The Karen Davis Project

Karen Davis exploded onto the Kansas City music scene in early 1999 after wowing audiences in Denver, Colorado throughout the '90s. Karen's credits include performances in Las Vegas at the Flamingo Hilton, Moulin Rouge and Models De Colour. She has performed with the Denver Symphony Orchestra, at the Coors Summer Jazz Festical and has opened for such greats as James Brown, the J.B.'s and the Bobby Blue Band. She has appeared in revues and productions of Lady Sings the Blues, Dancin' In the Streets and Harlem Sweet Harlem. Now Karen, joined with some of Kansas City's most renowned musicians in The Karen Davis Project, offer an irresistable combination of the rhythmic sounds of jazz, rhythm & blues, pop and contemporary into one powerful musical ensemble. From Aretha to Whitney, The Karen Davis Project delivers familiar melodies and a smooth, driving rhythm that has kept dance floors packed around this town since their inception. Just ask audiences from the Millennium New Year's Eve Celebration on the Rooftop of the Fairmont Hotel, the Kansas City Country Club, Mission Hills Country Club, The Revelers Dance Club, Sprint, The Lotus Dance Club, Hickory Hills Country Club or the Medical Missions Foundation - they all wanted The Karen Davis Project back for a return engagement after an incredibly outstanding response the first time around! Now it could be your turn!

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KOKOMO

Kokomo has been one of Kansas City's most popular single engagement bands for over 18 years playing a wide variety of popular dance music for groups of all ages. The Kokomo song list is a unique blend of styles spanning a wide range and offering something for everyone at your event - from classic standards like "Misty," "Unforgettable" and "The Way You Look Tonight" to well-known Motown and classic rock songs from the '60s and '70s to dance crazy retro-disco favorites to the latest contemporary tunes from such artists as Vonda Shepherd, Celine Dion and Madonna - and even some of the latest alternative style dance tunes. Kokomo simply knows how to play the right music at the right time - whether it's soothing, classy background songs during your dinner hour or exciting, involving dance favorites at the festive climax of your event. And talk about credibility: Kokomo has repeatedly played Kansas City's most notable black tie social events including the State Ballet of Missouri Ballet Ball, the Bacchus Ball and the Inaugural Ball dedicating Hale Arena in the American Royal Building. Kokomo's impressive list of corporate clients includes the Kansas City Chiefs, the Missouri Restaurant Association, KCTV5, the American Bar Association and many, many more. Also we've played country club parties and wedding receptions at virtually every club and major hotel in town. If you want an exciting band who can involve an audience at any event, Kokomo is it!!

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The Boulevard Band

Finally!! A variety dance band with a three-piece horn section ... WOW!!!! After fifteen successful years delighting Kansas City audiences with big band and jazz sounds, the new millennium has brought a major material shift to a more contemporary, pop sound and a streamlined name change to The Boulevard Band. Still able to pull classic swing, big band and dinner set standards from their diverse arsenal of material, their major emphasis now includes pop, disco, soul, R&B and classic rock dance floor favorites from such artists as Van Morrison, The Temptations, Aretha Franklin, Buster Poindexter and Bruce Springsteen. With a long, impressive client list from their Big Band days including the Ballet Ball, the Missouri Rep, the American Heartland Theater and the JCCC Foundation Ball, theyíre now poised to take on a new generation of partygoers with a great mix of the classics from the past and a fresh and broader approach for today. The Boulevard Band could be just what you need for your next big event!

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Neon Blue

You've seen these guys before...most recently on national commercials for Toyota and The Missouri Lottery - or maybe it was the Spirit Festival or the 18th and Vine Heritage Festival - or it might have been in bands with the Righteous Brothers, Percy Sledge, Elvin Bishop, Joe Cocker or some other national act - or maybe you remember sax player Butch Smith as a regular member of the band on the TV show Shindig when he was just a pop. Wherever it was, their individual musical accomplishments and credentials are truly impressive, but not nearly as impressive as the rave reviews they're now receiving as a result of their spirited live performances together as Neon Blue. They are, quite simply, the quintessential professionals of classic rock, R&B, soul and blues in Kansas City. They perform classics from Wilson Pickett, Eric Clapton, James Brown, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Ray Vaugnn, Bob Seger, Sam & Dave and the list goes on. Audiences all over Kansas City area are talking about them. Since coming together as Neon Blue in 1993 they have evolved into one of the best variety dance bands in Kansas City ever! Just ask one of their many, many satisfied clients such as Andersen Consulting, UMB Bank, the Bacchus Foundation, the American Cancer Society - the list could go on and on. Nowhere in this area can you get a group of seasoned professionals with a variety like this; two horns, great vocals, killer song list and the option of adding Miss Baby Lee, one of Midwest's most accomplished and electrifying female vocalists, to make your event an unequalled success.

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Galaxy

The Galaxy Concept...Wishing Makes It True. A kiss is still a kiss...but a band is just a band. And a combo is only a combo. Lenny Klinger's Galaxy is something else. Something you can't find anywhere else. Rock is rock. Swing is swing. Lenny Klinger's Galaxy is anything you want it to be. Lenny's musicians and vocalists specialize in many different musical styles amd periods. That's how the Galaxy concept works - bringing you authentic sounds from every major movement in music. With Lenny's knowledge of music and musicians coast to coast, you can have music that will bring your celebration alive. Lenny Klinger's Galaxy of star musicians will match any mood or theme you can dream. With big sounds, intimate counds, subtle background or knock 'em out rhythms. Bach to Bacharach. Davis to Devo. Berlin to The Beach Boys to Bruce (Hornsby of Springsteen). Galaxy will deliver whatever you want. They have performed with such notable acts as Ronnie Milsap, Melissa Manchester, The Chiffons, The Shirelles and Bachman Turner Overdrive. With unparalleled diversity, Galaxy will make your wish for your event come true!

