Jazz Beat: Will Matthews B-3 Organ Project, at the Blue Room

Kansas City native Will Matthews has held the guitar chair in the Count Basie Orchestra for nearly 20 years, along the way winning two Grammy Awards with the big band that originated on 12th Street, back when vice and blues-based swing ruled this town. But Saturday night, Matthews brings a different group to the jazz district when he surrounds himself with an organ trio. Reggie Thomas, who has performed from Texas to Tokyo, mans the Hammond B-3, an instrument that can drip the blues. Hannibal, Missouri, native Marty Morrison takes the drums. They’re joined by singer Marda Thomas. This popular jazz configuration — organ, guitar and drums — rises to another level when these masters assemble in the Blue Room;