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 A JAZZ LOVER'S CLUB SCENE SYNOPSIS Where can live jazz be found in Kansas City? Who's playing it and when? And what about parking, dress, food and cover charges? For this 10th anniversary issue of JAM, we depart from the usual "Club Scene" format to answer those questions and more in a special feature we'll just call:
I-70 & Truman Sports Complex 737-0200 Pianist Dan DeLuca is a regular at Remington's Steak and Seafood Grill (Sunday, 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Sunday through Thursday 5:30 to 10 p.m., Friday & Saturday, 5:30 to 11 p.m.). Quincy's down below hosts a Thursday "After Work Party" weekly (5 to 8 p.m.) for "smooth jazz" radio station KCIY-FM. Various local bands are featured for the latter, no cover for either. Lot parking is plentiful, dress is casual but nice. There's a diverse menu at Remington's, and an hors d'oeuvre buffet at the KCIY party for $1. B.B.'s Lawnside BBQ 1205 E. 85th 822-7427 B.B.'s is best known as a blues club, but it sometimes features live jazz. On the first Wednesday of each month look for saxophonist Dean Stringer and his "Mo-Kan River City Jazz Orchestra," a big band that plays both the old and the new. No cover, good parking, casual dress and a variety of barbecue favorites. Blayney's 415 Westport Rd. 561-3747 This popular Westport blues spot has live jazz on a sporadic basis. The Pat Morrissey Revue and Simplexity are occasional visitors. There's music on weeknights from 9:30 p.m. to 2 a.m. ($2 cover) and weekends from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. ($3 cover). Street or nearby garage parking, casual dress, no food. Call for upcoming jazz bands. Boulevard Cafe 703 Southwest Blvd. 842-6984 Sunday jazz brunch at the Boulevard (11 a.m. to 2 p.m.) usually features Bryan Hicks (vocals/bass), Rod Fleeman (guitar) and Randy Weinstein (harmonica). On Monday there's live jazz from 7 to 10 p.m., sometimes featuring either Karrin Allyson or Angela Hagenbach. And on Tuesdays, Stan Kessler and The Sons of Brasil are regulars, playing from 7:30 to 11 p.m. No cover, casual dress, a menu that includes numerous Mediterranean, Middle-Eastern and Spanish dishes, and street parking (or there's a nice little nook beneath the adjacent underpass). Club 427 427 Main at 5th Street 421-CLUB With live jazz six nights a week, the lineup at Club 427 consists of many of KC's finest and is always changing. Call for current information, or check printed monthly schedules. Hours for live music are: Tuesday/Wednesday 6:30--10:30 p.m., Thursday 7--11 p.m., Friday (early) 5:30--8:30 p.m. and (late) 9 p.m. -- 1 a.m., Saturday (early) 5:30 -- 8 p.m. and (late) 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. On Sunday there's a jazz brunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and then "Jazz Appreciation Night" (for which the room takes on more of a listening ambiance) from 7 to 11 p.m. No cover except for Sunday night, plenty of lot parking, casual but nice dress, and a diverse, upscale menu (no food served on Sunday nights). The Club at Plaza III 4749 Pennsylvania 753-0000 The musical menu at The Club consists of numerous KC jazz artists plus occasional out-of-town headliners. The lineup is different each week, so it's best to call for current info or check printed schedules (David Basse and the City Light Orchestra are regulars, as is singer Queen Bey). There's live jazz Wednesday through Saturday, 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. and on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (brunch). A $5 cover is charged Friday and Saturday, no cover on Wednesday and Thursday. Nearby garage or valet parking (street parking in the Country Club Plaza can be tricky), attire ranges from nice casual to dressy, and Plaza III is one of the best known steakhouses in the midwest. Costello's Greenhouse 1414 W. 85th 333-5470 Drummer Tommy Ruskin and vocalist Julie Turner have hosted a weekly Wednesday jazz jam for several years at Costello's. Hours are 5 to 8 p.m. No cover, ample lot parking, casual but nice dress, and a diverse restaurant menu. Sitter-inners are welcome. The Drum Room 1020 Westport Rd. 756-DRUM In addition to featuring some of KC's finest jazz, blues and fusion talent (including house band Boko Maru and bassist Gerald Spaits), the Drum Room has emerged as a major stop for nationally known jazz artists on tour (Roy Hargrove, Wallace Roney, Eric Marienthal, and the Woody Herman band are but a few of the name acts that have