While the second half of the show featured a few numbers with Singleton’s smaller combo and special guest vocalists Ann Caldwell and Tony Burke (both of whom performed at last March’s dazzling “South Carolina Hit Parade” concert), the band’s mesmeric first set stood out. With Singleton carrying on as the bandleader (he often looked more like he was dancing and pumping his fists in approval than he was conducting), the CJO handled two sets of big band and a variety of seasonal pieces. “And Charlton is our Duke Ellington.” The emcee emphasized that many of the musicians on the bandstand were multi-instrumentalists - especially the wind players, who demonstrated a mix of skills, switching between saxes, flutes, and clarinets. “This big band is the new kid on the jazz scene block,” McCray boasted. The elegantly festive event kicked off the inaugural season of the Charleston Jazz Orchestra subscription series. McCray, of the newly established Jazz Artists of Charleston (JAC), co-produced the tuxedo-clad ensemble’s holiday concert with trumpeter and conductor Charlton Singleton. It was the official debut of the 20-piece Charleston Jazz Orchestra. The Little Big Band will also be playing some Basie favorites including “ One O’Clock Jump, ” and “ Shiny Stockings ,” as well as some classics from Benny Moten and Jimmy Lunceford, two of the earliest and best of the KC bands, and a Charlie Parker original.“We’re gonna swing and swing tonight,” Jack McCray announced to the Charleston Music Hall audience from his podium last Wednesday. In “ Meetin’ Time ,” you not only hear a revival meeting preacher (muted trumpet) calling on sinners to repent, but you can picture the stately church ladies in their big flowered hats (muted trombones), patrolling the hall for absentees. The Little Big Band will perform several of the songs from the Suite, including, “ Vine Street Rumble ,” a rocking blues that captures the rhythm and swing of the era “ Rompin At The Reno ,” an ode to the Club Reno “ Katy-Do ,” a ballad, dedicated to Basie’s wife, Katherine, a dancer he met working at Kansas City’s Club Harlem “ Miss Missouri ” a rhythmic blues that struts its namesake beauty contest. jazz era in an extended work for the Count Basie Orchestra, “ Kansas City Suite ,” which consists of 10 movements, each evoking a personality, scene or cultural element of the city’s rich musical life. Saxophonist, trumpeter and composer Benny Carter evoked the bygone K.C. This style prevailed until a local saxophone player named Charlie Parker developed a musical style that was a transition to the Bebop style of the 1940’s. Kansas City’s jazz style was blues-based, and organized around “riffs” - repeated phrases used both as catchy melodies and as backdrops for soloists. During this period, as many as 30 cabarets and ballrooms flourished within walking distance of the corner of 12th Street, Vine and The Paseo. In Kansas City, during the 1920s and ’30s, jazz flourished under Mayor Tom Pendergast, with such greats as Count Basie, Joe Turner and Lester Young, to name just a few. He said that Kansas City is one of the places that can lay claim to being the birthplace of American jazz. In an interview with the Martin City Telegraph, Roht offered some background into the program. Reservations are strongly recommended – contact or call (913) 345-0909. Cost is $20 per person, and there will also be a cash bar. RC’s will be serving their delicious chicken buffet dinner between 5:00 – 6:30 p.m., with the music to follow. The concert will feature Kansas City Jazz, and include music from the Count Basie, Benny Carter, Benny Moten, Jimmy Lunceford and Charlie Parker songbooks that capture the style of that great era of big band music. The band, headed by saxophonist Lew Roht has been playing at RCs regularly since 2010. in Martin City, on Monday evening, October 2. The Little Big Band, a 16-member swing-jazz band will return to RCs Restaurant, 330 E.
Little Big Band Showcases Kansas City Jazz at RC’s The Little Big Band will perform several of the jazz tunes that put Kansas City on the map on Monday, October 2, at RC’s.
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