The Lineup

Thursday, April 2
Blue Devil Funk Band -- Jazz @ Noon, 12 pm (FREE)

Friday, April 3
Darron J & Go Hard Band -- Indigo Hour, 5:30 pm (FREE)
Carolina Calvache Quartet -- 8:30 pm & 10 pm

Saturday, April 4
Rob Tribb, Tribb III -- 8:30 pm & 10 pm

Monday, April 6
Heidi Lanita -- Monday Night Jam, 7 pm – 10:30 pm (FREE)

Thursday Jazz @ Noon — Blue Devil Funk Band (12 pm)

The KCKCC Blue Devil Funk Band brings DownBeat Student Music Award-winning talent to the Blue Room for a free lunchtime set. The Kansas City Kansas Community College ensemble has earned Outstanding Performance citations and continues to produce some of the most exciting young jazz musicians in the metro. Step away from the workday and into 18th & Vine.

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Friday Indigo Hour — Darron J & Go Hard Band (5:30 pm)

Darron J & Go Hard Band are the Blue Room’s most frequent Indigo Hour performers — over 20 appearances and counting. There’s a reason they keep coming back: Darron “DaRockboi” Cobbins doesn’t just perform, he throws a party. Powerhouse vocals, infectious energy, and a mix of R&B, soul, and funk that gets the whole room moving. Free admission and drink specials.

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Friday Headliner — Carolina Calvache Quartet (8:30 pm & 10 pm)

Carolina Calvache is a Colombian pianist and composer who seamlessly blends jazz, classical, and Latin American folk into something entirely her own. Her debut Sotareno — featuring Antonio Sanchez, Jaleel Shaw, and Michael Rodriguez — was named one of the Best 10 Albums of 2014 by the Colombia al Dia Awards. She’s performed at the Apollo Theater, Lincoln Center, the Kennedy Center, and jazz festivals across the Americas and Europe. Two sets of world-class jazz at 18th & Vine.

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Saturday — Rob Tribb, Tribb III (8:30 pm & 10 pm)

Rob Tribb (Robert W. Tribitt III) was born on the South Side of Chicago into a family steeped in music — his parents toured the country with the gospel group The Joy Ensemble. What started on the drums evolved into a deep love affair with the piano, and Robert’s versatility quickly set him apart. Since arriving in Kansas City, he’s become one of the city’s most dynamic creative forces — performing with artists like Jeanette Harris, Tom Browne, and Sean Tyler, touring internationally from Norway to the Caribbean, and winning the 2025 Kansas City People’s Choice Award for “Best Musician.” Two sets from a true community builder and gifted performer.

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Monday Night Jam — Heidi Lanita (7 pm – 10:30 pm)

Heidi Lanita leads the Monday Night Jam with a 45-minute featured set before opening the Blue Room stage to all musicians. Known for her captivating vocal presence, Heidi brings warmth and musicality to every performance. Bring your instrument or just your ears — it’s one of the best nights of the week at 18th & Vine. FREE admission.

Get Monday Jam Tickets (FREE)

Visit the Blue Room

The Blue Room is located at 1600 E 18th St, Kansas City, MO 64108, inside the American Jazz Museum at the historic 18th & Vine district.

See the full schedule and get tickets at americanjazzmuseum.org/blue-room.

The Lineup

Friday, March 27
Delynia Jannell -- Indigo Hour, 5:30 pm
Jazzy Jazz Miyagi -- 8:30 pm & 10 pm

Saturday, March 28
Lisa Henry -- 8:30 pm & 10 pm

Monday, March 30
Millie Edwards: A Tribute to Lori Tucker -- Monday Night Jam, 7 pm – 10:30 pm

Friday Indigo Hour — Delynia Jannell (5:30 pm)

Delynia Jannell has been singing since she was two years old, starting on the church pews at Bethel Church of God in Christ in Kansas City, Kansas. Over 13 years of professional performing, she’s become one of the Blue Room’s most frequent Indigo Hour artists — with residencies at Sullivan’s Steakhouse and both Johnnie’s Jazz Bar locations, and background vocals for Tech N9ne and Kelley Hunt. Gospel warmth, jazz polish, R&B soul. Free admission and drink specials.

