JAM: April/May 2004 Issue: Club Profile

Destination Kansas City:

Jazz themed itineraries that allow you to behave like a tourist in your home town

Focus: The Kansas City Plaza

If you've been cooped up in cubicle land all winter, you must be ready to get away. A stress-free, jazz vacation on the Country Club Plaza takes little planning or budgeting.

2 -5 pm : Kick off your fabulous afternoon by viewing art at the Nelson-Atkins Museum or nearby Kemper Gallery. On Friday evenings (after 5 pm ) at the Nelson you can catch a jazz trio by the fountain in the exquisite Rozzelle Court . Sunday brunch occasionally features an acoustic guitarist from noon to 3 pm . Can you think of a better place to pretend you're on vacation?

In the summer months, you're likely to stumble upon jazz and blues performances free of charge in a couple of plaza courtyards. It's my favorite way to preview groups I haven't seen before. Continue your hometown vacation by strolling the lazy but manicured river walk to work up a thirst for happy hour at the Fairmont Hotel.

Cost: It's all Free!

5 - 7 pm: Amble south across the river walk to the Fairmont and find well-dressed people of all ages lounging at the Oak Room in the grand, high ceiling lobby. Most days of the week, (Tuesday through Saturday after 5 pm ) you'll find famously talented jazz musicians playing a mixture of jazz standards and torch songs peppered with blues favorites and up tempo Latin numbers. The opulent backdrop is perfect for the smooth, rich vocals of Angela Hagenbach , and yet the atmosphere turns playful when Joe Cartwright and friends perform.

The view of the plaza from the Oak Room is an added bonus, but you should expect to pay for all this bling-bling. Try the sushi if you can't wait for dinner.

Cost: $7+ per cocktail, 10+ per appetizer

7 - 9 pm : Be sure to make a dinner reservation at Jardine's. This supper club is your best bet to catch live jazz on the Plaza any night of the week and a cozy candlelit dinner won't cost you an arm and a leg. There is even a jam session every Saturday afternoon, 1-4 pm , hosted by Tommy Ruskin. You won't find any lackluster talent here and it's quite possibly the friendliest place on the Plaza for music. For nine days , after Easter, you can catch Marilyn Mayes' "Theatre of Jazz" featuring jazz show tunes that have become standards. Always request a seat in the rear if you're with friends who want to talk. Your group and the musicians will appreciate the thought.

Cost: Average dinner $20 pp

9 pm : If you're tired of sitting, make your way to the basement Club at the Plaza III for coffee and dessert, or that final night cap. This swank, underground hangout has live music Wednesday though Saturday. The famous menu and terrific jazz line up are two reasons the Club at the Plaza III is regarded as a Kansas City gem. It would also be my pick for "place you are most likely to spot celebrities." It's just one more element that lends to your complete vacation experience. The only thing missing is the dance floor, but vacationers have been known to make their own!

Cost: $5 cover charge on weekends only, dessert and coffee: $10 pp

Don't forget to mail your friends and family "wish you were here" postcards from your Plaza vacation.

For up-to-date information on jazz citywide, call the Jazz Hotline at 816-753- 5277 or check out the website www.jazzkc.org. Next itinerary will focus on another Kansas City district.

-- Julie Cirlincuina






	Search our site:		Destination Kansas City: Jazz themed itineraries that allow you to behave like a tourist in your home town Focus: The Kansas City Plaza If you've been cooped up in cubicle land all winter, you must be ready to get away. A stress-free, jazz vacation on the Country Club Plaza takes little planning or budgeting. 2 -5 pm : Kick off your fabulous afternoon by viewing art at the Nelson-Atkins Museum or nearby Kemper Gallery. On Friday evenings (after 5 pm ) at the Nelson you can catch a jazz trio by the fountain in the exquisite Rozzelle Court . Sunday brunch occasionally features an acoustic guitarist from noon to 3 pm . Can you think of a better place to pretend you're on vacation? In the summer months, you're likely to stumble upon jazz and blues performances free of charge in a couple of plaza courtyards. It's my favorite way to preview groups I haven't seen before. Continue your hometown vacation by strolling the lazy but manicured river walk to work up a thirst for happy hour at the Fairmont Hotel. Cost: It's all Free! 5 - 7 pm: Amble south across the river walk to the Fairmont and find well-dressed people of all ages lounging at the Oak Room in the grand, high ceiling lobby. Most days of the week, (Tuesday through Saturday after 5 pm ) you'll find famously talented jazz musicians playing a mixture of jazz standards and torch songs peppered with blues favorites and up tempo Latin numbers. The opulent backdrop is perfect for the smooth, rich vocals of Angela Hagenbach , and yet the atmosphere turns playful when Joe Cartwright and friends perform. The view of the plaza from the Oak Room is an added bonus, but you should expect to pay for all this bling-bling. Try the sushi if you can't wait for dinner. Cost: $7+ per cocktail, 10+ per appetizer 7 - 9 pm : Be sure to make a dinner reservation at Jardine's. This supper club is your best bet to catch live jazz on the Plaza any night of the week and a cozy candlelit dinner won't cost you an arm and a leg. There is even a jam session every Saturday afternoon, 1-4 pm , hosted by Tommy Ruskin. You won't find any lackluster talent here and it's quite possibly the friendliest place on the Plaza for music. For nine days , after Easter, you can catch Marilyn Mayes' "Theatre of Jazz" featuring jazz show tunes that have become standards. Always request a seat in the rear if you're with friends who want to talk. Your group and the musicians will appreciate the thought. Cost: Average dinner $20 pp 9 pm : If you're tired of sitting, make your way to the basement Club at the Plaza III for coffee and dessert, or that final night cap. This swank, underground hangout has live music Wednesday though Saturday. The famous menu and terrific jazz line up are two reasons the Club at the Plaza III is regarded as a Kansas City gem. It would also be my pick for "place you are most likely to spot celebrities." It's just one more element that lends to your complete vacation experience. The only thing missing is the dance floor, but vacationers have been known to make their own! Cost: $5 cover charge on weekends only, dessert and coffee: $10 pp Don't forget to mail your friends and family "wish you were here" postcards from your Plaza vacation. For up-to-date information on jazz citywide, call the Jazz Hotline at 816-753- 5277 or check out the website www.jazzkc.org. Next itinerary will focus on another Kansas City district. -- Julie Cirlincuina RETURN TO APRIL/MAY 2004 MAIN INDEX © Kansas City Jazz Ambassadors 1996-2004. All rights reserved.