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KC Prime

Because of their experience, their "good taste" and their intent and hope to be providing Kansas City with "prime" entertainment for private parties and weddings for a long, long time, this group is named KC Prime. The core of this dynamic and exciting variety dance band has been thrilling Kansas City audiences since 1993. They have a unique chemisty and "stage sense" that literally has left the people at events they have played begging for more. Everywhere they go people will make comments about how much they love the sound, presentation, variety and danceability of KC PRime. Their song list includes all kinds of pop, rock, dance, soul, slow, Motown, country and oldie style favorites. Their impressive list of clients includes Price Waterhouse Coopers, The New Dinner Theater, Hallbrook Country Club, The Kansas City Businessmen's Association and Indian Hills Country Club. What KC Prime brings to an event you're sure to want again and again!

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David Basse

No introduction necessary here. Having spearheaded the award-winning jazz ensemble, City Light Orchestra, David Basse has been at the forefront of Kansas City jazz for over a decade. David Basse is Kansas City's jazz singer, being named Best Male Vocalist and Best Jazz Band by The Pitch. David continues to wow audiences in Kansas City and now in his home away from home, Los Angeles. And the rave reviews continue to roll in from L.A. - like this one from Myrna Daniels, columnist for L.A. Jazz Scene, "Basse excels...a real pleasure to listen to these first rate players...Branford Marsalis and Jeff Tain Watts (from the Tonight Show Band) sitting in on Basse's gig...the crowd whooped with pleasure...a rousing climax that pleased the crowd to no end." And although David has stepped out to the L.A. scene, he's only a phone call away from a return engagement to Kansas City for your special event!

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HotHouse

On Halloween night 1989, a newly formed band named HotHouse was booked to play for one night at The Levee, one of Kansas City's most revered nightspots. The rest, as they say, is history. That one night turned into ten straight years of unmatched dance and party music delighting thousands of Kansas City nightlife adventurers every week from Wednesday through Saturday night. If you wanted to dance in Kansas City during the '90s, you went to The Levee and danced to HotHouse. Since that first Halloween, the band HotHouse and the word party have come to meant the same thing in Kansas City. And now they have turned their attention from the club scene to focus on the private party market and are available for your upcoming event. Their vast repertoire includes Motown, R&B, disco, pop, rock, blues, reggae and dinner set standard favorites. Their energy, long-standing track record and their commitment to precise execution of each and every song make them a "can't miss" for your next event!

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Liverpool

You are invited on a magical trip back to the beginning, where it all started...Liverpool. No, its not John, Paul, George and Ringo, but this show is as close as you'll ever get to a Beatles reunion. From the mop-topped hair to the Cuban-heeled leather boots, no expense has been spared to duplicate the Fab Four's stage look and equipment. Many hours and "hard day's nights" of devoted industry went into the production of this tribute to the biggest attraction the world has ever known. For your next special occasion, treat your company to a night of entertainment they'll not soon forget...Liverpool...The look...The sound...The songs. Sit back and enjoy, but be ready to dance and sing along with the lads. A splendid time is guaranteed for all!

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Kerry Strayer

Kerry Strayer was born and raised in Fairbury, Nebraska and attended Doane College in Crete, Nebraska where he completed a Bachelor of Arts degree. In 1982 he moved to Kansas City to study saxophone with Tim Timmons at the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory of Music, earning a Master of Music degree in Saxophone Performance in 1985. Since that time Kerry has been active as a saxophonist, recording artist, band leader, composer, arranger, adjudicator and private instructor. He currently leads five performing groups and teaches privately from his home.

Kerry has released six recordings including the critically acclaimed Jeru Blue, featuring Randy Brecker, and Mentor, with Gary Foster. His latest releases are The Kerry Strayer Orchestra, Christmas in Kansas City: Music From the Plaza Lighting Ceremony and The Kerry Strayer Quartet featuring

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Ida McBeth

There’s a quiet storm in Kansas City. And it swirls around the captivating, elegant, mystifying and delightful music of singer Ida McBeth.
Ida’s musical style is so unique that it is hard to classify. Over the years, her repertoire has included pop-style ballads, jazz and blues, show tunes, funk, R&B, gospel and well known standards.

Critics have described her as “a jazz singer,” “a blues singer,” “a pop singer” and “a cabaret singer.” Still others have referred to her as “a story teller,” “a professor emeritus of body language,” “a consummate actress” and “the complete entertainer.” A song stylist is the title Ida prefers.

By the age of five, Ida McBeth knew she wanted to be a singer. Born in Kansas City, Kansas, Ida was provided early exposure to a variety of talented vocalists by her mother. These singers included such greats as Nancy Wilson, Arthur Prysock, Nat King Cole, Bill Withers, Gladys Knight and Sarah Vaughan.

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Rich Hill

Rich Hill has been a Kansas City favorite for years and years - whether playing as a solo, with a top-flite band or as the supporting cast for an outstanding feature vocalist. Rich's sophisticated and often blues-flavoured style has gained popularity with club and cabaret audiences both locally and on the road - from the Point to the Twelfth Street Rag, at hundreds of private social events and from Kansas City to New York. And Rich is also a much sought after opening act and sideman for nationally known musicians, including Ray Charles, Chaka Khan and Harry Connick, Jr. Rich's material has always been a blend of jazz, blues, R&B and classic standards. Currently, Rich's live performances feature an overwhelmingly popular repertoire containing your favorite Frank Sinatra and Harry Connick, Jr. tunes along with a long, long list of many other jazz and pop party favorites. His style, song selection, precise execution and energetic delivery is sure to be the key ingredient to fuel the fire and make your next social gathering a most memorable one!

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