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Friday Headliner — Jazzy Jazz Miyagi (8:30 pm & 10 pm)

Jazzy Jazz Miyagi came to the U.S. from Okinawa, Japan on a full scholarship to the New England Conservatory of Music and continued at Berklee College of Music, studying under Lois Schafer of the Boston Pops and Boston Symphony Orchestra. She’s performed with Chaka Khan, Herbie Mann, Joe Sample, and Miroslav Vitous of Weather Report, and was chosen as a soloist for the grand opening of Kansas City’s Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. Flute, classical guitar, koto — two sets of genre-bending brilliance from a world-class musician who calls KC home.

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Saturday — Lisa Henry (8:30 pm & 10 pm)

Lisa Henry is Kansas City jazz royalty. Her career began in KC nightclubs at age 17, mentored by the great Hammond B-3 player Everette DeVan. Since then: first runner-up in the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Vocals Competition, PBS’s In Performance at the White House, international tours with Herbie Hancock, Kenny Garrett, and T.S. Monk, and stages shared with Wayne Shorter, Roy Hargrove, Anita Baker, and Lou Rawls. A jazz educator with the Herbie Hancock Institute, Lisa is a living connection to the tradition that made 18th & Vine legendary.

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Monday Night Jam — Millie Edwards: A Tribute to Lori Tucker (7 pm – 10:30 pm)

Millie Edwards — “the little woman with the big voice” — leads a special tribute to Lori Tucker, her friend and fellow founding member of the award-winning Wild Women of Kansas City (alongside the legendary Myra Taylor). Lori performed with Everette DeVan and Richard “Groove” Holmes, sang the National Anthem for the LA Lakers and the KC Royals, and was celebrated across both jazz and gospel. A 45-minute tribute set followed by an open jam session. Bring your instrument or just your heart. FREE admission.

Get Monday Jam Tickets

Visit the Blue Room

The Blue Room is located at 1600 E 18th St, Kansas City, MO 64108, inside the American Jazz Museum at the historic 18th & Vine district.

See the full schedule and get tickets at americanjazzmuseum.org/blue-room.

The Lineup

Friday, March 20
Lady D -- Indigo Hour, 5:30 pm
Eboni Fondren -- 8:30 pm & 10 pm

Saturday, March 21
Kim Keys -- 8:30 pm & 10 pm

Monday, March 23
Chris Hazelton w/ Emily Dix -- Monday Night Jam, 7 pm – 10:30 pm

Friday Indigo Hour — Lady D (5:30 pm)

Lady D brings her eclectic mix of jazz, old school R&B, and blues to the Blue Room’s Indigo Hour. She’s opened for Roger Troutman & Zapp, Brian McKnight, and Najee, and her crowd interaction is legendary — by the end of the set, you’re not just an audience, you’re part of “The Family.” Free admission and drink specials.

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Friday Headliner — Eboni Fondren (8:30 pm & 10 pm)

Eboni Fondren doesn’t just sing songs — she tells stories. One of Kansas City’s premier jazz vocalists with over 15 years of performing, Eboni represented the United States at the G20 Summit in India as a jazz ambassador. Her debut album The Journey: To Kansas City with Love is a tribute to the city and the legends who shaped her. She takes classic jazz and makes it feel fresh, intimate, and personal — with a little R&B remix and a lot of honesty. Recognized by The Pitch and the KC Jazz Ambassadors.

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Saturday — Kim Keys (8:30 pm & 10 pm)

Kim Keys is back at the Blue Room. The Arkansas native has built a devoted Kansas City following with her powerful voice, soulful R&B grooves, and above-and-beyond crowd participation. She’s opened for Lyfe Jennings, Tank, Monica, and Ashanti, and has provided background vocals for Michael Buble and Michael McDonald. Come ready to vibe.

