Bill McKemy’s Loop Duo

One part jazz bassist and one part avant-garde experimentalist, area musician Bill McKemy has been busily forging his own path in 2002. With an ear for straight-ahead jazz, dub reggae and a wide array of Latin-American styles, McKemy synthesizes his influences into a unique sound. His solo debut, Duende, qualifies as one of the strongest creative statements to emerge from Kansas City in the past year. McKemy’s upcoming performance at the Cup and Saucer in KC’s historic River Market showcases the former Malachy Papers bassist alongside Lawrence guitarist Brian Baggett and will feature live sample- and loop-based improvisation. Sure to challenge traditionalists, McKemy’s music injects the city’s beleaguered jazz scene with a much-needed dose of artful daring.