RESOLUTION
NO. 160010
Declaring
January 12th – 16th as Jay “Hootie” McShann Week in recognition of his 100th
Birthday and his life, artistry, contributions to Jazz and lengthy career.
WHEREAS, Pianist, Composer, Bandleader,
Recording Artist and Singer, James Columbus “Jay” “Hootie” McShann was born
January 12, 1916, in Muskogee, Oklahoma, and died on December 7, 2006 in Kansas
City at the age of 90; and
WHEREAS; McShann received several
national and international awards and recognitions to include the Oklahoma
Jazz Hall of Fame, Blues Hall of Fame, Rhythm and Blues Foundation, Paris
All-Star Tribute to Charlie Parker, The Rolling Stones recording
of "Confessin' the Blues", character in 1940’s crime-fiction novel, The Hot Kid, written by Elmore Leonard in 2005, 1991 Grammy Award Nominee
for Best
Large Jazz Ensemble Performance, and in 2003 for Goin' to Kansas
City - Best
Traditional Blues Album; and
WHEREAS; from
the 1960’s until his passing, James Columbus McShann remained a prominent
pianist, bandleader and vocalist often teaming with violinist Claude “Fiddler”
Williams and vocalist Jimmy Witherspoon; and
WHEREAS; the
City of Kansas City will join with the Jay McShann family (Jayne McShann-Lewis,
Linda McShann-Gerber and Pamela McShann), American Jazz Museum, Historic Jazz
Foundation, GEM Theater, UMKC Marr Sound Library and Elder Statesmen of Kansas
City Jazz in celebrating his 100th Birthday; NOW THEREFORE;
BE IT
RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF KANSAS CITY:
That the Mayor and Council hereby
declare the week of January 12th – 16th as Jay “Hootie” McShann Week in Kansas
City; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this
Resolution be spread upon the Minutes of the Council in testimony thereof and
that a copy hereof be presented to the family of Jay McShann in token of the Mayor,
Council and citizens of Kansas City’s highest esteem with which Jay McShann is
held in their hearts and minds.
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