Uncategorized
Coon Sanders Nighthawks Orchestra
As a boy in the early 1900’s, Carleton Coon (Coony), spent time around the Missouri River where he heard black men singing as they worked. He loved their songs, their music, and their rhythm, and taught himself to play bones—later… Continue reading
RED NICHOLS AND HIS FIVE PENNIES
“Actually, I believe that music, like every other art form, must change with the times.”
That was the philosophy of bandleader Red Nichols. Born in 1905, his father taught him to play coronet and trumpet. By age four, Red… Continue reading
Jazz in Early Kansas City The Reno Club
In 1935, The Reno Club was a speakeasy off Twelfth Street with a bar, a bandstand, and chorus girls who might have doubled as prostitutes.
Marijuana cigarettes cost 5 cents apiece
Domestic scotch—10 cents
Imported scotch and other liquors—15… Continue reading
ADAM’S NEEDLE A FINALIST
Winning Writers has chosen Adam’s Needle a finalist in the North Street Book Prize competition. The story of incest, murder, adultery, neo-nazi white supremacists, brilliant professors, green agriculture, corrupt police, corrupt preachers, ugly right wing conservatism, gross ignorance, wild women,… Continue reading
ROYALS
Whew! The game Friday night between our Kansas City Royals and the Toronto Blue Jays was a cracker jack. We were at home sweating it out. I get so nervous when the Royals are behind, I have to switch channels.… Continue reading
