Jazz Beat: Foundation 627 Big Band, at the Green Lady Lounge

Kansas City’s newest big band hails from one of this city’s most historic sites. Local 627 was, from 1917 until 1970, an African-American musicians union, whose hall in the 18th and Vine District is now a national historic landmark. The Foundation 627 Big Band honors that building, the Mutual Musicians Foundation, with musicians who play the weekend all-night jam sessions there. Led by saxophonist Steve Lambert and trumpeter Ryan Thielman, and with veteran pianist Chris Clarke, this band swings a musical mix ranging from classic Count Basie to the big-band charts of Thad Jones and Sammy Nestico to original compositions. They’re regulars on the third Tuesday of each month at the Green Lady Lounge, where stepping inside feels like stepping back into KC’s swing era.