“Please Send My Love to the World”
Lyrics and Melody by Megan Birdsall
Music and Orchestration produced by Justin Wilson

Little Jazz Bird is now available for purchase online.Buy Now »

by Rachel C. MurphyIn August, Urban Times caught up with Megan Birdsall, a local jazz singer to discuss her new release, Little Jazz Bird. What we didn’t know was that Birdsall was smiling and singing through the pain of a little known condition that threatens her ability to sing.Weeks before the start of recording on Little Jazz Bird, Birdsall was diagnosed with severe arthritic, degenerative changes in both temporomandibular joints (TMJ) and inflammation. This extreme form of TMJ means that the joints in her jaw have deteriorated to the point that she is in extreme pain most of the time, and if left unchecked, her condition will continue to deteriorate to the point that singing and eating would be completely impossible. The condition is also obstructing her airways, causing sleep apnea, a disorder that causes the person to stop breathing while asleep.Fortunately, Birdsall was introduced to Dr. Larry Wolford, the nation’s leading Oral Maxillofacial surgeon at Baylor University in Dallas, TX. While Dr. Wolford can replace Birdsall’s jaw with a prosthetic that will fix the problem, it is costly, totaling $120,000.On October 17, 2007, Birdsall will debut Little Jazz Bird at a CD release party and benefit to raise money for the surgery at Jardine’s Jazz Club. Local non-profit the Kansas City Jazz Ambassadors is supporting Birdsall through MEAF, the Musician Emergency Assistance Fund. All donations to MEAF on Birdsall’s behalf are tax-deductible. This fund operates as a confidential resource for financial benefits to area jazz artists and their immediate families.There will be three sets at 7, 9, and 11 pm. Tickets are $20. Birdsall will be performing the tunes from her new release and signing CD’s. All proceeds from the evening will benefit MEAF and help defray the costs of this expensive and necessary surgery.

Megan Birdsall’s second release, “Little Jazz Bird” is now available. Megan continues her exploration of standard favorites with her own exciting interpretation. Stay tuned for upcoming performances and ordering information.