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

Wednesday, August 17, 2016

IVØRY BLACK + Spinning Tree Theatre’s Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill + The Annual Charlie Parker Celebration

10:00

1. “Main Title Instrumental – It’s Showtime Folks”
from: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack to All That Jazz / 1980
[WMM’s theme song]

2. The Conquerors – “Turned Me To Stone”
from: Wyld Time / High Dive Records / August 26, 2016
[The third single from the first full length album from Kansas City based Rock & Roll band. Rory Cameron on guitar & vocals, Vince Lawhon on guitar & vocals, Jim Button on drums, Jake Cardwell on percussion, Quentin Schmidt on bass & vocals. All songs written by Rory Cameron, performed by The Conquerors. Recorded and mixed by Vincent Lawhon with additional help from Adam McGill at Element Recording Studios. Mastered by Mike Nolte at Eureka Mastering in Portland, Oregon. More info at: http://theeconquerors.bandcamp.com%5D

3. The Architects – “Wait Don’t Wait”
from: Border Wars Episode III / Independent / September 18, 2015
[8th release from KC band: Adam Phillips on drums, Zachary Phillips on bass, Brandon Phillips on guitar & voice, Christopher Meck on guitar. The three Phillips brothers had previously composed a successful ska and rock band called The Gadjits. In June 2004 The Gadjits ended and Architects, was formed. Border Wars is a a five-part concept album and graphic novel series funded by the band’s loyal fans through crowd sourcing. More info at: http://thearchitectsrock.com/%5D

[The Architects play The Riot Room, Friday, August 19 with The Rackatees, and Berwanger]

4. Amado Espinoza – “Magsayaw (feat. Maria Victoria Barron & Jose Luis Bueno)”
from: My Two Sides / Domino Recording Co / December 26, 2015
[A compilation of his best compositions between 2003 and 2011, as a member of various musical grups: TIMPANA, OIL, KUYASHA, MOBY DICK, A 2 LADOS, with the vocalist ANALIA ABAD, TRIBU KONÁ, ALMAS SILENCIOSAS, KAWALA. Recorded and Mixed at Quinto Sol Studios by Manuel Rocha, Cochabamba, Bolivia – July 12, 2012. Columbian born musician Amado Espinoza began formal studies in music at the age of 16, at the Andrés Bello Institute, where he studied classical guitar. He continued his musical education at the Conservatory Milan in Cochabamba, Bolivia, while investigating ethnic instruments from various cultures, like the African djembé, the Bolivian charango, and the Australian didgeridoo. Later he perfected his skills in musical appreciation and musical history with the Professor Alberto Iporre Salinas, ex chairman of the Conservatory of Hungary, and in charango at the Amerindia Academy. In 2000 he dedicated himself to the investigation, recuperation, interpretation, and construction of native instruments from different parts of the world, resulting in the establishment of the Museum of Musical Instruments for the Foundation Luis Ernesto of the Andes, in Marquina, Quillacollo, Bolivia, housing over 500 pieces from six continents. He founded Tribu Kona in 2002, producing 4 albums and performing in Latin America. He was in-house composer for the Circus Theatre El Tapeque between 2011-2012. Since his arrival to Kansas City, MO in 2014, Amado has been seen on TEDxKC, TEDxYouth, Folk Fest, and has been featured with many local bands. He is a recipient of an ArtsKC inspiration grant and Charlotte St. Resident. He is musical director of Latin American band, Ayllu.]

[Amado Espinoza will play the 12th annual Crossroads Music Fest, Saturday, August 10.]

10:14 – Two songs from President Obama’s Summer Playlist
(www.whitehouse.gov)

5. Manu Chao – “Me Gustas Tu”
from: Próxima Estación: Esperanza / Radio Bembe – Because Music / June 1, 2001
[José-Manuel Thomas Arthur Chao was born June 21, 1961. He is a French-born musician of Spanish origin. He sings in French, Spanish, English, Italian, Arabic, Catalan, Galician, and Portuguese. Chao began his musical career in Paris, busking and playing with groups such as Hot Pants and Los Carayos. With friends and his brother Antoine Chao, he founded the band Mano Negra in 1987. He became a solo artist after its breakup in 1995, and tours regularly with his lband, Radio Bemba. Punk & reggae historian Vivien Goldman spoke of his work, “I was writing about Good Charlotte and The Police. They adopted the trappings of punk. They aren’t bad groups, but the punk aspect is more manifested by somebody like Manu Chao. He’s one of the punkiest artists out there I can think of. It’s an inclusionary spirit that is punk.

