Hearne: The Uncertain Beat Goes on at Jazz Club Jardine’s, Former Co-Owner says

Just when you thought it was safe to go back outside…

Reports of new ownership and management at Jardine’s may be a bit premature, say former Jardine’s co-owner Pat Hanrahan and businessman Paul Wilson, who is still in what he has been told are negotiations to buy the local jazz club.

In other words, a report that local businessmen Robert McCain and Joseph Fulgenzi have purchased Jardine’s and Hanrahan will now run the show are questionable at best, Hanrahan says.

"I don’t know what the hell is going on over there," he says. "There’s all kinds of things going on, but I don’t think anything’s been finalized yet."

Case in point, Jardine’s 2012 calendar remains a complete blank.

Hanrahan did meet with McCain and Fulgenzi and Jardine’s owner Beena Raja late last week and discussed his returning to Jardine’s but that’s as far as things got, he says.

"It appeared to me that they had made some kind of deal with Beena and they talked to me about contacting the musicians and I said, if she’s out of there, I’d be glad to contact them. And they talked to me about my involvement and I told them I’d be interested."

So now what?

"I don’t know, she’s talking to these people and I think they’re close to a deal," Hanrahan says. "And she’s talked to Paul Wilson and some other people who are interested, but if it doesn’t work out, she’s looking for other options."

Raja could not be reached for this column.

Hanrahan was at Jardine’s New Year’s Eve bash Saturday.

"I helped out," he says. "I wasn’t really needed though because the people they brought in to wait tables and tend bar did a great job. They had over 90 people in there and the people had a good time and were having fun."

Hanrahan’s take on Jardine’s current sad state of affairs:

"As far as I’m concerned, Beena has lost all control. She lost control of the club, she lost control of herself and the staff took full advantage."

Hanrahan’s 2012 forecast for Jardine’s future?

"Somebody will take it over, but I don’t know who it will be" he says. "And if the right people are in there and it’s run correctly, it will be successful."

There you have it, the beat goes on…

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45 Responses to Hearne: The Uncertain Beat Goes on at Jazz Club Jardine’s, Former Co-Owner says

  1. eddieroot says:

    Hepled?
    Soryr, I colun’t hepl myslef.

  2. Super Dave says:

    So ?
    Ok you have more or less posted the word thats been on the street for almost two days now.

    I mean I will admit I have not talked with Hanrahan or tried to get any qoutes from him. But more or less all he is saying is what everyone else is saying.

    At this point I don’t think anyone for sure knows what is going on.

    Other than Beena is broke and wants to sell.

  3. paulwilsonkc says:

    ding, ding, ding we have a weeeener
    For those of you who accused Hearne of being “scooped” by a web site calendar, a chance conversation outside an elevator, various blogs and a talking toilet seat……THIS…is the real answer and the real story with the primary, first person accounts and documentation to back it up. You can’t make this crap up, no one would believe it.

  4. paulwilsonkc says:

    super dave….im not standing up for hearne here
    As I’ve gone toe to toe and disagreed with a lot of his facts or points, a la Daves check. This is not what’s been on the street. What’s on the street now? The Pitch CF based story stating its sold, who bought it, Beena on her way out. That, in fact, is not correct. No deal has been finalized with anyone and it remains for sale. I consider that new info and 180 out of phase with The Pitch. And like I said, Hearnes story, TODAY, is backed up with first hand accounts and facts. No one met him in the Quick Trip register with 20% of a story that’s 50% invalid. Just sayin.

  5. Herb says:

    geeeez… save it …. until you know.
    come on man, do we really need hourly updates? ….when you are saying nothing? who fkn cares anyway?

    I thought Whats-her-name wasyour best buddy, I mean you have been doing nothing but cover her ass, telling us you have the inside track, and blah blah blah how great she is…… now you post ANOTHER story… saying you dont know whats going on….after a while …

    How about save it, until you have the whole story, no need for hourly updates.. not that big a deal. expand your horizons…tell us about another bar.

  6. Super Dave says:

    Sorry Paul
    But I meant what Hearne is saying is the word I am hearing and have been hearing and thats it isn’t a done deal yet.

    Sure I know all the other stories out there and some have not even made it in here so as I said in my post

    “At this point I don’t think anyone for sure knows what is going on”

  7. Hearne Christopher says:

    This is an ongoing story which I will continue to report on until it (mercifully) grinds to an end.

    I’m sure there’s plenty of news in the world that you could care less about and appreciate you’re taking the time to register your “who cares?” here. Good luck spreading the rest of your wisdom elsewhere!

  8. paulwilsonkc says:

    SD, I’d agree…..
    We are closer to it than more (Chelle and I)… and WE dont know for sure whats going on!!

    But in the words of WC Fields, “… everyone has to believe something. I bellieve I’ll have a CIGAR!”

  9. smartman says:

    Going Once, Going Twice
    So it appears that in a final act of cocaine fueled White Line Fever Beena may be attempting to sell one club to two, maybe more buyers?

