Jazz Beat: Bob Bowman and Bowdog, at the Blue Room

Bassist Bob Bowman and guitarists Danny Embrey and Rod Fleeman have anchored the Kansas City jazz scene for decades. That’s what also makes it easy, unfortunately, to take these musicians for granted. So here’s a refresher on their credentials. Bowman has performed with New York’s Thad Jones–Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra, the Toshiko Akiyoshi–Lew Tabackin Big Band, and singer Carmen McRae. Fleeman has toured with Marilyn Maye. Those two, along with Embrey, have recorded with Karrin Allyson and are part of the esteemed ensemble Interstring. Friday night at the Blue Room, these three veterans bring a fresh dynamic with saxophonist Matt Otto in the mix. This is Bob Bowman and Bowdog, a quartet as competent as each of its fiercely talented members. Don’t pass this up.