KCKCC Jazz Band takes US-Cuban relations to new level

By ALAN HOSKINS

HAVANA, CUBA – On hand for the historic warming of U.S. and Cuban relations, the Kansas City Kansas Community College Blue Devil Jazz Band took the warming to another level.

Arriving in this Cuban capital for their performances in the Havana Jazz Festival Nov. 16, the Jazz Band entourage arose the next morning to the news that the U.S. and Cuba had exchanged political prisoners and opened the door to sweeping changes in U.S.-Cuban policy that has existed since 1961.

Kansas State University Marching Band named best in the land

KANSAS CITY, KAN. ---- The Pride of Wildcat Land, the Kansas State University Marching Band, has been recognized as the best marching band in the nation.

The band has received the Sudler Trophy, which is given every two years to recognize the top marching band in the U.S.
 Frank Tracz, professor of music and the university's director of bands, received the award Friday at the McCormick Place Convention Center in Chicago.

Bishop Ward music students perform for the community

Courtesy of Bishop Ward High School

KANSAS CITY, KAN  — Sounds of the Christmas Season were heard throughout Bishop Ward High School recently.

The Bishop Ward Instrumental Band brought some holiday cheer to fellow students and throughout the Kansas City metro with a variety of performances in the month of December.

On December 5, Cyclone musicians greeted incoming students before school with a host of Christmas melodies to the enjoyment of all who entered the school that morning.

Residents at the Don Bosco Senior Center were also serenaded by Bishop Ward musicians with a classic Christmas performance on December 10.

This annual tradition started five years ago at the invitation of mutual benefactors at Mark One Electric Co.

The final performance on December 12 was for the entire student body during all lunch periods. This performance followed a beautiful celebration of the feast day of Our Lady of Guadalupe at the Cathedral of Saint Peter.

The students continued the celebration and joined in the caroling making for a festive atmosphere before final semester exams next week.

Cyclone Band Director and Teacher, Mr. Adam Braunschweig noted that “band members love to showcase their talent and enthusiasm for music. Music is a simple, yet beautiful gift that they enjoy sharing with others, especially during this time of the year.”

3rd Kansas City Jazz Summit at KCKCC exceeds all expectations

By ALAN HOSKINS

For most of the 700 musicians from three states, the 3rd Annual Kansas City Jazz Summit provided them with their first look at Kansas City Kansas Community College.

“It had a real impact on those who had never been here,” said Jim Mair, Director of Jazz Music at KCKCC and founder and organizer of the three-day Jazz Summit that attracted 35 middle school, high school and college bands from three states.

A veteran of countless jazz festivals, workshops and clinics, Mair said the Summit exceeded even his high expectations.

“We had killer sound from Ian Corbett, killer lighting from Charlie Leader and the kids noticed it. The sound was the best I’ve ever heard at a college jazz festival. Dr. Corbett and his students in Audio Engineering ran sound and recorded every band and literally handed each director a CD of their performance and critique within minutes of their performances.”

The lighting was provided by Dr. Charles Leader, Professor of Theatre, and helped give the Performing Arts Center the look of a New York City loft complete with wall banners and posters.

“Having judged festivals around the continent, our stage was dressed and lighted to the nines,” said Mair. “If it sounds like I’m gushing, I am. The sound and lighting was the best I’ve seen or heard and literally knocked the socks off the participating bands.”

Mair said the use of KCKCC’s TV station Channel 17 also opened some eyes.

“Not only was the use of the TV station as a warm-up room critical to making things run smoothly, students were surprised the College has a TV station and thought it was real cool.”

The Summit was highlighted by the Kansas City Jazz Heritage “Basically Basie” competition won for the third straight year by Blue Valley Northwest High School. The championship was decided by members of the audience who were able to text their votes.

Mair said the 35 bands which competed came from as far away as Springfield and St. Louis in Missouri, Iowa and western Kansas and represented a 15 percent increase in participants.

Participating bands included four college bands, Johnson County Community College, Penn Valley, Southwestern Iowa and Washburn University along with KCKCC.

KCKCC jazz ensembles performed seven times during the Summit.