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Monday Night Jam — Chris Hazelton w/ Emily Dix (7 pm – 10:30 pm)

Chris Hazelton is one of today’s foremost Hammond B-3 organists. A lifelong Kansas Citian, he studied under local legend Everette DeVan and the iconic Dr. Lonnie Smith. He’s a member of The Freedom Affair and The James Hunter Six, and teaches organ at KCKCC on DeVan’s personal Hammond B-3. Jazz vocalist Emily Dix joins him for a night of standards and soul-jazz grooves.

Monday Night Jam features a 45-minute set followed by an open jam session. Bring your instrument or just your ears. FREE admission.

Get Monday Jam Tickets

Visit the Blue Room

The Blue Room is located at 1600 E 18th St, Kansas City, MO 64108, inside the American Jazz Museum at the historic 18th & Vine district.

See the full schedule and get tickets at americanjazzmuseum.org/blue-room.

The Lineup

Friday, March 13
J Love Band -- Indigo Hour, 5:30 pm
Deborah Brown -- 8:30 pm & 10 pm

Saturday, March 14
Queens of KC featuring J Love & Misha Alford -- 8:30 pm & 10 pm

Monday, March 16
Lisa Henry -- Monday Night Jam, 7 pm – 10:30 pm

Friday Indigo Hour — J Love Band (5:30 pm)

J Love (Jaime Chase) kicks off Friday at the Blue Room’s Indigo Hour with her signature soul, funk, and R&B. Known across Kansas City for her gritty, commanding vocals and magnetic energy, J Love and her band turn happy hour into a full-blown celebration. Free admission and drink specials.

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Friday Headliner — Deborah Brown (8:30 pm & 10 pm)

When Deborah Brown takes the stage, you’re hearing one of the most celebrated jazz vocalists of her generation — and she’s from right here in Kansas City. Brown spent 12 years in Europe, performing with orchestras in Russia, Denmark, and Poland. She’s been featured at international jazz festivals, recorded multiple albums, and earned recognition from All About Jazz and the Kansas City Star. The Kansas City Jazz Orchestra tapped her for their “The Voice” concert series.

Her vocal delivery is rich, bluesy, and deeply personal. The Blue Room’s intimate setting is exactly where her artistry shines brightest.

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Saturday — Queens of KC featuring J Love & Misha Alford (8:30 pm & 10 pm)

Two of Kansas City’s most dynamic voices share one stage. J Love brings the soul and grit — channeling Aretha Franklin and Etta James into every note. Misha Alforddraws from gospel, jazz, and blues, with a vocal power honed on stages from the Blue Room to Starlight Theatre and the Midland. Together they’re the Queens of KC — and Saturday night belongs to them.

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Monday Night Jam — Lisa Henry (7 pm – 10:30 pm)

Lisa Henry is the essence of swingin’ cool. She’s performed at the White House, was first runner-up in the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Vocals Competition, and has toured internationally with Herbie Hancock, Kenny Garrett, and T.S. Monk. As a jazz educator with the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz, she carries the legacy of the music into classrooms around the world.

Monday Night Jam features a 45-minute set from Lisa, followed by an open jam session. Bring your instrument or just your ears. FREE admission.

Get Monday Jam Tickets

Visit the Blue Room

The Blue Room is located at 1600 E 18th St, Kansas City, MO 64108, inside the American Jazz Museum at the historic 18th & Vine district.

See the full schedule and get tickets at americanjazzmuseum.org/blue-room.

