New jazz bar opens in Kansas City, serving flatbreads and cocktails
Jon Copaken’s memories of his friend, Ted Burns, include nights spent in the 18th & Vine District.
There, the pair of college students would listen to the trills of saxophones and shake hands with musicians, sometimes giving band members rides to gigs. That was decades ago, and now Copaken is a major developer in the area with real estate firm Copaken Brooks.
But after Ted passed away a few years ago, Copaken envisioned a space that would both further the love of jazz in Kansas City and honor his old pal.
If only Ted could’ve seen 1829 McGee St. on Friday.
The club in the Crossroads, named Ted’s Taproom, was filled wall-to-wall with patrons on opening night. Men in ties and women in fitted skirts crowded around the space as musicians tickled keys and bartenders poured dry martinis.
Copaken sees the spot as several things: a way to honor his friend, a place to get scratch-made food, and a quality cocktail bar.
But it’s primarily a jazz venue.
“We don’t have enough real, authentic jazz places that musicians wanna come to,” Copaken said. “It’s a tribute in the name, but a place for the jazz community.”
Gerald Dunn, aka the “Jazz Disciple of Kansas City” and director of entertainment for the American Jazz Museum, is curating the entertainment. Copaken also sits on the board of the museum.
The pair’s goal is to bring in local and outside entertainment. Tuesdays through Saturdays are live music, and Sundays are vinyl nights.
All that said, you don’t have to be an avid lover of jazz to enjoy Ted’s.
“For people who are just coming in here and there’s background music, a bar and hanging out, there’s a place for that,” Copaken said.
Another tribute hangs on the wall inside Ted’s Taproom. This one is to David Wentz, one of Copaken’s longest friends and an investor in the concept. The former tuba player (in the middle school band, at least) died just a few weeks ago.
In his honor, a golden tuba hangs on the wall with the sign “House of Wentz” hanging over it.
“Hopefully the band will say things like, ‘Performing in the House of Wentz at Ted’s Taproom,’” Copaken said.
A quote from Miles Davis (it’s a little too colorful to print) hangs in large letters on one wall. Vinyls and prints hang on the walls, and the room is filled with swiveling chairs and round tables. It’s more modern than other jazz bars in the city, with vaulted, industrial ceilings and natural light peeking through.
“The goal was not to be too snooty, high-end, whatever, but to be more nice and refined,” he said. “But casual enough that people feel comfortable.”
Whitney VinZant, owner of W. VinZant Restaurants, is operating the space. It’s a switch-up for the mogul, who’s used to buying and owning restaurants. In his portfolio: Gram & Dun, Cafe Trio, Taco Republic, Louie’s Wine Dive, and many more.
“People are excited about celebrating jazz in Kansas City,” VinZant said. “I think the community is gonna be really excited about this addition to the scene.”
Chef Thomas Pelkey, who cooks at Gram & Dun, headed up the drinks menu, which features options like Ted’s Peel #5 (Russell’s Reserve six-year rye, Averna Amara, banana-coffee syrup, then smoked for $16), The Perfectionist (amara cherry-infused Old Forester rye, Cocchi di Torino, Dolin Blanc vermouth for $16), and Goldegroni (Tom’s Town barreled gin, Suze, Dolin Blanc vermouth for $15).
While it’s a cocktail-forward concept, Ted’s will serve scratch-made food like a variety of flatbreads: pesto chicken, buffalo chicken, “The Meats” and margherita.
Bruschetta boards, buffalo chicken dip, whipped ricotta, deviled eggs and more are also on the menu.
Ted’s Taproom will be open from 4 p.m. to midnight Tuesdays through Thursdays and Sundays, 4 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. Fridays, and 5 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. Saturdays. It’s closed Mondays.
Kansas City, of course, already has a rich history with jazz. But Copaken hopes he continues to pack the house with jazz fans and grow interest in the genre.
For the craft, and for Ted.
“This is a place to last a long time,” Copaken said. “It really adds to the jazz community.”
