JAM Magazine: June/July 1999 Issue: Club Scene Synopsis '99

A JAZZ LOVER'S CLUB SCENE SYNOPSIS '99

Where can live jazz be found in Kansas City? Who's playing it and when? And what about parking, dress, food and cover charges? Here is our annual survey of all you need to know about KC's many jazz-friendly venues.

Adam's Mark Hotel (Remington's/Quincy's)
I-70 & Truman Sports Complex
737-0200
Pianist Dan DeLuca is a Sunday through Saturday regular at Remington's Steak and Seafood Grill. Quincy's down below has featured Boko Maru and Ida McBeth. Dress is casual but nice, lot parking is plentiful, and there's a diverse menu at Remington's.

B.B.'s Lawnside BBQ
1205 E. 85th
822-7427
B.B.'s is best known as an established blues club, but it sometimes features live jazz. On the first Wednesday of each month look for saxophonist Dean Stringer and his River City Jazz Orchestra, a big band that plays both the old and the new (their first CD, Tongue & Groove has done well; a second is on the way). No cover, good parking, casual dress and a variety of barbecue favorites.

The Blue Room
18th & Vine
474-2929
Technically part of the American Jazz Museum at 18th & Vine, the Blue Room is a bona fide jazz club where people come to listen. There's live jazz on Monday, and Thursday through Saturday featuring a representative cross-section of KC jazz talent. No cover (except for special events), casual to nice dress, no smoking, no food and good parking either on the street or in nearby lots.

Charlie's Lodge, Restaurant & Bar
7953 State Line
333-6363
The home of the Julie Turner/Tommy Ruskin weekly Wednesday jazz jam, 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. No cover, ample lot parking, casual dress, and a diverse restaurant menu. Sitter-inners are welcome. Bring your ax.

Club 427
427 Main at 5th Street
421-CLUB
With live jazz five nights a week, the lineup at Club 427 consists of many of KC's finest and is always changing. Regulars include The Scamps, Max Groove, Joe Cartwright and Pat Morrissey with occasional visiting national acts. Weekly hours for live music are: Tuesday/Wednesday 6:30-10:30 p.m., Thursday 7:00-11:00 p.m., Friday/Saturday, 8:00 p.m. - midnight. There's sometimes a $3 to $5 cover (call for info), plenty of lot parking, casual but nice dress, and a diverse, upscale menu.

Club Mardi Gras
1601 E. 19th
842-8463 (VINE)
Located in the historic 18th & Vine District -- and just down the street from Robert Altman's "Kansas City" movie set -- Club Mardi Gras features live music on Fridays (jazz) and Saturdays (blues), 9:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. $3 cover, street parking, food, casual dress. Mac-Lace, Roland Allen and Sonny Kenner have appeared. Everette DeVan hosts an open jam every Friday, 4:30 - 8:30 p.m.

The Club at Plaza III
4749 Pennsylvania
753-0000
The musical menu at The Club consists of a variety of KC jazz artists. The lineup is different each week, so it's best to call for current info or check printed schedules. There's live jazz Wednesday and Thursday, 7:00-11:00 p.m., Friday-Saturday 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. A cover is sometimes charged Friday and Saturday, no cover Wednesday-Thursday. Nearby garage, street or valet parking, attire ranges from nice casual to dressy, and Plaza III is one of the best known steakhouses in the Midwest.

The Elbow Room
7820 Quivera
268-6466
After a devastating fire a while back, the Elbow Room has returned with live jazz Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday nights. Bob Bowman, Rod Fleeman, Tyrone Clark and Danny Embrey are regulars. No cover, casual upscale cuisine, ample lot parking.

The Grand Emporium
3832 Main
531-7557
One of the most highly regarded live music venues in the Midwest, there are occasional national jazz headliners who come through town and take the Emporium stage (Christian McBride, Charlie Hunter and the New Directions Band have appeared). Cover varies based on band, dress is casual, street parking, pizza right next door and Amazing Grace's BBQ at the end of the bar. Check out the printed flyer for upcoming acts.