The Lineup

Friday, March 6 Darron J & Go Hard Band feat. Jaysol -- Indigo Hour 5:30 pm
J Love Band -- 8:30 pm & 10 pm

Saturday, March 7 Matt Otto Quartet feat. Heidi Lanita -- 8:30 pm & 10 pm

Monday, March 9 Angela Ward & Friends -- Monday Night Jam, 7 pm – 10:30 pm

Friday Indigo Hour — Darron J & Go Hard Band featuring Jaysol (5:30 pm)

Start your Friday at the Blue Room with Darron “DaRockboi” Cobbins and the Go Hard Band — back for another round of Indigo Hour energy. Darron and his band don’t just play a set; they throw a party. Expect high-energy R&B, soul, and funk with the kind of stage presence that gets the whole room on its feet.

This time they’re bringing Jaysol along for the ride — a Kansas City vocalist and bandleader who fronts Sol Movement, bringing over a decade of live performance experience and a voice rooted in classic soul. Free admission, drink specials, and dancing.

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Friday Headliner — J Love Band (8:30 pm & 10 pm)

J Love steps into the Friday headliner spot for two full sets, and if you only know her from Indigo Hour, you’re in for a whole new experience. Known across Kansas City for her gritty, commanding vocals and magnetic energy, J Love channels the spirit of Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, and Etta James into a live show that leaves nothing on the table.

Originally from Kennett, Missouri, she grew up surrounded by music — her grandfather a gospel singer, her cousin an R&B artist, the church her first stage. That foundation shines through in every performance. The J Love Band features some of KC’s finest musicians, and together they turn a Friday night into something you’ll be talking about all week.

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Saturday Headliner — Matt Otto Quartet featuring Heidi Lanita (8:30 pm & 10 pm)

Matt Otto is one of the most accomplished jazz saxophonists working today. An Associate Professor of Jazz Studies at the University of Kansas, Otto studied under Lee Konitz and Charlie Haden, co-founded the Los Angeles Jazz Collective, and has recorded on over 50 albums — including work with the Grammy-nominated Anthony Wilson Nonet. His releases on Origin Records have earned four-star reviews in DownBeat and All About Jazz.

But what you’ll hear Saturday night isn’t a resume — it’s a musician playing with lyrical depth, harmonic curiosity, and the kind of freedom that comes from three decades of dedication. His Kansas City-based quartet features some of the region’s finest players, and together they create intimate, searching jazz that makes the Blue Room the perfect room for it. Featuring vocalist Heidi Lanita.

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Monday Night Jam — Angela Ward & Friends (7 pm – 10:30 pm)

The week continues with Angela Ward & Friends at the Monday Night Jam. If you know the Blue Room, you know Angela — she’s been part of this room since the 18th & Vine district reopened in 1997, one of the most respected keyboardists in Kansas City jazz. She’s served as Musical Director for Jazz Night at the Sunflower Music Festival, conducted an 18-piece orchestra, and performs multiple times a week across the city.

Monday Night Jam features a 45-minute set from Angela and a hand-picked group of friends, followed by an open jam session where musicians are invited to sit in. It’s Kansas City jazz in its most natural form. Bring your instrument or just your ears. FREE admission.

Get Monday Jam Tickets

Visit the Blue Room

The Blue Room is located at 1600 E 18th St, Kansas City, MO 64108, inside the American Jazz Museum at the historic 18th & Vine district.

See the full schedule and get tickets at americanjazzmuseum.org/blue-room.

Friday, February 27 Just A Taste A Jazz -- Indigo Hour, 5:30 pm The James Ward Band -- 8:30 pm & 10 pm

Saturday, February 28 Stan Kessler -- 8:30 pm & 10 pm

Monday, March 2 Ernest Melton -- Monday Night Jam, 7 pm – 10:30 pm

Friday Indigo Hour — Just A Taste A Jazz (5:30 pm)

Kick off your Friday with Just A Taste A Jazz, an ensemble that brings funky R&B and neo-soul grooves to the Blue Room’s beloved Indigo Hour. Led by Bobby D Adams, the band has become a Friday evening staple, building a loyal following with their infectious energy and tight musicianship.

Whether it’s original compositions or clever arrangements of classics, Just A Taste A Jazz brings a house-party vibe to the early evening — the kind of music that turns a post-work drink into the start of something bigger. Free admission, drink specials, and dancing.

