Front Porch Concerts

Sean McNown has been a Kansas City native all his life and attributes all of his musical talents to his family. He studied piano from his grandmother Edythe (well known in KC for her piano playing and teaching) and watched his father Greg star in countless operas and his mother Gaye perform in various successful cover bands. Sean has been involved in music all of his life, but became more serious shortly after high school. After graduating from Shawnee Mission East in 2000, Sean attended the Conservatory of Music at UMKC majoring in Music Education but quickly switched gears to pursue live entertainment in 2003.

Performing solo (using loop, harmonizer, and other various effect pedals), duo, trio, full four-piece shows, DJing and even sound for corporate events; playing a mix of songs from the 60's through today as well as a hand full of original material.

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Emily Dix, a Kansas City native, began her jazz career in 2018, charming audiences with her interpretations of timeless standards and classics from the Great American Songbook. Known for her expressive vocal style, she brings a unique energy to every performance, collaborating with a rotating group of talented local musicians. Whether performing in intimate venues or larger settings, Emily's versatility and passion for jazz shine through, creating an engaging and memorable experience for listeners. Her ability to breathe new life into familiar tunes has made her a rising presence in the Kansas City jazz scene.

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The Ain’t Misbehavins play old standards, new originals, and a little bit of everything in between.

Roberta Von Fange is the core member of The Ain't Misbehavins.  She was born singing - In her family, she's the youngest of nine kids, and singing is free, so she got to do lots of it.  Her voice has been described as "pure honey" and there's nothing she enjoys more than sharing it.

Rick Cole is a KC jazz guitarist who heads the Rick Cole Trio and the Waldo Jazz Collective. Rick frequently plays reggae, jazz, country, gospel, and R&B.

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Multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, and poet Jasmine “Jass” Couch (@jassrcouch) cut her teeth singing in her church choir and playing in a school band. Now, she writes and produces her own music, performing either as a solo act or with a supporting band. Her music is a gentle, foggy fusion of R&B beats and lo-fi pop melodies with a soul-inflected vocal performance. A rising voice to represent the Kansas City music scene, Jass’s ability to shift genres while retaining her own artistic voice is a way of both honoring and building upon the music traditions of Kansas City.

The Heart of America Barbershop Chorus performs men’s a cappella harmony. As ambassadors of Kansas City, this 35 man chorus performs regularly in the metropolitan area in annual barbershop and holiday shows, community events ( both paid and charitable) and even in spontaneous flash mobs at local fairs.

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Columbia Blue originated in the lively corridors of Shawnee Mission East High School in 1972, where John, Jim, and Evan first combined their musical talents. As former key members of Rock Garden, they've now reunited to invigorate the folk-rock scene with a fresh twist. John's dynamic vocals and guitar work, Jim's skilled keyboards and resonant backing vocals, and Evan's nuanced percussion create a rich, full-bodied sound. They're not your typical nostalgia act; they're pioneers returning to the stage with original tracks and reimagined classics, making every performance a thrilling encounter with the past and present. This trio continues to captivate audiences, blending the familiar with the new in every show.

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Mighty Mo Jazz Orchestra was established in 2011. The ensemble includes approximately 20 musicians from the Mid America Freedom Band as well as affiliate members and guest artists. Mighty Mo Jazz Orchestra helps connect audiences with the LGBTQ and ally community through the sounds and emotions of jazz. Each performance can include a variety of music including swing, pop, Latin, Broadway and other favorites. Your feet will be tapping and head nodding at the music that made big bands popular and created jazz legends.

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