JAM Magazine: December/January 1998 Issue: News and Notes

Good News at The Foundation
In June, we reported on a major fundraiser at the Mutual Musicians Foundation called "Raise The Roof," its proceeds going toward needed repairs of the historic building at 1823 Highland. Now comes good news from Pam Hider-Johnson at the MMF that this first capital campaign of the decade at the Foundation has hit a sweet note. "We are very happy to have received a Challenge Grant from the State of Missouri, the Missouri Arts Council, and the African-American Cultural Initiative. The grant is for $15,000, and it has been made in the name of (bassist) David 'Daahoud' Williams." Half of the money has already been received from the Cultural Initiative, says Hider-Johnson, the other half will be received by the end of the year. "We have enough now to get the contractors rolling; and this is just the beginning. We have other local grants that are pending." Hider-Johnson also says that it is hoped the local government and other philanthropic organizations and individuals will jump on the bandwagon "now that the State has stepped up to the plate to help."

"We are elated about this," she says.

Call either 342-4233 or 471-5212 to learn more about and/or contribute to a very worthy cause.

Parkinson's Finale
As we mentioned last issue, UMKC Director of Jazz Studies Mike Parkinson is moving on to Webster University in St. Louis to become chair of that college's music department. He does have one more gig in KC, however. On Friday, December 5, at 7:30 p.m. his UMKC Jazz Orchestra will offer a concert "With Miles In Mind" at UMKC's Pierson Hall. It will also be the 10th annual Joseph V. Thomas Memorial Scholarship concert and will feature guest artist Gerald Trottman, a singer, pianist and composer from New York and the first Thomas scholarship recipient in 1987. It will be a fitting finale to Dr. Parkinson's 12 years at the helm. Call 235-2700 for ticket information.

Chamber Jazz at The Folly
On Saturday, January 3, at the Folly Theater, acclaimed jazz pianist Fred Hersch will make a rare Kansas City appearance. Also somewhat rare will be the hybrid format of the concert itself in which Hersch and his trio will be performing with the Kansas City Chamber Orchestra. For ticket information, call 235-2700. And to learn more about the evening from Hersch himself, turn to this issue's exclusive JAM interview.

And Speaking of Folly Jazz...
Next on the Folly Jazz Series calendar is woodwind whiz Don Byron, who, during his last KC appearance (at Station Casino in February) brought his improvisational fires to the Robert Altman all-star "Kansas City" band. On Saturday, January 17, Byron and his "Bug Music" Orchestra will appear at the Folly for an 8:00 p.m. show. The City Pages in Minneapolis recently had this to say about the clarinetist/composer's work. "This is the kind of music that validates the past while establishing new frontiers, and should place Byron among jazz's most significant innovators." For more about Don Byron and band, check out this issue's edition of "Folly Jazz News."

A Mancini Pops
Composer/pianist Henry Mancini (1924-94) was clearly one of the more prolific giants in the history of popular music. And his connection to the world of jazz was, and still is quite strong. Memorable titles from the Mancini songbook such as "Moon River," "Charade," "The Days of Wine and Roses" and "The Pink Panther" will be among those performed by the Kansas City Symphony on Saturday, January 31 in a Nightlights Pops concert at the Music Hall. The evening's guest conductor will be none other than Bill Conte, a master of the film score in his own right. The downbeat is at 8:00 p.m. Call 471-0400 for ticket information.

Got News? Got Notes? Please send to: Editor/JAM, P.O. Box 36181, Kansas City, MO 64171-6181. Deadline for all submissions is the 15th of each odd numbered month.

RETURN TO DECEMBER/JANUARY 1998 MAIN INDEX

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© Kansas City Jazz Ambassadors 1996-2001. All rights reserved.






	Search our site:		Good News at The Foundation In June, we reported on a major fundraiser at the Mutual Musicians Foundation called "Raise The Roof," its proceeds going toward needed repairs of the historic building at 1823 Highland. Now comes good news from Pam Hider-Johnson at the MMF that this first capital campaign of the decade at the Foundation has hit a sweet note. "We are very happy to have received a Challenge Grant from the State of Missouri, the Missouri Arts Council, and the African-American Cultural Initiative. The grant is for $15,000, and it has been made in the name of (bassist) David 'Daahoud' Williams." Half of the money has already been received from the Cultural Initiative, says Hider-Johnson, the other half will be received by the end of the year. "We have enough now to get the contractors rolling; and this is just the beginning. We have other local grants that are pending." Hider-Johnson also says that it is hoped the local government and other philanthropic organizations and individuals will jump on the bandwagon "now that the State has stepped up to the plate to help." "We are elated about this," she says. Call either 342-4233 or 471-5212 to learn more about and/or contribute to a very worthy cause. Parkinson's Finale As we mentioned last issue, UMKC Director of Jazz Studies Mike Parkinson is moving on to Webster University in St. Louis to become chair of that college's music department. He does have one more gig in KC, however. On Friday, December 5, at 7:30 p.m. his UMKC Jazz Orchestra will offer a concert "With Miles In Mind" at UMKC's Pierson Hall. It will also be the 10th annual Joseph V. Thomas Memorial Scholarship concert and will feature guest artist Gerald Trottman, a singer, pianist and composer from New York and the first Thomas scholarship recipient in 1987. It will be a fitting finale to Dr. Parkinson's 12 years at the helm. Call 235-2700 for ticket information. Chamber Jazz at The Folly On Saturday, January 3, at the Folly Theater, acclaimed jazz pianist Fred Hersch will make a rare Kansas City appearance. Also somewhat rare will be the hybrid format of the concert itself in which Hersch and his trio will be performing with the Kansas City Chamber Orchestra. For ticket information, call 235-2700. And to learn more about the evening from Hersch himself, turn to this issue's exclusive JAM interview. And Speaking of Folly Jazz... Next on the Folly Jazz Series calendar is woodwind whiz Don Byron, who, during his last KC appearance (at Station Casino in February) brought his improvisational fires to the Robert Altman all-star "Kansas City" band. On Saturday, January 17, Byron and his "Bug Music" Orchestra will appear at the Folly for an 8:00 p.m. show. The City Pages in Minneapolis recently had this to say about the clarinetist/composer's work. "This is the kind of music that validates the past while establishing new frontiers, and should place Byron among jazz's most significant innovators." For more about Don Byron and band, check out this issue's edition of "Folly Jazz News." A Mancini Pops Composer/pianist Henry Mancini (1924-94) was clearly one of the more prolific giants in the history of popular music. And his connection to the world of jazz was, and still is quite strong. Memorable titles from the Mancini songbook such as "Moon River," "Charade," "The Days of Wine and Roses" and "The Pink Panther" will be among those performed by the Kansas City Symphony on Saturday, January 31 in a Nightlights Pops concert at the Music Hall. The evening's guest conductor will be none other than Bill Conte, a master of the film score in his own right. The downbeat is at 8:00 p.m. Call 471-0400 for ticket information. Got News? Got Notes? Please send to: Editor/JAM, P.O. Box 36181, Kansas City, MO 64171-6181. Deadline for all submissions is the 15th of each odd numbered month. RETURN TO DECEMBER/JANUARY 1998 MAIN INDEX ------------------------------------------------------------------------ © Kansas City Jazz Ambassadors 1996-2001. All rights reserved.