Kansas City’s history as a hub of great jazz is well documented. Artists such as Charlie Parker, Bennie Moten, Count Basie, Lester Young, Mary Lou Williams, and Joe Turner honed their sounds here. The list of top jazz players serving residence in Kansas City’s ‘school’ of jazz is long and star-studded. Today, there are more venues hosting some really nice talent than in years past. The Gypsy Jazz scene is relatively invisible, though. I’m hoping that this situation will improve in the next year. When Django appeared in Kansas City in 1946 as a guest soloist with the Duke Ellington Orchestra, reportedly 2000 patrons watched and cheered, mostly for the Duke, no review mentioned Django, even though he received billing as the ‘world’s greatest guitarist’.
On Saturday, the centennial of Django’s birth, the Folly Theater was host to a performance by Mark O’Connor and his Hot Swing band. The performance included guest guitarist, Frank Vignola. This time around, about 950 patrons attended and were treated to the sounds inspired by Django and Stephane, and the other musicians in the Hot Club of France. Read a review of the concert here.
Hopefully, we’ll see more GJ artists make their way to Kansas City. Until then, it would be nice to find a club that would host even a night of listening to GJ, whether it was live or just playing some the repertoire in the growing catalog of GJ music available. Remember the good old days of nursing your favorite beverage at Milton’s Tap Room on Main? The music played jazz steadily, and a sign over the bar read, “No requests – Like man, it’s free!” Wouldn’t it be great to find a spot like that open up again?
Is a Hot Club of Kansas City too far-fetched? I don’t think so. Kansas City has a wealth of talent, and it’s just a matter of time before this infectious music bursts through and catches on with the music lovers in the area. Want to hear more? Me, too!