Harling's Upstairs
3941-A Main
531-0303
Harling's is the home of a Saturday afternoon jam hosted by jazz/blues singer Diane "Mama" Ray and keyboard sidekick Rich Van Sant. Hours for the session are 2:00 to 6:00 p.m., no cover (for the jam), no food, street parking, casual dress. Also, the Boulevard Big Band has been doing Tuesday nights of late. Call for updates.

Ivy's
240 NE Barry Road
436-3320
One of the few jazz venues north of the river, Ivy's features live jazz Friday and Saturday night, 7:00-11:00 p.m. Regulars include Angela Hagenbach, Joe Cartwright, Doug Talley and Stan Kessler. Plenty of lot parking, a diverse menu, dress is nice casual.

Jardine's
4536 Main
561-6480
There's live jazz six nights a week in this intimate bistro just north of the Plaza. Karrin Allyson, Paul Smith, Rich Hill, Julie Turner and Ida McBeth have appeared. Parking on the street or in the lot behind the club, casual dress, diverse menu, no cover.

Jazz/A Louisiana Kitchen
39th & State Line
531-5556
Live music, including jazz, can be heard Wednesday through Sunday, 8:00 to midnight at this popular home of Cajun cuisine. No cover, although an additional 50 cents is added to your tab for entertainment. Street and/or nearby lot parking, casual dress. There are also two more Louisiana Kitchens that have recently opened in the area and occasionally feature live jazz. One is in Lee's Summit at 511 SE Melody Lane (525-9459), another in NKC at 8144 NW Prairie View Road (505-1714). Call for info about live jazz performances.

The Levee
16 W. 43rd
561-2821
Another established KC music room that occasionally features live music. Guitarist Sonny Kenner is a Monday-Tuesday regular (9:00 p.m.-1:00 a.m.) when there's a $2 cover. Parking on the street or in the lot across from the club. Casual dress, bar food and burgers.

The Majestic Steakhouse
931 Broadway
471-8484
Live jazz can be heard seven nights a week at this established KC steakhouse. Regulars include vocalist Julie Turner and drummer Tommy Ruskin (5:00-9:00 p.m. Sundays, 6:30-10:30 p.m. on Thursdays); the piano-bass duo of Billy Meynier and Wes Knowles (Mondays), pianist Joe Cartwright (Tuesday-Wednesday) and pianist Bram Wijnands (Friday and Saturday). Parking is of the downtown street variety (valet service is available) as well as in a lot close by. Dress is informal but nice, no cover, and the menu is upscale eclectic.

Mill Creek Brewery
4050 Pennsylvania
931-4499
This Westport eatery has occasional live music including guitarist Sonny Kenner on Thursdays, 10:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. Call for updates. Casual dress, Westport parking (street and garage), diverse menu, the cover varies.

The Marriott-Downtown
200 W. 12th
421-6800
The Marriott's 12th Street Rag Room is also the home of the Kansas City Jazz Workshop concert series. (See "News & Notes" for a preview of the 1999-2000 season). And the McFadden Brothers have been known to sign up for extended engagements. Garage parking, nice dress, and the diverse selection of dining options found in a major hotel.

Mutual Musicians Foundation
1823 Highland
471-5212
The MMF hosts the most enduring of all KC jam sessions. Located in the historic 18th & Vine District, this landmark has been the site of many a memorable jazz jam over the years. The tradition continues every Saturday night starting around 11:00 p.m. and lasting (sometimes) until dawn. Foundation favorites Donald Cox and Sam Johnson, Jr., are regulars. Donations are welcome, parking is on the street, dress is casual, no food is served.

The Phoenix Piano Bar & Grill
302 W. 8th St.
472-0001
Now under the new management team of club vet Rich Denny and pianist Tim Whitmer, this popular jazz club/restaurant features live music six nights a week. (Whitmer and The Scamps are regulars.) A completely revamped menu features seafood, steaks and pasta, dress is still nice casual, no cover, and parking on the street.

The Phoenix at Station Casino
I-435 & 210 Highway
414-7420
This relatively new cousin of the downtown spot also features plenty of the area's finest musicians every Friday (9-1) and Saturday (5-9, 9-1). Look for such notables as pianist Pete Eye, singer Hal Wakes and the jazz/funk band Boko Maru. A diverse menu, no cover, casual dress, and plenty of free parking in the casino lot.

