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Jazz Jam Sessions in Kansas City

Jazz jams in Kansas City: the Better Bass Lessons Jam Finder

3 recurring jazz jam sessions in Kansas City, sorted by night. We checked each one against the venue’s own website, calendar or ticket page on October 10, 2026. Jam nights move, so open the venue’s listing before you head out. New to jams? Read how to sit in. Another city? Search the whole map.

Monday jazz jams in KC

Every Monday

Monday Night Jam Session

7:00 PM to 10:30 PM

The Blue Room at the American Jazz Museum · 1600 E 18th St, 18th & Vine Jazz District

  • Host: A different leader each week: Tetsuya Nishiyama (Oct 12), Levi Birks (Oct 19), Loren Broaddus (Oct 26)
  • Cover: $10, free for musicians, students and museum members
  • Good to know: All ages.

Venue listing Checked October 10, 2026

Tuesday jazz jams in KC

Second Tuesday of the month

Second Tuesday Jam Session

6:00 PM to 9:00 PM

KC Bier Co. · 310 W 79th St, Waldo

  • Host: Pianist Bram Wijnands, with a rotating cast of area musicians
  • How it runs: Bring your instrument and join in, or just come to listen. It's in the brewery's Bierhalle.
  • For bass players: Bassist Rick Willoughby traditionally plays the jam, so ask him about a turn.
  • Good to know: It's at the Waldo location in Kansas City, MO, not the one in Lenexa.

Venue listing Checked October 10, 2026

Every Tuesday

New Jazz Order Big Band Jam

6:30 PM

Westport Flea Market Bar & Grill · 817 Westport Rd, Westport

  • Host: Kansas City Jazz Orchestra (KCJO)
  • How it runs: The NJO band plays a few tunes first. Then let the band know at the stage that you want to play, and they'll work you in. Expect to sight-read charts.
  • Style: Big band
  • Good to know: Open to all levels, from students to seasoned players.

Venue listing Checked October 10, 2026

Before you sit in

Side A · Will Lyle · Jam etiquette

Jam etiquette

  1. A1Use the sign-up sheet if there is one, and ask to sit in. If a bassist is already on the stand, ask: “Hey, is it cool if I play?”
  2. A2Don’t push to the front. In Will’s words: “Don’t try to always be the first one to play. Don’t kick anybody off especially if nobody knows you.”
  3. A3Time your walk. When Will hears the band “playing the head out of the song,” that’s when he starts making his way up.

From lesson 5 of From Unknown to Unavailable. All five tips

Go deeper

From Unknown to Unavailable

A field manual from NYC bassist Will Lyle for bassists who can play but aren't getting the call, and don't know why.

See the course

FAQ

Which nights have jazz jams in KC?

As of October 10, 2026, our list has jams on Monday (1) and Tuesday (2). Check the venue listing on the day you go, since nights change.

How do I sit in at a jazz jam as a bass player?

Put your name on the sign-up sheet if there is one. If a bassist is already playing, ask if you can take a tune. Don’t try to go first every time, and don’t bump anyone. New York bassist Will Lyle starts walking toward the stand when he hears the band play the head out.

Other cities

St. Louis3 jams · 2 nights a weekMinneapolis and Saint Paul3 jams · 3 nights a weekChicago9 jams · 5 nights a weekMilwaukee3 jams · 3 nights a weekDenver7 jams · 5 nights a weekAustin6 jams · 4 nights a week

Browse every city on the Jam Finder

Better Bass Lessons isn’t connected to any venue on this page. Listings checked October 10, 2026.