


Fueled by the non-stop nightlife under political boss Tom Pendergast, Kansas City jam sessions continued until later than sunrise, fostering a highly competitive atmosphere and a unique jazz culture in which the goal was to "say something" with one's instrument, rather than simply show off one's technique. This gave Kansas City jazz a more relaxed, fluid sound than previous jazz styles.
#KANSAS CITY JAZZ BAR CRACKED#
Pendergast was convicted of income tax fraud in 1940 and the city cracked down on the clubs effectively ending the era. Kansas City influence overtly transferred to the national scene in 1936 when record producer John Hammond discovered Count Basie on his car radio. Ĭlubs were scattered throughout city but the most fertile area was the inner city neighborhood of 18th Street and Vine.Īmong the clubs were the Amos 'n' Andy, Boulevard Lounge, Cherry Blossom, Chesterfield Club, Chocolate Bar, Dante's Inferno, Elk's Rest, Hawaiian Gardens, Hell's Kitchen, the Hi Hat, the Hey Hay Club, Lone Star, Old Kentucky Bar-B-Que, Paseo Ballroom, Pla-Mor Ballroom, Reno Club, Spinning Wheel, Street's Blue Room, Subway, and Sunsetx. playing the wrong thing, we'd straighten you out. Kansas City was different from all other places because we'd be jamming all night. They knew it up North and they knew it down South."Ĭlaude "Fiddler" Williams described the scene: "You'd hear some cat play, and somebody would say 'This cat, he sounds like he is from Kansas City.' It was Kansas City Style. Jay McShann told the Associated Press in 2003: Often members of the big bands would perform at regular venues earlier in the evening and go to the jazz clubs later to jam for the rest of the night. Most of the jazz musicians associated with the style were born in other places but got caught up in the friendly musical competitions among performers that could keep a single song being performed in variations for an entire night. Kansas City was a wide open town with liquor laws and hours totally ignored and was called the new Storyville. The era marked the zenith of power of political boss Tom Pendergast. Transcontinental trips at the time, whether by plane or train, often necessitated a stop in the city. Kansas City in the 1930s was very much the crossroads of the United States resulting in a mix of cultures.

However, the Kansas City jazz school is identified with the black bands of the 1920s and 1930s, including those led by Bennie Moten, Andy Kirk, Harlan Leonard, George E. Our content is always subject within the law, with respectful topics and with a correct, accurate and close vocabulary.The first band from Kansas City to acquire a national reputation was the Coon-Sanders Original Nighthawk Orchestra, a white group which broadcast nationally in the 1920s. We have been nominated on several occasions for awards such as -20 minutes,-IATI Awards,-Legal Gold Blogs Awards,-Digital Fashion 2.0 Awards. Few people know Kansas like we do, and we are a group of young people with a lot of desire to start this project and try to make you fall in love with Kansas, which is very easy, because our city does the rest!ĭon't wait any longer and start reading our posts now!Ĭompany formed in 2001 with different digital media aimed at an international audience. Here at you'll find everything from jazz bars in Kansas City to everything in between, as we're dedicated to showing you the day-to-day life of those of us who live here so we can recommend and inform you of the best options and ways to get around our city. We've got it all! Great views, mountains, warm weather, and above all a good standard of living at a reasonable price. Kansas City offers a lifestyle that is on par with most places economically, so you could say it's about average, but still quite low compared to other states? With almost 200,000 inhabitants, the Kansas and Missouri rivers and a subtropical climate, we don't see why you shouldn't visit. We are located in the third largest city in the state of Kansas, and you are looking for jazz bars in Kansas City, so I have to tell you that no one will tell you more about it than us. We help you choose jazz bars in Kansas City
