Jazz pianist Joe Cartwright has lived, performed, and taught in the Kansas City area for more than 20 years. He is a graduate of the UMKC Conservatory of Music. Cartwright leads his own duo, trio, and quartet. His credits includework with internationally recognized jazz artists Eddie Harris, SheilaJordan, Bill Watrous, Conte Condoli, Jeff Clayton, Rob McConnell, Carl Fontana, Red Holloway, and others. He has been a featured performer with the Kansas City Symphony and the Independence Symphony, and his trio was featured in a performance at the 1992 World’s Fair in Seville, Spain, as representatives of Kansas City Jazz. In the summer of 1997, Cartwright was invited to perform in Hong Kong as part of the change-over celebration. In the fall of 1998, he toured Africa as part of the USIA/Kennedy Center Jazz Ambassador Touring Program. In the spring of 2000, Cartwright toured the Middle East, Africa, India, and Southeast Asia as a USIA Jazz Ambassador. When not performing and giving clinics, Joe composes, arranges, and teaches jazz piano and theory.

With a powerful combination of talent and highly danceable and energized music, the Inner City All Stars may be considered the new leaders of their musical genre. The Denton, Texas based Inner City All Stars is a funk/jam, brass band that blends R&B, Texas style hip-hop, and the call and response of D.C. go-go to give the listener an eclectic sound of music.

The Inner City All Stars were founded in January 2003 by Calvin Sexton. His dream of the ICABB musical concept was inspired by the marching music of the historically black colleges and universities (HBCU) he observed in his youth. The band’s talents have led them to the Apollo Theater in New York City, becoming an approved artist for the Texas Commission on the Arts Texas Touring Roster Grant, and performances at festivals such as Denton Jazz And Arts, Wildflower! Arts Festival, Ft. Worth Main Street, and Fiesta in San Antonio. The band has shared the stage with grammy winners Brave Combo, and Bowling For Soup. The Inner City All Stars raise the roof with classics and original numbers that will take the crowd from their seats to the dance floor.

August 1, 2008

The Wild Women of Kansas City were named by Kansas City Magazine as its 2007 Best Musical Group. The four members of this highly experienced jazz ensemble are Millie Edwards, Geneva Price, Myra Taylor, and Lori Tucker. The group is accompanied by keyboardist Bill Maness. These four women are known as exceptional performers.

Don't miss the Wild Women of Kansas City!
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