JAM: June/July 2002 Issue: Club Scene Synopsis

A JAZZ LOVER'S
CLUB SCENE SYNOPSIS 2002

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) and 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, 8:00-10:00 p.m., 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. Cover is $5 on weekends, sometimes more for special events and national acts. Casual to nice dress, no smoking, no food, parking either on the street or in nearby lots.

The Bristol Bar & Grill
5400 W. 119th
913-663-5777

Drummer/vocalist Bradley Allen is a Sunday regular at this Leawood establishment known for its fine seafood. Allen's trio has featured guitarist Rod Fleeman and bassist Craig Akin and performs 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. No cover, nice dress, plenty of parking.

The Canyon Cafe
4626 Broadway
816-561-6111

The Sons of Brasil are regulars at this popular Plaza bistro with the landmark flame out front. Catch Stan Kessler, Doug Auwarter and company every Wednesday (6:30-10:30 p.m.). Street or garage parking nearby, no cover, casual dress, an eclectic menu.

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 in JAM. There's live music Wednesday and Thursday, 6:30-10:30 p.m., Friday-Saturday 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. (with a matinee on Saturday, 6:00-8:00) and Sunday 6:00-10:00 p.m. A $5 cover is charged Friday and Saturday, no cover Wednesday-Thursday or Sunday. 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 Cup and 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 (sometimes Saturdays), 9:00 p.m. to midnight. Jake Blanton, Logan Richardson, Gus Seyffert, Ian Sikora and others have appeared. Street or lot parking, no cover, casual dress.

The Fairway Grill
2820 W. 53rd
913-722-3524

Pianist/singer Candace Evans appears Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday (6:00-10:00 p.m.) at this well-attended bistro on the Kansas side. The Fairway is owned by Houston's on the Plaza, so look for similar, American-style cuisine. No cover, casual dress, parking on the street.

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 Emporium's printed flyer for upcoming acts.

The Grand Street Cafe
4740 Grand
816-561-8000

The Bradley Allen Trio appears on Mondays, 5:30-8:30 p.m., at this upscale restaurant just behind Winstead's on the Country Club Plaza. Drummer/vocalist Allen has been joined by such area sidemen as Tom DeMasters (guitar) and Craig Akin (bass). No cover, nice dress, parking in the lot in front of the cafe.

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 VanSant. 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.

Italian Gardens
1110 Baltimore
816-221-9311

More than just a local restaurant, Italian Gardens qualifies for landmark status after decades as one of KC's finest places to dine. Jazz has been added to the menu on Fridays, 6:00-9:00 p.m. Pianist Mike Ning and vocalist Sherry Jones are regulars. Street or valet parking, casual to nice dress, no cover.

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

One of the few jazz venues north of the river, Ivy's features live music Friday and Saturday 6:30-10:30 p.m. Candace Evans, Kathleen Holeman and Rebecca Sidener have appeared. Lot parking, a diverse menu, dress is nice casual, no cover (reservations are recommended).

Jardine's
4536 Main
816-561-6480

There's live jazz five nights a week in this intimate bistro just north of the Plaza. The Scamps, Ida McBeth, Joe Cartwright, Julie Turner and Russ Long have appeared. Parking is on the street or in the lot behind the club, casual dress, diverse menu. 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 (although a small amount will be added to your check), street and/or nearby lot parking, casual dress. There are also three other Louisiana Kitchens in the area that occasionally feature live music. 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), and another in Olathe at 11950 Strangline (913-768-7676).

The Majestic Steakhouse
931 Broadway
816-471-8484

Live jazz can be heard seven nights a week at this established and acclaimed 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. There's also the piano-bass duo of Billy Meynier and Wes Knowles (Mondays), pianist Joe Cartwright (Tuesday-Wednesday) with alternating bassists Bob Bowman and Gerald Spaits, and pianist Bram Wijnands and friends (Friday-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.

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. The upstairs Basie Ballroom is also sometimes used for special KCJW events. Street or garage parking, nice/casual dress, food is served.

McCoy's Public House & Brew Kitchen
4057 Pennsylvania
816-960-0866

The building that is now McCoy's has a rich history (remember the Harris House?). It's also a popular Westport eatery/brew kitchen that features live jazz every Thursday, 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m., when veteran keyboardman Greg Meise appears with his band. No cover, street or lot parking, casual dress and a menu that includes prime rib, steaks, pasta and sandwiches.

