JAM: April/May 2005 Issue: Feature Story

It's a lengthy stretch between New Year's and Memorial day. If you're getting spring fever, maybe you should consider an extended weekend right in the middle of Kansas City. Jazz lovers have a lot of entertainment options in the midtown area yet, you won't spend any of your precious time at an airport or on a bus. Following is a map to four days of jazz fun in midtown. Check in at the Hotel Phillips or the Fairmont to get even more out of your jazz retreat.

Thursday

Swing and jump at Jazz: A Louisiana Kitchen (39th & State Line). You can enjoy happy hour while you wait your turn for a pool table, or have a cocktail on the patio if you miss the courtyards and humidity of New Orleans. When you're ready to eat, the menu features blackened seafood, pasta and Creole delights. You'll be treated to live music Wednesday through Sunday starting at 7. With any luck, you'll get to hear Grand Marquis (Thursdays only). Their high energy delivery of Swing, Dixieland and Jump Blues is both raw and polished — sometimes, simultaneously! They're guaranteed to have you dancing in the isles.

Friday

Relax at Cafe Trio (3535 Broadway). Formerly Papagallo, you'll find the Cafe Trio to be hip and glamorous with elegant, upbeat jazz music wafting from their Starlet Lounge. The club has been scheduling Alice Jenkins or Megan Birdsall with pianist Greg Richter to perform early evenings, Thursday through Saturdays. The diverse menu offers casual fare, such as pasta and pizza, to upscale seafood, veal and signature dishes. Filled with vibrant artwork that lends to the sophisticated urban decor, it's easy to imagine you've traveled to a much larger metropolis.

Saturday

Jam at Harlings (40th & Main). If you've never been to Harlings, you're in for a hip swaying, voice-straining, adrenaline-pumping jam session led by Diane “Mama” Ray. The music is free and the beer is cheap, but you better get there early for a seat. At 1:45 the place is empty. At 2:15 it's standing room only. Keyboard and organ, guitar, saxophone, trumpet, oboe, harmonica, bongos ... all were represented in the first two sets of my last visit. All afternoon musicians take their turn on the stage alternating between jazz standards and blues favorites. The last two sets are guaranteed to leave you with lasting Kansas City vacation memories. Don't forget your camera!

Sunday

Revel in Dixieland at Jardines (4536 Main). If you think you don't like Dixieland jazz, it's because you've never heard the New Red Onion Jazz Babies. The entire South has nothing on these talented musicians who have been performing in Kansas City for over 20 years with nearly a cult following. I have come to think of them more as magicians. True entertainers, they interact with the audience for memorable performances. Be sure to bring your requests. Scheduled over the dinner hour two Sundays each month, you should check the schedule posted at www.jardines4jazz.com to confirm a date. Seafood, pasta, chicken and steak are all on the menu, but I love their selection of appetizers.

You may be worn out when you go back to work, but you'll go back with a smile on your face. Don't forget to send me a postcard from your Kansas City Jazz vacation.

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






	Search our site:		It's a lengthy stretch between New Year's and Memorial day. If you're getting spring fever, maybe you should consider an extended weekend right in the middle of Kansas City. Jazz lovers have a lot of entertainment options in the midtown area yet, you won't spend any of your precious time at an airport or on a bus. Following is a map to four days of jazz fun in midtown. Check in at the Hotel Phillips or the Fairmont to get even more out of your jazz retreat. Thursday Swing and jump at Jazz: A Louisiana Kitchen (39th & State Line). You can enjoy happy hour while you wait your turn for a pool table, or have a cocktail on the patio if you miss the courtyards and humidity of New Orleans. When you're ready to eat, the menu features blackened seafood, pasta and Creole delights. You'll be treated to live music Wednesday through Sunday starting at 7. With any luck, you'll get to hear Grand Marquis (Thursdays only). Their high energy delivery of Swing, Dixieland and Jump Blues is both raw and polished — sometimes, simultaneously! They're guaranteed to have you dancing in the isles. Friday Relax at Cafe Trio (3535 Broadway). Formerly Papagallo, you'll find the Cafe Trio to be hip and glamorous with elegant, upbeat jazz music wafting from their Starlet Lounge. The club has been scheduling Alice Jenkins or Megan Birdsall with pianist Greg Richter to perform early evenings, Thursday through Saturdays. The diverse menu offers casual fare, such as pasta and pizza, to upscale seafood, veal and signature dishes. Filled with vibrant artwork that lends to the sophisticated urban decor, it's easy to imagine you've traveled to a much larger metropolis. Saturday Jam at Harlings (40th & Main). If you've never been to Harlings, you're in for a hip swaying, voice-straining, adrenaline-pumping jam session led by Diane “Mama” Ray. The music is free and the beer is cheap, but you better get there early for a seat. At 1:45 the place is empty. At 2:15 it's standing room only. Keyboard and organ, guitar, saxophone, trumpet, oboe, harmonica, bongos ... all were represented in the first two sets of my last visit. All afternoon musicians take their turn on the stage alternating between jazz standards and blues favorites. The last two sets are guaranteed to leave you with lasting Kansas City vacation memories. Don't forget your camera! Sunday Revel in Dixieland at Jardines (4536 Main). If you think you don't like Dixieland jazz, it's because you've never heard the New Red Onion Jazz Babies. The entire South has nothing on these talented musicians who have been performing in Kansas City for over 20 years with nearly a cult following. I have come to think of them more as magicians. True entertainers, they interact with the audience for memorable performances. Be sure to bring your requests. Scheduled over the dinner hour two Sundays each month, you should check the schedule posted at www.jardines4jazz.com to confirm a date. Seafood, pasta, chicken and steak are all on the menu, but I love their selection of appetizers. You may be worn out when you go back to work, but you'll go back with a smile on your face. Don't forget to send me a postcard from your Kansas City Jazz vacation. For up-to-date information on jazz citywide, call the Jazz Hotline at 816-753-5277 or check the website at www.jazzkc.org. The next jazz itinerary will focus on another Kansas City district. RETURN TO APRIL/MAY 2005 MAIN INDEX © Kansas City Jazz Ambassadors 1996-2005. All rights reserved.