appeared). Best to call for current info and upcoming attractions. Cover varies based on the act, the parking lot is spacious, dress is casual, and there is a limited but tasty menu featuring chicken wings, small pizzas and assorted bar snacks. Monday night is "big band night" with the Trilogy Big Band and the Boulevard Big Band alternating. The Elbow Room 7820 Quivira 268-6466 One of the newer additions to the live jazz scene on the Kansas side of the line, the Elbow Room features duos (and some trios) on Mondays (7 to 9 p.m.), Tuesdays (6:30 to 9:30) and Wednesdays (7 to 9). Guitarists Charlie Gatschet and Rod Fleeman, and bassist Bob Bowman are regulars. There has been expansion recently with the addition of a new room and the intent of adding a grand piano and bringing in larger bands. No cover, a large parking lot, casual but nice dress, and an upscale menu. The Epicurean Lounge 7502 Troost 333-4541 There's live jazz at the Epicurean every Sunday, 6 to 10 p.m. Max Groove, Sharon Thompson, 'Round Midnight, Simplexity, and the Mac-Lace Band are regulars. No cover, good lot parking, casual dress, and a menu that specializes in catfish, chicken wings and burgers. Fedora Cafe & Bar 210 W. 47th 561-6565 This comfortable restaurant on the Country Club Plaza is the current home of the Saturday afternoon Tommy Ruskin jazz jam (3 to 6 p.m.). Parking in the Plaza garage or on the street, no cover, and dress is nice casual. Bring your ax. The Folly Theater 12th & Central 474-4444 Not an actual jazz club, per se, but one of the most important KC venues for the presentation of touring national jazz acts in a concert setting. The 1995-96 series was strong (Slide Hampton, Clark Terry, Joshua Redman, Louie Bellson, Ray Brown, Steve Turre, The Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra). See "Folly Jazz News" for a preview of '96-97. Advance tickets, downtown parking (street or Auditorium Garage), casual but nice dress, snacks and beverages in the lobby. The Grand Emporium 3832 Main 531-7557 One of the most highly regarded music venues in Kansas City and home to mostly blues bands, there are occasional national jazz acts that come through town and take the Emporium stage. Cover varies based on band, street parking, casual dress, pizza and ribs right next door. Harling's Upstairs 3941-A Main 531-0303 Harling's is the home of another enduring Saturday afternoon jam hosted by jazz/blues singer "Mama" Ray. Hours are 2 to 6 p.m., no cover (for the jam), no food, street parking, casual dress. Ivy's Restaurant 240 NE Barry Road 436-3320 One of the few jazz venues north of the river, Ivy's features live jazz Thursday (6 to 10 p.m.), and Friday/Saturday (8 p.m. to midnight). Regulars include Angela Hagenbach & Musa Nova, Dave Stephens, and organist Everette DeVan. Cover is $1 on Thursdays, $2 on Friday and Saturday. There's plenty of lot parking, dress is casual but nice, and the restaurant has a diverse menu. Jardine's 4536 Main 561-6480 There's live jazz six nights a week in this intimate bistro just north of the Plaza. The lineup is different every week and features KC's top jazz musicians. Call for current info or pick up printed monthly schedules. Hours for entertainment are: Monday/Tuesday, 7 -- 11 p.m.; Wednesday/Thursday 8 p.m. -- midnight; Friday, 8 p.m. -- 3 a.m.; and Saturday, 3 p.m. -- 3 a.m. No cover, parking on the street or in the lot behind the club, casual dress, diverse menu. Jazz/A Louisiana Kitchen 39th & State Line 531-5556 Live music can be heard at Jazz on Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday, 7:30 to 11:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday, 9 p.m. to midnight. Carl Bender and the Toon Patrol, and harmonica man Mo Paul are regulars. No cover, although an additional 50 cents is added to your tab when the band is playing. Street and/or nearby lot parking, casual dress, abundant Cajun cuisine. Johnny O'Quigley's 6312 N. Chatham 587-2110 Known mostly as a sports/kareoke, O'Quigley's north of KC presents a jam every Sunday, 8 to 11 p.m., hosted by saxophonist Todd Wilkinson and his band, Boko Maru. Diverse menu, casual dress, no cover. The Levee 16 W. 43rd 561-2821 Another established KC music room that occasionally features jazz. Guitarist Sonny Kenner is a Monday/Tuesday regular (9 p.m. -- 1 a.m.) when there's a $1 cover. Parking on the street or in the lot across from the club. Casual dress, bar food and burgers. Majestic Steakhouse 931 Broadway 471-8484 Live music can be heard on both levels of this established KC steakhouse. Regulars