Jazz Beat: GuitarElation at Green Lady Lounge Friday night

With its dim lighting, its red walls and drapes, and its framed paintings, the Green Lady Lounge feels like a 1940s-era jazz club. That atmosphere is enhanced by music from groups such as OJT, a traditional organ-guitar-drums trio, or Boogaloo 7’s booty-swayin’, horn-driven jazz. But owner John Scott is spiking his schedule with new ensembles, encouraging uncommon combinations of Kansas City’s best musicians, often playing original compositions. GuitarElation is a prime example. This group starts with two-thirds of OJT: Ken Lovern on organ and Brian Baggett on guitar. It adds a second guitarist, Danny Embrey, who for decades has effortlessly bridged jazz from standards to Pat Metheny-style modernism. The group is tied together with Todd Strait on drums. They take Green Lady’s stage Friday night.

GuitarElation
8:30 p.m. Friday, June 24,
at Green Lady Lounge, 1809 Grand (free)