Jim Monroe

• 
  jenniferleitham.com/blog/2005/11/ - [Cached Version]
  Published on: 11/1/2005    Last Visited: 9/28/2009  

  From the Road, On a Personal Note → On the Passing of Jim Monroe
  ...
  Jazz in Topeka has lost its most zealous fan and biggest promoter with the death of Jim Monroe.
  
  From 1977 until his death, Monroe served as president of the Topeka Jazz Workshop Inc. and shepherded what is believed to be the longest-standing, continuous jazz series in the nation.
  
  As an audience member, Monroe was unparalleled, said Chuck Berg, a University of Kansas professor, jazz musician and nationally published critic, who also reviews jazz for The Capital-Journal.
  ...
  But Monroe did more for jazz than just listen to it.
  
  A lot of his travels included going to jazz festivals, where he would hang out with musicians and befriend them. He would return to Topeka with new contacts and ideas for shows.
  ...
  Nowhere did Monroe demonstrate that knack better than at the seven Memorial Day weekend Topeka Jazz Festivals he organized from 1998-2004 at the Topeka Performing Arts Center.
  ...
  I am very saddened to hear of Jim Monroe's passing. He was a man who didn't sit on the sideline and wait for others to dictate tastes, he involved himself in the betterment of the art form he so believed in.
  
  Topeka, Kansas has born the brunt of much scorn and criticism on a national level because of a small extremist group who promote divisiveness and hate. Jim promoted inclusion and love and enriched the lives of Kansans as well as people from around the world. In many circles Topeka is thought of with fondness and admiration because of Jim's involvement.
  
  He was one of the only Jazz impresarios to give me a break in the period following my transition. Oh, others fulfilled their contracts but hardly anyone gave me the chance that he did, and he did it repeatedly. Jim gave me the opportunity to present my music without imposing himself on the results. I played with players of my choosing and selected my material.
  
  Jim always made me feel like a respected artist and best of all, a normal person. He gave me hope at a time when I needed it desperately.
  
  He left a legacy to be proud of and made a difference in many people's lives, including mine.

• 
  www.jenniferleitham.com/jim_monroe_m.htm - [Cached Version]
  Published on: 11/8/2005    Last Visited: 1/28/2008  

  Jazz in Topeka has lost its most zealous fan and biggest promoter with the death of Jim Monroe. From 1977 until his death, Monroe served as president of the Topeka Jazz Workshop Inc. and shepherded what is believed to be the longest-standing, continuous jazz series in the nation. As an audience member, Monroe was unparalleled, said Chuck Berg, a University of Kansas professor, jazz musician and nationally published critic, who also reviews jazz for The Capital-Journal.
  ...
  But Monroe did more for jazz than just listen to it. A lot of his travels included going to jazz festivals, where he would hang out with musicians and befriend them.He would return to Topeka with new contacts and ideas for shows.
  ...
  Nowhere did Monroe demonstrate that knack better than at the seven Memorial Day weekend Topeka Jazz Festivals he organized from 1998-2004 at the Topeka Performing Arts Center.
  ...
  I am very saddened to hear of Jim Monroe's passing. He was a man who didn't sit on the sideline and wait for others to dictate tastes, he involved himself in the betterment of the art form he so believed in. Topeka, Kansas has born the brunt of much scorn and criticism on a national level because of a small extremist group who promote divisiveness and hate.Jim promoted inclusion and love and enriched the lives of Kansans as well as people from around the world.In many circles Topeka is thought of with fondness and admiration because of Jim's involvement. He was one of the only Jazz impresarios to give me a break in the period following my transition.Oh, others fulfilled their contracts but hardly anyone gave me the chance that he did, and he did it repeatedly.Jim gave me the opportunity to present my music without imposing himself on the results.I played with players of my choosing and selected my material. Jim always made me feel like a respected artist and best of all, a normal person.He gave me hope at a time when I needed it desperately. He left a legacy to be proud of and made a difference in many people's lives, including mine.

• 
  www.kcjam.org/issues/1997-12/topekafest.html - [Cached Version]
  Published on: 1/1/1997    Last Visited: 6/25/2008  

  Harold Hansen, executive director of the Topeka Performing Arts Center, and Jim Monroe, president of the Topeka Jazz Workshop are co-presenting the three-day event, which will be held at the TPAC, 8th and Quincy streets, downtown Topeka.
  ...
  "Topeka Jazz Festival 1998 will be one of the major straight-ahead festivals in the nation," says Monroe.
  ...
  For tickets, call 1-800-949-TPAC, and for additional information, call Jim Monroe at 785-267-1315.

• 
  CJOnline.com | The Topeka Capital-Journal | Dendurant:... - [Cached Version]
  Published on: 4/14/2002    Last Visited: 4/14/2002  

  The reason is a man named Jim Monroe, a retired insurance agent and Topeka resident who himself is not a musician but may be the greatest entertainment impresario since Ed Sullivan.
  ...
  Monroe has been president of the Topeka Jazz Workshop, a Sunday afternoon jazz concert series at Topeka's Ramada Inn Downtown, for 25 years.In that capacity, Monroe books highly respected musicians for the seven or so concerts in the series each year.During his tenure, Monroe has signed many of the great names in jazz to play and sing in Topeka.
  
