Results for "Kansas City"

George Freeman, Ermelinda Cuéllar, Bennie Moten & Lonnie McFadden

by Joe Dimino
April 20, 2025

We're kicking off the 902nd episode in style--with none other than the King of Kansas City Jazz himself, Lonnie McFadden. We drop the needle on a fiery cut from his 2018 album Live at the Green Lady Lounge, and it sets the tone just right. During a recent chat with Lonnie, he gave us the lowdown ...

Kenny Barron, Mitch Towne, Zhengtao Pan and The Count Basie Orchestra

by Joe Dimino
April 13, 2025

Kicking off the 901st episode of Neon Jazz, we ride in with the legendary sounds of the world-famous Count Basie Orchestra. As Kansas City gears up for the grand 90th Celebration of Count Basie at The Music Hall on April 30, 2025, we shine a spotlight on band director Scotty Barnhart and the powerhouse ensemble keeping ...

Carla Bley, Count Basie, Diane Schuur, Hubert Laws & Sonny Rollins

by Joe Dimino
April 6, 2025

Welcome to the 900th episode of Neon Jazz! After 14 incredible years, we've hit yet another milestone--one that wouldn't be possible without the legends who have shaped jazz and the fans who've supported us every step of the way. For this special hour, we take a deep dive into the icons who have defined the sound ...

George Coleman, Reggie Watkins, Leon Anderson & Sean Nelson

by Joe Dimino
March 30, 2025

The 899th episode of Neon Jazz kicks off with a blast of energy, as trombonist Sean Nelson leads the charge with the New London Big Band, setting the tone with a fiery track from his brand-new 2025 album, Don't Stop Now. From there, we pay tribute to one of Sean's greatest inspirations--the legendary Harry James--before diving ...

Roy Ayers, John Ellis, Ben Markley & Jazz Sabbath

by Joe Dimino
March 23, 2025

Welcome to the 898th episode of Neon Jazz, where we dive deep into the heartbeat of jazz--past, present, and future. We kick things off with the legendary Jazz Sabbath, helmed by the seasoned Adam Wakeman, bringing their signature blend of jazz-infused reinvention. Then, we take a moment of reverence for the late, great Roy Ayers, a ...

Greg Abate, Steve Allee, Dave Potter & Thomas Marriott

by Joe Dimino
March 16, 2025

From the powerhouse trumpeter out of Seattle, we launch into the 897th episode of Neon Jazz with a perfect fusion of grace and power. Leading the charge is veteran trumpeter Thomas Marriott, setting the tone with a track from his 2025 album, Screen Time--proving once again why he's one of the most compelling voices on the ...

David Pastor trio featuring Anna Pauline & Mattias Nilsson at Barcelona Jamboree Sala 3

by Artur Moral
March 14, 2025

David Pastor Trio featuring Anna Pauline & Mattias Nilsson Jamboree Sala 3 Barcelona, Spain Pur Jazz March 4, 2025 If David Pastor had been born, say, in Sedalia, Missouri, instead of in Sedaví, in the Spanish Valencia province, his professional career and its media impact would probably have been quite ...

Henry Scamurra

21 year old Henry Scamurra is currently at UMKC's Conservatory working towards a BM in Jazz Studies where he's being taught by legendary musicians Carl Allen, Adam Larson, and Stephen Martin. Recently he was selected for the 2024 Betty Carter Jazz Ahead program at the Kennedy Center.

Raised in St. Joseph, MO, Henry was recognized early on being accepted into the 2020 Jazz Band of America at 16 years old. He knew he wanted to share music by then and has been scheduling and performing in the Kansas City area for the last five years. As a performer, Henry has played at the Coleman Hawkins Jazz Festival, Northwest Missouri State Jazz Festival, and was a part of the KCJO's Riff Generation cohort for 2023.

OJT

OJT builds on the classic organ jazz trio by mixing old school Kansas City jazz with blues and a modern funky groove.  Ken Lovern on Hammond organ, Kenny Watson Jr. on drums, and Brian Baggett on guitar play equal parts in balanced arrangements with outstanding improvisations. OJT has been a band for more than 20 years and it shows.  Kenny Watson Jr. has been with the group for just over two years, and he brings a fresh groove to the old school organ jazz jams.  

OJT is: 

Ken Lovern:  Hammond Organ

Brian Baggett: Guitar

Kenny Watson Jr.: Drums

Ken Lovern

Born: November 20, 1965

Ken Lovern is the hammond organist and composer that drives the bus that is OJT. Ken was born in the Kansas City area on November 20, 1965, and he has been a professional musician most of his adult life. Even before graduating from the Conservatory of Music of the University of Missouri at Kansas City in 1989, Ken went to work with legendary Kansas City vocalist, Ida McBeth. Ken currently plays at the Green Lady Lounge most nights in any given week. OJT plays there every Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday night.   Ken also plays with Guitar Elation, featuring legendary guitarist Danny Embrey, on Thursday nights.