Join us as we celebrate the life,
the music, and the iconic legacy
of Kansas City’s own:

Charlie “Yardbird” Parker!

Aug
22
Mon
CD Release Morgan Faw and The Flame + Jam Session with Houston Smith @ The Blue Room
Aug 22 @ 7:00 pm – 11:00 pm

SPOTLIGHT: CHARLIE PARKER EVENT

It Takes a Village – CD Release Performance featuring Morgan Faw and The Flame 
With a special edition of the famous “Blue Monday Jam Session” co-hosted by Houston Smith and Morgan Faw. (*Special Guest Appearance by: Bobby Watson) @ The Blue Room

Aug 22 @ 7:00 pm – 11:00 pm
First Set: “It Takes a Village” CD Release Concert Featuring: Morgan Faw and The Flame
Morgan Faw, saxophone
Alonzo Demetrius, trumpet
Miles Lennox, piano
Isaac Coyle, bass
Christian Napoleon, drumset

Morgan Faw was raised musically in Kansas City. This album release performance is his first of many expressions of gratitude to the greater KC community of artists, musicians, teachers, friends, and family who helped shape and raise him.

Morgan Faw, alto saxophonist, and composer


Recorded in April 2022, his debut album, “It Takes a Village” (ARC-8777), Artists Recording Collective – ARC Records, was completed on two separate days. The recording features all original music by Faw collaborating with trumpeter Will Mallard and one composition written by Pamela Watson

“This is my first step and attempt in truly giving back to those who taught me,” says Faw. “I want to celebrate this album with everyone who helped me. And to be able to release this project in The Blue Room at 18th and Vine is a dream come true. The historic Jazz District had been my musical home and arts family growing up. There is nowhere else I would want to celebrate this achievement.”

The community is invited to this celebratory event and open jam session to follow, “It Takes a Village.”

With a special edition of the famous “Blue Monday Jam Session” co-hosted by Houston Smith and Morgan Faw. 

Houston Smith, alto saxophonist, and composer
Aug
26
Fri
“Ode 2 Bird” featuring Houston Smith + Morgan Faw and The Flame. @ The Blue Room
Aug 26 @ 8:30 pm – 10:00 pm

FRIDAY, August 26 from 8:30 pm to 10:00 pm is “Ode 2 Bird” showcasing the 2022 Spotlight: Charlie Parker “Artists in Residence” – Morgan Faw and Houston Smith, and featuring Faw’s band “The Flame.” @ The Blue Room

The Blue Room at the American Jazz Museum, Spotlight: Charlie Parker, and the Kansas City community welcome the return of natives, Houston Smith, and Morgan Faw, (also known as “The Blue Room Babies”) with their “Ode 2 Bird” concert, a Celebration of Charlie Parker and his Music and Legacy.

This performance will also feature the members of Faw’s working band, “The Flame.” 

Conceived by the two alto saxophonists in 2020, “Ode 2 Bird” came from their idea of “pushing the envelope open” through expanding and raising the standard of music coming from a younger generation…a rather Hungry Generation. This concert also realizes the hopes of Charlie Parker himself, who stated as much in a 1954 interview with his contemporary fellow saxophonist, Paul Desmond.

“Ode 2 Bird” features special renditions of compositions by Charlie Parker and Kansas City natives such as Bobby Watson along with the original works of Smith and Faw and more!

Personnel: 

  • Morgan Faw + Houston Smith – Alto Saxophones
  • Christian Napoleon – Drums
  • Isaac Coyle – Bass
  • Alonzo Demetrius – Trumpet
  • Miles Lennox – Piano
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