This Week at the Blue Room: Deborah Brown, Sons of Brasil, and a free lunchtime set
Five shows this week at the Blue Room — Bill McKemy at Jazz @ Noon Thursday, a celebrated KC vocalist Friday, three decades of Brazilian jazz Saturday, and a free Monday jam led by Houston Smith
Five Shows This Week at the Blue Room
Thursday, May 7 – Monday, May 11
Five shows across the week at 18th & Vine. It starts Thursday at lunch — a free Jazz @ Noon set from one of Kansas City’s most respected bassists. Friday brings the return of an Indigo Hour favorite and an internationally celebrated KC vocalist on the headliner slot. Saturday night belongs to a group that’s been playing Brazilian jazz in Kansas City every week since 1991. And Monday’s free jam is led by a Berklee-trained saxophonist who came up under Bobby Watson.
The Lineup
Thursday, May 7
Jazz @ Noon: Bill McKemy — 12 pm (FREE)
Friday, May 8 Indigo Hour:
The Band Oasis — 5:30 pm (FREE)
Deborah Brown — 8:30 pm & 10 pm
Saturday, May 9
Sons of Brasil — 8:30 pm & 10 pm
Monday, May 11
Monday Night Jam: Houston Smith — 7 pm (FREE)
Thursday Jazz @ Noon — Bill McKemy (12 pm)
Bill McKemy is a Kansas City upright bassist, bandleader, and composer whose playing anchors some of the city’s most respected groups. His resume reads like a who’s-who of the contemporary jazz scene — performances and recordings with Randy Brecker, Karrin Allyson, Maceo Parker, John Abercrombie, Benny Green, Gregory Hutchinson, and many more.
His three solo albums have been featured on NPR’s All Songs Considered, with Duendenamed to the Kansas City Star‘s Top Ten of 2002 and Om Nidrah winning Pitch Weekly’s Best Local Jazz CD of 2003. An hour of live music in one of Kansas City’s most storied rooms — step away from the workday and into 18th & Vine.
Get Jazz @ Noon Tickets (FREE)
Friday Indigo Hour — The Band Oasis (5:30 pm)
A Blue Room Indigo Hour favorite. The Band Oasis has built a devoted following across the 18th & Vine district, with regular appearances at Bayou on the Vine and the Blue Room — nine Blue Room sets and counting. Smooth jazz with soul and R&B influences, played by a tight ensemble that knows how to read a room. Free admission and drink specials.
Get Indigo Hour Tickets (FREE)
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. Deborah has spent decades performing on the world’s biggest stages. She lived in Europe for 12 years, appearing with orchestras in Russia, Denmark, Poland, and across the continent, and has been featured at international jazz festivals around the world.
The Kansas City Jazz Orchestra tapped her for their “The Voice” concert series. She’s conducted masterclasses for students at her own alma mater. All About Jazz, The Pitch, and the Kansas City Star have placed her in the company of the greats.
What sets Deborah Brown apart isn’t just range or resume — it’s presence. Rich, bluesy, deeply personal. Whether she’s swinging through an uptempo standard or pulling you into a slow-burning ballad, she makes the room disappear. The Blue Room is exactly the kind of intimate setting where her artistry shines brightest. Two sets. Don’t miss either one.
Saturday — Sons of Brasil (8:30 pm & 10 pm)
In Kansas City, there is a popular jazz group that has performed every week since their inception in 1991. This would not be so remarkable, as Kansas City is renowned for its tradition of great jazz since the days of Count Basie and Charlie Parker. What is remarkable is that this group of native Kansas Citians plays nothing but Brazilian jazz — with a flavor and passion one might think could only be found at a night club in Ipanema or Leblon.
Sons of Brasil draw from samba, bossa nova, and contemporary Brazilian jazz, delivered with musicianship honed over three decades of weekly performance. Their set list moves easily between classics of the Brazilian jazz canon and original compositions, always with the same warmth and rhythmic depth that has made them a beloved Kansas City institution.
The Sons of Brasil invite you to sample these sounds — which stem from their love and admiration of musica bem brasileira. Two sets at the Blue Room.
Monday Night Jam — Houston Smith (7 pm)
Houston Smith started making music before he could read. At three he was studying drums under Leon Brady in Kansas City, Kansas. By six he held the drum chair at his local church. At ten he picked up the alto saxophone, joined Kansas City Youth Jazz, and by thirteen was performing professionally under the mentorship of Bobby Watson, Gerald Dunn, and Chris Burnett.
The stages came fast. Houston performed on Good Morning America, played the Kauffman Center’s opening festivities, and was selected as an inaugural member of the Grammy Music Revolution Project — all before heading to Berklee College of Music, where he studied under Terence Blanchard, Walter Beasley, Bill Pierce, and Tia Fuller. Back in Kansas City, Houston performs as both a bandleader and sideman while teaching the next generation through KC Area Youth Jazz and Bird Bootcamp.
A 45-minute featured set followed by the Blue Room’s open jam. Bring your instrument or come just to listen. FREE admission.
Visit Us at 18th & Vine
The Blue Room — 1600 E 18th St, Kansas City, MO 64108 The American Jazz Museum — 1616 E 18th St, Kansas City, MO 64108
See the full schedule and get tickets at americanjazzmuseum.org/blue-room.
I really enjoyed this Monday's Jam. Arnold Young and his Roughtet. World class musicians, and the best of the younger players, as well. I was happy to see a good crowd for a Monday night. Of course, being a "school" night we had to sneak out before we were ready. Great music and excellent service. Thanks