Season 22: Mosaics

Vintage Holidays
Dec
14

Vintage Holidays

In collaboration with the Hallmark Archives, vintage holiday cards from throughout Hallmark’s extensive collection will be projected during William Henry Fry’s delightfully charming Santa Claus: Christmas Symphony and Patric Standford’s clever reimagining of countless Christmas carols in symphonic form. Rounding out the program are Josh Trentadue’s drunken Wild Christmas Nightcap and a new fandango-inspired sleigh ride from Abdo Timejardine-Zomeño.

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Modern Threads
Feb
21

Modern Threads

  • Undercroft, St. Andrew's Episcopal Church (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Jazz is today! Interweaving styles like hip-hop and fusion while diving into contemporary jazz found in our pop culture landscapes, this concert showcases Kansas City’s unique position as a UNESCO heritage City, cradling musical innovation and tradition of this American art form.

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Yellow Roses and Green Hills
May
2

Yellow Roses and Green Hills

Celebrating the arrival of MAFB’s new timpani, composers Jennifer Jolley, Anthony R. Green, and Olivia Kieffer collaborate on a commissioned concerto for the instrument. Symphonies by Nancy Galbraith and MAFB audience favorite Julie Giroux provide even more musical opulence to end the concert season.

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Ghost Stories
Oct
20

Ghost Stories

Just in time for Halloween, the dramatic cinematic scope of Randall Standridge’s A Ghost Story complements the exquisite craft of Julia Perry’s Symphony No. 6 as we celebrate the centennial of this pioneering Black woman composer. Nick Omiccioli plays double duty as both composer and soloist in his new work for electric guitar and band that is inspired by 70s funk and disco!

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Echoes of the Greats
Oct
11

Echoes of the Greats

From timeless classics given a jazz flair, to famous charts that had audiences jiving and wailing in the solemn echoes of World War I and II, we highlight the historical origins of jazz and what it shows us about its future. “Echoes of the Greats” blends the music from legends of both the classical and jazz eras, showing how every note and rhythm contributes to the larger picture of community music-making.

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Variations on Democracy
Sep
21

Variations on Democracy

  • Truman Forum, Kansas City Public Library Plaza Branch (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Examining musical interpretations of democracy and the democratic process, “Variations on Democracy” is a free chamber concert of ideas for MAFB’s smaller groups with works by Louis Andriessen, Jennifer Jolley, Jorge Sosa Ortega, Carol Erion, Ethel Smyth, and more plus a world premiere by MAFB artistic director Lee Hartman. Grammy-winning soprano Sarah Tannehill Anderson joins as vocal soloist. A preconcert panel discussion of political scientists and artists takes place an hour before each performance.

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Birds and the Bees
May
10

Birds and the Bees

MAFB’s spring concert is all about feathered friends, our favorite pollinators, and, of course, babies and rebirth! Charles Griffes’ impressionist The White Peacock, Igor Stravinsky’s dynamic Firebird, John Williams’ Jurassic Park, and Shuying Li’s Last Hive Mind II take center stage but keep an ear out for a little baby elephant walking by as well!

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MAFB @ KC ZOO
Apr
21

MAFB @ KC ZOO

Woohoo, we’re at the zoo! A concert season about animals wouldn’t be complete with a trip to our local zoological park. Join MAFB for this outdoor concert at the Kansas City Zoo. Weather-permitting and admission to this concert comes with your purchase of a zoo pass or membership.

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Beatles Mania
Apr
19

Beatles Mania

Mark your calendars for Friday, April 19th at 7:30 p.m. when the Undercroft of St. Andrew's will ring out with an homage to one of the most influential bands in history. Get ready for a Beatlesmania show like no other! The Mighty Mo Jazz Orchestra will turn the night into a celebration of the Fab Four with powerful renditions of your favorite Beatles covers. It's a celebration of one of the most iconic bands in music history, reimagined through the vibrant lens of jazz. Prepare for an unforgettable night of music, nostalgia, and camaraderie that only the Beatles and jazz can conjure.