6. Corinne Bailey Rae – “Green Aphrodisiac”
from: The Heart Speaks in Whispers (Deluxe) / Virgin Records / May 13, 2016
[The 3rd studio album from British singer, songwriter and guitarist from Leeds, West Yorkshire, born February 26, 1979. She released her debut album, Corinne Bailey Rae, in February 2006, and became the fourth female British act in history to have her first album debut at number one. In 2007, Bailey Rae was nominated for three Grammy Awards and three Brit Awards, and won two MOBO Awards. In 2008, she won a Grammy Award for Album of the Year (for her work as a featured artist in Herbie Hancock’s River: The Joni Letters)..]

7. Billie Holiday – “Gimme a Pigfoot and a Bottle of Beer”
from: The Blues Are Brewin’ / Verve / 1958 (Compilation album)
[“Gimme a Pigfoot (And a Bottle of Beer)” written by Wesley Wilson, and also recorded by Bessie Smith and others. This was the A-Side of the 78rpm Jazz single, recorded September 8, 1949, and released on Decca records in 1950 as the A -Side to “Now or Never,” a song written by Billie Holiday and Curtis Reginald Lewis is a jazz song written by singer Billie Holiday, and composer Curtis Reginald Lewis. Billie Holiday’s recording of this songwas in the soundtrack to Lady Sings The Blues, and this song is also included in Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill. Billie Hoiday release 12 studio albums 1952 to 1959, prior to that she released 38 singles between 1934 and 1945. She released 6 live albums and 34 compilation albums. ]

10:30 – Interview with Nedra Dixon & Andrew Parkhurst

Andrew Parkhurst and Nedra Dixon on the August 17, 2016 edition of Wednesday MidDay Medley

Nedra Dixon is a Broadway veteran and KC based professional actress, and singer, who has performed at the White House, the Kennedy Center, Carnegie Hall, and Madison Square Garden, on Broadway, Off Broadway, national tours, regional theaters, and in Kansas City at The Unicorn, The Coterie, American Heartland Theatre, and many others. She is a featured vocalist on 12th Street Jump, the locally-produced jazz radio show that is broadcast on 110 NPR stations nationwide, and is a proud member of the Kansas City vocal jazz trio, Book of Gaia, with Angela Hagenbach and Pamela Baskin-Watson.

This month KC theatre audiences can see Nedra Dixon playing Billie Holiday, in Spinning Tree Theatre’s, “Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill” currently running Wednesday through Sundays, through August 28, at The Living Room Theatre, 1818 McGee, KCMO.

Andrew Parkhurst, is Managing Director of Spinning Tree Theatre, and a co-founder of Spinning Tree, with partner Michael Grayman. Andrew is also the Director of “Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill.” Andrew grew up in Kansas City and received his Bachelors in Fine Arts from Texas Christian University. He has been a member of Actor Equity Association since 1996. As a dancer he has worked with Roman Polanski, he was chosen and directed by Alvin Ailey at age 16 to dance Memoria. Andrew sang and danced on the 2009 Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall. He has been a part of five international productions of West Side Story. He has worked all over the world as an actor and dancer in shows such as: Call Me Madam, La Cage aux Folles, and Evita. He was an original cast member and dance captain of the Broadway touring production of Mamma Mia! for over 2,000 performances. He was in the touring company of Chicago. He has worked as a choreographer on Broadway, and in New York City, across the country, and in Kansas City for The Coterie, Starlight Theatre, New Theatre, and The Midland.

Nedra Dixon and Andrew Parkhurst, thank you for being with us on WMM.

The last time we talked with Andrew Parkhurst on the radio show was back in February when he came on to talk about the musical “13.”

The last time we talked with Nedra Dixon on the radio was when she was on the show last year with Walter Coppage talking about “Black Pearl Sings!”

