Zohar & Adam, Blue Devil Revival, Anthony Stanco & Jim Pugh

Welcome to the 984th episode of Neon Jazz. We are kicking things off with a triumphant Kansas City statement that sets the tone for one fantastic hour of music. The Mutual Musicians Foundation Band brings the heat with Blue Devil Revival, a powerhouse collection of some of the finest cats in the Kansas City jazz scene, reimagining a legendary sound with a fresh, modern twist. From there, we take you on a musical journey featuring the voices and artistry of Doc Watkins, Jim Pugh, Zohar & Adam, and Nick Hmeljak. Along the way, we turn up the volume on some remarkable musicians making their mark today, including Aaron Johnson, Gregory Chen, Anthony Stanco, Jeff Johnson, Ali Shaheed Muhammad and Adrian Younge. As we bring this hour of jazz toward its final notes, we spotlight a debut album from the terrific Johnny Valdes, Standards and Conversations. It is a fitting way to wind down a program packed with discovery, creativity and musical fire. We begin with the unmistakable spirit of Kansas City and bring it home with a glimpse of the city's jazz future as trumpeter Hmeljak leads his band Open Channel. From the roots to the next generation, this is Kansas City jazz and the wider world of great music all coming together. Turn it up, settle in and enjoy the ride. Dig the jazz, my friends.

Playlist

• Blue Devil Revival "Take a Drag" Birth of a Revival (Mutual Musicians Foundation International) 0:00
• Host talks 4:58
• Aaron Johnson & Gregory Chen "'tis Autumn" Serenade in Blue (Boptimistic Records) 7:22
• Doc Watkins "Things Better Left Unsaid" Songs of 2019 (Doc Watkins) 13:21
• Host talks 18:04
• Anthony Stanco "Tango Italiano" My Way (Live at The Blue Llama Jazz Club) (Anthony Stanco) 19:28
• Jim Pugh "American Symphony 1938-1st Movement-Vigorously" New American Symphonies (Anderson Audio New York) 24:48
• Host talks 31:25
• Jeff Johnson "Highwaymen" Meanwhile (Jeff Johnson) 26:00
• Zohar & Adam "Message from Above" Osmosis (Mack Avenue) 37:51
• Host talks 41:25
• The Midnight Hour with Ali Shaheed Muhammad & Adrian Younge "The Midnight Stroll" The Midnight Hour Lost Tapes JID028 (Sony) 42:34
• Johnny Valdes "Recordame" Standards and Conversations (Johnny Valdes) 45:32
• Host talks 49:36
• Open Channel with Hmeljak "Time Crunch" Single (Nick Hmeljak) 51:18