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What do you like about KC as a music town?
I think our city has been going through a real cultural renaissance. Kansas City has a large population of creative citizens that has been steadily honing and cultivating their craft for years, and now there is a growing audience for that work. We have every kind of venue you can think of, and there are just as many places where an artist can take risks as there are places that will give you the tried-and-true. Our city has its own rhythm, its own swagger, and I'm proud to be a part of it.
Mark Lowrey
What's new?
This has been an interesting year. I was the music director for a tribute to the music of Etta James, put together a few jazz and hip-hop shows, played in the rock opera
Hedwig and the Angry Inch, wrote several jingles for e-cards and stuffed animals for Hallmark, toured briefly with the American Tenors on the East Coast, and played more than 300 gigs all over town. This past January, I got to go back to Mali, West Africa, to be the art team leader for Medical Missions Foundation. [I was] playing a Casio keyboard out in the village of Ouelessebougou. Unfortunately, some weeks after we returned, the military seized power of the government.
Any recent releases or anything on the horizon?
I'm recording my second solo CD this month. It's called Tangos for 18th Street. It's a blend of jazz improvisation and Argentine-tango stylistic nuances. The record will include originals, a few old-school tangos, and some KC covers from artists like Brad Cox, the Republic Tigers and Barclay Martin.
On August 18, I'm orchestrating a show at Czar Bar called "Mark Lowrey's Return to the Toy Piano." It will feature Afro-Latin percussionists, DJs, jazz musicians, freestyle MCs and lots of toy pianos. I'm pretty excited about this.
In a perfect world, how would critics describe your music and band?
It depends on what project I'm working on. Jazz is my home, but I find a lot of fulfillment in Argentine tango, Afro-Latin styles and hip-hop.
What's your favorite KC venue?
It's impossible to have a favorite, but after we lost so many jazz venues in 2011, I'm very excited about the Majestic right now. I have a piano-bass-drums trio there every Sunday and Monday, and I absolutely love the energy of the space.
What keeps you in KC rather than moving to a bigger music city?
I play out of town once in a while, but KC is a good "home base." I love this city, and I can afford to be a full-time musician here. I really appreciate that many jazz musicians continue to put out great shows even when many Kansas Citians don't know or care about jazz in their town.
Also nominated: Matt Otto
LIVE ACT
Ad Astra Arkestra
What's new?
Who dares question mother Arkestra?
Any recent releases or anything on the horizon?
Our boy Nathan helped us put out a 12-inch vinyl EP called Reverse Fishing. Check it out at the Record Machine. Love Garden stocks it, too.
What's your favorite KC venue, and why?
The Studded Bird's memory. For punk reasons.
The Latenight Callers
What's new?
We're preparing a bunch of new songs to go into the studio at the end of the year and record a full-length album. And our guitarist, Ms. Ellen, is putting the finishing touches on a new whiskey still for our rehearsal space.
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