LADY DAY AT EMERSON’S BAR AND GRILL is Spinning Tree Theatre’s 6th season opener

Nedra Dixon portrays Billie Holiday. It’s midnight in March of 1959 at a seedy bar in Philadelphia. The audience is about to witness one of Billie Holiday’s final appearances, just four months before her death. In between funny and heartbreaking stories about her life and career, “Lady Day” sings her most beloved songs including “What a Little Moonlight Can Do,” “Crazy He Calls Me,” “God Bless the Child” and “Strange Fruit.”

LADY DAY AT EMERSON’S BAR AND GRILL originally premiered in 1986 at Atlanta’s Alliance Theatre, and made its Broadway debut in 2014.

Nedra Dixon (Spinning Tree’s Black Pearl Sings! and Broadway’s Bubbling Brown Sugar) stars as Holiday. Managing Director Andrew Parkhurst directs, with music direction and onstage piano by Gary Green (Broadway’s Master Class).

The 2016-2017 season continues with the Kansas City professional premiere of Maury Yeston and Arthur Kopit’s musical Nine (Vigthor Zophoniasson, Lauren Braton, Judy Simmons); an encore production of Shipwrecked! An Entertainment (Charles Fugate); and the Kansas City professional premiere of Stephen Sondheim’s Assassins. Spinning Tree exclusively utilizes local, professional talent and aims to produce works that celebrate and reflect the diversity of Kansas City itself.

LADY DAY AT EMERSON’S BAR AND GRILL, a Spinning Tree Theatre production,
plays August 11-28, 2016 at The Living Room, 1818 McGee, Kansas City, MO.

Tickets and performance schedule available by calling Central Ticket Office
(816) 235-6222 or at http://www.spinningtreetheatre.com. Limited seating; general admission.

ALSO: Spinning Tree Sings! A Cabaret Fundraiser, featuring the cast of the 2016 production of 13. Conceived and directed by Gary Green, Monday, August 22, 7:00 PM at The Living Room, 1818 McGee, Kansas City, MO. SpinningTreeTheatre.com of Central Ticket Office (816) 235-6222

10:43 – Underwriting

8. Madisen Ward & the Mama Bear – “Whole Lotta Problems”
from: Live At Grimey’s / Glassnote Entertainment Group / April 16, 2016
[Special Limited Edition Vinyl 2016 Record Store Day Release. Singer songwriters, Madisen Ward and Ruth Ward, both play guitar, and sing, harmonizing as son and mom. In the past 2 years they have garnered national acclaimed after an appearance at the 2014 Americana Music Fest, they signed with Glassnote Records and recorded their debut full-length album in Nashville with acclaimed producer Jim Abbiss. They released their first single, “Silent Movies,” the same night they performed the song on The Late Show with David Letterman on CBS Television. They launched a big tour across the United States and traveled to Europe for multiple shows in London, Paris, Amsterdam, Berlin, and ten did it all again. They sang and played on the influential British television show, “Later With Jools Holland” They were featured on CBS Sunday Morning, and the Today Show, and have visited many radio stations. They performed on tour with Sufjan Stevens, Rodrigo Y Gabriela, played Bonnaroo, Pilgramage, the Newport Folk Festival, and others, representing KC all over the world. We were the first to play them on the radio!]

[Madisen Ward and the Mama Bear play Light Up The Lawn, Friday, August 19, at 7:30 on the front lawn of the Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art as part of the Performing Arts Series at Johnson County Community College 12345 College Blvd, Overland Park, Kansas.]

9. of Montreal – “let’s relate”
from: Innocence Reaches / Polyvinyl / August 12, 2016
[14th studio album from Athens, Georgia based band, founded by Kevin Barnes in 1996, named after a failed romance with a woman “of Montreal.” The band is one of the bands of the Elephant 6 collective. Of Montreal’s musical style has evolved from vaudeville and Beatles-influenced psychedelic twee pop to a mixture of electronica, funk, glam, and afrobeat music influenced by Prince and David Bowie. Kevin Barnes has described this album by stating, “Forever I’ve been detached from current music. I got into this bubble of only being in some other time period. I came up picking apart the Beach Boys, the Beatles and symphonic pieces. But last year, I was hearing Jack Ü, Chairlift, Arca and others, thinking about low end and sound collage. It was an extra layer to geek out to.”]

