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The Folly Jazz Series starts its spring season with six-time Grammy-nominated singer Nnenna Freelon on January 14. Nineteen year-old saxophonist and singer Grace Kelly will appear with her band on February 4, and New York’s Vanguard Jazz Orchestra will grace the stage of the Folly Theater on March 3. The final performance of the series will be guitarist and singer John Pizzarelli, who will bring his reinvented jazz classics to Kansas City on April 14.

The Performing Arts Series at Johnson County Community College continues this year’s string of excellent featured artists with several jazzy additions to their calendar in January and February. The third annual Jazz Winterlude will take place over January 20–22, and will feature performances of all styles of jazz, from Dixieland to acoustic to Kansas City swing. Performing groups will include the Brandon Draper World Jazz Quartet, Dan DeLuca Trio, Kansas City Brass Quartet, and many more. The Brubeck Brothers, a quartet of jazz musicians formed around two members of the famously talented Brubeck family, will be the festivals guest clinicians, offering master classes, clinics, and workshops, and giving a public show on January 20. January 21 will bring Poncho Sanchez and his Latin Jazz Band to the JCCC Performing Arts Series, offering festival-goers an opportunity to add to their weekend of jazz experiences during the Jazz Winterlude.

Don’t forget about the UMKC Conservatory jazz combos and big bands, with performances on February 22 (with the Conservatory Wind Ensemble), March 7 and 14 (jazz combos), April 2 (Concert Jazz Band) and 3 (11 O’Clock Jazz Band).

The Lied Center of Kansas will play host to the SFJAZZ Collective on March 25. This eight-person ensemble will present a tribute to the works of superstar Stevie Wonder, performing their own arrangements of the singer/songwriters greatest hits. 

The American Jazz Museum’s Gem Theater will start the calendar year with Roy Ayers (February 11) with Jessica Care Moore and Louis Reyes Rivera, and will continue presenting shows and concerts through May. The Blue Room will continue in its tradition of hosting a variety of talented groups throughout the year, including the Kerry Strayer Quartet, Wild Women of Kansas City, James Ward Band, and many more.

Top Photo: Vanguard Jazz Orchestra

By Karen Hauge

Classical Contributor, Senior Editor

A native of New Jersey, Karen Hauge relocated to Kansas City in 2010 to attend UMKC in pursuit of her M.M. in flute performance. Since moving to Kansas City, Karen has been active as a performer within the Conservatory and as a music educator in the community, working with the Conservatory’s Community Academy of Music and Dance.

Karen earned a B.M. from the University of Delaware, where she studied music education with Suzanne Burton and Robert Streckfuss. During her time at Delaware, Karen was awarded several grants to fund an independent research project over the course of two years. The project and subsequent thesis, entitled “What Does It Mean To Be Musical?,” explored the ways in which people naturally interact with music in their everyday lives, and earned her a degree with distinction upon graduation. Karen has been active as a solo and chamber performer in Delaware, New York, and New Jersey. She has performed for world-renowned flute pedagogues such as Jeanne Baxtresser and Jeffrey Khaner, and has received honors for outstanding performance through her career at both the university and professional level. Her primary flute teachers have been Mardee Reed-Ulmer, Eileen Grycky, and Mary Posses.