    Are Messrs McCain and Fulgenzi so na

  10. paulwilsonkc says:

    smartman…..?
    You are a smart man…..

  11. Merle Tagladucci says:

    Hearne, just curious….what exactly is your fascination with Jardine’s? I mean let’s be real here, it’s not like this is the Grand Emporium or Cowtown Ballroom. You don’t run into people around town who tell “I saw the greatest show ever at Jardine’s” stories. Is it just the idea of it being a “jazz club” that you think makes it special? Is it the angry, cocaine-snorting, staff-firing, foreign club owner that gives this kind of a soap opera feel, or is it all the comments from angry readers (many of whom never frequented the joint in the first place) that encourages you to keep cranking out three columns a week on the place?

    I only ask because when I come to your site and see one Jardine’s story after another, and I use the term “story” loosely, I finally asked myself, “When did this afterthought jazz club on the fringe of the Plaza that caters to a small niche clientele become worthy of such constant coverage?” And I presume the answer to that cycles back to that whole “angry, cocaine-snorting, staff-firing, foreign club owner” factor that places the whole thing into official trainwreck territory…which makes for good copy…up to a point.

    So while you trudge on with the “milk it until the fire goes out” approach to this little club of jazz music, maybe you could lay out what it is that makes this place so special? A qualifier, if you will, for all the coverage. Something other than just waitresses getting fired or checks being canceled. I’ve been in there a couple of times and tapped my foot along to whatever band was laying it down that night so I do get why people enjoy the atmosphere and quality of hang. I just don’t understand the non-stop Tebow-like attention you give it, and I wonder if I may be missing something. Help me understand. Gracias

  12. chuck says:

    5 reasons why Beena will never leave Jardines.
    1) Rick “Nature Boy” Flair is Beena’s accountant of record and he thinks its being sold too cheap.

    2) Freeway Ricky Ross loves the joint, you don’t cross, Freeway Ricky Ross.

    3) Johnny Depp wants the sequal to “Blow” filmed on location at the bar, who’s gonna walk away from that?

    4) Beena has a great new plan to bring in customers from Westport, for free, they can ride on TOP of the Westport Trolley.

    5) The show “Outsourced” has convinced Beena to have waiters take “Tech Support” calls in between tables to increase profits.

    If something doesn’t happen pretty soon, Cecil Van Tuyl is gonna wanna tear it down and stick a bunch of lawyers in there, so lets hope Paul gets it purchased.

  13. mark smith says:

    as far as the Jazz scene in KC goes.I know zip, nada, zilch
    and frankly could not possibly care less about it. But this story has taken on a soap opera-esque vibe, and as much as it pains me to admit, it’s a train wreck I can’t look away from. The anony pot shots from former staff. The villianization of this Beena dame. Drugs, stealing, jealousy, a chef that looks like he just walked off the set as an Elf in one of those old Norelco commercials they aired during christmas back in the day… TKC trying to trump Hearne with breaking news in huge red letters. It’s entertaining, and when the smoke clears and this saga ends, nobody will remember it 6 months later, except Beena and the angry ex employees, who are so delusional they gave themselves a handle, “The Jardines 15, or whatever it was. The most honest, non biased quote in this entire mess
    “As far as I’m concerned, Beena has lost all control. She lost control of the club, she lost control of herself and the staff took full advantage.” Beena it seems is a mess. The former staff took full advantage of said mess. Then said mess snapped on soon to be former staff. I’d say the only true victims in this are the musicians who may bot have been paid, and the loyal customers who actually seem to care about the joint.

  14. mark smith says:

    make that
    musicians who may not have been paid, as opposed to musicians who may bot have been paid.

  15. paulwilsonkc says:

    Chuck .. That had everything anyone could want… EXCEPT…
    a Harley reference! Happy New Year.

  16. chuck says:

    Mark
    The”15″ have returned to Thermopylae to guard the pass.

  17. chuck says:

    happy new year paul
    .

  18. Hearne Christopher says:

    Allow me to disagree.

    This very much is the jazz equivalent of the Grand Emporium. Cowtown Ballroom? I dunno. That was a somewhat big deal for a very short period of time, long ago. This is today.

    This is a story that is ongoing and other than the odd Fox 4 footage of it being open or closed, I’m practically the only one really covering it. And there certainly have been plenty of twists and turns.

    To Kansas Citians who value and appreciate this city’s jazz heritage and its future, this is a very significant story. That you are only invested via a smattering of toe-tapping episodes places you in the majority. Most people today are not huge jazz zealots.

    Most people don’t go to the symphony or ballet either, but all three are considered important art forms.

    My take is that jazz will continue on long after Tim Tebow has moved on.

  19. Hearne Christopher says:

    Funny how Harley has dropped out of sight since you launched your campaign to out him. Kinda miss the ALL CAPS

  20. tom says:

    Of All The Gin Joints
    Nobody has shown more passion than Paul Wilson for this club. I hope he can buy it and if he does, I’m sure it will be a first-class joint. The muscians will come back and I guaranttee you the staff will be well trained. None of this after-hours drinking. How stupid is that to let your employees drink at work after closing?