10. The Fade – “Better of Us”
from: The Fade / Independent / February 6, 2016
[Indie pop rock from Saint Louis, Missouri, with Ryan Spriggs on lead vocals & guitar, Christopher Bachmann on guitar & vocals & keys, Devon Kirsch on bass & vocals & synth, and Anne Stevenson on drums & vocals.]

[The Fade will play Davey’s Uptown 3402 Main St, August 20, w/ American Slim, and IVØRY BLACK.]

CROSSROADS MUSIC FEST SPOTLIGHT

11:00 – Interview with IVØRY BLACK and Keenan Franklin

Singer, songwriter, rock & roller, IVØRY BLACK was born in 1986 in Peoria Illinois. Given up for adopted at the age of four, it was difficult to find trust in people after living with eight different foster families, before running away at 15, moving from Indiana to Oklahoma and eventually ending up in Seattle. In 2011, after a friend sent a plane ticket, Ivory landed in the Kansas City area, and has became a part of new family. Over the past several years Ivory has been performing in singer-songwriter showcases and area venues and on June 23, 2015, Ivory released the debut EP, Ready Get Set.

IVØRY is playing the Crossroads Music Fest, September 10. IVØRY BLACK will play Davey’s Uptown 3402 Main St, Saturday, August 20, with American Slim, and The Fade.

IVØRY BLACK, thanks for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley.

IVØRY brought along Keenan Franklin who plays bass in her band.

Since we last talked with IVØRY on the radio her music is being played on other radio stations, including The Bridge. IVØRY has been playing regularly in area music venues, including Middle of The Map Fest, UMKC LGBTQIA Prom, Briarfest, The Susan G Komen Run for the Cure Race and the upcoming Crossroads Music Fest.

IVORY BLACK is currently involved in a name change to IVØRY BLACK. Another artist named Ivory Black, from California, owns the trademark on the name. IVØRY BLACK with the Ø, is the new name. The California based Ivory Black’s attorney is also her father. IVØRY and her manager Klaartje received a “cease and desist” letter giving them a limited time to change their name. IVØRY BLACK is the new name. IVØRY’s manager Klaartje had to delete the EP from their site and iTUNES, and had to change all publishing and social media sites.

Klaartje Van Lue is IVØRY BLACK’s manager and she was the one who helped her find her way to KC.

Born in 1986 Peoria Illinois, IVØRY BLACK is formerly known as Devin James Miclette, set forth on a journey that inspired years of material built by the experiences of their past.

Growing up in a world where music was a way of self expressing oneself and turning to in times of trouble, it was inevitable that IVØRY would turn to it when waters were the roughest. “My parents listened to a lot of classics such as Fleetwood Mac, The Beatles, The Bee Gees, The Rolling Stones, and Tom Petty just to name a few”, IVØRY has said. One of which, when a child, IVØRY almost burned out a Robbie Dupree single “Steal Away’’ due to the catchy rhythms and melody of the song. “I wasn’t really allowed to listen to newer things, ultimately cause of how conventional my parents really were.”

11:07

11. IVØRY BLACK – “Third Degree” (Live)
also available on: Ready Get Set EP / Independent / June 23, 2015

IVØRY is playing the Crossroads Music Fest, September 10.

IVØRY BLACK will play Davey’s Uptown 3402 Main St, August 20, with American Slim, and The Fade.

Even though being independent has proven difficult for some musicians to be discovered, Ivory sees no competition but an opportunity to be a part of the underground music scene, and continue to grow and move forward gaining new confidence, and working to get the music out to new listeners.

IVØRY BLACK is currently working on a new album

10:23

12. IVØRY BLACK – “Raging Reality” (Live)
(One of IVØRY’s older songs, written 8 years ago.)

IVØRY BLACK is currently working on a complete revamp of how the shows will be performed. The band is now a 4-piece with a keyboardist/guitarist/back vocalist, drummer, and bass player.

IVØRY BLACK is working to touring next year.

IVØRY BLACK was part of the Ryan Wilks Art exhibition “Gender Treason” at Leedy Voulkos Gallery

IVØRY BLACK will be seen in new series about music and cocktails on The Bridge 90.9

IVØRY BLACK has released a 7-minute EPK, (Electronic Press Kit) where you address your life, running away, coming to KC, and Caroline Gibbs, co-founder of the Transgender Institute.

