JAM: June/July 2000 Issue: Club Scene Synopsis 2000

A Jazz Lover's Club Scene Synopsis 2000

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 things you'll need to know about KC's many jazz-friendly venues.

Adam's Mark Hotel/Remington's
I-70 & Truman Sports Complex
816-737-0200

Pianist Dan DeLuca is a Sunday (brunch), Monday through Saturday (evening) regular at Remington's Steak and Seafood Grill. Dress is casual but nice, the menu is diverse, lot parking, no cover.

B.B.'s Lawnside BBQ
1205 E. 85th
816-822-7427

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. No cover, lot parking, casual dress, and a variety of barbecue favorites.

The Blue Room
18th & Vine
816-474-2929

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

Canyon Cafe
4626 Broadway
816-561-6111

The Sons of Brasil have found a new home at this popular Plaza bistro with the landmark flame out front. Catch Stan Kessler and company every Wednesday night. Street or garage parking nearby, no cover, casual dress, an eclectic menu.

Club Mardi Gras
1601 E. 19th
816-842-8463

Located in the historic 18th & Vine District -- and just down the street from Robert Altman's modified "Kansas City" movie set -- Club Mardi Gras features live music on Fridays and Saturdays, 9:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. $3 cover, street parking, food, casual dress. Everette DeVan, Mac-Lace, Roland Allen and Sonny Kenner have appeared. There's also an "oldies but goodies" matinee on Fridays, 5:00 to 9:00 p.m.

The Club at Plaza III
4749 Pennsylvania
816-753-0000

The musical menu at The Club consists of a variety of KC jazz and swing artists. The lineup is different each week, so it's best to call for current info or check printed schedules. There's live music Wednesday and Thursday, 7:00-11:00 p.m., Friday-Saturday 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Sarah Vaughan's former pianist, Dr. Ronnell Bright appears on Saturdays, 6:00-8:00 p.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.

Cup & Saucer
412-B Delaware St.
816-474-PERK (7375)

One of the more popular hangouts in the River Market area, the Cup and Saucer features live music on weekends, including jazz on Fridays, 9:00 p.m. to midnight. Ervin Brown and Beth Ohse have appeared. Street or lot parking, no cover, casual dress, brunches and lunches during the day.

Epicurean: Phase II
8625 Troost
816-363-6910

After many years at its previous location at 75th and Troost, the Epicurean has a new home further south. There's live jazz and blues on Sundays, 6:00 to 10:00 p.m. (Mac-Lace and Soul Solution have appeared), cover varies, dress is nice casual, lot parking in front of the club.

The Fairmont At the Plaza
401 Ward Parkway
816-756-1500

Pianists Scott McDonald (Tuesday-Thursday, 5:30-8:30 p.m., Friday-Saturday, 3:00-7:00 p.m.) and Russ Long (Friday-Saturday, 8:00-midnight) are regulars in the lobby of the former Ritz Carlton overlooking the Plaza. The Fairmont 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.

Flamingo Casino
1800 Front St.
816-855-7777

The arrival of the boats in KC has made for even more opportunities to hear Kansas City jazz, and the Flamingo just north of downtown has been bringing in area jazz artists for a series of Sunday brunches, usually from 11:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Pat Morrissey, Michael McGraw and others have appeared. Garage and valet parking, casual dress, many culinary options, and the only cover is what you'll put into the slots.

The Grand Emporium
3832 Main
816-531-7557

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 and Charlie Hunter have appeared). Cover varies based on the band, dress is casual, street parking, pizza right next door and Amazing Grace's BBQ at the end of the bar. Check out the Grand's printed flyer for upcoming acts.

Harling's Upstairs
3941-A Main
816-531-0303

Harling's is the home of a long-running 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 appears on Tuesday nights, 8:30-11:00 p.m.

Ivy's
240 NE Barry Road
816-436-3320

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. Pianist Max Groove appears on Thursdays, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Lot parking, a diverse menu, dress is nice casual, no cover.

Jardine's
4536 Main
816-561-6480

There's live jazz five nights a week in this intimate bistro just north of the Plaza. Paul Smith, Ida McBeth, Everette DeVan, Candace Evans and Julie Turner have appeared. Parking is on the street or in the lot behind the club, casual dress, diverse menu, no cover. Reservations are recommended on weekends.

