Results for "Kansas City"

Bobby Broom, Adi Meyerson & More

by Joe Dimino
December 3, 2018

The great New York-born, Chicago-based jazz guitarist Bobby Broom starts this week's episode of Neon Jazz with a tasty cut off his new CD Soul Fingers. As the hour moves forward, we focus on a musician that has played a great influence on Bobby, Walter Bishop Jr., and music from modern bassist Alexander Claffy.

Dave Liebman, Stéphane Spira and More

by Joe Dimino
November 26, 2018

The mighty NEA Jazz Master Saxophonist Dave Liebman kicks off this week's episode of Neon Jazz, as we play tracks from legends he played with over the years, like Elvin Jones and the mighty Miles Davis. We also take a look at the new music from the great Jared Sims and hear words of wisdom from ...

JMood Records Releases World Gardens By The Roberto Magris Quartet

November 22, 2018

JMood Records is pleased to announce the CD release of World Gardens by The Roberto Magris Quartet. “This music remains rooted in the jazz tradition. It uses the modern jazz idioms, but, will move in different directions as we match some African type rhythms with some European melodic concepts and harmonies, Asian sensibilities and classic scales ...

Vijay Iyer, Max Moran and more

by Joe Dimino
November 19, 2018

This week we begin with Vijay Iyer playing music from Far From Over, the powerful release he has recorded with his Sextet and profiling their show in Kansas City at The Gem Theater headlining a stellar night of jazz that was kicked off by a performance with Hermon Mehari and Logan Richardson. We also focus on ...

Gerry Mulligan, Adam Price & More

by Joe Dimino
November 12, 2018

This week we begin with a profile of a the fresh jazz sounds out of the United Kingdom with The Beats and Pieces Big Band featuring the group's leader Ben Cottrell off their latest commemorative CD simply entitled Ten. It celebrates a full decade of their groundbreaking jazz groove. The hour continues with a mincing of ...

Javon Jackson, Jonathan Finlayson & More

by Joe Dimino
November 5, 2018

This week's episode begins with the exceptional saxophonist Javon Jackson and music off his latest CD For You. The show revolves around Javon's long jazz journey as we play cuts from legends like Sonny Stitt and Art Blakey. The show goes on to highlight new music from Stefon Harris, Javier Santiago and Freckle Legend.

Playing Changes by Nate Chinen

by Joe Dimino
October 29, 2018

This week we look at a great new book, “Playing Changes" by Nate Chinen. The show begins with a cut by Arthur Blythe, “Jitterbug Waltz" and moves right on into a more recent cut from Kamasi Washington off his CD The Epic. The program goes on highlighting artists featured in each chapter of this groundbreaking book ...

Jay Lawrence, Christian Scott & More

by Joe Dimino
October 22, 2018

Neon Jazz continues to showcase the young talent in jazz today, and this week we profile the great jazz journey of Jay Lawrence, from his 2018 CD, Sonic Parago, to a cut from the legendary Dr. Lonnie Smith off the album Keep on Lovin'. Also featured is the rising Kansas City jazz saxophonist ...

Christopher Burnett

Born: November 2, 1955

Saxophonist, educator, and military band veteran Christopher L. Burnett is known for his warm and lyrical jazz sound. Following a 20-plus year military career during which he taught and performed, Burnett embarked on a fruitful career teaching at a university and became a performer. He continued to perform in his native Kansas, releasing albums like 2013's Time Flies, 2014's Firebird, and 2021's The Standards, Vol. 1.

Born in Olathe, Kansas, Burnett grew up in a military family. Consequently, he moved often before settling in the Kansas City area. Along with his older brother, drummer Richie Pratt, Burnett was exposed to music growing up. His mother introduced him to the piano and he was a member of the youth choir at his church. As part of his school band program, he took up saxophone and clarinet. After high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Army Music Program where, along with performing, he continued to pursue higher education, studying at the Armed Forces School of Music, Webster University, Missouri's Columbia College, Berklee College of Music, and American University. Burnett spent over 22 years in the military, rising to the distinguished rank of First Sergeant in the position of Enlisted Bandleader. While in the military he held numerous positions, including a staff and faculty assignment at the Armed Forces School of Music. He was also the Leading Chief Petty Officer of the NATO Band in Naples, Italy. There, he served as NATO Ceremonial Band Conductor, directed the jazz band, and performed as a featured soloist. Other assignments included being selected to play the lead alto saxophone chair with the West Point Military Academy Band's Jazz Knights, selection for assignment as a Jazz Ensemble Rehearsal Conductor at the Armed Forces School of Music, and being a featured soloist with the Hof Symphony Orchestra in Germany. By the time he left the military, he had been awarded both the Department of Defense Meritorious Service Medal and Army Meritorious Service Medal.

Brad Allen

Singer-songwriters are rare in the world of jazz, and even more so when the songwriter is a drummer. “It’s clear to me how everything I’ve done in my life has lead me to where I am right now in my music career,” says Allen. “I spent several years writing songs in other genres including folk, pop, rock, country and alternative. Those experiences definitely influenced my jazz writing. I want to write catchy, fun, interesting tunes that people will remember – tunes that other artists might also want to perform.” “I grew up in a small town in Nebraska. Not exactly a hotbed of jazz