Jazz Beat: Victor & Penny, at the Broadway Kansas City

Some might argue that the vintage-pop outfit Victor & Penny doesn’t belong on a jazz-club stage. But since the additions last year of Rick Willoughby on bass and James Isaac on clarinet, there’s no doubt that they can confidently take on any stage — and should. Jeff Freling, the titular Victor, plays guitar, while Erin McGrane strums the ukulele as Penny. The two founding members, the core of this band, also share singing duties. Quirky, original songs with the flavor of prejazz pop conjure a feeling of 1920s innocence, but the lyrics are more clever than they are cutesy. Onstage, Freling and McGrane are engaging, full of good humor that spills out into the audience. Willoughby and Isaac bring depth to the music. This isn’t modern jazz or even the American songbook: It’s just a whole bunch of fun.