  In addition to his work for the TJW, Monroe is artistic director for the Best of Kansas City jazz series at the Topeka Performing Arts Center (another Sunday afternoon concert series featuring outstanding musicians from the Kansas City area) and directs the Topeka Jazz Festival, an annual three-day run over the Memorial Day weekend.The fifth Topeka Jazz Festival will be May 25-27.
  
  The Topeka Jazz Festival's nearly 30-hour bill is also packed with world renowned jazz artists as well as top KC musicians.
  
  A jazz aficionado for some time, I first learned about Monroe's musical series several years ago when a news release about TPAC's Best of Kansas City series came across my desk.The price was $40 for five concerts, which now seems like an unbelievable bargain.
  ...
  Sometimes I'm not even familiar with the work of the artists performing in a particular concert, but I, and others, trust Monroe to book outstanding acts, and we invariably leave joyfully impressed.
  
  I've told Monroe I'm thankful for him and appreciative of his work in bringing such wonderful music so close to home.
  
  By the way, all three of Monroe's jobs -- directing the TJW, the Best of KC series and the jazz festival -- are done as an unpaid volunteer.
  
  Sure, I have attended a number of jazz concerts in Kansas City.But for me -- and I feel this more strongly the older I get -- the long, late-night drive home from KC after a concert there often detracts from my satisfaction with the event.
  
  Monroe is always looking for new faces at the events he conducts.If you enjoy jazz and, like me, think there's nothing quite like live music, get some information from Jim about attending his concerts.You can reach him at 267-1315.
  
  You'll spend some time surrounded by glorious sounds that will set your toes tapping, send your spirits soaring and put a song in your heart.

• 
  CJOnline.com | The Topeka Capital-Journal | Topeka... - [Cached Version]
  Published on: 5/22/2002    Last Visited: 5/22/2002  

  In all, nearly three dozen world-class jazz players have been assembled for the festival by artistic director Jim Monroe, Topeka.Thanks to him, it's not an exaggeration to say that this weekend, Topeka qualifies as the Jazz Capital of the World.

• 
  Feature Articles - [Cached Version]
  Last Visited: 9/16/2009  

  Jim Monroe Memorial
  ...
  Jim Monroe, R.I.P
  
  Jim Monroe was vacationing in southern Africa with his wife when he suffered Jim Monroe at the 2004 Topeka Jazz Festival [Photo by Tom Ineck]
  ...
  Since 1977, Monroe served as president of the Topeka Jazz Workshop in Topeka, Kan. He also organized seven Memorial Day weekend jazz festivals in Topeka, 1998-2004.
  ...
  A retired insurance agent, Monroe became hooked on the music growing up in Kansas City, Kan. He attended jazz festivals around the nation, befriending musicians and fellow jazz fans.
  
  The Berman Music Foundation extends its condolences to the family and friends of Jim Monroe.

• 
  JAM Magazine: April/May 1998 Issue: News and Notes - [Cached Version]
  Published on: 1/1/1998    Last Visited: 6/25/2008  

  "(It) will be one of the major straight-ahead jazz festivals in the nation," says co-presenter Jim Monroe.
  ...
  Harold Hansen, executive director of the Topeka Performing Arts Center, and Monroe, president of the Topeka Jazz Workshop are co-presenting the three-day event, which will be held at the TPAC, 8th and Quincy streets, downtown Topeka.
  ...
  For tickets, call 1-800-949-TPAC; for additional information, call Jim Monroe at 785-267-1315.

• 
  JAM Magazine: April/May 1998 Issue: News and Notes - [Cached Version]
  Published on: 3/22/2001    Last Visited: 3/22/2001  

  Harold Hansen , executive director of the Topeka Performing Arts Center , and Monroe , president of the Topeka Jazz Workshop are co-presenting the three-day event , which will be held at the TPAC , 8th and Quincy streets , downtown Topeka.
  ...
  For tickets , call 1-800-949-TPAC ; for additional information , call Jim Monroe at 785-267-1315.
  
  Good News from KCJI

• 
  JAM Magazine: October/November 1997 Issue: News & Notes - [Cached Version]
  Published on: 1/1/1997    Last Visited: 6/25/2008  

  Harold Hansen, executive director of the Topeka Performing Arts Center, and Jim Monroe, president of the Topeka Jazz Workshop are co-presenting the three-day event, which will be held at the TPAC, 8th and Quincy streets, downtown Topeka.
  ...
  "Topeka Jazz Festival 1998 will be one of the major straight-ahead festivals in the nation," says Monroe.
  ...
  Call the TPAC at 785-234-2787, or Jim Monroe at 785-267-1315.
  
  Got News?Got Notes?

• 
  JAM: August/September 2002 Issue: Correspondence - [Cached Version]
  Published on: 8/3/2002    Last Visited: 8/3/2002  

  Jim MonroeArtistic Director

Page:  1 2 3