IVØRY BLACK is playing the Crossroads Music Fest, September 10. IVØRY BLACK will play Davey’s Uptown 3402 Main St, August 20, with American Slim, and The Fade.

11:28 – Underwriting

13. Charlie Parker – “Yardbird Suite”
from: The Complete Savoy & Dial Master Takes / Independent / Sept 24, 2002
[In March of 1946, Parker composed and recorded “Yardbird Suite” for Dial with a septet that included: Charlie Parker on alto saxophone, Miles Davis on trumpet, tenor saxophonist Lucky Thompson, one of bebop’s greatest pianists, Dodo Marmarosa, Arvin Garrison on rhythm guitar, bassist Vic McMillan, and Roy Porter on drums. “Yardbird Suite” is a bebop standard. The title derives from Parker’s nickname “Bird”, respectively “Yardbird”. Far from being a suite, the song follows an AABA form. The “graceful, hip melody, became something of an anthem for beboppers.” There are only three known recordings of Parker himself playing the tune. The first two were recorded with a septet at Radio Recorders in Hollywood on March 28, 1946. The session was supervised & produced by Ross Russell for his Dial Records label. The last take of the tune of originally 4 became the master (takes 2 and 3 are lost), released as 78 shellac single.]

[Charles Parker, Jr. was born in Kansas City, Kansas, August 29, 1920, and raised in Kansas City, Missouri, the only child of Adelaide “Addie” (Bailey) and Charles Parker. He attended Lincoln High School in September 1934, but withdrew in December 1935, just before joining the local musicians’ union. Parker began playing the saxophone at age 11, and at age 14 he joined his school’s band using a rented school instrument. His father, Charles, was often absent but provided some musical influence; he was a pianist, dancer and singer on the T.O.B.A. circuit. He later became a Pullman waiter or chef on the railways. Parker’s mother Addie worked nights at the local Western Union office. Bands led by Count Basie and Bennie Moten certainly influenced Parker. He played with local bands in jazz clubs around Kansas City, Missouri, where he perfected his technique, with the assistance of Buster Smith, whose dynamic transitions to double and triple time influenced Parker’s developing style. In 1937, Parker played at a jam session at the Reno Club in Kansas City. His attempt to improvise failed when he lost the tune. This prompted Jo Jones, the drummer for Count Basie’s Orchestra, to contemptuously throw a cymbal at his feet as a signal to leave the stage. However, rather than discouraging Parker, the incident caused him to vow to practice harder, and turned out to be a seminal moment in the young musician’s career when he returned as a new man a year later. In 1938 Parker joined pianist Jay McShann’s territory band. The band toured nightclubs and other venues of the southwest, as well as Chicago and New York City. Parker made his professional recording debut with McShann’s band. As a teenager, Parker developed a morphine addiction while hospitalized after an automobile accident, and subsequently became addicted to heroin. He continued using heroin throughout his life, and it ultimately contributed to his death.Parker was a highly influential jazz soloist and a leading figure in the development of bebop, a form of jazz characterized by fast tempos, virtuosic technique and advanced harmonies. Parker was a blazingly fast virtuoso, and he introduced revolutionary harmonic ideas including rapid passing chords, new variants of altered chords, and chord substitutions. His tone ranged from clean and penetrating to sweet and somber. Parker acquired the nickname “Yardbird” early in his career. This, and the shortened form “Bird”, continued to be used for the rest of his life, inspiring the titles of a number of Parker compositions, such as “Yardbird Suite”, “Ornithology”, “Bird Gets the Worm”, and “Bird of Paradise”. Parker was an icon for the hipster subculture and later the Beat Generation, personifying the jazz musician as an uncompromising artist and intellectual rather than just an entertainer. Parker died on March 12, 1955. The official causes of death were lobar pneumonia and a bleeding ulcer, but Parker also had an advanced case of cirrhosis and had suffered a heart attack. The coroner who performed his autopsy mistakenly estimated Parker’s 34-year-old body to be between 50 and 60 years of age. Since 1950, Parker had been living with Chan Berg, the mother of his son Baird (who lived until 2014) and his daughter Pree (who died as an infant of cystic fibrosis). He considered Chan his wife although he never married her, nor did he divorce his previous wife, Doris, whom he had married in 1948. His marital status complicated the settling of Parker’s estate and would ultimately serve to frustrate his wish to be quietly interred in New York City. Parker wished never to return to Kansas City, even in death. He had told Chan that he wanted to be buried in New York, the city he considered his home. Dizzy Gillespie paid for the funeral arrangements and organized a lying-in-state, a Harlem procession officiated by Congressman and Reverend Adam Clayton Powell, Jr., as well as a memorial concert. Parker’s body was flown back to Missouri, in accordance with his mother’s wishes. Parker’s widow criticized the dead man’s family for giving him a Christian funeral even though they knew he was a confirmed atheist. Parker was buried at Lincoln Cemetery in Missouri, in a hamlet known as Blue Summit, located close to I-435 and East Truman Road. Parker’s estate is managed by CMG Worldwide.]

