[Dixielandjazz] John Blegan gives Kansas City Jazz Update

[Norman Vickers]

To:  Musicians and Jazzfans list ;  DJML

From:  Norman Vickers, Jazz Society of Pensacola

 

Listmate and clarinetist  John Blegen sends this  update about the current jazz scene in Kansas City.  Formerly living/performing in the Chicago area, he moved to KC two and a half years ago.  At my request, he’s given us a summary of the local jazz scene.  Thanks, John.  I feel that our listmates will be glad to get your survey.  Good wishes.  Keep us in the loop!

 

Norman

 

From: John Blegen [mailto:jcblegen at gmail.com] 
Sent: Monday, February 16, 2015 9:58 PM
To: Norman Vickers
Subject: Re: Converting LP to CD

 

Hi, Norman,

 

Here's an overview of the KC jazz scene:

 

Having now been in Kansas City for two and a half years, I think I can report with some authority that the jazz scene is jumpin'. In that time, two new clubs have opened, another has moved to larger quarters, and a new all-jazz radio station has been established and will go on the air within a year. Here's a quick overview of the major jazz spots in and around town:

 

The Blue Room

This is actually a part of the American Jazz Museum, located in the 18th and Vine “Jazz District” (the same building houses a wonderful Museum of the Negro Baseball Leagues). The Blue Room has live jazz every night featuring the top local musicians and occasional nationally known players. The Jazz Museum is also affiliated with the Gem Theater, across 18th street, where a concert series called “Jammin' at the Gem” is in session. Saxophonist Bobby Watson, who heads the jazz program at UMKC, frequently leads groups at the Blue Room.

 

The Green Lady Lounge

This is on Grand Avenue, near 18th street, in downtown KCMO, and is one of the newer clubs, having opened in October of 2012. The ground floor houses a Hammond B3, and organ trios are a steady feature. A theater setting in the basement has a grand piano and provides another venue for groups of various sizes. A fine young big band takes up residence on Sunday evenings playing charts by some of the members. The Green Lady boasts “never a cover” and provides light snack fare and drinks. A lot of KC's younger players appear and hang out here.

 

The Take Five Coffee Bar

At 6601 W. 135th Street, in Overland Park, KS, a southwest suburb of KC, this establishment has just moved into new, more spacious quarters and features jazz on the weekends, including a Sunday jazz brunch. Again, younger players often headline here, but Take Five also often has some of the KC superstars like the group Interstring: Bob Bowman on bass; Danny Embrey and Rod Fleeman on guitars, and Todd Strait on drums. 

 

The Broadway Jazz Club

The other new club, the BJC is at 3601 Broadway in mid-town KCMO. For established bands and performers, there will be a cover. The club had a Sunday brunch for a while, which I hope they reinstate. They seem to be reviewing and refining their approach. Talent is booked by the wonderful singer Angela Hagenbach, who often sings there, and includes top KC jazz musicians. 

 

The Majestic Restaurant

At 931 Broadway in downtown KCMO, the Majestic has jazz nightly and a brunch on Sunday. The present building was once a speakeasy, and the atmosphere in the downstairs jazz club is great. The extraordinary stride pianist Bram Wijnands has been there on Friday and Saturday evenings with a trio for 21 years. Bram has a drummer and a horn player or guitar player, and, about three times a month, yours truly is there playing clarinet. 

 

The Gaslight Grill

In Leawood, KS, at 5020 W. 137th street, this place features traditional jazz and swing. Clarinetist Lynn Zimmer leads a quartet five nights a week (Wednesday thru Sunday), and on the first Monday of each month, Lynn joins the New Red Onion Jazz Babies, a very dynamic trad band. Lynn is a wonderful player who spent time in New Orleans and played with Turk Murphy. 

 

 

There are a number of other places as well – The Phoenix, Chazz on the Plaza, Westport Coffee House – but these are the major ones. A visitor would have a good start with this list. 

 

I'll have some more info in the future about the major players here and other aspects of the scene such as blogs, advocacy groups, and festivals.




John Blegen

Kansas City, MO