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Friday Headliner — The James Ward Band (8:30 pm & 10 pm)

The Blue Room doesn’t just have a house band — it has a house family. The James Ward Band — bassist James Ward, keyboardist Angela Ward, and drummer Jaylen Ward — have been the heartbeat of this place for nearly 30 years.

James got the call from Gerald Dunn to join the house ensemble in January 1998, just months after the 18th & Vine district’s revitalization launched. Angela found the Blue Room even earlier, wandering in during the district’s opening festivities in 1997 and sitting down at the piano. Nearly three decades later, they’re still here — deeper in the music, richer in their legacy, and just getting started.

James is one of Kansas City’s most versatile bassists, equally at home in jazz, gospel, Latin, and classical. Angela brings harmonic sophistication shaped by decades of performing and teaching. Jaylen has already performed internationally at festivals in Shanghai and Chile. Together, the Wards average over 250 performances a year and run the Comprehensive Arts Institute, bringing affordable music education to Kansas City’s young people. They’re not just playing the Blue Room — they’re the reason the Blue Room sounds the way it does.

Come feel the family magic. You’ll understand why this band is irreplaceable.

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Saturday Headliner — Stan Kessler (8:30 pm & 10 pm)

Stan Kessler is a living institution. Fifty years on the Kansas City jazz scene. Trumpet virtuoso. Composer. Educator. Duke Ellington Award winner. Kansas Music Hall of Fame. And still the guy who’ll tell you a joke between sets and make sure everyone in the room is having the time of their lives.

Kessler leads several ensembles — most notably The Sons of Brasil, where he explores the grooves of Brazilian and Afro-Cuban jazz — and The Stanton Kessler Quartet, where bebop meets modern sensibility. He’s worked with icons like Clark Terry and Paquito D’Rivera, recorded 12 CDs, and spent 25 years teaching jazz theory and improvisation to the next generation. He’s a musician’s musician and a people’s musician all at once.

But what makes a Stan Kessler night at the Blue Room special is the man himself: his virtuosity, his warmth, his absolute commitment to making sure the music connects. He’s the keeper of Kansas City’s jazz soul, and he’s ready to share it.

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Monday Night Jam — Ernest Melton Quartet featuring Paula Saunders(7 pm – 10:30 pm)

The week continues with Ernest Melton, one of Kansas City’s most compelling voices on the saxophone. A serious composer and bandleader, Melton draws inspiration from jazz legends like John Coltrane and Miles Davis, channeling their spirit into complex, deeply personal compositions.

This Monday Night Jam features a 45-minute performance from Melton, followed by an open jam session where other musicians are invited to sit in and collaborate. It’s a chance to experience Kansas City’s jazz ecosystem in action — serious artistry, collaborative spirit, and the kind of spontaneous creativity that defines the city’s music culture.

Featured artist: Ernest Melton (45-minute set) + open jam to follow. FREE admission.

Get Monday Jam Tickets

Visit the Blue Room

The Blue Room is located at 1600 E 18th St, Kansas City, MO 64108, inside the American Jazz Museum at the historic 18th & Vine district.

See the full schedule and get tickets at americanjazzmuseum.org/blue-room.

Four acts. Two nights. The Blue Room keeps the music rolling at 18th & Vine -- starting with a special Jazz at Noon.

This Weekend’s Lineup

Friday, February 20
The Ward Family Band -- Jazz at Noon, 12 pm (free)
J Love -- Indigo Hour, 5:30 pm (free)
Robert “Imtume” Owens -- 8:30 pm & 10 pm

Saturday, February 21
Marcus J -- 8:30 pm & 10 pm

Special Jazz at Noon — The Ward Family Band (12 pm, Free)

Kick off your Friday early with a very special Jazz at Noon featuring The Ward Family Band. Bassist James Ward Sr., keyboardist Angela Ward, and drummer Jaylen Ward have been part of the Blue Room since the 18th & Vine district reopened in the late 1990s. James got the call to fill in with the house band in January 1998. Angela found the Blue Room even earlier, sitting down at the club’s piano during the district’s opening festivities. Their son Jaylen first performed with them at age six -- and just returned from performing internationally in China and Chile with Bobby Watson and Charles Williams.

