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Running a small business can be a handful – murder even…
Even when the business you happen to be piloting is Kansas City’s premier jazz joint. Because Kansas City is a total jazz town. Or so we often say.
Well, that’s exactly the case with Jardine’s just off the Country Club Plaza. Week in and week out, month in and month out, Jardine’s showcases the top jazz musicians in Kansas City. Both local and national. From local keyboard player Mark Lowrey to Springsteen drummer Max Weinberg.
Enter the sudden and unexpected hospitalization of legendary KC crooner Marilyn Maye earlier this week.
On literally a moment’s notice, Jardine’s owner Beena Brandsgard had to drop everything and demon dial hundreds of locals who had plunked down big bucks to attend the weeklong string of sold out shows. Including on Father’s Day.
Next came the matter of ticket refunds, the booking of last minute replacement musicians and myriad other logistical concerns involving food and alcohol. All in all, given that the entire mess went down on zero notice, it was a logistical nightmare.
"It’s a bummer," Brandsgard said a day later. "It’s finally sinking in on me. This was a big one."
Now the good news…
"Tonight I have the Kathleen Holeman Quartet with Roger Wilder on piano, Gerald Spaits on Bass and Ray Demarchi on drums," Brandsgard says. "On Friday we have Millie Edwards and the Michael Pagan Quartet.
And on Saturday we have the Laura Chalk Quintet with Laura on vocals, Rod Fleeman on Guitar, Steve Swanson on piano, Tim Cambron on drums and Gerald Spaits on bass. And for the late night, we have the Steve Lambert Quartet."
However Jardine’s will now be closed for Fathers Day on Sunday.
As for Maye, word is she’s fine and Brandsgard hopes to reschedule.
In the meantime, jazz heads may want to show their support of the club and the genre by heading to Jardine’s this week and checking out the club’s new menu and digs.
And hey, the Marilyn Maye stage will still be there.
a fill in
What? No Nortons?
That’s funny. Think I’m one of maybe five people in KC that will truly get that one
I think the KCC Christmas in July idea is actually the best
Feel sorry for Beena.
Freeze those steaks, honey.
The hootch will hold.
On the previous Marilyn post, someone suggested a KCC reunion party, and I must agree, that would kick ass. Craig’s harem, the photo opps with Maria, Maybe a dunk tank for Fitz and Greg Hall and Tony, plus Chuck could do skits onstage, Harley could appear in his swim trunks having just left Jones Pool and Woodside…
I’ve got it: Harley opines, and every time he is right, since Harley is ALWAYS RIGHT, then we give Beena $1 and she can donate all her veggies to feed the poor.
KC a total jazz town?
If only. Have you forgotten about all those sold-out Garth Brooks shows at Sprint a couple years ago? Could a jazzer of any stature make the same boast?
Face it, there may be jazz, metal and indie-rock ‘scenes’ here, but this is a total Country town. And not even real Country.