Jam Sessions Kansas City?

BB’s Lawnside BBQ in KCMO, 85th St. under the Troost bridge. On Thurs., 6/13, my buddies in John Paul Drum’s Flying Circus do a couple of sets, and then usually have a jam at the end of the night. They play every other Thursday after that, but check the BB’s website to confirm. Plus there’s Mama Ray’s jam there every Saturday afternoon. Then, at Knucklehead’s(also KCMO), a real roadhouse literally on the wrong side of the tracks, a blues jam every Sunday afternoon usually, but check their website. Get your GPS, Map Quest, or whatever, warmed up, you’ll need it to get down there. It’s been rumored that Alexa broke down in hysterical sobbing trying to give directions to the place. Other than that, check the Green Lady lounge for jazz, I’m not sure what goes on there, and ‘The Ship’ in the west bottoms for a variety of things, funk, soul, jazz, etc; not a jam, but if you have an ear for classic honky tonk style country(no bro), the Naughty Pines play there every second Tuesday, highly recommend(my peeps). Check the Ship’s calendar. In answer to the question you haven’t asked yet, Gates. Or Bryant’s.

 

I’m not really a full time jazz person, so I couldn’t tell you. KC is currently more of a blues town, which is what I gravitate to when I’m in town(native, don’t live there, back there often). The two crowds are kinda separate. In spite of the jazz heritage there, it was all swept under the rug when I was growing up by the people of my parent’s generation. Just look up ‘Tom Pendergast’ for an explanation. There may be some things on the Kansas side but out south are the bland suburbs. Check into what might be going on in Lawrence, KS, 30 miles to the west, home of KU. You can stream the UMKC station, KCUR, and hear a great show on Friday/Saturday nights, the “Fish Fry”, hosted by an old friend of mine, for all the info on events.

 

The Westport Saloon has a blues jam every Tuesday.

 

No problem. I love that bar.

 

Arthur Bryant's.