Just a few months ago, someone new (to me) came into my sights: the gifted and versatile keyboardist, Mark Lowrey. He’ll be popping up often in KC Performs! But since I’m starting up now, I’m focusing first on his latest enterprise: Shay Estes & Trio ALL.
I first caught these folks at the R Bar, a relatively new outpost in the West Bottoms. (It opened last fall.) It was there that I first really heard a remarkable young singer: Shay Estes.
I’d actually heard her before, but in one of Mark Southerland’s complex and interesting, large-cast, multimedia creations. (He’ll be popping up often in KC Performs!, too.) At the R Bar, she was upfront, backed by keyboard, bass and drums, joined for several numbers by the aforementioned Mark Southerland, on sax. Her gorgeous, clear soprano voice was wonderful. She looked fabulous, and her stage presence was strong and natural, like she was born there. I’ve tried not to miss her since.
So last week — Thursday, May 13th to be exact — I made sure to turn up promptly at 7 at The Blue Room to catch the first appearance there of a quadruple threat: Shay Estes & Trio ALL. Here in one fabulous quartet were Shay Estes, Mark Lowrey, the gifted and ubiquitous bassist Ben Leiber (LYE-ber), and drummer Zack Albetta.
And as often happens in Kansas City, this power quartet became a power quintet for part of the evening, as Mark Southerland joined them on stage with his sax.
The show went from 7-11. The sun was still far above the horizon when they started. But we were quickly transported to the nightclub of one’s dreams. The original arrangement of jazz standards and newer material were inventive and beautifully performed. Beyond her musicianship, Shay’s theatricality is a wonder, and each of these musicians was superb.
You MUST catch this band as soon as possible: I caught them again last Friday (May 21st), in their first set at the R Bar, and again Mark Southerland joined in for several numbers. Your first chance will be next week at Jardine’s.
I’ll post new bookings here as they come to me. But please don’t wait: bassist Ben Leifer, at least for the time being, is not a “lifer” in KC: he’ll head off to New York City in August. And drummer Zack Albetta will head west to L.A. in October.
So May, June and July will offer your only chances to enjoy — and fall in love with — this fabulous quartet. I’m sure Mark and Shay will fill in somehow after Ben and Zack leave town; but I’m also sure you’ll want to be one of those who tell your friends that you remember them when…
Coming Up: Shay Estes & Trio All perform from 9 pm-Midnight, Friday, 18 June, at R Bar (1617 Genessee, in the West Bottoms: 816.471.1777) — $5 cover.)
The following Wednesday, 23 June, Shay Estes & Trio All will return to Jardine’s — 7:30-11:30 pm — $3 cover.
I’ll write later about Mark Lowrey’s solo piano work, and he pops up practically every week at venues one both sides of State Line: for now, consult his own calender — most of these are free!
Kansas City Performs! 