“The band played lunch concerts so the students were able to hear our students playing at a higher level,” said Mair. “Our students come from all over and each was introduced so the audience got an idea of the diversity of the band. Also, I received a lot of great feedback on how well it was run, the good communications and how everything was on time.”

Two adjunct members of the KCKCC faculty, Steve Molloy on brass and Brett Jackson on woodwinds, adjudicated the Summit.

“They really made a huge impact, positive and powerful,” said Mair. Prizes for outstanding soloists were donated by John Burright, Director of the KCKCC Bookstore.

Other support was provided by Dr. Cherilee Walker, Dean of Humanities and Fine Arts; John Stafford II, Director of Choral Music; Bill Yeazel, Director of the Performing Arts Center; Barbara Clark-Evans, Director of the Intercultural Center; Jeff Sixta, Dan Ward and their Buildings and Grounds staff; Linda Burgess, Latisha Wheeler, Stacie Beebe and Mary Mair.

PHOTOS: KCKCC, Whitmer trade jazz appearances

By ALAN HOSKINS

Last week, Jim Mair’s Kansas City Kansas Community College Jazz Ensemble and two combos performed at Tim Whitmer’s “Spirituality and All That Jazz” series at Unity on the Plaza.

Whitmer’s trio was featured at the last in the “Jazz by the Lake” series on the KCKCC campus.

One of Kansas City’s best known and most popular pianists, Whitmer was by joined James Albright on bass and Grammy-nominated Rod Fleeman on guitar. (KCKCC Photos by Alan Hoskins)

KCKCC Jazz Ensemble to perform April 3

Award-winning Kansas City Kansas Community College Jazz Ensembles and the Kansas City High School All-Star Jazz Band will fill Unity on the Plaza with great jazz Wednesday, April 3.

KCKCC’s annual appearance in Unity’s “Spirituality and All That Jazz” series, the performances will be held from 7-8:30 p.m. at Unity on the Plaza at 47th and Jefferson on the Country Club Plaza. Admission is $7.

Directed by Jim Mair, the 17-piece KCKCC Jazz Ensemble received No. 1 ratings at the recent University of Kansas and Pittsburg State Jazz Festivals.

The big band will be joined by the KCKCC Jazz Combos No. 1 and No.2, both of which also received No. 1 ratings at the two jazz festivals and are directed by Mair.

The most acclaimed trumpeter in Kansas City, Herman Mehari, will direct the Kansas City High School All-Stars, a group hand selected from the very best high school musicians in the metropolitan era.

“It’s a chance to hear the new breed of jazz musicians in our great city and have the peace of mind that the future of Kansas City jazz is in superb hands,” said Mair.

Jazz selections will come from such greats as Count Basie, Miles Davis, Woody Herman, Phil Woods, Clark Terry, Jerome Kern, Johnny Mercer and the Gershwins.  

Music of Broadway at West Wyandotte Library March 28

By ALAN HOSKINS

The golden age of Broadway music will fill the auditorium at the West Wyandotte Library Thursday, March 28.

The second in a six-part series on America’s popular music made possible by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities to Kansas City Kansas Community College, the program is open to the public without charge and will be held at 6:30 p.m. at the West Wyandotte Library at 1737 No. 82nd Street.

In addition to documentaries on the music of Broadway, Breanna Danielle and Guy Gardner will be on hand as guest artists.

A native of the Lansing/Leavenworth area, Danielle is a graduate of the Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts in London, England.

An adjunct instructor at KCKCC, she has appeared in such productions as “Oliver!,” “Happy Days: The Musical,” “The 39 Steps," "Design for Murder” and “Nun Crackers: the Musical.”

Famed folk duo "Sparky & Rhonda" in two shots at KCKCC March 27

By ALAN HOSKINS

One of the world’s most highly acclaimed folk duos, “Sparky and Rhonda Rucker,” will bring their music and story-telling to Kansas City Kansas Community College Wednesday, March 27.

Free and open to the public, they’ll present shows at 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center on the KCKCC campus at 7250 State Ave. In addition, a pre-concert reception will be held at the evening performance at 6:30 p.m. with music by the Sukiels.

“Sparky Rucker is unique! He’ll make you glad to be alive and struggling,” says Pete Seeger. “An absolute must concert,” said U. Utah Phillips while Phil Shapiro of WVBR said “Sparky and Rhonda continue to show just how lively the American folk music tradition can be.”