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A Merry Menagerie
Dec
16

A Merry Menagerie

What do reindeer, sheep, swans, partridges, elves, and a hippopotamus wrapped with a bow have in common? Well, they’re our musical gifts to you this holiday season as MAFB plays the ever-popular Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Philip Sparke’s Carol of the Shepherds, The Twelve Days of Christmas, I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas, Swan Lake, John Kazik’s Eviler Elves, and more.

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Lions, Tigers, and Bears!
Oct
22

Lions, Tigers, and Bears!

From savannahs, forests, plains, and even the ocean depths, MAFB’s fall concert pairs three familiar film scores Elton John’s immortal Lion King, John Williams’ terrifying Jaws, and Joe Hisaishi’s lush Howl’s Moving Castle with pieces off the beaten track like Viet Cuong’s Howls and Hymns for trombone and band, Julie Giroux’s Our Cast Aways — a work honoring rescue animals, and Gabriela Ortiz’s Kauyumari, the Sacred Blue Deer of Mexico’s Wixarika people.  

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A Night at the Lavender Flamingo
Oct
7

A Night at the Lavender Flamingo

Our season kicks off on Saturday, October 7th at 7:30 p.m. in the Undercroft, transformed for one unforgettable night into the "Lavender Flamingo", a throwback speakeasy jazz club that will transport you back in time. Don your finest flapper attire or simply come as you are and lose yourself in a seamless blend of beloved classics and contemporary jazz numbers from across the genre spectrum.

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20th Season Celebration
May
19

20th Season Celebration

Twenty years in the making, Mid America Freedom Band is going all out with a celebratory concert that looks back on the ensemble’s history and its exciting path for the future. We are thrilled to present this concert at the historic Folly Theater and hope you’ll join us to hear works by James Barnes, Paul Creston, Vivian Fine, Christen Taylor Holmes, Erin Keeton-Howard, Stephen Montague, Derrick Syke, and our own artistic director Lee Hartman. Cheers!

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Dreams
Apr
22

Dreams

In the world of dreams, anything is possible! Join the Mighty Mo Jazz Orchestra for an exploration of swing, fusion, latin, broadway, and other favorite jazz styles as we push forward with Pure Imagination, while we Dream a Dream in the Land of Make Believe.

Event Program

'Round Midnight by Theonious Monk, arr. Mike Tomaro

Bad Dream by Earl MMacDonald

I Dreamed a Dream, arr. Roger Holmes

Land of Make Believe by Chuck Mangione, arr. Victor Lopez

Midnight Voyage by Joey Calderazzo, arr. Alan Baylock

Nimbus by The Yellowjackets, arr. Robert Curnow

Perdido arr. Paul Murtha

Pure Imagination, arr. Craig Skeffington

Star Eyes, arr. Rick Hirsch

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Dashing Through the Snow
Dec
17

Dashing Through the Snow

  • Lyric Opera of Kansas City (1725 Holmes) (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Grab your sleigh bells, horses, reindeer, and toboggans as MAFB blasts off through snow-covered hills and fields with a holiday program that captures all the joy and fun of sleigh rides, sledding, and the inescapable jingling of bells. We hope to warm your spirits and have you laughing all the way.

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Autumn Vibes
Dec
5

Autumn Vibes

Join the Mighty Mo Jazz Orchestra on Monday, December 5th as we say goodbye to Autumn and usher in the holiday season! Featuring the music of Terry Gibbs, Don Menza, and Chick Corea, with a few of our favorite holiday arrangements to get us in the mood for all of the festivities to come.

