Free complimentary copy November 13, 2015 • Volume 3, No. 3
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Raytown family bands together By Kris Collins The Anderson family is normal by all accounts. From the youngest child, 10-year-old Nahjeih, to the first-born Bralen, 20, each member has his or her own personality, interests and avocations — art, animation, cutting hair, computers, gymnastics or dancing — but when all six kids turn on keyboards and amps, slip guitar straps over their heads or position the drum kit just right, the family is anything but ordinary. The kids, who play under the name Jamii, started their band five years ago and in that time have performed upwards of 100 times. It started when Landon Anderson, 14, displayed a talent for art in the second grade and his mother sought a scholarship to send him to an art program. They soon discovered a music scholarship existed, too. “When they had the Garage
Band program at the school, it was for teenagers,” said Geaneen Anderson, who has the responsibilities of both a mom and manager. “They were having issues because all the teenagers were coming from different families — different interests, different things going on. After that didn’t work, they said, ‘Since you asked about Garage Band, let’s give your kids a try to see if we can get this thing going.’ “They were perfect — no conflict, everybody was at practice — and at the end of each quarter they would have lessons and recitals. Once they played for the first recital everyone said, ‘Oh my goodness. That’s awesome’ because they were itty-bitty.” A change in the scholarship program made the music program unaffordable for Geaneen Anderson to send all her children to, so the kids quickly started teaching themselves various instruments and seeking advancement through
Photos by Kris Collins Jamii, a band composed of six siblings, plays a short set Monday evening in the family’s home in Raytown.
Four of the six members of Jamii perform in the Anderson home Monday. From left to right are: Landon Anderson, 14, Jacobe Anderson, 16, Acacia Whitney, 12, and Nahjeih Whitney, 10.
tutorials and other sources on the Internet. All of the kids started out with piano lessons and soon each member of the band gravitated toward his or her instrument of choice. The band members are: Acacia Whitney, 12, lead vocals; Jacobe Anderson, 16, lead guitar; Nahjeih Whitney, 10, congas/vocals/keyboard; Landon Anderson, 14, bass guitar/vocals; Erinae Whitney, 14, keyboard; and 20-year-old Bralen Kincade, percussion. The band has been asked to perform at various events and concerts since. Jamii, which means family in Swahili, performs regularly in the Historic 18th and Vine District. One of the more notable appearances for Jacobe Anderson was a trip to Tennessee. “We went to Nashville and played for the African Street Festival,” he said. “We were the opening act for Family Stone, Dwele and The Bloodstones. And we played at the summer series concert presented by Sen. Emanuel Cleaver.” The band primarily plays covers (influences are blues, jazz, “old-
ies,” R&B, hip-hop and, specifically, some band members like John Legend, Alicia Keys and Victor Wooten), but it’s currently working on original content, though there’s no word yet on when it will be available for eager ears. Jacobe Anderson said sometimes playing with family is fun, sometimes they argue, and sometimes they just joke around. Landon Anderson describes playing with his family as a more welcoming and comfortable experience than playing with strangers. On Monday night, when the band was playing a few songs in their Raytown home, it was apparent how comfortable and familiar they were with each other; everyone was on the same page — when the solos came in, on which beat rests were, and harmonies to back up the lead vocalist. If the three oldest members of the band are any indication of how the talent of three youngest will progress, Jamii will be a very familiar name in Raytown. Part of the reason Jamii
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Raytown Celebrates MCPL 50th Birthday Anniversary By Diane Krizek On Nov. 10, the Mid-Continent Public Library celebrated its 50th birthday anniversary at all of its branches throughout the tri-county area of Jackson, Clay and Platte counties. Exactly 50 years ago, Nov. 10, 1965, Jackson and Clay
Counties merged their library systems to provide better access to the community. Platte County joined MCPL in 1968, and now MCPL represents more than 780,000 people in the Greater Kansas City area which is something to celebrate. “There are 90 functions going on in the library system today,”
The Birthday celebration drew many from the Raytown community who appreciate their local library branch.
Bridget Heos, author of the “Mustache Baby” series and illustrator Dan Regan sign books.
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said Mary Altman, director of marketing and communications. “I have been with MCPL since only February. Most of my career was spent in sports and entertainment but when I returned to Kansas City, I knew I wanted to be a part of the library making memories for families.” The roots of the Raytown branch hearken back to 1948, when it was a part of the former Jackson County Library. The branch celebrated its 50th birthday back in 1998 and this week it celebrated its 50th anniversary with MCPL. The celebration began with the
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Jay and Leslie Juggling Show tickling the funny bone of an audience of 54 that included children, parents and grandparents with their wacky signature stage show, “Drop of a Hat.” Following the performance, Bridget Heos, Kansas City awardwinning author of the “Mustache Baby” series, and illustrator Dan Regan introduced their book “Grow a Reader: an Interplanetary Tale” to the audience. Everyone child in the audience received a free copy of the book autographed by the author and illustrator. “When I found out Mid-Con-
tinent was making a book about growing a reader, I knew I wanted to be a part of it,” said Heos. “I think reading is so important. Reading to your kids every day prepares them for the kind of education that will make their dreams come true.” Regan retired from Hallmark after 29 years creating humorous greeting cards. “I already knew Bridget but it was MCPL who put us together for this book,” said Dan. From 2 to 4 p.m., the Raytown
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