11:33 – Interview with John Nobles and John Scott

The Third Annual Charlie Parker Celebration commemorating the 96th anniversary of the birth of legendary jazz great, Charlie Parker, born August 29, 1920, starts tomorrow on August 18 and runs through August 27, in Kansas City Jazz Clubs, at the American Jazz Museum, 18th & Vine Jazz District, the Lincoln Cemetery (home of the Charlie Parker gravesite), and other historical KC locations, The celebration explores and recognizes the legacy of one the most influential saxophonists and jazz icons of all time. The Charlie Parker tribute, continues to grow locally and gain national recognition This year’s Charlie Parker Celebration includes: Jam sessions, a gravesight tribute, a historic jazz tour, and the series of events begins with a presentation by Dr. Ron McCurdy, professor of music at the prestigious Thornton School of Music at USC and former director of the Thelonious Monk Institute, who speaks on The Life and Legacy of Charlie Parker, on Thursday, August 18, 2016, at 6:30pm. in the Atrium of the American Jazz Museum, 1616 E 18 St., KCMO.

More information at http://www.kcjazzalive.org

The evening will also include the unveiling of a new exhibit about Bird’s formative years in Kansas City, A Musician in the Making: Charlie Parker in Kansas City, 1920-42. More information at http://www.americanjazzmuseum.org. Joining us to share inside details on all of the Charlie Parker Celebration events happening through August 29 are KC JazzAlive board member Mr. John Nobles and from Green Lady Lounge, Mr. John Scott.

John Nobles and John Scott, Thanks for being with us on Wednesday MidDay Medley

Parker was born in 1920 in Kansas City, Kan., and moved in 1927 to Kansas City, Mo.—where jazz was flourishing and the city was one of several ports instrumental in ushering in the musical improvisation style of Bebop, that is so identified with Parker.

Parker’s early music lessons occurred in the KC public schools. He began playing alto sax at age 13 and worked occasionally with semi-professional groups before leaving school at age 15 and becoming a full-time musician. For the next four years he would perform primarily in KC with a variety of local blues and jazz groups. His craft was developed mostly through practical experience and listening to older jazz performers. He began traveling to other cities in the late 1930s. He joined Jay McShann’s band, began touring, performed solo in many of McShann’s recordings and soon prominence followed.

As part of the Charlie Parker Celebration, organizers have assembled a series of events that offer performance, education and of course, tributes. The balance of those events are listed below.

***Thursday, August 18, at 6:30pm, Opening Night Reception & Lecture in Atrium of the American Jazz Museum, 1616 E 18 St. KCMO. The opening event features Ron McCurdy, a professor of music at the Thornton School of Music at University of Southern California. His talk is titled, “The Life and Legacy of Charlie Parker.” McCurdy is also past president of the International Association of Jazz Education and a consultant to the Grammy Foundation educational programs. Sponsored by American Jazz Museum in cooperation with KC Jazz ALIVE

***Thursday, August 18, 2016, also includes the unveiling of a new exhibit about Bird’s formative years in Kansas City, A Musician in the Making: Charlie Parker in Kansas City, 1920-42.

