Bebop Jazz

At the center of any great jazz band is a great jazz pianist. City Light's center was Tim Whitmer. Tim has long since left the group and has his own restaurant and production and touring companies.

The great Kansas City bebop jazz tradition continues with the help of a new generation of players. No discussion of KC jazz is complete without the mention of David Basse and City Light. Starting as the house band at the famous City Light Restaurant in the city's Waldo neighborhood the band was a mix of solid veterans and young up-and-coming players. At base was the late Laverne Barker or "Big L" as he was affectionately know. Barker paid his dues at such famous clubs and the Hey Hey in Kansas City and the Savoy in NYC. He played with them all, Parker and Dizzy included. He can be seen in the terrific documentary "The Last of the Blue Devils". "Big L" was a gift Kansas City's jazz tradition-- we miss him. Important to continuation of jazz was saxist Ahmed Alaadeen. Known as "The Professor" for his knowledge of jazz and his ability and desire to pass on the touch and feel as well as the technique of the saxophone.

The Oklahoma Blue Devils stormed across the U in the 1930's and created new sound- one that has lasted the test of time. The Blue Devils was made up of jazz legends. Count Basie, Lester Young, "Hot Lips" Page, Eddie durham, Jimmy Rushing and Henry "Buster" Smith. The inclusion of just one of these jazz greats would have secured the Blue Devils place in music history but to have all these plus many of the lesser known players of the era made this group truly one for the ages.

Take for example, Lester Young. Lester "Prez" Young became the icon the the tenor sax. History has treated Prez well. His ordination as the greatest tenor sax player of all came came from no less than Billie Holiday.

The importance of the Blue Devils is well documented in the book "One O'clock Jump.

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