Bring your lunch. The music starts at noon. Admission is free.

RSVP for Jazz at Noon

Friday Indigo Hour — J Love (5:30 pm)

Start your weekend right with J Love at the Blue Room’s Indigo Hour. Known across Kansas City for her gritty, confident vocals and magnetic energy, J Love (Jaime Chase) has been captivating audiences for years with a sound rooted in the greats -- Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, Etta James -- delivered with a style all her own.

Originally from Kennett, Missouri, J Love grew up surrounded by music. Her grandfather was a gospel singer, her cousin an R&B artist, and the church was her first stage. As the frontwoman of the J Love Band, she brings a party every time she takes the stage. Expect sing-alongs, dancing, and the kind of energy that turns a Friday happy hour into a full-blown celebration.

Get Indigo Hour Tickets

Friday Headliner — Robert “Imtume” Owens (8:30 pm & 10 pm)

The Blue Room welcomes Robert “Imtume” Owens for an evening of sophisticated R&B and jazz. With a career spanning four decades, Owens is one of those rare vocalists who can move effortlessly between genres -- R&B, jazz, gospel, classical -- while making every note feel deeply personal.

His musical journey began at age seven on the streets of South Central LA. By eight, he was performing in the California state choir under the legendary Andre Crouch. He went on to study opera and jazz percussion, formed the fusion band Group Therapy, and spent a decade fronting the Midwest touring band Kokomo before collaborating with contemporary jazz artist Max Groove on a Billboard top-10 single. The credits kept stacking from there -- studio work and stages shared with Gerald Albright, Freddie Jackson, Najee, Grover Washington Jr., and Ashford & Simpson.

Come hear a voice shaped by a lifetime of music -- from gospel choirs to Billboard charts to the intimate stage of the Blue Room.

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Saturday Headliner — Marcus J (8:30 pm & 10 pm)

Join us Saturday for a night with Marcus J (Marcus Williams), a rising voice in Kansas City’s vibrant R&B and soul scene. With albums like “Diary Of The Lover,” “Smooth Talking,” and “Secrets,” Marcus J has built a reputation for silky vocals and songs that move between slow-burn romance and feel-good grooves.

His sound draws from the deep well of classic R&B while keeping things fresh and contemporary. Saturday night at the Blue Room is always a vibe, and Marcus J is the perfect artist to set the tone. Pull up a seat, order a drink, and let the music take over.

Get Saturday Night Tickets

Visit the Blue Room

The Blue Room is located at 1600 E 18th St, Kansas City, MO 64108, inside the American Jazz Museum at the historic 18th & Vine district.

See the full schedule and get tickets at americanjazzmuseum.org/blue-room.

Join us today at the Blue Room for Jazz at Noon featuring the extraordinary Charles Williams on piano. The music starts at 12 pm, admission is free, and you're welcome to bring your lunch and enjoy the show.

Charles Williams is a Kansas City native who has been playing piano for over 40 years. A product of the legendary Sumner High School jazz program -- the band that was named "the best High School Band in the World" at the 1972 Paris International Jazz Festival -- Charles cut his teeth playing alongside giants like Dizzy Gillespie, Max Roach, Clark Terry, and Cannonball Adderley during the Turner House Jazz series in the 1970s. Today he serves as pianist for the Kansas City Jazz Orchestra, a role that has taken him to festivals in Germany and Poland. He is also an instructor at the American Jazz Museum's Jazz Academy, a member of the Museum's board of directors, and a dedicated mentor to young musicians across the KC area.

Don't miss this chance to hear one of Kansas City's own keeping the tradition alive. See you at noon.