Dwight Frizzell is a renowned composer, performer, and educator based in Kansas City. Known for his boundary-pushing approach to music, Frizzell creates immersive, genre-defying works that blend jazz, experimental sound, and sonic art. His work often incorporates themes of cosmic phenomena, technology, and social issues, challenging listeners to engage with music on both an intellectual and emotional level. As a key figure in the Kansas City music scene, Frizzell has contributed significantly to its contemporary jazz landscape while also influencing a generation of musicians. In addition to his artistic endeavors, Frizzell is an educator and a passionate advocate for creative collaboration, bringing together diverse artists across disciplines to produce innovative works. His From Ark to Microchip radio series showcases his continued exploration of the intersection between sound, science, and art.

Dwight Frizzell Named 2025 Plastic Sax Man of the Year

01.28.2025

Dwight Frizzell, Head of the KCAI Sound Program, has been named the 2025 Plastic Sax Person of the Year for his lasting influence on the Kansas City jazz community and his dedication to the experimental sounds inspired by Sun Ra.

Frizzell’s passion for jazz began well before the 1980s, but it's at that point when his enthusiasm for the genre was contagious for a key individual. As a clerk at Penny Lane Records, Frizzell became a guiding force for a young music enthusiast, encouraging the exploration of Sun Ra’s experimental works and influencing the future creation of Plastic Sax, according to the site dedicated to the legacy of jazz in Kansas City.

Known for his dynamic, immersive sonic installations, Frizzell continues to push the boundaries of jazz with his unique, Sun Ra-inspired projects. His recent work in the Charlotte Street Foundation's Sonic Art Series is just one example of how Frizzell remains an innovative force in the jazz world, continually refining his artistic vision.

Frizzell joins a prestigious list of past honorees, including Matt Otto (2023), Seth Davis and Evan Verploegh (2022), and Rod Fleeman (2021).

For more information, read the full article from Plastic Sax.

Creative Innovator

Dwight Frizzell is a distinguished educator, serving as a professor at the Kansas City Art Institute and the Head of KCAI’s Sound Program.

In addition to his academic role, Frizzell is an accomplished composer and performer, known for his innovative and experimental approach to music. His works often merge elements of jazz, sonic art, and contemporary sound exploration, reflecting his interest in themes like technology, the cosmos, and societal issues.

As a key figure in Kansas City’s music scene, Frizzell has significantly shaped the local creative landscape, mentoring students and collaborating with diverse artists across disciplines.

His From Ark to Microchip radio series further demonstrates his ability to push artistic boundaries and engage audiences in thought-provoking, genre-defying music.

Upcoming Broadcasts Featuring Dwight Frizzell

Tune in to KKFI-90.1 FM or webcast at kkfi.org on Thursday, January 30 to hear these Frizzell-produced programs for the From Ark to Microchip series.

Made in Kansas City: Nuclear Bombs for the World

Thursday, January 30 at 7:00 p.m.


This special program explores the Kansas City National Security Campus, which houses a new nuclear weapons plant that supports the "life-extensions" of B61 thermonuclear devices. These updates ensure the continued viability of these weapons, including the addition of Boeing tail-kits that make them "smart" bombs. The music in this broadcast features data sonifications of a B61 detonation event, performed by the newEar contemporary chamber ensemble.

Composers Michael Henry and Dwight Frizzell mapped data onto the music, representing the short and long-term effects of these weapons, including shock waves, electromagnetic pulses, and biological impacts. Conducted by Sarah McKoin, the ensemble includes notable local musicians such as Thomas Aber (clarinets), Jan Faidley (saxophones), and Jessica Nance (viola). This program is produced by Dwight Frizzell for the From Ark to Microchip series.

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Coronal Mass Ejections: New Music from the Sun

Thursday, January 30 at 7:30 p.m.


In this program, Frizzell takes listeners on a sonic journey through the immense solar phenomena known as coronal mass ejections. These massive plasma releases from the Sun form twisted “flux ropes” and are part of the Sun’s pulsing rhythm. The music maps the sun's ritual time-space, with instrumental duets evoking the twisting magnetic fields and the cosmic dance of the sun’s solar surface.

Recorded in 2024, this performance features the Myth-Science Ensemble, including musicians such as Thomas Aber (bass clarinet, bari sax), Patrick Conway (drums and alto sax), and Dwight Frizzell (midi-wind instrument and electronics). Supported by the Charlotte Street Foundation and the Kansas City Art Institute, this program is also part of the From Ark to Microchip series, produced by Frizzell.