Alex Abramovitz and His Swing'n Kansas City Jazz Band
Upcoming Performances
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Take a step back in time, and experience the history of Kansas City Jazz, as Alex Abramovitz and His Swing'n Kansas City Jazz Band perform at Kansas City's premiere establishments for Live Jazz and Entertainement. Our schedule includes weekly shows at Black Dolphin, and monthly shows at Johnnie's Jazz Bar - Mainstreet, showcasing classic swing-era songs and our original compositions. Don't miss out on the energy, excitement, and elegance of our performances!
About Us
Founded in 2008, Alex Abramovitz and His Swing'n Kansas City Jazz Band encapsulates the vibrant sounds of Kansas City Jazz from the 1930s to 1950s. Our band specializes in delivering a delightful mix of danceable arrangements that include both beloved swing-era classics and original compositions. With performances that have filled venues like The Phoenix and Black Dolphin, we offer an immersive musical experience that resonates with music lovers. We are proud to have been the house band for the Kansas City Monarchs Baseball Club, bringing jazz to the heart of the community through engaging events, merchandise such as CDs and Vinyl, and a commitment to delivering unforgettable performances. Join us on our musical adventure!
Recent Events
Swing'n 'Round
Black Dolphin - Kansas City, Mo - 2025
Worlds of Fun - Kansas City, Mo
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KC Nights Festival - 2024-2025
Oktoberfest - 2024
Kansas City Monarchs - Houseband - 2022 and 2023 Seasons
Other Photos
Our Story
Alex Abramovitz and His Swing'n Kansas City Jazz Band was founded in 2008 by trumpet player Alex Abramovitz, and pianist Wayne Alexander as The Dynamic Jazz Duo. During the first few months of the duo's existence, Dynamic Jazz performed a variety of small events, including the spring JCCC Recitals, Spirit of Mission Days, and the Mission Arts and East Festival. Soon, thereafter, the group renamed itself Swing'n.
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In the first five years of the band's existence, and under several different lineups, the group channeled its focus in the genres of cool jazz, post-bop, and bebop. The group played many "High-Profile" events including the Governor's Reception for the State of Kansas and the National Federation of Republican Women's 2011 National Convention.
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After taking some time off, Alex began working on rebranding the group, changing the group's focus, and studying the history and heritage of Kansas City Jazz.
In October 2013, after a two-year pause, Alex Abramovitz and His Swing'n Kansas City 2 performed their Inaugural Performance at Black Dog Coffeehouse in Lenexa, Kansas featuring Rick Long on the Drums in addition to Alex and Wayne. A few weeks later Alex would bring in a young up-and-coming tenor sax player, Boyd Wilson, and guitarist Seth Davis; with these additions Rick would be moved to play bass in order to bring back the group's primary drummer, Jonathan Davidson. With the current lineup the name of the group changed to Alex Abramovitz and His Swing'n Kansas City Jazz Band.
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On December 14, 2013, Alex Abramovitz and His Swing'n Kansas City Jazz Band began a weekly residency at The Phoenix that would continue for nine years, only pausing for 8 weeks during the COVID-19 Pandemic in 2020. In December 2014, both, Jonathan and Boyd would depart the band, and shortly, thereafter, the band would shrink to a quartet format. Throughout the rest of the 2010's, Alex would continue to grow, and experiment with the group, meeting new musicians, and brining them into the band. By the summer of 2017, the heart of the band's lineup had taken shape. Pretty Ricky Cole had replaced Seth Davis as guitarist in July 2013, and Max Levy had replaced Boyd Wilson on tenor saxophone for many of the band's larger performances. In May 2017, Lisa McKenzie would replace Rick Long on drums, and Jeff Schwartz would take over the bass position that had been rotating since December 2014. In 2018, Kansas City legend Reggie Watkins would join the group on piano, and by May 2018, the band was ready to record it's first major album, "Fountain City Jive", after shelving previous projects recorded in the band's first year.
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The band would continue to grow until the COVID-19 pandemic shut everything down. During the second week of the shutdown, Reggie Watkins would pass away, leaving the band to fill the slot. During that time, Dr. Brian Ward would join the band, which continued to perform throughout the pandemic to spread joy to people during a very tough time.
In October 2021, the band began a monthly residency at Johnnie's Jazz Bar-Mainstreet, in Kansas City's Power and Light District. It was during this time, the band grew to a regular lineup of 7 musicians for evening performances.
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On May 10, 2022, the Alex was named the leader of the house band of The Kansas City Monarchs Baseball Club of The American Association, where they could be found at every weekend home-stand through the 2023 season. In November 2023, the band continued to work with the Monarchs organization, who had partnered with ENCHANT, for the Christmas season.
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On October 8, 2022, the band performed it's last Saturday brunch at The Phoenix; the band would begin a monthly Saturday night residency in September 2023, where the band hosted a new show, featuring the 7-piece ensemble; the show as named "The Swing Shift". The show featured a unique sound that captured the sound of Kansas City's golden age. With the additions of Drew Madden on piano, Joshua Lampkins on trombone, and Kenneth Davis on drums, the band really had a unique sound that began to form.
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In the summer of 2024, the band would be asked to perform for the Big Slick Celebrity After-Party, entertaining the entertainers for one of Kansas City's largest children's charities. The band would, again, perform for the Big Slick Celebrity After-Party in 2025, as well. Both times, the band would be joined on stage by metal drummer, radio personality, and Marvel Actor, Richard Christy. It was during the summer of 2024, that the band would begin a residency at Worlds of Fun Amusement Park in Kansas City, for the first-annual KC Nights Festival. Like Big Slick, the band would add this to the calendar in the summer of 2025.
After 11 years, the band's residency at The Phoenix would cease in November 2024. On New Years Eve, the band would perform the Midnight Show at Black Dolphin, Kansas City's premiere establishment for live jazz and entertainment, and ring in the new year at the band's new home. In January 2025, Alex debuted his new, and now weekly, "Swing Shift" at Black Dolphin. Since it's debut, at Black Dolphin, "The Swing Shift" has become a weekly staple, and is often highly attended.
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Joshua Lampkins would be replaced by a young trombonist, Asa Martin, in June 2025, and Jacob Schwartzberg would officially take over for Max Levy, as the band's primary tenor Saxophonist in July of that same year.
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On October 18, 2025, the band will record it's next album, in front of a live audience, at Black Dolphin. The album will feature many of the group's original compositions, and arrangements, and will feature the band's signature 7-piece lineup.
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There's still much more to be written; I hope you will join us!
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Best Regards,
Alexander R. Abramovitz