Jazz/A Louisiana Kitchen
39th & State Line
816-531-5556

Live music, including occasional jazz, can be heard Wednesday through Sunday, 8:00 to midnight at this popular home of Cajun cuisine. No cover, street and/or nearby lot parking, casual dress. There are also two more Louisiana Kitchens in the area that occasionally feature live jazz. One is in Lee's Summit at 511 SE Melody Lane (816-525-9459), another in NKC at 8144 NW Prairie View Road (816-505-1714). Call for info about live jazz performances.

J. Riley's Restaurant
7953 State Line
816-333-6363

Formerly Charlie's Lodge, J. Riley's is still home to the Julie Turner/Tommy Ruskin weekly Wednesday jazz jam, 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. No cover, lot parking, casual dress, and a diverse restaurant menu. Sitter-inners are welcome. Bring your ax.

The Levee
16 W. 43rd
816-561-2821

Another established KC music room that occasionally features live jazz. Veteran guitarist Sonny Kenner is a Monday-Tuesday regular (9:00 p.m.-1:00 a.m.) when there's a $3 cover. Parking on the street or in the lot across from the club. Casual dress, bar food and burgers.

The Majestic Steakhouse
931 Broadway
816-471-8484

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/bassist Steve Rigazzi (Tuesday-Wednesday) and pianist Bram Wijnands' band (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, the menu is upscale eclectic.

Mill Creek Brewery
4050 Pennsylvania
816-931-4499

This Westport eatery has live music on Thursday and Sunday 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
816-421-6800

The Marriott's 12th Street Rag Room is the home of the Kansas City Jazz Workshop concert series. (See "News & Notes" for a preview of the 2000-2001 season). The McFadden Brothers have also appeared. Street or garage parking, nice/casual dress, food is served.

Mutual Musicians Foundation
1823 Highland
816-471-5212

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, and you never know who else will show up. Donations are welcome, parking is on the street, dress is casual, no food is served.

The New Point Grille
917 W. 44th
816-561-7600

If you remember The Point from its days as a funky neighborhood bar, you'll be pleasantly surprised by its recent transformation into a classy restaurant and intimate jazz room. Singer/drummer David Basse provides live music Tuesday through Saturday and usually has with him many of the area's finest jazz musicians. The menu is diverse and upscale, dress is nice casual, parking is in the adjoining lot or on the street, no cover.

The Phoenix Piano Bar & Grill
302 W. 8th St.
816-472-0001

Under the management team of club vet Rich Denny and pianist Tim Whitmer, this popular jazz club/restaurant continues to pack 'em in while featuring live music six nights a week. (Whitmer, Jim Mair, and The Scamps are regulars.) The menu features seafood, steaks and pasta, dress is nice or casual, no cover, parking on the street.

The Phoenix at Station Casino
I-435 & 210 Highway
816-414-7420

This cousin of the downtown spot has live music on Friday and Saturday nights. James Whitney has appeared as has the popular jazz/funk band Boko Maru. A diverse menu, no cover, casual dress, and plenty of free parking in the casino lot.

210 at Fedora
210 W. 47th
816-561-6565

This upscale restaurant/bar on the Country Club Plaza features a variety of weekly entertainment options. There's solo piano Mondays and Tuesdays, tango lessons on Wednesdays, various area singers on Thursdays, and a mixed bag on Fridays and Saturdays including many of KC's favorite jazz groups. Also, on Saturday afternoons, 3:00 to 6:00 p.m., the Tommy Ruskin jazz jam features both new and established talent. Parking in a Plaza garage or on the street, no cover, an eclectic menu, dress is nice casual.

Westport Coffee House
4010 Pennsylvania
816-756-3222

Just down the street from the Mill Creek Brewery, this listening room in Westport has featured Kansas City jazz artists on weekends. These days, Monday night, 8:00 to 11:00 p.m. is "Jazz Night" in the coffee house. Various jazz duos have been featured. The menu includes sandwiches, muffins and bagels, dress is casual, street or garage parking, no alcoholic beverages.

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