The Ritz Carlton
401 Ward Parkway
756-1500
Pianists Scott McDonald (Tuesday-Thursday) and Russ Long (Friday-Saturday) are regulars in the hotel lobby. The Ritz is a sure bet for elegant ambiance with quality jazz as background. No cover, garage parking, informal but nice attire, no food in the lobby.

Shiraz
320 Southwest Blvd.
472-0015
When the Boulevard Cafe closed, it didn't take long for the Sons of Brasil to find a new home just up the street. Catch Stan Kessler and company every Tuesday night. No cover, casual dress, street parking and a menu of Mediterranean favorites.

39 on Main
3947 Main
561-7867
Formerly the Bacchus Bar & Grill (which also featured live jazz once upon a time), 39 on Main is one of the more recent entries on the local jazz scene. Look for locals like Dave Stephens and Sam Johnson. Jr. Wednesday through Saturday nights (most jazz bands appear on Wednesday and Thursday). No cover, street parking, casual dress, diverse menu.

210 at Fedora
210 W. 47th
561-6565
This upscale restaurant/bar on the Country Club Plaza features live jazz two nights a week, Friday and Saturday. Regulars include Ida McBeth, Boko Maru and Angela Hagenbach. Fedora is also the home of the Saturday afternoon Tommy Ruskin open jazz jam, 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. Parking in a Plaza garage or on the street, no cover, dress is nice casual, and there's an eclectic menu in the adjoining restaurant.

Westport Coffee House
4010 Pennsylvania
756-3222
Just down the street from the Mill Creek Brewery, this listening room in Westport occasionally features Kansas City jazz artists on weekends. Live music on Friday and Saturday runs from 9:00 p.m. to midnight. The menu includes sandwiches, muffins and bagels, dress is casual, street or garage parking, no alcoholic beverages.

RETURN TO JUNE 1999 MAIN INDEX

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© Kansas City Jazz Ambassadors 1996-2001. All rights reserved.






