Front Porch Concerts

Originally from Chicago, the Leslie Maclean Trio appeared at many of that city’s top jazz clubs. The group now performs throughout the Midwest region where it continues to play unique, exciting and passionate renditions of jazz classics as well as Leslie’s original compositions.

Leslie Maclean adds a special dimension to her piano-based jazz trio with unique arrangements that create a trio-sized big band sound. The music features the sophisticated harmonies and rhythms that are the hallmarks of modern mainstream jazz. Just as in large ensemble arranging, Maclean uses each instrument to the fullest, providing all members of the group with equally important musical elements to contribute. Maclean’s arrangements also draw on her extensive classical background, exhibiting a wide range of emotion, complex thematic development, and intense musical drama. Always engaging, with warmth, humor, and delightful surprises waiting around every corner, the Leslie Maclean Trio takes each listener on an unforgettable journey through the many facets of jazz.

Info coming soon!

Sean McNown has been a Kansas City native all his life and attributes all of his musical talents to his family. He studied piano from his grandmother Edythe (well known in KC for her piano playing and teaching) and watched his father Greg star in countless operas and his mother Gaye perform in various successful cover bands. Sean has been involved in music all of his life, but became more serious shortly after high school. After graduating from Shawnee Mission East in 2000, Sean attended the Conservatory of Music at UMKC majoring in Music Education but quickly switched gears to pursue live entertainment in 2003.

Performing solo (using loop, harmonizer, and other various effect pedals), duo, trio, full four-piece shows, DJing and even sound for corporate events; playing a mix of songs from the 60's through today as well as a hand full of original material.

Visit Sean’s website.

Bio coming soon!

Melissa Ferrer Civil (she/they) is a poet, organizer, and educator living on Kaw, Kickapoo, Kansa, and Oceti Sakowin lands. A self-proclaimed artist-in-exile, they are preoccupied with constructing new communication for the manifestation of a home we all hold in our hearts. Having delved through the hellish catacombs of mental illness, Melissa emerges with new language forged in the fires of transformation. In 2020, Melissa published her first chapbook, BIRTHING PAINS, through turnsol editions. Melissa's most recent chapbook STENO PAD (2024) is available through Turnsol. Melissa is a Charlotte Street Studio Resident, Chrysalis Institute Alumni and the first Poet Laureate of Kansas City, MO. They are the founder of the abolitionist arts and organizing event series A Nation In Exile. You can find their publications and videos on their website www.melissaferrerand.com. You can find their performance updates on their instagram: @melissaferrerand. You can also follow A Nation In Exile on instagram and at their website of the same name.

Greg Hack Across more than 40 years, Greg Hack was an editor and writer at two local institutions, The Kansas City Star and then the University of Missouri-Kansas City. During the Great Recession, he began writing haiku in the traditional American haiku meter and has since published three collections: Haiku in Low Places, Crackerjack Haiku and As If COVID Wasn't Bad Enough: Daily Haiku From the Pandemic Era. He lives in Lenexa with his wife, the artist Tina Kolm.

Abby Bland (she/they) is an award-winning writer and performer whose work has appeared in many publications. Her one-person spoken word show Godzilla’s Not a Dinosaur took home “Best of Venue” at the 2023 KC Fringe and is currently touring Fringes across the country. A two-time winner of Best Spoken Word Artist in The Pitch, they’re on Instagram @applestoabby and you can read more of their work at abbyblandpoetry.com.

Arlin Buyert attended Macalester College and the University of Minnesota and worked as an admissions officer before entering the Navy in 1966. He was a Navy pilot, corporate executive, cattle rancher and is now retired and lives in Leawood, Kansas with his wife Kristen Kvam.

Bill Tammeus spent most of his career committing journalism for The Kansas City Star. The words he produces now in his home paragraph/verse factory are published mostly on his “Faith Matter” blog; in Flatland, KCPT-TV’s digital magazine for which he writes a monthly column; in such publications as The National Catholic Reporter and The Presbyterian Outlook; in the seven books he’s authored or co-authored, and in emails he sends to the six children and eight grandchildren that he and his wife Marcia share.

Bio coming soon!

Mighty Mo Jazz Orchestra was established in 2011. The ensemble includes approximately 20 musicians from the Mid America Freedom Band as well as affiliate members and guest artists. Mighty Mo Jazz Orchestra helps connect audiences with the LGBTQ and ally community through the sounds and emotions of jazz. Each performance can include a variety of music including swing, pop, Latin, Broadway and other favorites. Your feet will be tapping and head nodding at the music that made big bands popular and created jazz legends.

Learn more at freedomband.com/mighty-mo-combo