Each of the Kansas City Youth Jazz bands are named after nightclubs
from Kansas City’s Jazz heyday…clubs where the legends
of jazz discovered and honed their craft. Note that below each band
name is a brief description of the club and its importance to our
shared Jazz legacy.
Panama Band
The Panama Club was located at 18th and Forest. It featured
Bennie Moten’s Kansas City Orchestra. Count Basie joined the
band in 1929. After Moten died in 1935, Count Basie hired many of
the musicians and formed his own band.
The Panama Band is designed for new students who are still learning
notes, fingerings, and basic music skills. Rehearsals are Saturdays
from 12:30 pm to 2:00 pm.
Hey Hay Band
The Hey Hay Club was located at 4th and Cherry and owned by
Morris Milton, who later opened Milton’s Tap Room on Main.
Customers sat on bales of hay in what was once a hay and feed barn
to hear Count Basie, Jo Jones, Lester Young and Ben Webster perform
on a stage made from a converted hay wagon.
The Hey Hay Band is designed for students with 1 to 2 years
experience on their instrument. Rehearsals are each Saturday from
11:00 AM to 12:30 PM.
Sunset Band
The Sunset Club was located at 12th and Highland. The house band
was Pete Johnson’s and the bartender was “Big
Joe” Turner. Turner shouted his blues from behind the bar.
Due to the popularity of Johnson and Turner, the Sunset became the
after-hours gathering spot for local and visiting
musicians.
The Sunset Band is designed for the middle to high school student
with little or no jazz band experience. Band rehearsals are
Saturday's from 9:30 to 11:00 AM.
Orchid Room Band
The Orchid Room was at 12th Street and Vine. Kansas City’s
own Queen Bey got her start there listening to Billie Holiday,
Dinah Washington, Sarah Vaughn and Ella Fitzgerald.
The Orchid Room Band is designed for the student who has some jazz
band experience. Rehearsals are every Saturday from 10:00 to 11:30
AM.
NOTE: Students in the three Saturday bands each receive a 30-minute
sectional rehearsal and a 60-minute big band rehearsal. Drums,
keyboards and amplifi ers are provided.
Reno Band
The Reno Club was located at 602 East 12th and was known as the
“Queen” of the Kansas City Clubs. The Basie Band made
it’s debut as the house band in 1935 and the Reno became one
of the most popular clubs for both patrons and musicians. The band
played from 8:00 pm to 4:00 am every night. Charlie Parker loved to
sit in the balcony and watch Lester Young.
The Reno Band is our top performing band and is designed for
experienced high school jazz musicians from throughout Kansas City.
Advanced band members get the opportunity to learn and perform
original music along with professional jazz standards. In the past
few years students have performed with Clarke Terry, Marilyn Maye
and the McFadden Brothers and received clinics with international
jazz artists such as Wynton Marsalis, Ali Jackson, and Bobby
Watson. Participation in the advanced band is by audition and
instructor recommendation.
Rehearsals are Monday evenings from 6:00 to 7:30.
Combos
Jazz combo sessions and private lessons are available and are
scheduled by appointment only. Combo groups are usually scheduled
on Saturday afternoon and Monday evenings before and after band
rehearsals. Private lessons are scheduled by the instructors.
Currently the schedule is as follows:
Combo I meets at 11:30 with Mr. Richter
Combo II meets at 1:00 with Mr. Richter