18th & Vine Jazz Festival, 1999

(This was the Grand Opening of "The Jazz District" which includes the Jazz Museum, The Blue Room, the beautiful Gem Theater, and The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum)

KC friend Karrin Allyson was awesome at this festival !

New Point Grille Memories

The "New Point" was open from October 1998-July 8, 2003.  It was one of my favorite gigs of all time.

^Angela Hagenbach during the recording of "Old Friends-New Point"   9-9-01

Bobby Watson, Greg, David Basse, & Matt Pittman jamming at the New Point Grille in December 2001

David Basse, Blues Harpist - "Trey", Arturo Sandoval-Piano, Sam Johnson Jr.-Dr., Greg-Vibes, Steve Wilson-alto, Bobby Watson-Alto, Matt Pittman-Bass-7-?-02

Pam Johnson-camera, Bobby Watson, Arturo Sandoval, & Greg -Same night, right after KC Blues & Jazz Festival

Below are excerpts of the reviews of Old Friends - New Point collected from Jam Magazine & The LA Times 

Bobby Watson/David Basse/Angela Hagenbach & Friends
OLD FRIENDS, NEW POINT
City Light Entertainment

Personnel: David Basse, Angela Hagenbach, vocals; Bobby Watson, alto saxophone; Greg Richter, piano, vibraphone, vocals; Matt Pittman, bass; Sam Johnson, Jr., drums; "old friends," background vocals

Tracks: Moanin'; Them There Eyes; Strangers On a Train; Centerpiece; Cubicle; Sunny Side of the Street; Confirmation; Wichita Lineman; Satin Doll; In a Sentimental Mood; Take the 'A' Train; Baby All the Time/Juke Joint Blues

Recorded live, Sept. 9, 2001, at the New Point Grille, Kansas City, MO; Ron Ubel and Grant Shainost (Soundtrek Studios), engineers.

It's only appropriate that Bobby Watson take centerstage on this CD's opener, "Moanin'," as his solo represents everything you need to know about what it took to hold your own with Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers.

One of the most solid tracks on the CD, "Them There Eyes" features Angela Hagenbach on a swinging vocal and a short but tasty piano solo by Greg Richter that bounces right along with the steady groove laid down by drummer Sam Johnson and bassist Matt Pittman.

"Strangers On a Train" is sung in a range that compliments David Basse's vocal abilities. He sings mid to low in a loose, smoky manner that convinces you he owns this track. The song also has a deliciously slow, winding chord progression, peppered with lyrical comments from Bobby Watson along the way. Watson's satiny sax solo again reminds us that his extraordinary sense of logic is one of the defining characteristics of a veteran player.

The tastiest vocal ensemble work appears on "Centerpiece," where the three-part harmony of Basse, Richter and Angela Hagenbach really shines. The harmony is tight, but the phrasing is totally relaxed and executed to near perfection. And, as expected, Bobby Watson delivers the goods in that classic Kansas City blues style that only natives will know how to do.

Greg Richter manages to successfully capture Louis Armstrong's gritty vocal inflections on "Sunny Side of the Street" (you can hear how the live audience appreciated his efforts); 

 "Cubicle" showcases Bobby Watson's ability to navigate the changes to "Green Dolphin Street" as if it were just a stroll in the park. The comfort and ease with which he glides along is much like watching an eagle soar.

David Basse's mastery of the Jon Hendricks approach to lyrics on "Confirmation" is quite impressive as he demonstrates his ability to showcase scat chops, even when the temperature gets hot. Richter meets him at the corner, and the first chorus of his piano solo displays some serious two-handed contrapuntal motion that will get your attention.

Angela Hagenbach does a great job working her way through an Ellington trilogy ("Satin Doll," "In a Sentimental Mood," "Take the A Train"). And on "Satin Doll," Greg Richter takes another tasty solo that includes a cleverly inserted "Scrapple" quote on the bridge. There's also a reference to "I'm Beginning to See the Light" as an appropriately Duke-ish afterthought.
Overall, this CD adequately captures the ebullient mood of the audience and the ensemble at a live show that gave cause for celebration: Bobby Watson's return to KC and his permanent position at UMKC as Director of Jazz Studies. Watson's superior musicianship certainly uplifted this musical endeavor; and one can easily see that his influence was, and continues to be, infectious.

-- Wayne Goins - Jam Magazine

"Old Friends New Point," will celebrate its release at the New
Point Grille on Sunday, December 2 at 7:00 p.m. Call 816-561-7600 for reservations. A portion of the profits will go to the jazz program at UMKC directed by Bobby Watson.

LA Times:

David Basse's voice texture has a nodding acquaintance with Johnny Mercer, but his delivery is strictly his own. An ability to scat is his strong suit and it is displayed at it's best on this Disc. Angela Hagenbach will simply steal your heart away. Her low sultry voice combined with a clever vocalese style is the perfect counterpoint to Basse. Bobby Watson, on Alto, provides a nice backdrop to the vocals and adds some soulful solos to the mix. Recorded live September 9, 2001 at the New Point Grille, Kansas City. Featuring Bobby Watson, Angela Hagenbach and David Basse. Proceeds from sales are donated the jazz studies program at UMKC. 

The Photos Below Are From My Son ( John ) & His Then Fiancé's (Heather) Engagement Party at the New Point Grille, Thanksgiving Weekend 2001  (11-21-01)

The Album Cover ^ and Longtime Friend and Expert Percussionist, Sam Johnson Jr.

Fun with Music In KC

Bob Bowman on Bass w/Greg & Megan Birdsall - Jardines  (Megan's BD Party) Click this picture to see Bob perform with legendary vocalist Carmen MacRae in a concert in Japan from the 1970's.

Greg on Piano same gig 

 Megan Birdsall Same gig 

To Greg's Scrapbook: Page2

 Jimmy Hamilton & St Croix Moments