I Got The Christmas Blues
Executive Producer:
Garry Leonard
Recorded by
Justin Wilson
at Soundtrek Studios,
Kansas City, Missouri
After graduating from Eastern Michigan University on a full music scholarship, Garry toured the U.S. with brother Gerry, singer Leslie Kendall, and pianists Alan Broadbent, John Serry and Gus Sims. He settled in Kansas City and began a career in music education with the North Kansas City School District. He’s played with various groups in KC as well as the Starlight Theater, KC Chiefs Band and the Kansas City Symphony.
Gerry played trumpet through college and following graduation, toured the U.S. playing bass with brother Garry for several years. He’s played with many local Kansas City musicians including long stints with such notables as Frank Smith, Richard Ross and Joe Cartwright.
Danny is a local musician, guitar instructor and recording artist with an international reputation. He toured for many years with Sergio Mendez, was a member of Clare Fisher’s Latin Band and most recently has been touring with Concord recording artist, Karrin Allyson.
For over 30 years, Paul has maintained the perfect dual career as a music teacher by day and a jazz musician by night. Paul has worked with a plethora of locally and nationally known jazz artists and has appeared at jazz festivals in Berlin and Montreaux.
Gary has been performing in the Kansas City area for the past 25 years, specializing in percussion and electric bass. He has toured the U.S. extensively with such well-known artists as Chaka Khan, the O’Jays, Teddy Pendergrass and Earth, Wind and Fire.
Everette has been a mainstay in the Kansas City jazz scene for many years. He’s also enthralled audiences from Tokyo to Italy to Africa and points in between with his toe-tappeing, swinging style.
Kim’s father, John Park, was a very talented saxophonist in his own right, and both father and son toured with Stan Kenton’s band. John was also a good friend of Stan Getz, and you can feel the influence of both men in Kim’s savvy, sophisticated approach.
Mike White is a lawyer and former county executive whose first love has always been jazz. He has worked with Cab Calloway, Jay McShann and many other Kansas City jazz musicians. Mike has spent a great deal of time in the 18th and Vine area, sitting in with such jazz notables as Charles Kynard and Wes Montgomery.
Hal has been a Visiting Assistant Professor of Jazz Studies at UMKC since 1998. He has spent time in L.A., recording and arranging with top jazz and R&B groups, and appearing in several major motion pictures. He earned his Master’s degree in music from the University of Cincinnati.
Mike Metheny is a Kansas City native and a former instructor at the Berklee College of Music in Boston. While in Boston, Mike led a popular quartet that appeared at many top jazz venues and festivals around the country. To date he has released six solo recordings and is the editor of JAM, the Kansas City Jazz Ambassador Magazine.
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