Jazz Beat: Julian Vaughn, at the Gem Theater

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Some of the most popular shows in the Jammin’ at the Gem series are those of smooth jazz. Last year, Najee sold every seat. This year’s series opens with jazz that’s as smooth as it gets, headlined by the 6-foot-7-inch bass-guitar-playing son and grandson of Kansas City preachers. Julian Vaughn has been compared with jazz bassist (and former NBA player) Wayman Tisdale. But in Vaughn’s music, you’ll also hear influences of R&B, traces of hip-hop, and the gospel with which he grew up. His 2012 album, Breakthrough, reached No. 1 on Billboard‘s jazz chart. His fourth CD, Limitless, was released earlier this year. Vaughn is a new star of smooth jazz. Saturday night, KC welcomes him home.