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Tradition of giving plays on
By Steve Penn, The Kansas City Star
 he show must go on. And the story of Gregory Green shows why.
Green followed in his father's footsteps as a Kansas City jazz guitarist. He had a great melodic style, but his renown had faded by the time he died earlier this year.
The Coda Jazz Fund stepped in to help lay him to rest.
The need to assist local jazz musicians continues, so the fund-raising efforts of the Coda Jazz Fund do, too. The Kansas City Star spearheaded the community effort three years ago to cover the burial and funeral expenses for jazz musicians whose families can't afford the cost.
The biggest source of money for the fund is the annual benefit concert. At this year's show on May 21 at the Gem Theater, the next generation of jazz musicians will share the stage with the artists they grew up listening to. The headliner will be flugelhornist Chuck Mangione, who played with Woody Herman, Maynard Ferguson and Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers. He had one of the biggest-selling jazz albums with 1977's "Feels So Good."
The concert will also feature Ellis Marsalis, regarded as the premier modern jazz pianist in New Orleans . Three of his six sons have attained worldwide acclaim. One of them, trombonist Delfeayo Marsalis, will play with the Logan Richardson Quartet.
I wrote a column on Richardson, a saxophonist, when he was a student at Paseo Academy . Today, the 24-year-old is holding his own on the New York jazz scene.
"It's about continuing the tradition," Richardson said. "I'm just trying to hone my craft so I'm a good representative for the jazz and for Kansas City ."
Singer Angela Hagenbach also will perform, and U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver will be the master of ceremonies.
The concert also honors local musicians. Last May, Claude "Fiddler" Williams' widow, Blanche Williams, received the award in his name, and pianist-vocalist Jay McShann received an honor. Honored at this year's event will be drummer Terry Hughes; bassist Milt Abel; saxophonist Eddie Saunders; Chiefs trumpeter Tony DiPardo; singer Myra Taylor of the Wild Women; singer-pianist Pearl Thuston Brown; and pianist Ronnell Bright.
Bright, 74, graduated from University of Southern California with a doctorate in music. He has played with such legends as Sarah Vaughan, Lena Horne and Peggy Lee.
"I'm a bit surprised," Bright said recently of the honor. "But I'm very much appreciative. It's a great feeling."
For the second year, Coda will also play host to the free Youth Jazz Band Concert and workshop on May 17-19 at One Kansas City Place downtown. Students will perform for the public during lunchtime.
"I applaud the musicians and the community for coming together," said Gerald Dunn, the music coordinator for the American Jazz Museum and a member of the Coda Jazz Fund board. " Coda has been able to figure out how to solve one problem."
The principal sponsors of the concert are The Star, Sprint Corp. and Gold Bank. Contributions to the fund can be sent to P.O. Box 412116 , Kansas City , MO 64141-2116 .
Tickets to the concert are available starting today at Ticketmaster by calling (816) 931-3330 or from the American Jazz Museum box office at (816) 474-8463.
Put two members of the Marsalis family on stage. Top it off with a legendary flugelhorn player. Mix in some young musicians and some emotion, and it promises to be a memorable night.
For previous columns, go to KansasCity.com.
To reach Steve Penn, call (816) 234-4417 or
send e-mail to spenn@kcstar.com
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