Original Soundtrack - Kansas City [Original Soundtrack]

For Robert Altman's Kansas City film, since the story was centered in 1934 Kansas City, Altman wanted to have younger musicians depict top jazz artists of the era playing at one of the legendary jam sessions. He recruited many of today's top modernists and, although they used arrangements based on older recordings, they did not have to necessarily improvise in the style of the time. Actually, it is surprising how close the musicians often come, recapturing not just the music of the period but the adventurous spirit of such immortals as Coleman Hawkins, Ben Webster, and Lester Young. A dozen songs from the film are on this very enjoyable and unique CD, which features such players as trumpeter Nicholas Payton, clarinetist Don Byron, guitarists Russell Malone and Mark Whitfield, pianists Geri Allen and Cyrus Chestnut, altoists Jesse Davis and David "Fathead" Newman, and four of today's great tenors: James Carter, Craig Handy, David Murray, and Joshua Redman. In addition, Kevin Mahogany sings "I Left My Baby." Although there are some audience shouts on a couple of the pieces, this is one soundtrack album that very much stands up on its own. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide

Name Credits Bob Blumenthal Liner Notes Charlie Bouis Assistant Engineer Christian McBride Bass Clark Gayton Trombone Craig Handy Sax (Tenor), Arranger Curtis Fowlkes Trombone David "Fathead" Newman Sax (Alto) David Murray Sax (Tenor) Don Byron Sax (Baritone), Clarinet, Arranger Eimear Bradbury Music Coordinator Eric Johnston Assistant Engineer Eric Liljestrand Liner Notes, Mixing, Engineer Gene Paul Mastering Geri Allen Arranger, Piano Hal Willner Producer James Carter Sax (Tenor) James Zollar Trumpet Jesse Davis Sax (Alto) Joshua Redman Sax (Tenor) Ken Feldman Mixing Assistant Kevin Mahogany Vocals Lawrence Butch Morris Conductor Mark Whitfield Guitar Nicholas Payton Trumpet Olu Dara Cornet Robert Altman Liner Notes Ron Carter Bass Russell Malone Guitar Steven Bernstein Arranger, Associate Producer Susan Jacobs Music Supervisor Tyrone Clark Bass Victor Lewis Drums