is considered to be of this generation’s greatest pianists and composers. O’Neal has been awarded fellowship to the Royal Society of the Arts, with the Patron being Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, and recently played a role as a creative expert for the Academy Award winning Pixar film, Soul. // Harold O’Neal was born in Arusha, Tanzania, and raised in Kansas City, Missouri. His great-grandfather, Ollie Harold Pennington, was a jazz pianist and composer for silent film in Kansas City, where his grandmother walked to school with Charlie Parker. O’Neal began playing the piano by ear at age four on his father’s miniature keyboard. He found his earliest inspirations in the music of Tom and Jerry, Looney Tunes, and Disney. While growing up, he spent a considerable amount of time with his grandmother exploring various creative outlets, before eventually becoming a pianist. Having spent much of his youth living in the projects (Public Housing) and surviving near-death experiences, he credits music with saving his life. O’Neal attended the Paseo Academy Of Fine And Performing Arts, with classmates Logan Richardson, Lil’ Ronnie, and Brian Kennedy, where he began his jazz piano studies while being mentored by Ahmad Alaadeen. He studied classical piano and composition with Margie Cameron-Jarrett, whose musical lineage can be traced back to Franz Liszt.

Jade Green is half of the critically acclaimed band The Black Creatures. The Black Creatures make a point to blur the lines of genre while maintaining a recognizable cohesion; oftentimes blending contemporary styles of pop, hip-hop, dance, R&B, EDM and soul with cinematic and storytelling sci-fi/fantasy elements and themes. With the complex and creative approach The Black Creatures take to their art, a diverse audience regularly flocks to their gripping and intensely enchanting performances. // Representing the strange land of Kansas City, Missouri, Jade Green and Xavier began working together around the end of 2013 after meeting on-line talking about cosmetics. After Jade stumbled upon Xavier’s SoundCloud, they asked if they could put their vocals on it, and this led to future collaborations with no more than the intention to dabble. They couldn’t stop and eventually dubbed the project The Black Creatures. // Both Jade & Xavier write and perform vocals, with Xavier at the helm of production and composition. Jade Green has a vocal background in opera and a penchant for theatrics, and both are the foundation of their ever-evolving approach to writing and performing in The Black Creatures. While the instrumentals may set the tone for the show, Jade’s voice captivates the audience from beginning to end. Originally a violinist, Xavier unfurled into a producer and vocalist, maintaining the same air of intrigue and mystery throughout his compositions and performances in The Black Creatures. // After releasing Wild Echoes in the fall of 2020, the record received Album Of The Year from The Pitch Magazine, along with high praise from around the world for the four released singles and accompanying videos. “Wretched (It Goes)” was featured in the NPR Live Sessions “Songs For Change” when The Black Creatures were selected as one of 12 national artists, and included in 90.9 The Bridge’s Top 100 singles along with their song “D’ummm” which was in heavy rotation in the winter. Nuance Magazine wrote, “The Black Creatures take their musical talents and use them in such a way that forces listeners to not only tap their foot to a catchy tune, but pay attention and feel something about what is going on in the world around them. Tackling fascism, police brutality, and the deep-rooted effects of slavery in a rhythmic fashion is one thing. Simultaneously making it a good listen is another. However, The Black Creatures make it happen.”

Hadiza. released her solo EP Gone on December 29, 2018, and he 10 song, full-length album called, Shadow Weight, on November 22, 2019. Born in Iowa City, Iowa, she has lived in Bushwick, and Atlanta, and worked in corporate America in the New York Finance District. Since relocating to Kansas City, Hadiza. has been slowly carving out her place as a solo artist and also as lead vocalist and lyricist for the experimental electronic duo Collidescope that recently released their new 7-track album, DEEP TAPE, on December 31, 2020. Collidescope is essentially a duo that includes: Hadiza. on vocals, beats, & synthesizers; and Madison Monroe on guitar, bass, beats, synthesizers, mixing and vocals. DEEP TAPE is a follow up the the band’s debut EP Systemic released December 16, 2017. More info at: http://www.hadizaisnothere.bandcamp.com or http://www.acollidescope.bandcamp.com

Previous Members include: Irving Graham, Ernest Melton, Andres Ramirez, Fabian Prado.

3 current musicians in Arquesta Del SolSoul worked together in the band Hearts of Darkness.

