Public radio has a new jazz, blues and comedy hour. 12 OCLOCK JUMP broadcasts live from the Mutual Musicians Foundation in Kansas City's 18th and Vine Historic Jazz District-- where Basie tickled the ivories and Dizzy Gillespie was introduced to Charlie Parker. Produced by Theater League, the show is broadcast live on KCUR-FM 89.3 in Kansas City every Saturday night at midnight and streamed and archived at kcur.org. Admission to the show is free. Doors open at 11:30 p.m. at the Foundation building, 1823 Highland.
12 OCLOCK JUMP combines Kansas City's jazz and blues heritage with songs and performers from the world of jazz as well as sketch and improv comedy. “It's sort of like Saturday Night Live but with more focus on the music," said the shows musical director, Joe Cartwright. “Each week, we celebrate the birthday of a jazz luminary and play some good old Kansas City jazz. Hopefully, our audiences-- both live at the Foundation and over the airwaves-- will be entertained while they learn a little more about the music."
July's featured artists include Louis Armstrong, Benny Carter, Oscar Peterson, Count Basie and Charlie Parker. Each week a special guest host is joined by the 12 OCLOCK JUMP house band: Joe Cartwright on piano, Tyrone Clark on bass and Mike Warren on drums. Vocalists David Basse and Nedra Dixon round out the ensemble, with actors Pearl McDonald and Pete Weber taking on the comedy chores.
Local jazz artists are featured on each show. In August, Lonnie McFadden, Kim Park and Basie band guitarist Will Matthews will join the 12 OCLOCK JUMP cast. Bobby Watson is special guest for the August 29th Charlie Parker salute.
Admission to the show is free; doors at the Mutual Musicians Foundation, located at 1823 Highland, open Saturday nights at 11:30 p.m. Proceeds from food and beverage sales benefit the Mutual Musicians Foundation, which is dedicated to maintaining the historic building--originally Kansas City's Black Musicians Union headquarters--and the tradition of jazz in Kansas City.
Jazz fans can hear the show live at 12 midnight CST at www.kcur.org. Podcasts of the weekly show are archived on the public radio site as well.
“We're hoping to take our show national, via the public radio system." explained 12 OCLOCK JUMP producer Karen Yuhasz. “This is a special building; and the history of Kansas City is intimately tied up with the history of early jazz, the development of be-bop and some of the greatest players in the music's history. We want to focus on that and have a good time doing it."
12 OCLOCK JUMP combines Kansas City's jazz and blues heritage with songs and performers from the world of jazz as well as sketch and improv comedy. “It's sort of like Saturday Night Live but with more focus on the music," said the shows musical director, Joe Cartwright. “Each week, we celebrate the birthday of a jazz luminary and play some good old Kansas City jazz. Hopefully, our audiences-- both live at the Foundation and over the airwaves-- will be entertained while they learn a little more about the music."
July's featured artists include Louis Armstrong, Benny Carter, Oscar Peterson, Count Basie and Charlie Parker. Each week a special guest host is joined by the 12 OCLOCK JUMP house band: Joe Cartwright on piano, Tyrone Clark on bass and Mike Warren on drums. Vocalists David Basse and Nedra Dixon round out the ensemble, with actors Pearl McDonald and Pete Weber taking on the comedy chores.
Local jazz artists are featured on each show. In August, Lonnie McFadden, Kim Park and Basie band guitarist Will Matthews will join the 12 OCLOCK JUMP cast. Bobby Watson is special guest for the August 29th Charlie Parker salute.
Admission to the show is free; doors at the Mutual Musicians Foundation, located at 1823 Highland, open Saturday nights at 11:30 p.m. Proceeds from food and beverage sales benefit the Mutual Musicians Foundation, which is dedicated to maintaining the historic building--originally Kansas City's Black Musicians Union headquarters--and the tradition of jazz in Kansas City.
Jazz fans can hear the show live at 12 midnight CST at www.kcur.org. Podcasts of the weekly show are archived on the public radio site as well.
“We're hoping to take our show national, via the public radio system." explained 12 OCLOCK JUMP producer Karen Yuhasz. “This is a special building; and the history of Kansas City is intimately tied up with the history of early jazz, the development of be-bop and some of the greatest players in the music's history. We want to focus on that and have a good time doing it."
For more information contact Theater League.