The 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 Jazz 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 transformation into a classy restaurant and intimate jazz room. Singer/drummer David Basse and friends are regulars Wednesday through Saturday. And singer Kim Liggett appears on Tuesdays with various KC all-stars. Also, there have been occasional visits from out-of-town jazz artists as well as surprise cameos by the likes of Arturo Sandoval and Marilyn Maye. 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
8th & Central
816-472-0001

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

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

This distant cousin of the downtown spot has live music on Friday (8:00 p.m.-12:00 a.m.) and Saturday (9:00 p.m.-1:00 a.m.). James Whitney and Sharon James have appeared as has the popular jazz/funk band Boko Maru. A diverse menu, no cover, casual dress, and plenty of parking in the casino lot.

The Piano Room
8410 Wornall
816-363-8722

Formerly Inge's Lounge, The Piano Room is a comfortable and intimate listening spot for solo and duo jazz. Some of the area's most popular keyboardists-vocalists have appeared including Luqman Hamza (with Scamps bassist Lucky Wesley) on Wednesdays, 8:30 p.m. - 12:30 a.m., Bram Wijnands and currently Wes Winters (Thursdays), Russ Long (Fridays), and Kathleen Holeman (Saturdays). No cover, casual dress, good lot parking, and several restaurants are nearby.

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 are tango lessons with Tango Lorca on Wednesday, and various area bands appear Thursday through Saturday, including many of KC's favorite jazz groups. Also, on Saturday afternoon, 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

This listening room in Westport has presented Kansas City jazz artists on weekends in the past and is currently home base for the Westport Art Ensemble, which appears the last Monday of each month (call for cover info). The menu includes sandwiches, muffins and bagels, dress is casual, street or garage parking, no alcoholic beverages.

RETURN TO JUNE/JULY 2002 MAIN INDEX

© Kansas City Jazz Ambassadors 1996-2002. All rights reserved.






