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Making Movies
What's good? "We are getting ready to release a mixtape of sorts featuring B-sides, collaborations and alternate-language versions of our record in August. We've hit the road pretty hard the last few months — I think we did about 40 dates. Right now, we're organizing some international stuff that should be fun."
What do you think you sound like? "I'm not sure how to describe what we sound like, but I know what I'm trying to accomplish. I'm trying to steal the most genuine Afro rhythms from Latin America and write interesting songs based on that foundation."
Also nominated: Heroes and Villains
JAZZ ENSEMBLE
Barclay Martin Jazz Ensemble
What's good? "Our latest release is called Pools That Swell With the Rain, released last September. I'm writing for the next record right now, but in the meantime, there's the release of the feature-length documentary film Rise and Dream, for which I wrote the soundtrack."
What do you think you sound like? "A little pop, some folk, a bit of world music, and just enough improvisational elements to remind you of jazz."
Diverse
What's good? "Working on a jazz project to be recorded in Paris and another big non-jazz project with local Kansas City musicians. We're doing another 'Diverse Plays Michael Jackson' on October 28 at RecordBar, with the same lineup we had in April."
What do you think you sound like? "Original jazz music influenced by a mix of styles, including hip-hop, R&B, funk and gospel."
Anything else? "We're excited about Reach's nomination because he is an artist we work closely with."
Hearts of Darkness
What's good? "We're very close to finishing a second recording. No title yet. Recent shows include opening for Huey Lewis and Snoop Dogg."
What do you think you sound like? "If heaven had an anthem."
Anything else? "Not a lefty in the bunch."
Also nominated: The People's Liberation Big Band
JAZZ SOLO ARTIST
Bobby Watson
What's good? "My last release was The Gates BBQ Suite, which went to No. 4 on the national jazz airplay chart last year. I'm currently working on music for the grand opening of the Kauffman Performing Arts Center on September 17. I'll also be performing The Gates BBQ Suite there on September 28 with the UMKC Conservatory Concert Jazz Band."
What do you think you sound like? "Fresh swing. When you come to hear us, we will wash away the dust of everyday life from you."
Hermon Mehari
What's good? "Working on a jazz project to be recorded in Paris and another big non-jazz project with local Kansas City musicians. We're doing another 'Diverse Plays Michael Jackson' on October 28 at RecordBar, with the same lineup we had in April. [Diverse is the jazz act in which Mehari plays trumpet, with Ryan Lee (drums) and Ben Leifer (bass).]
What do you think you sound like? "Original jazz music influenced by a mix of styles, including hip-hop, R&B, funk and gospel."
Mark Lowrey
What's good? "Released my first solo CD, Mark Lowrey — Live at Jardine's, in November 2010. I've played well over 300 shows this year, most frequently at Jardine's, the Phoenix, Café Trio and Sullivan's. In May, I did 'Mark Lowrey vs. Hip Hop III," the final in a series of shows experimenting with free jazz and freestyle hip-hop."
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