Photography by Roy Inman
THE HISTORY OF JAZZ, like that of any music, is one marked by specific artists, sounds and places. Kansas City lays claim to a hard-swinging, bluesy style that arrived as a result of the city’s place at a crossroads of cultures in the 1930s. During that time, leaders like Count Basie paved the way from the big-band style of the day to the more improvised approach of the bebop sound by artists like Kan- sas City native Charlie Parker; solos got longer and jam sessions kept fans dancing until the early morning. These days, you can find almost any kind of jazz in Kansas City, but according to the folks who play it, it still swings pretty hard.
David Basse
VOCALS
DO LOCAL MUSICIANS IN
STILL PLAY KANSAS CITYSTYLE
JAZZ?
“Do they go for
it? Do they strut their stuff?
Yes!”
BEST SPOTS TO HEAR
IT:
“At clubs like Jardine’s
(www.jardines4jazz.com) and in
the hallowed hall of The
Mutual Musicians Foundation
(www.thefoundationjamson.org). And,
just this year, the rooftop Bice
Lounge (816-569-2310) opened
in the Power & Light District.
When the weather’s nice, it can’t
be beat. “
FAVORITE SONG TO
PERFORM:
”Tennessee Ernie
[Ford]’s ‘Sixteen Tons.’”
Lisa Henry
VOCALS
HOW DO YOU DESCRIBE THE KANSAS CITY SOUND?
“You just know it. For people who are not even musically astute, their body just kind of takes over … It’s just that swingin’ groove that your body connects with.”
HOW DID YOU GET INTO JAZZ?
“When I was in the fourth or fifth grade, I read the biography of Billie Holiday, and I had a chance to see a clip of her singing, and right after that, I heard Ella Fitzgerald
… and that did it for me. But I was influenced by both instrumentalists and vocalists. I used to scat along with Miles Davis’ horn lines, and that’s what helped me to develop my scat ear.”
FAVORITE SONG TO PERFORM:
“‘I Cover the Waterfront.’ I think that was one of the first songs I did publicly. ”
FAVORITE PLACES TO PERFORM:
“The Blue Room (www.american.jazzmuseum.com) is special—you can go there and the crowd is expecting you to not only do the standards, but also to present original work. You’re allowed to stretch out. The Blue Room is tops, followed by Jardine’s, which is also a special place.”
Dwight Foster
TENOR SAX
WHAT DEFINES THE KANSAS CITY SOUND?
“Swing. We always try to swing our music. That simple swing that anybody out in the audience can relate to.”
DO PEOPLE DANCE?
“Even if there isn’t room to dance. One or two couples may get up and dance in between the tables.”
FAVORITE PLACES TO PERFORM:
“Well, right now it’d be The Blue Room, and I go by the Musicians Foundation sometimes.”
Lucky Wesley
BASS
WHAT DEFINES THE KANSAS CITY SOUND?
”Every city has its own sound. Each feeling is different. New Orleans has the Dixieland sound, Chicago has the bluesy jazz sound, and New York has the cool jazz sound. Ours is hard to describe. When you hear it, you know it. Kind of a swinging blues, is the best way to describe it.”
FAVORITE SONG TO PERFORM:
“‘One O’Clock Jump’ or ‘Shiny Stockings,’ which are Count Basie numbers.”
Angela Hagenbach
VOCALS
DO LOCAL MUSICIANS STILL PLAY KANSAS CITY JAZZ?
“Yes and no. Jazz is a living music with deep roots and is ever-evolving. You can hear many styles on any given night.”
FAVORITE PLACE TO PERFORM:
”Jardine’s, on Main Street. We have lots of fun there. It’s like coming home.”
Bram Wijnades
PIANO
HOW DO YOU DEFINE THE KANSAS CITY SOUND?
“‘Jumpin’ at the Woodside,’ which is a Count Basie tune, and ‘Moten Swing’—I play that one a lot—have that hard, swinging drive that came out of Kansas City. It also has little melodic motifs that are repeated in a rhythmic pattern; also the use of blue notes. It’s got a bit of a bluesy sound.”
WHY SHOULD A JAZZ FAN COME TO KANSAS CITY?
“The quality of the music here is very good. And it’s very affordable to go out and hear it.”
FAVORITE PLACE TO PERFORM:
“The Majestic Steakhouse (www.majesticsteakhouse.com), the Blue Room, the Musicians Foundation, Jardine’s … I love playing in all of them for different reasons.”