Performing for more than 40 years both domestically and internationally, Sparky and Rhonda have performed at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.; the Smithsonian Folklife Festival and at national folk festivals in Australia and Scotland well as on NPR’s Prairie Home Companion, Mountain Stage and Morning Edition radio shows.

Vocal music cabaret at KCKCC Tuesday, March 12

Kansas City Kansas Community College will roll out its best in vocal music in a Vocal Cabaret on Tuesday, March 12.

A fund raiser for the KCKCC Music Club, the Cabaret will open with a reception featuring live music and barbecue from Wyandotte BBQ at 6 p.m. followed by a concert featuring five choral ensembles at 7 p.m.

Directed by John Stafford II, Director of Choral Music, Mike Ning will be the accompanist for the 6 p.m. reception.

The concert will feature performances by three choirs and two vocal jazz ensembles, “Soulstice,” the second level jazz ensemble; and “The Standard,” the top level ensemble. Choirs performing are the Chamber Choir, an a cappella auditioned choral ensemble; the Concert Choir, a non-auditioned choral ensemble; and the Community Chamber Choir, an ensemble with community and student vocalists.

Tickets are $10 and can be purchased in advance by contacting John Stafford II at 913-288-7137 or jstafford@kckcc.edu.

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PHOTO: KCKCC’s premier vocal jazz ensemble, “The Standard,” is made up of (front row, from left) Lisa Bloom, Derek Wallace and Megan Young; (second row) Rex Hancock, Stormy Rhone, Morgan Tinsley and Andrew Robeson; and (back) Director John Stafford II. (KCKCC Photo)

America's Most Popular Music series coming to KCK starting Feb. 28

Much of America’s most popular music is coming to Kansas City, Kan., this spring and next fall.

Thanks to a $2,500 grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities, Kansas City Kansas Community College will present a monthly series on “A Film History of America’s Popular Music – From Blues to Bluegrass to Broadway” at the West Wyandotte Library at 1737 N. 82nd Street. KCKCC is the only college in Kansas to receive such a grant.

Blues and Gospel will be the focus of the first in the six-part series at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 28. The remainder of the series will include Broadway and Tin Pan Alley, March 28; Swing, April 25; Bluegrass, Sept. 26; Rock, Oct. 24; and Mambo and Hip Hop, Nov. 21.

“Each segment will feature a contextual discussion of the genre’s development, documentary footage of its stars, related artifacts, performances by local artists and refreshments,” said Dr. Cherilee Walker, KCKCC Dean of Humanities and Fine Arts who wrote the grant and is serving as project scholar.

The series will also spotlight the West Wyandotte Library’s extensive music collection which includes more than 5,000 items including CD’s and albums of every type of music – from jazz to hip hop and classical to country – and numerous books on the history and great arts from the Library’s fine arts collection.

“We’re really looking forward to it,” says Laura Loveless, Wyandotte West branch manager. “A lot of people don’t realize all the types of music that’s free to check out to broaden their music horizons. I just wished this had happened sooner and lasted longer.” 

Cheryl Postlewait, Director of the KCKCC Library, will serve as project librarian. Both Dr. Walker and Postlewait took part in a training session sponsored by the American Library Association recently in Chicago.

The West Wyandotte Library and KCKCC will be joined in presenting the series by El Centro, Inc., which will provide translations in Spanish.

Each session will feature a documentary film on the era and significance of each particular mode of music from the Tribeca Film Institute.

In addition, there will be discussions putting the various types of popular music into historical context, artifacts obtained locally and from the Tribeca Film Institute and performances by local artists. As part of the grant, KCKCC will have lifetime public performance rights to the documentary films.

An outstanding vocalist, Dr. Walker has opened for such well-known artists as Willie Nelson, The Mills Brothers, John Hammond Jr. and the Four Lads and sung in more than 35 countries throughout the world with the U.S. Navy and NATO bands.

Active as an Army Reservist, she sung the national anthem at Wrigley Field for the Chicago Cubs for their 2012 Memorial Day tribute to service members.

Dr. Walker will have a wealth of musical talent to draw from through students and faculty of the KCKCC Music Department.

