#KANSAS CITY JAZZ ORCHESTRA REVIEW FULL#
#KANSAS CITY JAZZ ORCHESTRA REVIEW FREE#

Within minutes, he had the audience chanting with the beats of the 7/4 time-signature music. During one of the band’s more rhythmically complicated songs, Scales explained the complexity of the time signature to the audience. Scales also seemed to connect with the audience throughout the performance. “I have a reputation for writing complicated music,” Scales said during the performance. While styling domestic influences from the rock genre, the band also played with sounds from the Caribbean and Middle East. The trio of E’Lon JD on electric bass, Maison Guidry on drums and Jonathan Scales on the steel pans performed music with influences from around the globe. Jonathan Scales Fourchestra certainly had the most unconventional instrumentation of the five bands. Swagler in particular had several soul-filled solos.

She sang, soloed on trumpet, but also took a back seat on a couple of songs allowing other musicians to shine. Weber was very capable of taking on several roles throughout the performance. Though Weber is not a member of Good Company she was a very effective frontwoman for the band. The energy led Weber to dance on stage, often jumping up and down with the music, trumpet in hand. The performance was characterized by Weber’s joyful singing set to high-energy funk. Among them was Jason Swagler, director of jazz studies at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. She was joined by Good Company, a band including some of St. Louis trumpeter and vocalist Dawn Weber made her fourth MO Jazz Fest performance this year.

#KANSAS CITY JAZZ ORCHESTRA REVIEW FULL#

The band was characterized by the rough vocals of Dick and his brother’s electric solos on guitar Dave’s extensive vocabulary of R&B phrases was on full display throughout the performance. The brothers are joined by drummer Michael Cherry. The band is fronted by brothers Dick and Dave Prüitt, who play bass and electric guitar respectively. Though not strictly a jazz performance, The Bel Airs brought music to the festival full of rock-n-roll influence and reminiscent of the Chicago blues tradition.

The Bel Airs are a gritty trio of blues musicians. “It’s a culture that allows a lot more collaboration and love of the music.”įierke and their band certainly all have brilliant futures on the horizon.Ĭhanging directions completely from the modern fusion of Fierke’s performance, the audience was treated to another local group. “Growing up here you get a lot of people that really care and have a lot of heart, and are ready to kind of slow down and grow together,” Fierke said of Columbia. Fierke also noted the influence Columbia has had on their own experience with music. During their performance, they noted the importance of Missouri’s historical contribution to jazz music, specifically noting Kansas City and St. “And sometimes, if I stick to all the traditional sounds it can limit what I have access to.”Īlthough they are currently studying in Massachusetts, Fierke still calls Columbia home. “I love picking up sounds from anywhere I can,” Fierke said. The time in each song carried an airy lightness while still contributing to an energetic performance overall.Ĭomparisons could easily be made between Fierke and other laid-back female vocalists like Diana Krall, but her vocal style is also edged with a tone reminiscent of modern pop vocalists. The group performed several pieces off of Fierke’s 2022 album “Mirage,” including “ Kick it Loose” and “ Smile Again.” They also performed a few modern standards - among them Chick Corea’s “ Spain.” The band demonstrated great control of feel. Their vocals were accompanied by Samuel Luetkemeyer on keyboard, Mickey Jamieson on bass, Loyd Warden on drums and Trevor Philippe on saxophone and flute. Fierke, who now studies at Berklee College of Music, brought an element of youthfulness to the festival.

Here is a brief review of each band as they appeared at the festival.Ĭolumbia’s very own Samantha Fierke opened the festival. The main event for the evening was The Lao Tizer Band with nine-time Grammy-nominated and two-time Grammy-winner saxophonist Eric Marienthal.

#KANSAS CITY JAZZ ORCHESTRA REVIEW FREE#

The free event, organized annually by the Jazz Forward Initiative, hosted Samantha Fierke, Jonathan Scales Fourchestra, Dawn Weber & Good Company and The Bel Airs. The 2023 MO Jazz Music Festival featured locally known and nationally acclaimed musicians at Rose Music Hall on Sept.

Kansas city jazz orchestra review