Jazz Beat: Gerald Spaits, at Take Five Coffee + Bar

Gerald Spaits has toured with Marilyn Maye and Karrin Allyson, and for decades has been recognized as one of Kansas City’s premier go-to bassists. But his original compositions are less well-known. On Saturday night at the new Take Five Coffee + Bar space, you can hear some of Spaits’ original material, played by an A-list team: saxophonist David Chael (who plays with the Kansas City Jazz Orchestra, the Westport Art Ensemble and Bram Wijnands Swingtet), pianist T.J. Martley and drummer Brian Steever. Add Spaits on bass, and this ensemble is second to none.