In April 2019, a neighborhood jazz calendar instantly went offline. The positioning, owned and managed by an space venue, wasn’t encyclopedic, nevertheless it was a useful resource for a lot of.
Saxophonist Herschel McWilliams observed quickly after and shortly started working creating a brand new and improved calendar now often called Dwell Jazz KC.
“I began placing collectively the framework and had it on-line inside just a few days,” McWilliams says. “It was such a giant useful resource, and I knew it could possibly be greater and extra helpful for extra folks.”
4 years later, the information garners upwards of fifteen thousand guests a month from locals and out of city guests. Dwell Jazz KC is called probably the most complete and up to date vacation spot to seek out out the place to catch stay leisure all through the world, from Johnnie’s Jazz Bar and Grille in Liberty to Chaz on the Plaza. It doesn’t matter whether or not it’s a touring act or a scene stalwart—will probably be listed.
Working in automotive retail by day and freelancing as a saxophonist by night time, McWilliams runs the web site as a ardour undertaking. He needs folks to know what’s occurring in Kansas Metropolis’s vibrant jazz scene.
“Initially, it was for the musicians, my associates, to assist carry up the place they’re taking part in and what they’re doing,” McWilliams says. As the location has picked up traction, venues have taken discover—and shared their appreciation—as effectively.
For those who’re searching for blues, R&B or one other style, you gained’t discover it listed right here. McWilliams will get inquiries about increasing the calendar, however he’s centered on retaining jazz on the forefront.
“I’ve actually let the scene information the content material,” McWilliams says. “It’s began to tackle a special kind.” Not solely has Dwell Jazz KC expanded its social media presence, however McWilliams has additionally just lately delved into music training.
Final spring, McWilliams began the Dwell Jazz KC Excessive Faculty All Star Large Band, bringing collectively twenty budding artists from either side of the state line. After a busy competitors season, the second iteration of the band concluded the 2022-23 yr with a efficiency at Westport Coffeehouse on April 30. McWilliams hopes to have interaction extra college students subsequent yr and add vocalists to the combo.
“It’s been nice to see the relationships the youngsters within the band are constructing with each other,” McWilliams says.
Go to livejazzkc.com for a complete calendar of stay jazz performances all through the world.
