Marilyn Maye will pick up her Lifetime Achievement Award next weekend.

But she wants people to know that, despite getting an award for her career, she still has much to accomplish.

Maye will receive the award at the Coda Jazz Fund Benefit Concert on May 20 at the Gem Theater. The award is one of eight that will be presented that night.

"I'm not finished yet," Maye said. "I'm still singing, I'm still energetic, and I'm still happy."

Steve Allen is credited with discovering Maye as she sang in a Kansas City nightclub. Allen eventually turned Maye into a fixture on his TV show.

Maye went on to make numerous TV appearances and had a successful recording career. She's still wowing audiences today.

In October, Maye performed at the Lincoln Center in New York for a tribute to Jerry Herman, a well-known composer and lyricist. Herman had major hits with musicals "Hello, Dolly!" and "Mame."

"I did a lot of his material in front of him," Maye said. "And I've done `Hello, Dolly!' many times."

This October, Maye has been invited to perform again at the Lincoln Center. During our chat, she expressed gratitude to all the local musicians who have performed with her over the years.

"All the musicians I have played with here have been tremendous and an important entity in my performances," Maye said. "I love that rapport with musicians when I'm onstage."

Anybody who ever wonders if jazz will survive should visit Leon Brady's studio. Brady has spent his entire career teaching, nurturing and coaching young musicians.

Brady also will receive a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Coda Jazz Fund Benefit Concert.

Brady is worthy of the honor, and I should know. Brady was the band director at Sumner High School when I was a trumpet player in the stage band and marching band.

And he still has a knack for teaching teens to swing.

At Brady Music Studio, 1317 Central Ave. in Kansas City, Kan., he cranks out the next generation of musicians.

"I'm appreciative of the award," Brady said. "It has always been my lifetime achievement to work with the kids. I want to make sure jazz is preserved and passed on. My philosophy is, anything will die if it's not preserved or passed on."
Brady doesn't buy into the notion that interest in jazz has dwindled among young people.

"People say that jazz is dead," Brady said. "I disagree with that. If they come to 1317 Central, they'll see a big difference."

His four bands recently held a concert at Unity Temple on the Plaza. One of the musicians in his jazz combo wrote a tune that was performed.

"You can't imagine how that makes me feel," he said. "The kids get to the place where they're loving it so much that they enjoy spending extra time at it writing. That's the ideal situation."

I Get By With A Little Help From My Friends. The song aptly reflects my sentiments regarding this coming Monday. At noon, I'll be on the corner of 18th Street and the Paseo in the jazz district holding a 24-hour jam session to draw attention to the concert next Saturday and the remaining tickets. Musicians interested in coming out and sitting in can call Ray Reed at (816) 820-5680.

Tickets to the concert can be purchased at (816) 931-3330 or (816) 474-6262.
To reach Steve Penn, call (816) 234-4417 or send e-mail to spenn@kcstar.com.

 

 

REPRINTED WITH PERMISSION FROM THE KANSAS CITY STAR