CHARLES PERKINS

The funds were to be voted on by the full City Council in
September, after this issue of Jam went to press.
Losses
Kansas City jazz lost two dear friends recently.
On July 25th, Dr.
Leslie Becker died.
Many will remember
him at his table – the
first booth on the floor
– in the Blue Room. He
was a respected regular
there and a tremendous
supporter of Kansas
City jazz. He started
Jazz Outreach, Kansas
City’s largest indoor
jazz show and a benefit
for Swope Health
Services. He served on
the board of the Mutual Musicians Foundation. His firends in
the jazz community, it would be fair to say, were countless. But
more than that, Dr. Becker was part of one of the first African-
American group practices in the Kansas City area. He was the
first African-American appointed to teach at the KU School of
Medicine. He served on the staff of other area hospitals, including
Bethany, Providence and Truman Medical Center.
Dan Doran died
on August 3rd from
brain cancer. His spicy
blues – if you never
heard him with Little
Hatch at the Grand
Emporium you truly
missed something special
– soulful R&B and
jumpin’ New Orleansedged
jazz delighted
Kansas City area fans
for four decades. A
celebration of his life
packed Knuckleheads in late August.
Quick Takes
New CDs from two Kansas City jazz favorites are due out
before the next Jam hits the streets. Eddie Moore and the
Outer Circle host an October release party for Kings and
Queens, a 3-part suite inspired by African-American history.
On November 25th, Chris Hazelton’s Boogaloo 7 releases
Soul Jazz Fridays, recorded live at the Green Lady Lounge.
JAZZAMBASSADORMAGAZINE•OCTOBERNOVEMBER 5