	Search our site:		A JAZZ LOVER'S CLUB SCENE SYNOPSIS 2002 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) and 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, 8:00-10:00 p.m., 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. Cover is $5 on weekends, sometimes more for special events and national acts. Casual to nice dress, no smoking, no food, parking either on the street or in nearby lots. The Bristol Bar & Grill 5400 W. 119th 913-663-5777 Drummer/vocalist Bradley Allen is a Sunday regular at this Leawood establishment known for its fine seafood. Allen's trio has featured guitarist Rod Fleeman and bassist Craig Akin and performs 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. No cover, nice dress, plenty of parking. The Canyon Cafe 4626 Broadway 816-561-6111 The Sons of Brasil are regulars at this popular Plaza bistro with the landmark flame out front. Catch Stan Kessler, Doug Auwarter and company every Wednesday (6:30-10:30 p.m.). Street or garage parking nearby, no cover, casual dress, an eclectic menu. 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 in JAM. There's live music Wednesday and Thursday, 6:30-10:30 p.m., Friday-Saturday 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. (with a matinee on Saturday, 6:00-8:00) and Sunday 6:00-10:00 p.m. A $5 cover is charged Friday and Saturday, no cover Wednesday-Thursday or Sunday. 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 Cup and 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 (sometimes Saturdays), 9:00 p.m. to midnight. Jake Blanton, Logan Richardson, Gus Seyffert, Ian Sikora and others have appeared. Street or lot parking, no cover, casual dress. The Fairway Grill 2820 W. 53rd 913-722-3524 Pianist/singer Candace Evans appears Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday (6:00-10:00 p.m.) at this well-attended bistro on the Kansas side. The Fairway is owned by Houston's on the Plaza, so look for similar, American-style cuisine. No cover, casual dress, parking on the street. 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 Emporium's printed flyer for upcoming acts. The Grand Street Cafe 4740 Grand 816-561-8000 The Bradley Allen Trio appears on Mondays, 5:30-8:30 p.m., at this upscale restaurant just behind Winstead's on the Country Club Plaza. Drummer/vocalist Allen has been joined by such area sidemen as Tom DeMasters (guitar) and Craig Akin (bass). No cover, nice dress, parking in the lot in front of the cafe. 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 VanSant. 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. Italian Gardens 1110 Baltimore 816-221-9311 More than just a local restaurant, Italian Gardens qualifies for landmark status after decades as one of KC's finest places to dine. Jazz has been added to the menu on Fridays, 6:00-9:00 p.m. Pianist Mike Ning and vocalist Sherry Jones are regulars. Street or valet parking, casual to nice dress, no cover. Ivy's 240 NE Barry Road 816-436-3320 One of the few jazz venues north of the river, Ivy's features live music Friday and Saturday 6:30-10:30 p.m. Candace Evans, Kathleen Holeman and Rebecca Sidener have appeared. Lot parking, a diverse menu, dress is nice casual, no cover (reservations are recommended). Jardine's 4536 Main 816-561-6480 There's live jazz five nights a week in this intimate bistro just north of the Plaza. The Scamps, Ida McBeth, Joe Cartwright, Julie Turner and Russ Long have appeared. Parking is on the street or in the lot behind the club, casual dress, diverse menu. 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 (although a small amount will be added to your check), street and/or nearby lot parking, casual dress. There are also three other Louisiana Kitchens in the area that occasionally feature live music. 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), and another in Olathe at 11950 Strangline (913-768-7676). The Majestic Steakhouse 931 Broadway 816-471-8484 Live jazz can be heard seven nights a week at this established and acclaimed 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. There's also the piano-bass duo of Billy Meynier and Wes Knowles (Mondays), pianist Joe Cartwright (Tuesday-Wednesday) with alternating bassists Bob Bowman and Gerald Spaits, and pianist Bram Wijnands and friends (Friday-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. 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. The upstairs Basie Ballroom is also sometimes used for special KCJW events. Street or garage parking, nice/casual dress, food is served. McCoy's Public House & Brew Kitchen 4057 Pennsylvania 816-960-0866 The building that is now McCoy's has a rich history (remember the Harris House?). It's also a popular Westport eatery/brew kitchen that features live jazz every Thursday, 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m., when veteran keyboardman Greg Meise appears with his band. No cover, street or lot parking, casual dress and a menu that includes prime rib, steaks, pasta and sandwiches. The 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 Jazz 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 transformation into a classy restaurant and intimate jazz room. Singer/drummer David Basse and friends are regulars Wednesday through Saturday. And singer Kim Liggett appears on Tuesdays with various KC all-stars. Also, there have been occasional visits from out-of-town jazz artists as well as surprise cameos by the likes of Arturo Sandoval and Marilyn Maye. 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 8th & Central 816-472-0001 Under the management team of club vet Rich Denny and house pianist Tim Whitmer, this perennially popular jazz club/restaurant continues to pack 'em in while featuring live music six nights a week. (Whitmer, Jim Mair, The Scamps, Bram Wijnands, Rich Hill and Dan Doran are regulars.) The menu features seafood, steaks and pasta, dress is nice or casual, no cover, parking on the street. The Phoenix at Ameristar Casino I-435 & 210 Highway 816-414-7420 This distant cousin of the downtown spot has live music on Friday (8:00 p.m.-12:00 a.m.) and Saturday (9:00 p.m.-1:00 a.m.). James Whitney and Sharon James have appeared as has the popular jazz/funk band Boko Maru. A diverse menu, no cover, casual dress, and plenty of parking in the casino lot. The Piano Room 8410 Wornall 816-363-8722 Formerly Inge's Lounge, The Piano Room is a comfortable and intimate listening spot for solo and duo jazz. Some of the area's most popular keyboardists-vocalists have appeared including Luqman Hamza (with Scamps bassist Lucky Wesley) on Wednesdays, 8:30 p.m. - 12:30 a.m., Bram Wijnands and currently Wes Winters (Thursdays), Russ Long (Fridays), and Kathleen Holeman (Saturdays). No cover, casual dress, good lot parking, and several restaurants are nearby. 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 are tango lessons with Tango Lorca on Wednesday, and various area bands appear Thursday through Saturday, including many of KC's favorite jazz groups. Also, on Saturday afternoon, 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 This listening room in Westport has presented Kansas City jazz artists on weekends in the past and is currently home base for the Westport Art Ensemble, which appears the last Monday of each month (call for cover info). The menu includes sandwiches, muffins and bagels, dress is casual, street or garage parking, no alcoholic beverages. RETURN TO JUNE/JULY 2002 MAIN INDEX © Kansas City Jazz Ambassadors 1996-2002. All rights reserved.