Kansas City’s Jackie Myers may have the Midas touch for groove, conjuring up musical styles ranging from soul, jazz and modern R&B each time the talented pianist places her hands on the keys. Daytrotter's Pat Stolley says of Jackie's music "It reminds me of Joni Mitchell's jazz period." The finesse on her chosen instrument plays complement to what the Austin Chronicle describes as “her earthy lungs” - beautiful, captivating, complex, and always with an edge.

Anyone who's stepped inside a Kansas City jazz club during the past several decades has probably run into Stan Kessler, the impish trumpeter known for amusing pranks and soulful solos.

Kessler has played music in Kansas City for 40 years, serving as the jazz scene's crafty institutional memory and passionate conscience. He's seen a lot of ups and downs, but his new album, "Skywatcher," makes a career-defining statement, showcasing his formidable talent at the same time as it demonstrates the vitality of the regional scene.