The Coda Jazz Fund Benefit Concert last Saturday made for an exciting evening of entertainment. Here are some of the remarks and vintage moments captured from my vantage point backstage.

U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver kept the program flowing, and he told me he looks forward to participating in the event each year. And he often boasts about the initiative back in Washington .

"I've seen the Coda event start out as an embryo, and now it's a full-fledged teenager," Cleaver said. "It's moving quickly toward adulthood. It's going to be one of the highlights for this community in terms of jazz for many years to come. Those of you who got it off the ground ought to feel extremely proud."

Saxophonist Bobby Watson performed a spirited set with students from the University of Missouri-Kansas City. Watson is preparing to take the university's 16-piece big band on a trip to Europe . The UMKC jazz band was chosen from audition tapes submitted to the International Association of Jazz Educators. The July trip will take the students to Paris ; Switzerland ; and the Netherlands . As he did last Saturday night, Watson probably will play a few tunes with his students. "You're not trying to show them up," Watson said. "You're trying to make music, and you want to keep it at a level they can reach for themselves."

Watson thinks the trip will make his band even tighter.

"When we can go across the water, it will create a bond that will last forever," he said. Singer Marilyn Maye accepted her lifetime achievement award with a song. While waiting for the distinction, Maye said a song by Ray Charles came to mind. "Hey everybody, let's have some fun," Maye sang. "You're only living once, and when you're dead, you're done."

Maye thanked the many musicians who have accompanied her over the years. "Whatever I've achieved, much of the credit goes to the many wonderful musicians who have accompanied me and the audiences that have been so loyal to me."

Pianist Joe Sample told the audience that he appreciated his inclusion in the event. "I must say, I've never seen anything like this," Sample said. "I want to thank you. I'm very, very supportive about what is going on here. Hopefully, you will be a guiding light to other cities."

Celeste Rogers Reed, who works on promotions and special projects with The Kansas City Star, is the person behind the scenes who pulls together the details for the concert. At a meeting earlier this week, she was recognized for her volunteer efforts with a special award. " Coda gives me the opportunity to work for a great cause," Reed said. "The work I've done has been a labor of love. After all, I love our local jazz musicians."

Von Smith's performance was the kind that the audience wanted to stand up for. On his first song, the 19-year-old singer from Lee's Summit received a rousing standing ovation. "It was a blast," Smith recalled. "I was superexcited to be onstage. It all just kind of happened out there. I wasn't nervous. And it became one of the best moments on stage I've ever had."