Home  >  News & Events  >  News Details  

Standing Room Only for Shetler’S Final KCKCC Jazz Cabaret


Alan Hoskins, Supervisor of Public Information
Friday, April 23, 2010
College Advancement

Retiring KCKCC vocal music instructor Dale Shetler (right) received heartfelt words of thanks and appreciation from instrumental music director Jim Mair at the annual Jazz Cabaret Thursday. (KCKCC Photo by Alan Hoskins)
Baritone Gabe Harris was one of the busiest of the KCKCC Jazz Cabaret vocalists Thursday, singing with two instrumental jazz groups along with a stirring rendition of  “On a Clear Day.” (KCKCC Photo by Alan Hoskins)
Sparkle Jones, a Turner graduate who will continue her music education at Wichita State, drew one of the biggest ovations at the KCKCC Jazz Cabaret Thursday for her rendition of “I’ve Got You Under My Skin.” (KCKCC Photo by Alan Hoskins)
KCKCC Jazz Band Director Jim Mair (right) joined students (from left) Ryan Brammer of Tonganoxie, Colin Ford of SM North and John Ligon of Turner in a jazz classic at the annual Jazz Cabaret Thursday. (Photo by Alan Hoskins)

Dale Shetler’s final Jazz Cabaret at Kansas City Kansas Community College was a smashing success.

“A sell out, our first ever. Standing room only,” said Jim Mair, Associate Professor of Instrumental Music and co-host of the Cabaret that featured both vocal and instrumental soloists and groups in the Jewell Center Thursday night.

Shetler, who is retiring at the end of the Spring Semester after 20 years as Director of Vocal Music, said more than 150 persons packed the lower level of the Jewell Center to hear the students and enjoy a dinner of Jambalaya and meatless pasta.

The Cabaret, however, will not be Shetler’s last concert. That will come Sunday, May 16, at 3 p.m. at London Heights Baptist Church when Shetler conducts the Community Chamber Choir in its annual Spring Concert. In addition, “We’re going to have an Alumni choir of anyone who has sung in either the community chorus or vocal groups at the college,” said Shetler.

Vocal Cabaret highlights included “I’ve Got You Under My Skin” by Turner graduate Sparkle Jones, who will continue her music at Wichita State; “On a Clear Day,” Gabe Harris; “Stormy Weather,” Am Olbert; “I’ve Got Rhythm,” Bailey Wetta;” and a medley of “Cabaret,” “Hello Dolly” and “Mame” by Megan Young.

Other vocalists included James Geist, Michael Young, Shalyssa Mitchell, Anthony Banks, Jonas Box, Tim Marmon, Stephen Kerns and Betty Ferguson along with Jazz Choir and Concert Choir.

Seven instrumental groups performed include the Jazz Band, two jazz combos, Latin Band, Jazz Improv Group and a saxophone quartet.