***Saturday, August 20, at 9:00am, – Charlie Parker Workshop: The Art of the Jam Session with Tivon Pennicott, artist in residence for 2016 Charlie Parker Celebration. Using the music of Charlie Parker and the historic social incubator of the jam session, students of all ages will get the inside scoop on jam sessions. We will discuss the skills needed, what to expect, and how to be prepared for the experience. The session will include improvisation instruction with top local players and an actual jam session where the students get to sit-in with KC’s best. Artist-in-Residence (AIR)—two-time Grammy winner Tivon Pennicott, a tenor saxophonist, will participate in many CPC events including accompanying local artists at the participating Charlie Parker Celebration jazz clubs. He released his debut album, Lover of Nature, in 2014.

***Saturday, August 20, Tour de Jazz — a bike ride that explores historic and contemporary sites in KC’s vibrant music scene. Hear great music along the route, learn about local jazz history, and discover beautiful neighborhoods. The 50-mile ride originates from the 18th & Vine Jazz District at 3 p.m. There are also a 30-mile bike tour (4 p.m.) and a family-friendly 10- mile tour (5 p.m.).

***Tuesday, August 23, at 5:00am – 6:30 pm, “We Remember Bird” in Atrium of the American Jazz Museum, 1616 E 18 St. KCMO – “We Remember Bird” a panel discussion explores stories of Kansas City Elder statesmembers and special guests. Panelists include Elvis “Sonny” Gibson, Grant “Groovy Grant” Hopkins, and 96-year-old Bernice Todd (widow of Parker’s friend Oliver Todd), jazz poet Daniel Jaffe, with special guests Kim Parker (daughter of Charlie Parker), and CPC Artist-in-Residence Tivon Pennicott. Moderated by Steve Penn (Coda Jazz Fund Chair). Sponsored by Kansas City Jazz ALIVE, American Jazz Museum, Church’s Chicken and the Elder Statesmen of Kansas City Jazz.

***Tuesday, August 23, 2016, at 7:30 pm, “Live Bird” A One Man Play By Jeff Robinson at Green Lady Lounge, 1809 Grand Boulevard, KCMO – At Charlie Parker Celebration Festival. Live Bird, is a one-man play written by playwright, director and saxophonist Jeff Robinson, celebrates the life of jazz legend and alto saxophonist Charlie “Bird” Parker. It is set in a bar in Harlem, NY in 1954. Bird talks about his days in Kansas City, talks to imaginary characters, imitates Lester Young and plays some of his songs.. Sponsored by the Green Lady Lounge in recognition of the Charlie Parker Celebration.

***Saturday, August 27, 10:00 am to 1:30pm – A Kansas City Jazz Historical Tour, at 18th & Vine District and select KC jazz sites. Hosted by jazz historian Chuck Haddix, the tour visits special sites in Kansas City that played a significant role in the life and development of Charlie Parker. The two-part tour begins at 10 a.m. at the American Jazz Museum with a walking tour of the Jazz District including details about Parker’s impact on the District. Venues on the tour include Lincoln Hall, El Capitan Club, Ol’ Kentuck BarBQ Local 627/Mutual Musicians Foundation, Lucille’s and Paseo Hall. Then the tour proceeds to Lincoln Cemetery for the annual Charlie Parker “21 Sax Salute.” Sponsored by KC Jazz Alive and KCTG (Kansas City Transportation Group).

***Saturday, August 27, at Noon, Graveside Memorial, 21 Sax Salute and a Birthday Celebration, followed by 1:30pm reception,Happy Birthday Bird!, at Lincoln Cemetery, Reception at Bruce R. Watkins Cultural Heritage Center – The annual musical salute originally created by KC Jazz Legends Eddie Baker and Ahmad Alaadeen, this event will feature a host of KC’s finest musicians in a stunning salute at the site of Charlie Parker’s grave at Lincoln Cemetery in east Kansas City (Truman Road and Blue Ridge Blvd.). The day includes a special reception hosted by the Bruce R. Watkins Cultural Heritage Center. Presented by the Kansas City Jazz Advocates, Bruce R. Watkins Cultural Heritage Center in cooperation with Kansas City Jazz ALIVE.

***Saturday, August 29, at 8:30pm, American Jazz Museum, Blue Room – Happy Birthday Bird! Capstone Showcase Concert. A special performance featuring Peter Schlamb. Sponsored by the American Jazz Museum in recognition of the Charlie Parker Celebration.

