When Milt Abel died earlier this year, the Coda Jazz Fund immediately stepped in to assist his family in their time of need.

And when the family of Linda "Lady Red" Oliver also needed assistance this past year, Coda responded as well. From Claude "Fiddler" Williams to trumpeter Oliver Todd, the Coda Jazz Fund has made sure area jazz musicians are treated with dignity and respect when they die.

The effort, which now stands around $100,000, always has relied on the support of the public. This year is no exception. The Coda Jazz Fund will hold its annual fundraising concert Saturday, May 20, at the Gem Theater.

The lineup of artists will include the incomparable Joe Sample Trio. Sample is a Grammy award-winning pianist who was one of the original Jazz Crusaders.

Singer Queen Bey, saxophonist Bobby Watson and the University of Missouri-Kansas City jazz combo will perform as well.

Von Smith, an amazing young vocalist whom I featured in this column, also will be featured. U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver will serve as master of ceremonies.

I recently spoke to Linda Abel, wife of the late bass player Milt Abel, who died in February at age 77. She plans to attend.

"The Abel family has been overwhelmed by the generosity extended through Coda," Abel said recently. "We hope in the future that we will be rewarded in a way that we can share back with our fellow musicians."

The event will feature the 2006 Coda Jazz Lifetime Achievement in Jazz awards. The recipients this year include saxophonist Robert Watson Sr., singer Marilyn Maye and former radio hosts Ginney Coleman and Ruth Rhoden. Band leader Leon Brady, pianist Pete Eye, bass player and singer Jackie Anderson and saxophonist Ahmad Alaadeen also will be honored.

I recently spoke with Maye, who will be there to pick up her award.

"I do so sincerely appreciate the Coda Lifetime Achievement Award," Maye said. "I consider it an acknowledgment from the great musicians I work with. As I see it, my achievement is to have worked nationally while remaining right here as a part of the Kansas City jazz scene."

Robert Watson Sr., another honoree, also plans to attend.

Watson is the 79-year-old father of Bobby Watson. The senior Watson is a fine saxophonist and once had a popular group known as the Gospel Jazz Messengers.

"I'd play with my mom when she sang with gospel groups," Watson told me, "and I've been playing ever since."

His son told me that he clearly understands just how vital the cause has become. In fact, Watson secured health insurance just five years ago when he was hired by the university.

"I've seen musicians die with nothing," Watson said. "The norm for that is always holding a benefit for them. I think Coda is beautiful because it helps them retain their dignity. It keeps their privacy. When families are forced to hold a benefit, that's not good."

To draw attention to the concert, I will once again be host of a 24-hour jam session starting Monday, May 15, at 10 a.m. on the corner of 18th Street and the Paseo.

The jam session will continue after dark at the Mutual Musicians Foundation.

Tickets to the Coda Benefit Concert are $125, $75, and $50 and can be obtained by calling Ticketmaster at (816) 931-3330 or at the American Jazz Museum admission desk at (816) 474- 6262. Contributions can be sent to Coda Jazz Fund, P.O. Box 412116, Kansas City, MO 63141- 2116.

 

 

REPRINTED WITH PERMISSION FROM THE KANSAS CITY STAR