Tis the week for parties and nights on the town. You’ve got a metro chock full of great music– jazz, the All-American art form. Whether it’s mulled wine, some booze in your coffee or the regular refreshment on ice, tilt your head back and down a few in some of these great rooms, where the music is happening:
The Majestic Steakhouse— Downtown’s quaint on old publick house is back with KC Jump Jazz afficiando Bram Wijnands on the 88s Monday through Wednesday and 7 to 11 on Saturday. News Years Eve, Bram follows pianist Michael Pagan into almost 2010.
Jardine’s— Beena’s Place is always the most comfortable jazz and music room around. Tonight you can say welcome back to bassist and Paseo Academy grad Solomon Dorsey, who shares the bandstand with percussionist Pablo Senhueza. Tuesday night it’s the Beach Nuts from 7 to 11; Wednesday Lonnie McFadden shows up for an R&B show from 7:30-11:30. New Years Eve at Jardine’s belongs to the distaff side with the Wild Women of Kansas City in the early show from 6 to 7:30 p.m. and Ida McBeth at 9 p.m. until 1 a.m. Ida’s back on Saturday night, too
The Blue Room— the corner of 18th and Vine remains KC Jazz central with shows by Louis Neal’s Big Band Monday 7-11 and a New Years treat– Everette DeVan with that big B-3 sound, followed by the James Ward Band past midnight and into the new year. Biggest Blue Room gig of all this week– Downbeat Award winner Bobby Watson Saturday night from 8:30-12:30, fronting Horizon.
Cafe Trio— doors down from Jardine’s, this lovely restaurant/bar goes upscale, music-wise, with several sets by keyboard phenom Roger Wilder Tuesday night from 6-9. Alice Jenkins handles the piano duties on New Years Eve and over the weekend (Fri and Sat 7:30-11:30) as is the Trio custom.
Strouds— choking chickens takes second pride of place when Professor Joe Cartwright is on hand to play music to accompany carbohydrates. Joe’s there Tues and Wednesday from 6 to 9, working through that mammoth songbook of his. If you like your Cartwright with a bit o Plaza lights, he’ll be at the Oak Bar at the Intercontinental Hotel on New Year’s Eve from 9p to 1a.
The Phoenix— the little room that could (and does) on 8th at Central keeps the music alive with Sherri Hand Monday through Thursday (Everette DeVan works late Tuesday night and Tim Whitmer plays the 9p-1 a.m. New Year’s Eve sets on Thursday). Friday at the Phoenix belongs to Lonnie McFadden til 8:30, followed by Dan Doran. Saturday the Scamps play early, the Hatchlings late.
Chaz at the Raphael— this