In addition to local sponsorship KCKCC, the West Wyandotte Library and El Centro, Inc., national sponsors include the American Library Association, Tribeca Film Institute and the National Endowment for the Humanities.

KCKCC Community Choir to begin rehearsals Jan. 28

If you like to sing, Kansas City Kansas Community College Choir Director John Stafford II has the perfect group for you.

Rehearsals for the KCKCC Community Chamber Choir will begin Monday, Jan. 28, at 7 p.m. in the choir room (Room 2170 of the Humanities Building) on the College campus at 7250 State Avenue.

Open to any singer high school age and over in Wyandotte and Leavenworth counties who desires to sing in a large ensemble, the repertoire will include everything from major works to songs from all periods of music.

The main focus will be to perform in two major concerts including one with other KCKCC choral ensembles at the end of the Spring Semester. Experience in choral singing is recommended but not required.

Offered through Community Education, the cost is $20.

It can also be taken for academic credit. Persons may enroll in person at the Community Education Building on the east side of the campus; by phone at 913-288-7660; or on-line at www.kckcc.edu and clicking on Continuing Education and Fall 2012 Schedule. The class is listed under Community Education.

Additional information is available by calling John Stafford at 913-288-7137; by e-mail at jstafford@kckcc.edu; or on the KCKCC Choir YouTube link at www.youtube.com/user/KCKCCChoralMusic.

KCKCC winter choral concert at London Heights, Dec. 9

By ALAN HOSKINS

The annual Kansas City Kansas Community College Winter Choral Concert will be held Sunday, Dec. 9, at 3 p.m. at London Heights Baptist Church at 734 No. 78th Street in Kansas City, Kan.

Under the direction of John Stafford II, the concert will feature the Community Chamber Choir, Chamber Choir and Concert Choir in performances of scared and secular music from all musical periods.

“The audience will be invited to sing along to their favorite carols,” says Stafford. Open to the public without charge, a reception will follow.

Further information is available by contacting John Stafford at 913-288-7137 or by e-mail at jstafford@kckcc.edu.

KCKCC Vocal Jazz Ensemble performs 650 feet underground

Kansas City Kansas Community College vocal jazz ensembles have performed in a lot of different venues but never 650 feet underground.

Never until this past weekend, that is, when KCKCC’s vocal jazz ensemble “The Standard,” joined with two jazz ensembles from Hutchinson Community College in a performance 650 feet underground in the Kansas Underground Salt Mine in Hutchinson Nov. 9.

The next evening, “The Standard” along with “Sonance” and “Badinage” from Hutchinson, performed as part of jazz and barbecue concerts on the Hutchinson campus. Both concerts drew more than 100 jazz fans.

In addition, all of the ensembles took part in clinics with nationally-known vocal jazz educator Kerry Marsh, Professor of Vocal Jazz at Sacramento State University.

An award-winning vocal jazz ensemble under the direction of Director of Choral Music Activities John Stafford II, “The Standard” has been invited to perform throughout the Midwest including last spring’s Kansas Music Educators Association All-State convention in Wichita.

Members of the ensemble include sopranos Megan Young of Leavenworth and Stormy Rhone of KCK, altos Moran Tinsley of Bonner Springs and Lisa Bloom of Basehor, tenors Derek Wallace of Baldwin and Kaleb Lorg of Platte City, Mo.; and baritone Rashad Singleton and bass Andrew Roberson, both of KCK.

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PHOTO: A performance 650 feet underground in the Kansas Underground Salt Mine in Hutchinson and a clinic with nationally known vocal jazz educator Kerry Marsh highlighted KCKCC’s “The Standard” jazz ensemble in joint performances with Hutchinson Community College jazz ensembles. (KCKCC Photo) .

Vocal concert to wrap up four nights of jazz at KCKCC

A Fall Vocal Jazz Concert will wrap up four consecutive nights of jazz at Kansas City Kansas Community College Thursday, Nov. 15.

Two jazz ensembles under the direction of John Stafford II, “The Standard” and “Soulstice,” will present a free concert at 7 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center on the KCKCC campus at 7250 State Avenue.

