Jazz Beat: Ben Harris at Dietrich’s Modern German Cuisine

Bassist Ben Harris moved from Phoenix to Kansas City four years ago to join a vibrant jazz scene. He has established a monthly jam session in a corner of town not often associated with jazz, except as the onetime home of guitar superstar Pat Metheny. It’s in Lee’s Summit where, one Thursday each month, Dietrich’s hosts a “Night of Big Fun” (OK, not the catchiest jazz-jam name) with Ben Harris Jazz, featuring Harris on an energetic bass, Michael Pagán anchoring a delightfully spry piano, former American Jazz Museum director Greg Carroll on drums, and the vivacious Lori Tucker on the microphone. The quartet takes the first hour, and then other musicians are invited to join. It’s not every day that Lee’s Summit, a German restaurant and a jazz jam come together.

Ben Harris Jazz

7 p.m. Thursday, October 20, at Dietrich’s Modern German Cuisine, 1313 Northeast Douglas Street, Lee’s Summit (free)