Jazz Beat: Charles Williams’ Motown Revue, at the Blue Room, and Molly Hammer and Steve Lambert, at the Broadway Jazz Club

If you’re looking to greet the new year with jazz, two events stand out December 31. Pianist Charles Williams, who also anchors the Kansas City Jazz Orchestra’s rhythm section, mixes jazz with soul and R&B in his Motown Revue at the Blue Room. Joining him is renowned singer Ron Gutierrez. Champagne and a buffet complete the night. Meanwhile, at the Broadway Jazz Club, Molly Hammer’s pitch-perfect, energetic voice joins Steve Lambert’s tenor sax and flute, Joe Cartwright’s piano, Steve Rigazzi’s bass and Brian Steever’s drums. These five musicians will bring in 2015 with joyful takes on jazz standards, and you have the option of adding Champagne and a four-course dinner to your night. Between Motown and the classics, there’s no wrong choice.