include vocalist Julie Turner and drummer Tommy Ruskin (Sundays, 5 to 9 p.m., 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. on Thursdays). Pianist Bram Wijnands appears Friday and Saturday, 7 to 11 p.m. Parking is of the downtown street variety (with valet service available), dress is informal but nice, the menu is upscale eclectic. Mardi Gras 1600 E. 19th 842-8463 Right in the heart of the historic 18th & Vine District, Club Mardi Gras (once known as "Birdland") features music on Fridays and Saturdays, 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Pianist Donald Cox is a frequent performer. No cover, good street parking, no food, casual dress. Medlin's Colonial Inn 5100 Blue Ridge 737-1150 Best known as the home of Celtic folk singer/guitarist Bob Reeder, Medlin's also features jazz by pianist Paul Smith and friends every Wednesday from 5 to 7 p.m. No cover, ample lot parking, casual dress, and a diverse menu in the restaurant. Mill Creek Brewery 4050 Pennsylvania 931-4499 This Westport eatery has occasional live jazz, including guitarist Sonny Kenner on Thursdays, 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. (no cover). Call for updates. Casual dress, Westport parking (street and garage), full menu. Mutual Musicians Foundation 1823 Highland 471-5212 The MMF hosts the granddaddy of all the late night sessions. Located in the 18th & Vine District, this historic landmark has been the site of many a memorable jam over the decades. The tradition continues every Saturday night starting around 11 p.m. and lasting (sometimes) until dawn. Foundation favorites Donald Cox (piano), Dahoud Williams (bass) and Sam Johnson, Jr., (drums) are regulars. Donations are welcome, parking is on the street, dress is casual, drink but no food is served. All are invited to sit in. Papagallo 3535 Broadway 756-3227 Live jazz is featured at Papagallo on Thursday, 6 to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday, 6 to 11 p.m. Regular performers include pianist Luquman Hamza on weekends and singer Karrin Allyson one Thursday a month. No cover. Parking is on the street or in the covered garage, dress is casual but nice, and the cuisine is Italian/Mediterranean/vegetarian. Phoenix Piano Bar & Grill 8th & Central 472-0001 The Phoenix is usually packed and is one of those KC jazz venues where everybody plays. There's live music six nights a week as follows: Monday, 6 to 10 p.m., Tuesday through Thursday, 6 to 11, Friday, 5 p.m. to 1 a.m., and Saturday, 4 p.m. to 1 a.m. Regular performers include Tim Whitmer & The KC Express, The Scamps, and Everette DeVan. Street parking, a diverse menu with an emphasis on burgers, casual dress, no cover. The Point 917 W. 44th 531-9800 Although the music policy at The Point has recently swung in the direction of alternative bands, the upstairs level of the club has emerged as one of KC's best listening rooms with occasional live jazz on weekends, 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Featured performers include Karrin Allyson and Max Groove. Call for upcoming bookings. There's a $5 cover on Friday and Saturday, parking is on the street or in an adjacent lot, dress is casual, and food is served down below. Ritz Carlton 401 Ward Parkway 756-1500 Live jazz can be heard in the Lobby Lounge at the Ritz these days. Pianists Joe Cartwright and Russ Long are regulars as is saxophonist Kim Park. Singers Julie Turner and Karrin Allyson also occasionally appear. Hear the music Tuesday through Thursday (8 p.m. to midnight) and Friday and Saturday (8 p.m. to 1 a.m.). No cover, garage parking, informal but nice dress, no food in the lobby. Starker's 200 Nichols Rd. 753-3565 Another upscale Plaza restaurant that occasionally features live jazz. Entertainment is on Friday and Saturday, 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. with a $3 cover. Nice dress, Plaza parking, diverse menu. Call for upcoming acts. Tavern & Top Deck 4742 Pennsylvania 561-2700 In the heart of the Plaza (and just across the street from The Club at Plaza III), The Tavern features live music Thursday and Saturday. Vocalist Dave Stephens is a regular (Thursdays, 9 to midnight), and on Saturday there is a mix of jazz and blues. Cover is $2, garage, valet or street parking (don't count on the latter), informal dress and a diverse menu. RETURN TO JUNE/JULY 1996 MAIN INDEX ------------------------------------------------------------------------ © Kansas City Jazz Ambassadors 1996-2001. All rights reserved. |
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