The concert will also feature various soloists in music by Paul Simon, Bobby McFerrin, Take 6, the New York Voices, Laura Nyro and Lambert, Hendricks and Ross.

Members of “The Standard” ensemble include Andrew Roberson, Rashad Singleton and Stormy Rhone from Kansas City, Kan.; Megan Young and Kaleb Lorg, Leavenworth; Lisa Bloom, Basehor; Morgan Tinsley, Bonner Springs; and Derek Wallace, Baldwin.

Standing ovation for KCKCC trio in 'Jazz by the Lake' concert

By ALAN HOSKINS

A full house stood and applauded the Bram Wijnands Trio long and loud at Kansas City Kansas Community College Thursday.

The second in a “Jazz by the Lake” noon concert jazz series held the first Thursday of the month, the performance drew a standing room only crowd in the College’s Conference Center adjacent to the campus lake. 

“The thing that’s amazing is that all three of these musicians teach right here on our campus,” said Ray Daniels, a member of the KCKCC Board of Trustees.

An outstanding pianist and accordionist, Bram Wijnands is an adjunct instructor in bass and piano at KCKCC; Rod Fleeman, a three-time Grammy nominee; teaches guitar; and percussionist Jurgen Welge directs the College’s Latin Band.

“This was something of a reunion,” said Jim Mair, KCKCC Director of Jazz Music who founded the ‘Jazz by the Lake’ series. “Bram is originally from Holland and Jurgen is from Germany and they moved to Kansas City as part of the Bram Wijnands Trio in the early 1990’s.”

The Joe Cartwright Trio will be featured in the third concert of the series from noon-1 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 6. The 2013 schedule will feature Diverse Feb. 5, Chris Hazelton and Friends March 7 and Tim Whitmer April 4.

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PHOTO: The Director of Jazz Music at KCKCC and founder of the “Jazz by the Lake” series, Jim Mair (right) joined the Bram Wijnands Trio of (from left) drummer Jurgen Welge, guitarist Rod Fleeman and pianist Bram Wijnands in a concert that drew a standing room only crowd on Thursday. All three members of the trio are also adjunct instructors at the College. (KCKCC Photo by Alan Hoskins)  

Kansas City jazz documentary selected for Kansas International Film Festival

The Heartland Films, Inc. documentary “Kansas City Jazz & Blues; Past, Present & Future” has been selected for the 2012 Kansas International Film Festival (KIFF).

The festival showcases filmmakers from all over the world including some local filmmakers.

Former Kansas Citian and award-winning documentary filmmaker Sue Vicory’s jazz and blues film will screen at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 11, as the closing selection of the KIFF which is October 5-11.

There are two awards for documentaries, an audience choice and a judged best social justice film.  The winners will have a theatrical run at one of the local Fine Arts Theatres.

Before making her documentary, Vicory was unfamiliar with many of Kansas City’s local musicians and had visited 18th and Vine only once.  After learning more about Kansas City’s unique jazz history, she made a film that is a tribute to its past, present and future. 

The film, which is narrated by Nick Lowery, features original music and has been condensed from hundreds of hours of interviews and performances at B.B.’s Lawnside BBQ, Jardine’s, The Blue Room, Knuckleheads, and many other Kansas City jazz and blues venues.

11-week beginning guitar class begins September 19 at KCKCC

If you’ve ever wanted to learn to play the guitar, Kansas City Kansas Community College will provide that opportunity with a series of 11 classes beginning Wednesday, Sept. 19.

Taught by Mike Connolly, the classes will be held each Wednesday from 7-8:30 p.m. on the KCKCC campus at 7250 State Avenue. With the exception of Nov. 21, classes will be held weekly through Dec. 5.

The first session Sept. 19 will be an orientation to help determine the type of guitar to buy, how much to spend and other valuable information on playing guitar.

After orientation, students will learn description, layout and terminology of the instrument; basic major and minor chords and chord shapes; theory; and finger picking and other exercises with a goal of learning at least one song by the end of the series of classes.

The cost is $79 and persons may enroll by phone with credit card payment at 913-288-7660; in person at the Community Education Building on the east side of the campus; or on-line at www.kckcc.edu and clicking on Fall 2012 Schedule.

The class is listed under Continuing Education/Music & Dance.