Best Places to Hear KC Jazz

ComandanteCero · Post by **ComandanteCero** » Fri Dec 17, 2004 5:08 pm

So, a friend of mine is going to come into KC in January, he's a big Jazz buff and he wants to try hitting the best places in KC (and by that he means great jazz without the big cover charges ((even though, as a for my information i'd like to hear any place regardless of price))). So i've heard the Blue room over at the Jazz Museum has some good stuff, and "the foundation" (where's this at?) has some great after hours sessions, but what other places have you guys been to that are pretty cool?

KCK · Post by **KCK** » Fri Dec 17, 2004 5:26 pm

Check out Ameristar. It isn't old, or traditional in any way, but they have free jazz many nights a week, and other entertainment as well.

Post by **staubio** » Tue Dec 28, 2004 10:55 am

The Foundation is on Highland, just south of 18th street. It is a pretty unassuming building with a "Mutual Musicians' Foundation" sign on the outside.

The Blue Room on 18th is pretty good. It is also a good place to go for jazz just because it puts you in the "district" -- and there are a lot of museum pieces actually in the Blue Room to look at while you are there.

Other good places I've been are Jardine's on Main near the Plaza, Phoenix on Scamp's Alley, The Point along Belleview and Kelsos in Northtown. I'm no expert, but I do enjoy it and would assume that all of those places are solid. You can also find several websites with listings and info on jazz appeareances if you search. Most of these places will have paper copies of the KC Jazz magazine, which is pretty useful for that stuff.

cdschofield · Post by **cdschofield** » Tue Dec 28, 2004 12:08 pm

In addition to the other clubs listed is The Club at Plaza III, it's in the basement of the Plaza III. Here's the link to Jazz Ambassador Magazine http://www.jazzkc.org/, everything you'd ever want to know about jazz in KC.

Beermo · Post by **Beermo** » Tue Dec 28, 2004 12:48 pm

you must go see this awesome jump blues band that is from k.c. they are "the grand marquis" and they play all over town at all sorts of places, but you can catch them every thursday evening at the jazz on 39th. while that's not the best venue to see them at it's a regular one. after checking their calender i see that they are playing at 40 sardines new years eve. great band. they got a female drummer, a sax guy who plays all 4 of his saxes, a trumpet player who is also great and a guy who plays the upright bass. they also dress sorta period style. if you're into jazz, blues, swing, big band, then i highly recommend you see these guys.

http://www.grandmarquis.net/

ignatius · Post by **ignatius** » Tue Dec 28, 2004 6:09 pm

Staubio pretty much got the good ones.

Foundation is great for late night jam sessions after hitting other clubs. I haven't checked lately but it used to be Fri night after midnite was blues and Sat was jazz jams. If friend is musician, s/he can bring his tool and ask to join in.

Jardine's, Blue Room and Phoenix is where I take outatown jazz nuts and they always like it. Look for Angela Hagenbach or Westport Ensemble playing anywhere. My outatown jazz musician friends are usually intimidated by Bob Bowman, Rod Fleeman or Danny Embrey - fantastic jazz bassist and guitarists. Look for them if looking for talent. They were also Karin Allyson's sidemen. The Scamps are always good old school entertainment, typically at the Phoenix. Also look for Malachy Papers and Snuff Jazz at 39th Jazz Kitchen or Xroads coffeehouses for something a little more adventerous.

Also check out BB's and Emporium for blues of course. Sat afternoon check out Mama Ray at Harling's.

I have this outdated KC jazz site. Hasn't been updated in a couple of years but still mostly valid info. KC has no idea how much jazz/blues there is in KC. Over 60 venues that have blues/jazz musicians and over 1000 who gig - definitely top 5.

http://home.kc.rr.com/kcjazz

Deleted User · Post by **Deleted User** » Fri Dec 31, 2004 12:42 am

ignatius · Post by **ignatius** » Fri Dec 31, 2004 1:29 am

I agree about the Phoenix. Only go for entertainment, it's not for jazz snobs. Still a doable place if expecting light-skilled entertainment.

