Bill McKemy Quartet

Kansas City’s once irreproachable reputation as a jazz town is kept barely intact these days by the few remaining vestiges that continue the tradition, albeit as what French composer Erik Satie once called musique d’ameublement — furniture music. But beyond the dinnertime din, the music thrives, thanks to dedicated musicians like local bassist Bill McKemy. The battle to bring experimentation back to a scene once full of innovators has been an uphill push, but McKemy has managed to deliver his musical visions to new crowds by tapping into venues such as the Brick and Cup & Saucer. Jardine’s will be more traditional turf for McKemy, but the show will nonetheless feature music from Om Nidrah, the Pitch‘s 2003 pick for Best Local Jazz Album. It just might be the kind of tonic this ailing jazz town needs.