[Dixielandjazz] "Kansas City Jazz and Blues" documentary

[Robert Ringwald]

KC's Jazz Story Told in Documentary Premiering Friday
by Robert W. Butler
Kansas City Star, May 2, 2010
It has taken 3 1/2 years, almost 50 filmed interviews, dozens of live shows and 150
hours of footage, but "Kansas City Jazz and Blues: Past, Present and Future" is ready
for its close-up.
Sue Vicory's homegrown documentary about the local jazz scene will have its premiere
Friday at the Gem Theater in the 18th and Vine District.
KC jazz legend Marilyn Maye will receive a lifetime achievement award at the event,
a fundraiser for the Kansas City Blues Society, UMKC Jazz Studies, Leon Brady's Kansas
City Youth Jazz and the American Jazz Museum.
"It's a story of who we are, where we've been and where we're going," Vicory said
of the hourlong film.
A 25-year resident of Kansas City, Vicory said she'd visited the jazz district only
a couple of times before starting the project.
"Now what really tickles me is the chance to bring down to 18th and Vine people who've
never been there before," she said. "In many ways jazz is the story of our town."
The film begins with the city's jazz heritage -- "the '20s and '30s, the rise of
new jazz voices here. There's lots of archival stuff."
"The central portion is about contemporary music. You've got artists like the McFaddens,
Karrin Allyson, Kevin Mahogany and the Wild Women of Jazz telling their own stories.
"And then there's the future, the educators like Bobby Watson and Leon Brady who
are teaching the young people who will become our future musical icons."
While making the film, Vicory religiously attended jazz and blues shows around town.
Her film is heavy with onstage performance footage captured at venues like B.B.'s
Lawnside BBQ, Jardine's, the Blue Room and Knuckleheads. More than 150 musicians,
venue owners, promoters and historians participated.
"I feel like I had good success in getting people involved," said Vicory, who financed
the project with her own money. "There were a few naysayers and conflicting egos,
but in the end the community wrapped itself around this project."
After Friday's debut, Vicory hopes to take her doc on the festival circuit. A DVD
release is also planned.


--Bob Ringwald
Amateur (ham) Radio call sign K6YBV
www.ringwald.com
Fulton Street Jazz Band
916/806-9551

Doesn't "expecting the unexpected" make the unexpected expected?