“In the early 50's, Jazz, Blues, R&B, and Rock & Roll were the same damn thing, and Big Joe Turner was in charge of them all.”  - Jared O'Connor

Who is Kevin Mahogany?

Kevin Mahogany now brings forth a show that pays homage to the "Father of Rock and Roll" and the "Boss of the Blues" - Big Joe Turner.  After portraying Big Joe in Robert Altman's movie, Kansas City, this Big Joe Turner tribute is a natural progression for Mahogany. When Mahogany arrived on the international music scene in the mid-90s, it was with a sound that was both traditionally grounded and boldly innovative. The result was a much needed change to the musical landscape. Over the course of Mahogany's extraordinary career, he has made significant breakthroughs in style and sounds that redirected, redefined and even reinvented modern music. The New Yorker said it best when they said, "there is little Mahogany cannot do."

"expansive and boisterous"

(click here for review)

"damn solid blues"

(click here for review)

All the music contained in this show is related directly to Kansas City and its musical heritage either because the songs were written by artists from Kansas City and/or were performed by these artists:

Big Joe Turner - Pete Johnson - Bennie Moten - Jimmy Rushing  Jimmy Witherspoon - Joe Williams - Julia Lee - Kevin Mahogany and many more!

Big Joe Turner is the feature point of this show.  However, the music of all the other listed artists appears in the show as well.  The show uses a 45 song playbook, which ranges from the R&B of “Shake Rattle and Roll,” “Flip Flop and Fly” and “Honey Hush”…through the boogie woogie of “Roll ‘em Pete” to the blues of “Cherry Red,” “Sweet Sixteen” and “Kansas City”…to the jazz of “Moten Swings” and “Parker's Mood.”  Kevin Mahogany's self-penned composition “KANSAS CITY BORN AND BREED” sums up the theme of this show.

Who was Big Joe? (Web Links)

Cascade Blues Association Article

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Article

(Pic left:  Big Joe drawing)

What did Big Joe sound like?

(YouTube links)

Hide and Seek 1

Hide and Seek 2

Wee Baby Blues

Feelin' Happy

Oke She Moke She Pop

(Live at the Apollo)

Shake, Rattle & Roll

Shake Rattle & Roll (1966)

Low Down Dog (1965)

Chains of Love

Chains of Love #2

Turner Speaks (audio mp3)

(Pic above right:  Pete Johnson drawing)

For your entertainment pleasure, your co-stars may include:

 

Red Holloway "Gritty, sweat-streaked, bluesy tenor sax" - Chicago Reader During the 50's, Holloway's sax ruled the riotous Chicago blues and jazz scenes. It's hard to imagine a soul/jazz saxophonist whose sound springs from a deeper well of profound, style-forging musical experience. From Muddy Waters to Lester Young, Holloway has played with them all, in blues bars and jazz joints across America, for six decades. Locksmith Blues mp3 Red in Ascona Red in Ascona #2