JAM: October/November 2005 Issue: Club Profile

BOBBY'S HANGOUT II
3611 Broadway

“Organ room”.

Veteran jazz fans paint an immediate picture from these words. Narrow, DARK, smoky rooms, often found in West Philadelphia or Harlem. Hammond B-3 with twin Leslie tone cabinets. A versatile guitarist who can comp or play soulful licks a la Wes Montgomery or Melvin Sparks. A drummer not shy with the backbeat. Possibly a wailing tenor sax. Hip dress. Mirrors and curtains.

There may be a dance floor, but if not, you can bet there will still be plenty of audience energy around the music. It is encouraged, expected. You almost can't help it, anyway.

Veteran club owner Bobby Dobson's Bobby's Hangout II is over a year old now. It is a throwback to the classic organ rooms of years past where the likes of Jimmy Smith, Jimmy McGriff, Groove Holmes, Don Patterson, and Big John Patton, and their many disciples, set the groove for some of the most popular jazz of its day. And with the likes of Gary Versace, Lonnie Smith, Sam Yahel, Dan Wall and Jeff Palmer keeping the organ sound current, it is STILL some of the most popular jazz of today.

Kansas City has its own B-3 giant, Everette DeVan. Everette and his killer quartet appear every Friday and Saturday at Bobby's. Music starts at 9:00 (a few minutes later if Everette is rushing over from another gig), and goes all the way until 1:00. Occasionally, Bobby will bring in a special guest to play with Everette and the band; Houston Person, among the top tier of soulful tenors, had a three-night gig a few months back, and Bobby plans on having alto icon Lou Donaldson on the bandstand in December.

This band of Everette's fits the picture painted above. Young tenor man Matt Carrillo wails well beyond his years. Matt Hopper is a fine, fluent guitarist who has a strong sense of history (Wes, Grant… THAT kind of history). Drummer Kevin Frazee assures that there is always a flame going.

Bobby's narrow and deep room is roughly divides into three sections. The front of the room is where the spacious bar shares space with a few high tables. The décor is dark and mirrored. There is a central flight of stairs that leads up to a second floor where there are clean, roomy bathrooms. Bobby has another room on the second floor that is ready for eventual expansion.

Back on the main level, beyond the stairs is a room with ample standard tables. Further back, and separated by two mirrored columns, is the room with the red-curtained bandstand and a small dance floor. Red leather bench seating lines both walls, for the serious listeners who want to get up close.

Bobby's does not serve food. A jukebox provides the tunes when Everette is not playing; selections range from pop jazz to R&B. The drinks are reasonably priced and the staff is friendly. Bobby and his staff will make sure you get to your car safely, whether you park out front on Broadway or in the well-lit lot behind the club (there is a rear entrance, near the bandstand). Hours are 4:00 p.m. until 1:30 a.m. Tuesday through Saturday.






	Search our site:		BOBBY'S HANGOUT II 3611 Broadway “Organ room”. Veteran jazz fans paint an immediate picture from these words. Narrow, DARK, smoky rooms, often found in West Philadelphia or Harlem. Hammond B-3 with twin Leslie tone cabinets. A versatile guitarist who can comp or play soulful licks a la Wes Montgomery or Melvin Sparks. A drummer not shy with the backbeat. Possibly a wailing tenor sax. Hip dress. Mirrors and curtains. There may be a dance floor, but if not, you can bet there will still be plenty of audience energy around the music. It is encouraged, expected. You almost can't help it, anyway. Veteran club owner Bobby Dobson's Bobby's Hangout II is over a year old now. It is a throwback to the classic organ rooms of years past where the likes of Jimmy Smith, Jimmy McGriff, Groove Holmes, Don Patterson, and Big John Patton, and their many disciples, set the groove for some of the most popular jazz of its day. And with the likes of Gary Versace, Lonnie Smith, Sam Yahel, Dan Wall and Jeff Palmer keeping the organ sound current, it is STILL some of the most popular jazz of today. Kansas City has its own B-3 giant, Everette DeVan. Everette and his killer quartet appear every Friday and Saturday at Bobby's. Music starts at 9:00 (a few minutes later if Everette is rushing over from another gig), and goes all the way until 1:00. Occasionally, Bobby will bring in a special guest to play with Everette and the band; Houston Person, among the top tier of soulful tenors, had a three-night gig a few months back, and Bobby plans on having alto icon Lou Donaldson on the bandstand in December. This band of Everette's fits the picture painted above. Young tenor man Matt Carrillo wails well beyond his years. Matt Hopper is a fine, fluent guitarist who has a strong sense of history (Wes, Grant… THAT kind of history). Drummer Kevin Frazee assures that there is always a flame going. Bobby's narrow and deep room is roughly divides into three sections. The front of the room is where the spacious bar shares space with a few high tables. The décor is dark and mirrored. There is a central flight of stairs that leads up to a second floor where there are clean, roomy bathrooms. Bobby has another room on the second floor that is ready for eventual expansion. Back on the main level, beyond the stairs is a room with ample standard tables. Further back, and separated by two mirrored columns, is the room with the red-curtained bandstand and a small dance floor. Red leather bench seating lines both walls, for the serious listeners who want to get up close. Bobby's does not serve food. A jukebox provides the tunes when Everette is not playing; selections range from pop jazz to R&B. The drinks are reasonably priced and the staff is friendly. Bobby and his staff will make sure you get to your car safely, whether you park out front on Broadway or in the well-lit lot behind the club (there is a rear entrance, near the bandstand). Hours are 4:00 p.m. until 1:30 a.m. Tuesday through Saturday. RETURN TO OCTOBER/NOVEMBER MAIN INDEX © Kansas City Jazz Ambassadors 1996-2005. All rights reserved.