Event Program

Spain by Chick Corea, arr. Paul Jennings

Autumn Leaves by Johnny Mercer, arr. John Berry

Autumn Nocturne by Josef Myrow, arr. Manny Albam

Christmas Time is Here by Vince Guaraldi, arr. Roger Holmes

Groovin' Hard by Don Menza

I'm Getting Sentimental Over You arr. Marty Paich

Moondance by Van Morrison, arr. Andy Classen

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer by Johnny Marks, arr. Chris Sharp

Autumn in Rome by Cahn/Weston/Cicognini, arr. Michael Philip Mossman

When I Fall in Love by Victor Young, arr. Craig Skeffington

Autumn Dance by Henry Wolking

You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch, arr. Mike Story

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Bitter Suite Symphony
Oct
9

Bitter Suite Symphony

MAFB highlights three exciting young compositional voices to come out of Missouri on this concert with music by Richard Joey Carter, Kristen Hirlinger, and Matthew Manning. These works are paired with the father of modern concert band music, Missouri’s own Claude T. Smith’s Incidental Suite. Jason Gerraughty’s burn it down. salt the earth and Evan Williams’ love words give us the “Bitter” of the concert’s title. Smith and Tom Davoren’s award winning “Midwestern Suite” bring the “Suite” and Ida Gotkovsky’s rapturous Joyeuse Symphonie offers us our “Symphony.”

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Kansas City Sweetheart
Jun
28

Kansas City Sweetheart

Join the award-winning Mighty Mo Combo at their new home, the B&B Live! stage in Shawnee, KS!

Our Kansas City Sweetheart concert features music from some of our most famous KC jazz musicians including Mary Lou Williams, Pamela Baskin-Watson, and a world premiere of a brand new commission from Jackie Myers.

The Mighty Mo Combo was established in 2011. The ensemble includes approximately 20 musicians from the Mid America Freedom Band as well as affiliate members and guest artists. Mighty Mo Combo helps connect audiences with the LGBTQ and ally community through the sounds and emotions of jazz. Each performance can include a variety of music including swing, pop, Latin, Broadway and other favorites. Your feet will be tapping and head nodding at the music that made big bands popular and created jazz legends.

The Set List

The Kansas City Superman (world premiere) by Jackie Myers

A Wheel Within a Wheel by Bobby Watson

Billie's Bounce by Bill Holman

Moten Swing by Buster & Benny Moten

In the Land of Oo-Bla-Dee by Milt Drint and Mary Lou Williams

Blue Room by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart

Miss Missouri by Benny Carter

All the Things You Are by Jerome Kern, arr. Gerry Mulligan

Sunset Glow by Benny Carter

Birdland by Zawinul, arr. Victor Lopez

Camel Hop by Mary Lou Williams

Goodbye Pork Pie Hat by Charles Mingus, arr. Andrew Homzy

Katy-Do by Benny Carter

Ms. B.C. by Pamela Baskin Watson, arr. by Bobby Watson

Paseo Promenade by Benny Carter

The Squirrel from Pasadena by Chris Sharp

Yardbird Suite by Charlie Parker, arr. Mark Taylor

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Jazz Goes POP
Mar
22

Jazz Goes POP

Ain't No Mountain High Enough ................ arr. Paul Murtha

Crazy Little Thing Called Love ................... arr. John Berry

Cupid Shuffle .............................................. arr. Rick Stitzel

Gimmie Some Lovin ................................... arr. Roy Phillipe

I Want it That Way ...................................... arr. John Berry

Moondance ................................................. arr. Andy Classen

Free Bird ..................................................... arr. Paul Murtha

Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da ................................... arr. John Berry

September .................................................. arr. Mark Taylor

Skyfall ......................................................... arr. Roger Holmes

Sweet Caroline ............................................ arr. Mike Stitzel

It's Too Late .................................................. arr. Mark Taylor

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CANCELED—NOBLE HOUSES
May
2

CANCELED—NOBLE HOUSES

In honor of our favorite mother-daughter queens Judy Garland and Liza Minnelli, MAFB will premiere a commissioned double concerto by Stacy Busch for local drag queen musicians clarinetist Tajma Stetson and bassoonist Mrs. Jones.

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