	Search our site:		A JAZZ LOVER'S CLUB SCENE SYNOPSIS '99 Where can live jazz be found in Kansas City? Who's playing it and when? And what about parking, dress, food and cover charges? Here is our annual survey of all you need to know about KC's many jazz-friendly venues. Adam's Mark Hotel (Remington's/Quincy's) I-70 & Truman Sports Complex 737-0200 Pianist Dan DeLuca is a Sunday through Saturday regular at Remington's Steak and Seafood Grill. Quincy's down below has featured Boko Maru and Ida McBeth. Dress is casual but nice, lot parking is plentiful, and there's a diverse menu at Remington's. B.B.'s Lawnside BBQ 1205 E. 85th 822-7427 B.B.'s is best known as an established blues club, but it sometimes features live jazz. On the first Wednesday of each month look for saxophonist Dean Stringer and his River City Jazz Orchestra, a big band that plays both the old and the new (their first CD, Tongue & Groove has done well; a second is on the way). No cover, good parking, casual dress and a variety of barbecue favorites. The Blue Room 18th & Vine 474-2929 Technically part of the American Jazz Museum at 18th & Vine, the Blue Room is a bona fide jazz club where people come to listen. There's live jazz on Monday, and Thursday through Saturday featuring a representative cross-section of KC jazz talent. No cover (except for special events), casual to nice dress, no smoking, no food and good parking either on the street or in nearby lots. Charlie's Lodge, Restaurant & Bar 7953 State Line 333-6363 The home of the Julie Turner/Tommy Ruskin weekly Wednesday jazz jam, 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. No cover, ample lot parking, casual dress, and a diverse restaurant menu. Sitter-inners are welcome. Bring your ax. Club 427 427 Main at 5th Street 421-CLUB With live jazz five nights a week, the lineup at Club 427 consists of many of KC's finest and is always changing. Regulars include The Scamps, Max Groove, Joe Cartwright and Pat Morrissey with occasional visiting national acts. Weekly hours for live music are: Tuesday/Wednesday 6:30-10:30 p.m., Thursday 7:00-11:00 p.m., Friday/Saturday, 8:00 p.m. - midnight. There's sometimes a $3 to $5 cover (call for info), plenty of lot parking, casual but nice dress, and a diverse, upscale menu. Club Mardi Gras 1601 E. 19th 842-8463 (VINE) Located in the historic 18th & Vine District -- and just down the street from Robert Altman's "Kansas City" movie set -- Club Mardi Gras features live music on Fridays (jazz) and Saturdays (blues), 9:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. $3 cover, street parking, food, casual dress. Mac-Lace, Roland Allen and Sonny Kenner have appeared. Everette DeVan hosts an open jam every Friday, 4:30 - 8:30 p.m. The Club at Plaza III 4749 Pennsylvania 753-0000 The musical menu at The Club consists of a variety of KC jazz artists. The lineup is different each week, so it's best to call for current info or check printed schedules. There's live jazz Wednesday and Thursday, 7:00-11:00 p.m., Friday-Saturday 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. A cover is sometimes charged Friday and Saturday, no cover Wednesday-Thursday. Nearby garage, street or valet parking, attire ranges from nice casual to dressy, and Plaza III is one of the best known steakhouses in the Midwest. The Elbow Room 7820 Quivera 268-6466 After a devastating fire a while back, the Elbow Room has returned with live jazz Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday nights. Bob Bowman, Rod Fleeman, Tyrone Clark and Danny Embrey are regulars. No cover, casual upscale cuisine, ample lot parking. The Grand Emporium 3832 Main 531-7557 One of the most highly regarded live music venues in the Midwest, there are occasional national jazz headliners who come through town and take the Emporium stage (Christian McBride, Charlie Hunter and the New Directions Band have appeared). Cover varies based on band, dress is casual, street parking, pizza right next door and Amazing Grace's BBQ at the end of the bar. Check out the printed flyer for upcoming acts. Harling's Upstairs 3941-A Main 531-0303 Harling's is the home of a Saturday afternoon jam hosted by jazz/blues singer Diane "Mama" Ray and keyboard sidekick Rich Van Sant. Hours for the session are 2:00 to 6:00 p.m., no cover (for the jam), no food, street parking, casual dress. Also, the Boulevard Big Band has been doing Tuesday nights of late. Call for updates. Ivy's 240 NE Barry Road 436-3320 One of the few jazz venues north of the river, Ivy's features live jazz Friday and Saturday night, 7:00-11:00 p.m. Regulars include Angela Hagenbach, Joe Cartwright, Doug Talley and Stan Kessler. Plenty of lot parking, a diverse menu, dress is nice casual. Jardine's 4536 Main 561-6480 There's live jazz six nights a week in this intimate bistro just north of the Plaza. Karrin Allyson, Paul Smith, Rich Hill, Julie Turner and Ida McBeth have appeared. Parking on the street or in the lot behind the club, casual dress, diverse menu, no cover. Jazz/A Louisiana Kitchen 39th & State Line 531-5556 Live music, including jazz, can be heard Wednesday through Sunday, 8:00 to midnight at this popular home of Cajun cuisine. No cover, although an additional 50 cents is added to your tab for entertainment. Street and/or nearby lot parking, casual dress. There are also two more Louisiana Kitchens that have recently opened in the area and occasionally feature live jazz. One is in Lee's Summit at 511 SE Melody Lane (525-9459), another in NKC at 8144 NW Prairie View Road (505-1714). Call for info about live jazz performances. The Levee 16 W. 43rd 561-2821 Another established KC music room that occasionally features live music. Guitarist Sonny Kenner is a Monday-Tuesday regular (9:00 p.m.