I agree with everything else you said too. The Foundation will also jam past dawn if the crowd and the musicians keep each other interested. A lame crowd will kill an evening quick. But sometimes when everything clicks, you'll have a crowd dancing on the tables. Not often the case but cool when it happens.

Because the Foundation existed before the Prohibition, the liquor license has no affect. It is grandfathered in. Paying for drinks by donation was a common practice during the Prohibition. There was also an illegal racetrack at the time down at 95th/Troost. One booth was for 'donations' and the other was for 'refunds'. This town has a very colorful history.

BTW, one major reason why jazz took off in KC was because it was the only city to completely ignore the Prohibition, thanks to Pendergast. Because there were many clubs serving booze and never closed, musicians could get work in KC so they flocked here. Being a rail center also helped.

KCPowercat · Post by **KCPowercat** » Fri Dec 31, 2004 1:33 am

I'm embarassed I've never been to the foundation...so they can serve past 3am?

ignatius · Post by **ignatius** » Fri Dec 31, 2004 1:41 am

Shame on you.

Yes, basically if everyone is having a good time and still there, you can grab a beer. It's run more like a private grandma's kitchen than a business but w/out food. Just booze and formica tables.

Deleted User · Post by **Deleted User** » Fri Dec 31, 2004 2:56 am

KCPowercat · Post by **KCPowercat** » Fri Dec 31, 2004 11:03 am

I stickied this thread, this is great information. Thanks everybody.

Beermo · Post by **Beermo** » Fri Dec 31, 2004 12:44 pm

check the sunday fyi section in the star to read about the lady who owns jardine's and her quest to bring good jazz to k.c. the whole spread is about people who are making a difference in k.c. or something to that effect.

ignatius · Post by **ignatius** » Tue Jan 04, 2005 6:15 pm

BTW, the Blue Room has a Friday happy hour called Indigo Hour, 5-7:30.

Well drinks and house wine are only 2 bucks and they have an appetizer buffet for 2 bucks a pop. Check it out.

Doesn't this belong in the Bar&Restaurants category?

KCN · Post by **KCN** » Tue Jan 04, 2005 6:43 pm

ignatius wrote:Doesn't this belong in the Bar&Restaurants category?

That's what I was thinking

UMKCroo · Post by **UMKCroo** » Thu Jan 06, 2005 4:45 pm

haha, the foundation rocks! Everyone that hasn't been there simply must check it out on a Sat. night, around 2am or later. It can be incredibly fun, and the music is often top-notch (though what do I really know?). A word of warning, however - it can be hit or miss. I've been there with two other people and a drunk piano player. Needless to say, it was a bit disappointing, but this was the exception; usually it simply kicks. You can head down there and get a tiny little taste of jazz-age KC, something every true KCian has gots to check out.

UMKCroo · Post by **UMKCroo** » Tue Jan 18, 2005 12:58 am

Also, on a slightly "classier" note, the Oak Room at the fairmont is also great. They have live jazz every night of the week, including the joe cartwright quartet friday, saturday, and sunday nights. In my opinnion, one of the cities greatest jazz ensembles. Angela Hagenbach also sings there a couple nights a week. The drinks are quite expensive, but the environment and music are fantastic. If anyone enjoys cigars, also one of the cities best spots to enjoy one of Castro's finest.

KC0KEK · Post by **KC0KEK** » Wed Feb 23, 2005 10:08 am

We're going to the Ann Hamption Callaway concert at the Folly Saturday night. Any suggestions for restaurants in that area? Thanks.

MC86 · Post by **MC86** » Mon Mar 28, 2005 10:40 pm

don't they play live jazz in the basement of the majestic?

KCPowercat · Post by **KCPowercat** » Tue Mar 29, 2005 11:03 am

almost nightly

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