Hearts of Darkness is a Community whose original material absorbs influences from 1970s afrobeat to hip hop, 1960s and 1970s soul and funk, as well as reaching back to 1920s big band . The sound evokes memories of Count Basie, James Brown, and Fela Kuti Jamming with Nina Simone, Erykah Badu and Sun Ra.

Les Izmore: Vocals, Shekere
Erica Townsend: Vocals
Rachel Christia: Vocals
Leena Will: Vocals
Erin Bopp: Vocals
Brad “Bad Brad” Williams: Kit, Percussion
Miko Spears: Congas
Dominique Sanders: Bass Guitar
Lucas Parker: Rhythm Guitar
Sam Goodell: Keys
Chalis O’neal: Trumpet
Ernest Melton: Saxophones
Jolan Smith: Tenor Sax – Vocals

Discography

Albums: Hearts of Darkness (2010) // Shelf Life (2012)
EPs: Numeration (2012)

Arquesta Del SolSoul Shows:

Arquesta Del SolSoul will headline night one of the 3rd Annual Queer Narratives Festival, August 5, 2022 at The Black Box in the West Bottoms, 1060 Union Ave. KCMO.

Arquest Del SolSoul play Crossroads Music Fest on Saturday, August 27, 2022

Arquesta Del SolSoul play SolSoul Fest 2022 on September 30, 2022 at Lemonade Park, West Bottoms, 1628 Wyoming, KCMO.

The Black Creatures play Downtown KCK at 7th and Minnesota on Friday, July 1, at 11:30 to 1:00 PM

More info at: http://www.instagram.com/arquestadelsolsoul

Chalis O’Neal, Thank you for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley

11:21

11. Chalis O’Neal – “Me, You, and The Other Girl (feat: Flutienastiness)”
    from: Flirting / Chalis O’Neal / November 15, 2021
    [Musician and performer Chalis O’Neal s picked up the trumpet at the age of eleven and began studying music at Paseo Academy of Fine and Performing Arts. Chalis majored in Jazz Studies with a minor in Classical Trumpet under the direction of Jazz legend Bobby Watson at the University of Missouri Kansas City. O’Neal’s eclectic style ranges from jazz venues to theatre work with the New Theatre Restaurant performing and acting in the The Buddy Holly Story. O’Neal also has burlesque experience with Quixotic Cirque Nouveau. Chalis is also the lead trumpeter for the Afro futuristic band, Arquesta Del SolSoul. O’Neal has performed with Bobby Watson, Harold O’Neal, Tivon Pennicott, Marcus Strickland, Lisa Henry, and David Basse.]

[Chalis O’Neal plays Johnnie’s Jazz Bar & Grille, 1400 Main St KCMO in Power & Light District, Thursday, July 14, at 6:30 to 9:30 PM]

[Chalis O’Neal playscd Ambassador Hotel at 1111 Grand Ave, KCMO, Friday, July 15, 2022 at 8:00 PM]

[Chalis O’Neal plays The Mutual Musicians Foundation 1823 Highland Ave. KCMO, on July 29 at 1:30 AM].

11:29 – Underwriting

12. Tucker Slough – “Brand New Face”
    from: Lx Obvix / Tucker Slough / January 15, 2022
    [Tucker Slough is an MC/drummer/actor/ who makes stuff that you may enjoy…. DraculaVision was performed entirely by Tucker Slough with guest appearances by Shante’ Clair of ShinyJets and a cartoon bear. More info at: http://www.tuckerslough.bandcamp.com]

11:35 – Interview with Tucker Slough

Kansas City based MC, drummer, and actor, Tucker Slough joins us to share music and details about his latest 5-track EP, Lx Obvix, released January 15, 2022. Tucker released his 16-track album, DraculaVision, released June 16, 2021. A veteran of the Kansas City music community, Tucker has previously released the 23-track album, Sloughterhouse V, in 2007, the 15-track album, The Sloughvinci Code, from 2007-2008, and the 28-track album Neonderthal in 2014. Tucker Slough has also released two vinyl albums: EPs 1 & 2, and EPs 3 & 4, with Shante’ Clair for their experimental Chicago/Kansas City band, ShinyJets which is no longer a band. Info at: http://www.tuckerslough.bandcamp.com or http://www.shinyjets.bandcamp.com

Tucker Slough Thanks for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley

We just heard “Brand New Face”

Last time Tucker ws on the show we played “No Participation Tropies”

On July 16, 2021 Tucker Slough posted a music video for “No Participation Trophies” on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zt2gbEHJauY

Tucker Slough is a veteran of the Kansas City Music Community

His father is Fred Slough a well know Kansas City Attorney, and part of the progressive law firm Slough Conneally Irwin and Madden who had offices above The Corner Restaurant in Westport, back when Westport was progressive and cool.