-1:00 a.m.) when there's a $2 cover. Parking on the street or in the lot across from the club. Casual dress, bar food and burgers. The Majestic Steakhouse 931 Broadway 471-8484 Live jazz can be heard seven nights a week at this established KC steakhouse. Regulars include vocalist Julie Turner and drummer Tommy Ruskin (5:00-9:00 p.m. Sundays, 6:30-10:30 p.m. on Thursdays); the piano-bass duo of Billy Meynier and Wes Knowles (Mondays), pianist Joe Cartwright (Tuesday-Wednesday) and pianist Bram Wijnands (Friday and Saturday). Parking is of the downtown street variety (valet service is available) as well as in a lot close by. Dress is informal but nice, no cover, and the menu is upscale eclectic. Mill Creek Brewery 4050 Pennsylvania 931-4499 This Westport eatery has occasional live music including guitarist Sonny Kenner on Thursdays, 10:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. Call for updates. Casual dress, Westport parking (street and garage), diverse menu, the cover varies. The Marriott-Downtown 200 W. 12th 421-6800 The Marriott's 12th Street Rag Room is also the home of the Kansas City Jazz Workshop concert series. (See "News & Notes" for a preview of the 1999-2000 season). And the McFadden Brothers have been known to sign up for extended engagements. Garage parking, nice dress, and the diverse selection of dining options found in a major hotel. Mutual Musicians Foundation 1823 Highland 471-5212 The MMF hosts the most enduring of all KC jam sessions. Located in the historic 18th & Vine District, this landmark has been the site of many a memorable jazz jam over the years. The tradition continues every Saturday night starting around 11:00 p.m. and lasting (sometimes) until dawn. Foundation favorites Donald Cox and Sam Johnson, Jr., are regulars. Donations are welcome, parking is on the street, dress is casual, no food is served. The Phoenix Piano Bar & Grill 302 W. 8th St. 472-0001 Now under the new management team of club vet Rich Denny and pianist Tim Whitmer, this popular jazz club/restaurant features live music six nights a week. (Whitmer and The Scamps are regulars.) A completely revamped menu features seafood, steaks and pasta, dress is still nice casual, no cover, and parking on the street. The Phoenix at Station Casino I-435 & 210 Highway 414-7420 This relatively new cousin of the downtown spot also features plenty of the area's finest musicians every Friday (9-1) and Saturday (5-9, 9-1). Look for such notables as pianist Pete Eye, singer Hal Wakes and the jazz/funk band Boko Maru. A diverse menu, no cover, casual dress, and plenty of free parking in the casino lot. The Ritz Carlton 401 Ward Parkway 756-1500 Pianists Scott McDonald (Tuesday-Thursday) and Russ Long (Friday-Saturday) are regulars in the hotel lobby. The Ritz is a sure bet for elegant ambiance with quality jazz as background. No cover, garage parking, informal but nice attire, no food in the lobby. Shiraz 320 Southwest Blvd. 472-0015 When the Boulevard Cafe closed, it didn't take long for the Sons of Brasil to find a new home just up the street. Catch Stan Kessler and company every Tuesday night. No cover, casual dress, street parking and a menu of Mediterranean favorites. 39 on Main 3947 Main 561-7867 Formerly the Bacchus Bar & Grill (which also featured live jazz once upon a time), 39 on Main is one of the more recent entries on the local jazz scene. Look for locals like Dave Stephens and Sam Johnson. Jr. Wednesday through Saturday nights (most jazz bands appear on Wednesday and Thursday). No cover, street parking, casual dress, diverse menu. 210 at Fedora 210 W. 47th 561-6565 This upscale restaurant/bar on the Country Club Plaza features live jazz two nights a week, Friday and Saturday. Regulars include Ida McBeth, Boko Maru and Angela Hagenbach. Fedora is also the home of the Saturday afternoon Tommy Ruskin open jazz jam, 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. Parking in a Plaza garage or on the street, no cover, dress is nice casual, and there's an eclectic menu in the adjoining restaurant. Westport Coffee House 4010 Pennsylvania 756-3222 Just down the street from the Mill Creek Brewery, this listening room in Westport occasionally features Kansas City jazz artists on weekends. Live music on Friday and Saturday runs from 9:00 p.m. to midnight. The menu includes sandwiches, muffins and bagels, dress is casual, street or garage parking, no alcoholic beverages. RETURN TO JUNE 1999 MAIN INDEX ------------------------------------------------------------------------ © Kansas City Jazz Ambassadors 1996-2001. All rights reserved.