Tim Whitmer & KC Express Booking Agent
Established in 1988, Tim Whitmer Productions (TWP) specializes in fulfilling your entertainment needs with just the right mix: the right size group, with the right musicians and instrumentation, at the right time. From the time you book a TWP performance until the event comes to a close, we will be paying special attention to the level of detail that assures success.
Living up to his motto of “Let the Good Times Roll”, Tim has been playing at the Phoenix since the day it opened and his show always gets better! Tim’s group, the award winning KC Express, consists of some of Kansas City’s premier musicians. The band includes Tom DeMasters on guitar, Rick Huyett on bass and Ray DeMarchi on drums. In addition, each week Tim features the amazing vocals of either Millie Edwards or Lori Tucker.
Established in 1988, Tim Whitmer Productions (TWP) specializes in fulfilling your entertainment needs with just the right mix: the right size group, with the right musicians and instrumentation, at the right time. From the time you book a TWP performance until the event comes to a close, we will be paying special attention to the level of detail that assures success.
Living up to his motto of “Let the Good Times Roll”, Tim has been playing at the Phoenix since the day it opened and his show always gets better! Tim’s group, the award winning KC Express, consists of some of Kansas City’s premier musicians. The band includes Tom DeMasters on guitar, Rick Huyett on bass and Ray DeMarchi on drums. In addition, each week Tim features the amazing vocals of either Millie Edwards or Lori Tucker.
ABOUT:
Tim Whitmer is the prodigal son of Kansas City Jazz. He cut his teeth on the likes of Jay McShann, Mary Lou Williams and Count Basie. Under the tutelage of George Salisbury he honed his own unique style and has treated audiences from all over the world to a taste of Kansas City swing jazz.
When Whitmer played New York jazz clubs, the Village Voice called him the best swing band to come out of Kansas City since Jay McShann.
Whitmer has performed internationally at both the Lugano Jazz Festival in Italy and the Montreaux Jazz Festival in Switzerland and graced the stage of numerous national festivals.
His classical training is the basis of his broad performance skills and music writing abilities.
Tim performs regularly at top jazz venues in Kansas City. He also hosts a monthly concert series, Spirituality and All That Jazz at Unity Temple on the Plaza, which showcases the incredible wealth of local Kansas City Jazz talent.
One of his greatest musical accomplishments was to fulfill his life-long dream of playing Carnegie Hall. Tim performed a special concert of this original music at the Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall in the Fall of 1998.
He has several recordings to his credit that reflect his diverse styling as well as paying tribute to the beat that makes Kansas City Swing!
He has been swinging the piano here for 27 years with the gusto and joy that define Kansas City-style jazz. These days he performs most Saturdays with the KC Express, including Tom DeMasters on guitar, Rick Huyett on bass, Ray DeMarchi on drums and Lori Tucker or Millie Edwards singing.
ENTERTAINMENT:
In addition to his celebrity status as a club and concert entertainer, Tim Whitmer has, become the entertainer of choice for Kansas City’s highest profile corporate and social events.
Whitmer epitomizes Kansas City’s swing jazz legacy. Swing represents an era of jazz music most listeners associate with Duke Ellington or Count Basie. Swing’s accessible style focuses on melody highlighted by solo instrumental improvisations which are intelligible interpretations of the original tune. Audiences are familiar with the up tempo swing hits “Kansas City,” “In the Mood,” and “Route 66.” Ballads such as “Unforgettable” and “Come Rain or Come Shine” originated in swing’s era. Without trying to be all things to all people, swing jazz appeals to a broad range of ages and tastes. Younger listeners enjoy the retrospective sound popularized by Harry Connick, Jr.’s movie soundtracks and rejuvenated by Tony Bennett’s vocal albums. Older audiences nostalgically relive the swing era itself.
MUSICIANS:
Whitmer’s staff of musicians, KC Express, further reinforce the age-spanning appeal of swing. He’s backed by the best artists in Kansas City, mixing musicians who originated swing’s sound with younger talents who carefully preserve the swing tradition. Whether providing upbeat piano solo to backdrop a cocktail party, or leading a six-piece band for a dance floor full of guests, Whitmer uses his more than 20 years of professional experience to interact with each unique audience. The result is unabashed fun.
PRODUCTION STAFF:
To support Whitmer’s outstanding performances from behind the scenes, Whitmer established Tim Whitmer Productions in 1988. Quality entertainment depends on appropriate selection of instrumentation, correct number of pieces for the event’s size, and impeccable event timing. TWP’s management team is experienced in all aspects of event-planning which helps its clients create entertainment to enhance the entire event’s quality. And to respond to onsite client needs, Whitmer brings a trained road manager and sound engineer to each event.