The late Kathleen Conneally was an Attorney for KKFI in our early years. Kay Madden was a regular contributor to KKFI’s The Tenth Voice for over a decade.

Tucker is an MC who has been compared to Eminem, though he doesn’t like the comparison.

Tucker’s music is incredibly original, theatrical, hilarious, political, making social commentary with song, and the poetry of hip

Tucker is an Actor. Tucker is a drummer.

Tucker was part of the band ShinyJets an experimental rock band formed in Chicago in 2004 when drummer Tucker Slough encountered Singer/Guitarist Shanté Clair performing at a party thrown by a mutual friend in the Rogers Park area. The two struck up a friendship and began trying to incorporate Tucker’s drumming into Shanté’s existing solo project, The Maybe. Soon they began writing new songs and pushing their musical ideas further, incorporating looping pedals and other electronics until they had compiled a number of songs. Some time afterwards, Tucker moved back to his hometown of Kansas City and Shanté left Chicago to live in New York for a number of years. Around 2014, the two began working on new songs together, with Shanté writing songs that Tucker would then add drums parts to and send back via Dropbox. Within a short time the material they were creating began to take shape and discussions began about re-establishing the band. In March of 2015 Shanté packed up and moved to Kansas City to begin work on the project that would assume the moniker Shiny Jets. Incorporating songs written back in Chicago and those songs written long distance between New York and Kansas City, the two began adding layers of sampling and further experimentation with even more complex looping and arrangements. Currently Shiny Jets are no longer a band. Info at: http://www.shinyjetsmusic.com

Tucker Slough is a husband and father

Tucker Slough Discography

Sloughterhouse V, released in 2007
23-track album, Produced by Tucker Slough in Chicago and Kansas City. Featuring the cartoon bear. http://www.neonderthalkcmo.bandcamp.com

Tucker Slough: The Sloughvinci Code, released 2007-2008
15-track album, recorded in KCMO 2007, 2008 in a house near Topp Boom’s crib. All production by Tucker Slough. Rhymes by Tucker Slough.

Sloughchwitz. Released in 2009-ish
Sloughschwitz is a concept album recorded in and around Kansas City in 2009-ish, at a time when Tucker Slough was obsessively studying the bizarre and fascinating, crypto-right wing extremist Lyndon Larouche cult, and observing in horror the growth of the right-wing extremism in the United States and around the world. All music and rhymes by Tucker Slough except Negro Sco verse on his cameo song. This album has a conspicuous absence of the cartoon bear.

Neonderthal released in 2014
28-track album, Produced by Luke Rocha and Tucker Slough, compact disc and digital download available at- http://www.neonderthalkcmo.bandcamp.com. Recorded in KC, 2014. Symbol Heavy Recordings

Tucker Slough has also released two vinyl albums:
EPs 1 & 2, and EPs 3 & 4, with Shante’ Clair for their band, ShinyJets.

Tucker Slough Thanks for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley

Tucker Slough’s latest EP , Lx Obvix, was released January 15, 2022. Info at: http://www.tuckerslough.bandcamp.com

For WMM, and Tucker Slough, I’m Mark Manning. Thanks for listening!

11:53

13. Tucker Slough – “blues lawyer”
    from: Lx Obvix / Tucker Slough / January 15, 2022
    [Tucker Slough is an MC/drummer/actor/ who makes stuff that you may enjoy…. DraculaVision was performed entirely by Tucker Slough with guest appearances by Shante’ Clair of ShinyJets and a cartoon bear. More info at: http://www.tuckerslough.bandcamp.com]

14. Noel Coward – “The Party’s Over Now”
    from: Noel Coward in New York / drg / 2003 [orig. 1957]

Next week on Wednesday, July 20, we welcome guest Producer Matthew Roth

Our Script/Playlist is a “cut and paste” of information.
Sources for notes: artist’s websites, bios, wikipedia.org

Find our playlists for the past 10 years at: http://www.WednesdayMidDayMedley.org

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Show #950