Listening to jazz is a history lesson. When vocalist, “Big” Joe Turner was not yet that big, say 9-10 years-old he and his friends would follow the floats in parades presented by the Pendergast brothers, political bosses of Kansas City. The street kids picked up the coins tossed from the floats, intended to sway the city’s mayoral vote. One night in 1938, Joe and pianist, Pete Johnson, played Carnegie Hall, things changed. That same night, it was announced that, KC’s Mayor, Tom Pendergast, was indicted on charges of tax fraud was sentenced to time Leavenworth. Nightclubs closed, KC was ‘cleaned up’ and Joe moved on to Los Angeles where he continued his career in music. Joe claimed in the 1974 film, ‘The Last of the Blue Devils’ to have ‘invented rock n’ roll’ in 1936’. Because Bill Haley and his Comets covered Joe’s tune, ‘Shake, Rattle and Roll’ in 1954, bringing the music to white audiences. Subsequently, ‘inventing rock ‘n roll’. Derek Zinger joins jazz commentator, David Basse as they explore the ins and outs of Kansas City Jazz and its place in the history of the music. Perhaps the lawlessness and 24-7 party of Kansas City’s wide-open 1930’s did give birth to ‘rock ‘n roll’? Find our how, in this week’s Deep into Jazz.

Looking Forward

Listening to jazz is a rich experience, as is speaking with an expert jazz artist. Sit back and relax as Jeff Hamilton joins David Basse as they discuss the practice of music and the many ways to remain relevant in a youth centered culture. Hamilton is known to musicians as the drummer of choice with Diana Krall, pianist, Monty Alexander and the immortal bassist, Ray Brown. Jeff is a recording and touring artist involved in the direction at least 3 great musical acts, including the world-class Clayton Hamilton Jazz Orchestra, which he founded with brothers, Jeff and John Clayton in the 1980s.

Listening to jazz is like drinking water, essential to life sit back, relax, and join Derek Zinger and David Basse as they discuss the life of jazz bassist, LaVerne Barker. He was the backbone of the Apollo Theater for 10 years on the bass, a first-generation jazz musician, who also backed-up Redd Foxx and Nipsey Russell. It’s the Harlem of Count Basie and Charlie Parker with a preacher’s kid from KayCee they used to call, “Baby Brother”. Pork Pie Hats and high-drape pants optional.

There is something else that makes the music, other than melody, rhythm, harmony and lyrics. Many musicians say it is impossible to play improvisational music at a high level without a strong spiritual base. One must believe to create complicated music on the spot and life-long musicians who play jazz seem to rely on a higher power for their energy and drive. Derek Zinger and David Basse discuss the depth that musicians such as Ahmad Alaadeen and Jay Migliori of Super Sax get to with their music.

There is something else that makes the music, other than melody, rhythm, harmony and lyrics. Many musicians say it is impossible to play improvisational music at a high level without a strong spiritual base. One must believe to create complicated music on the spot and life-long musicians who play jazz seem to rely on a higher power for their energy and drive. Derek Zinger and David Basse discuss the depth that musicians such as Ahmad Alaadeen and Jay Migliori of Super Sax get to with their music.

Listening to jazz is nothing to be scared of, sit back, relax, and join Derek Zinger and David Basse as they discuss getting over the fear of listening to music that you don’t feel you understand. The hooks, the repeating choruses and insipid lyrics are gone, and we can get real about how very easy it is to “free your mind” and listen to America’s original classical music, JAZZ without feeling that you are unworthy of this marvelous joy that is available 24/7 worldwide. New standards and pop crossovers included.

Listening to jazz is nothing to be scared of, sit back, relax, and join Derek Zinger and David Basse as they discuss getting over the fear of listening to music that you don’t feel you understand. The hooks, the repeating choruses and insipid lyrics are gone, and we can get real about how very easy it is to “free your mind” and listen to America’s original classical music, JAZZ without feeling that you are unworthy of this marvelous joy that is available 24/7 worldwide. New standards and pop crossovers included.

“Jazz in general, what exactly is jazz?” Is the question that began this journey for Derek Zinger and David Basse. This episode goes to the roots, pianist Euday Bowman, The Original Dixieland Jazz Band and all of those that chose to improvise, instead of those that choose to keep their eyes on the roadmap.

“Jazz in general, what exactly is jazz?” Is the question that began this journey for Derek Zinger and David Basse. This episode goes to the roots, pianist Euday Bowman, The Original Dixieland Jazz Band and all of those that chose to improvise, instead of those that choose to keep their eyes on the roadmap.

Seven years of weekly letters from Nan Hill are housed in the LaBudde Archives, in the Miller Nichols Library, at the University of Missouri, Kansas City. David built a radio concept from the many letters and the comments that Nan and David shared between 2004 and her demise in 2011. They discussed the idea of David continuing his work in radio on a national level.