KC JazzAlive board member John Nobles told us more about Kansas City Jazz ALIVE: The mission of Kansas City Jazz ALIVE is to build AWARENESS, serve as a LISTENING body, provide a platform for integrating IDEAS, function as a VOICE, provide EXPOSURE to resources, and unite the Kansas City jazz community. As a catalyst organization—supporting artists, enthusiasts and venue owners, we strive to “raise the tide that lifts all jazz boats.” http://www.kcjazzalive.org

John Scott talked about Green Lady Lounge, at 1809 Grand Boulevard, KCMO, where live Jazz is presented seven days a week.

This year’s Charlie Parker Celebration at the American Jazz Museum commemorating the 96th anniversary of the birth of legendary jazz great Charlie Parker. The series of events begins with a presentation by Dr. Ron McCurdy, professor of music at the prestigious Thornton School of Music at USC and former director of the Thelonious Monk Institute, who speaks on The Life and Legacy of Charlie Parker on Thursday, August 18, 2016, at 6:30 p.m. in the Atrium of the American Jazz Museum, 1616 E 18 St., KCMO. That evening will also include the unveiling of a new exhibit about Bird’s formative years in Kansas City, A Musician in the Making: Charlie Parker in Kansas City, 1920-42.

More information at http://www.kcjazzalive.org

More information at http://www.americanjazzmuseum.org.

11:47

14. Tivon Pennicott & Sound Quartet – “Lover of Nature (feat. Mike Battaglia)”
from: Lover of Nature / Independent / November 25, 2015
[Debut recording from two-time Grammy winner Tivon Pennicott, a tenor saxophonist, who is in Kansas City as Artist-in-Residence for the Charlie Parker Celebration. Tivon Pennicott, will participate in many CPC events including accompanying local artists at the participating Charlie Parker Celebration jazz clubs. On Saturday, August 20, at 9:00am, Tivon Pennicott presents a Charlie Parker Workshop: The Art of the Jam Session. Using the music of Charlie Parker and the historic social incubator of the jam session, students of all ages will get the inside scoop on jam sessions. We will discuss the skills needed, what to expect, and how to be prepared for the experience. The session will include improvisation instruction with top local players and an actual jam session where the students get to sit-in with KC’s best.]

15. Creative Adult – “I Can Love”
from: Fear of Life / Run For Cover Records / August 5, 2016
[Creative Adult’s sophomore full-length Fear of Life finds the band peeling back some of their chaotic, fuzzed out psychdelia in favor of a newfound sense of melody. Taking cues from The Smiths and Oasis, jangly and melodic guitar lines weave their way through smoky, atmospheric west coast post punk. Recorded with Jack Shirley at his Atomic Garden studio, Fear of Life is Creative Adult at its best with just the right amount of polish to help guide through the hypnotic layers of sonic haze. Punk and alternative San Francisco based band formed in 2012, with Scott Phillips, RJ Phillips, Michael Bingham, James Rogers, Michael Fenton, and Anthony Anzaldo.] 

11:55:30

16. Beach House – “Majorette”
from: Thank Your Lucky Stars / Sub Pop / October 16, 2015
[Thank Your Lucky Stars is the sixth studio album by American dream pop band Beach House from Baltimore, Maryland, formed in 2004. The band consists of French-born Victoria Legrand (vocals, keyboards) and Baltimore native Alex Scally (guitar, keyboards)z. It was co-produced by the band and Chris Coady, and was released on October 16, 2015, on Sub Pop and Bella Union. The album was released less than two months after their fifth studio album, Depression Cherry. Described by the band as “not a companion to Depression Cherry, or a surprise, or b-sides,” Thank Your Lucky Stars received mostly positive reviews from critics.]

[Beach House plays Kansas City at the Uptown Theatre on Saturday, August 20]

11:59:30

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

Next week, August 24, we continue to spotlight Crossroads Music Fest artists with Heidi Lynne Gluck join us live in our 90.1 FM Studios. Also joining us on the show is Nathan Bowman of Attic Light and musician Desmond Mason.

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

Wednesday MidDay Medley in on the web:

www.WednesdayMidDayMedley.org,
http://www.facebook.com/WednesdayMidDayMedleyon90.1FM,
http://www.kkfi.org

Show #643