The People's Liberation Big Band

The musicians that compose the People's Liberation Big Band could all make top dollar playing tux-bucks-sucks jazz gigs, but they happily put their wallets aside to create some of the most out-there music Kansas City has to offer. As though supporting Sun Ra or Frank Zappa, the ensemble dives into original charts from local composers, who must be salivating over the possibilities. Among the players: bassist Jeff Harshbarger, pianist Brad Cox, guitarist Jake Blanton (Ghosty), lap-steel ace Michael Stover (Mr. Marco's V7), saxophonist Mark Southerland (Snuff Jazz) and a dozen more steam engines who have kept the local jazz scene booming. If you go to one nonrock show this year, make it this one.