    Beena, like a lot of Indians, have this thing about upper and lower class people. It is a deep-seated culture trait. The wealthy Indians like it that way. That is why there is hardly any middle class in that country. Not taking up for the staff, but I can understand how some of them are saying that she talks so hateful to them, she thinks she is entitled to do so.

  21. Chops says:

    Predicting the future……
    tomorrow’s KCC story>>>> today……

    “Nothing happened today at my favorite club”
    “KCC just wanted everyone to know that.”
    “btw- I sure hope beena reads this and knows we at KCC are still kissing her ass”

  22. Hearne Christopher says:

    Uh, I hardly think she’s going to read Hanrahan’s comments here and consider that an ass kissing.

  23. paulwilsonkc says:

    Thank you, Tom, that was more than kind
    I hope we manage it as well.

  24. xxMillerTimexx says:

    Got to agree with Hearne, Chops
    Predicting the future……

    Chops 06:23:58 PM – Mon. Jan 2. 2012

    tomorrow’s KCC story>>>> today……

    “Nothing happened today at my favorite club”
    “KCC just wanted everyone to know that.”
    “btw- I sure hope beena reads this and knows we at KCC are still kissing her ass”

    Reply From: Hearne Christopher
    07:11:10 PM – Mon. Jan 2. 2012

    Uh, I hardly think she’s going to read Hanrahan’s comments here and consider that an ass kissing.
    __________________________________________________________________________________________
    Hanrahn’s comments were less than glowing for Her. In fact, makes her look incompetent

  25. chuck says:

    Here is some advice Beena
    from a guy who has been, and frequently still goes there.

    On my family crest, it says, “The Path of Excess, Leads to the Palace of Wisdom.”

    That said, ya gotta be sober enough to get the bridge down over the moat every now and then.

    Best wishes in your future life, your very attractive and smart, with this lesson, you will be well armed for future conflicts and opportunities.

    Time to move on.

    🙂

  26. beena says:

    Thank You Chuck.

    Happy New Year!!!

  27. Mike says:

    new report
    Fox 4 news reported this morning that Robert McCain is the new owner of Jardine’s. They had an interview of him where he stated that there would be no more drama.

  28. Hearne Christopher says:

    Interesting.

  29. Merle Tagladucci says:

    Reply From: Hearne Christopher
    05:39:08 PM – Mon. Jan 2. 2012

    Allow me to disagree.

    This very much is the jazz equivalent of the Grand Emporium. Cowtown Ballroom? I dunno. That was a somewhat big deal for a very short period of time, long ago. This is today.
    ____________________________________________________________________________________________________

    Calling it the “jazz equivalent of the Grand Emporium” is like calling Todd Haley the “golf equivalent of Bill Parcells”

  30. Mike says:

    reply to Merle
    It’s funny you should use a golf analogy because I think jazz and golf both get disproportional coverage versus their overall popularity for the same reason. They both appeal to people with money and influence.

  31. Chops says:

    up to the minute scoop
    So what happened today at Jardines? When can we expect an update?

    Why are you holding back the information??

    Come on man…… we need to know….. pleeeeease tell us… pleeeeeease

  32. beena says:

    Hi

    There was a Merle that came to my house in India and it was awesome. I was happy. What do you think? start. let me start making u think i sincerely wish you all can. 9 is my lucky mumber. want to play powerball? we will split it and we can save jazz in KC

  33. Beena says:

    Beena, like a lot of Indians, have this thing about upper and lower class people. It is a deep-seated culture trait. The wealthy Indians like it that way. That is why there is hardly any middle class in that country. Not taking up for the staff, but I can understand how some of them are saying that she talks so hateful to them, she thinks she is entitled to do so.

    Below is my response. above is quote from Hearnes site. just making clear.

    just a word of wisdom. India has the biggest middle class now.I had an elephant. his name was Ganesh. check it out

  34. Lance the Intern says:

    India’s Middle Class status
    As defined by the World Bank is income between $4,500 and $22,000. Middle class households in India numbered 28.4 million in 2009-’10, in a population of more than 1.2 billion.

  35. Chops says:

    can you do jardines twitter updates?
    We come here looking for the Jardines daily updatre….. AND NOTHING?? you are letting us down.

    You claimed, you stated for a fact, that you were the one we could count on for Jardines info!

    Give us an up to the update. Can you set up a twitter acoount for your updates?

  36. mike says:

    ? for beena
    Do they still have the caste system in India?

  37. please don't delete! says:

    Hearne, please don’t delete Beena’s ever so entertaining early morning drunk/other things posts, probably nearing her 14th or so hour… She is completely insane, these are nonsensical.

  38. Hearne Christopher says:

    At this stage of the game, it’s a behind-the-scenes story. If I learn of anything significant, trust me, I’ll report it.

  39. Beena says:

    Mike,

    What caste do you belong to?

    We had servers in India. The caste was fine. hired anyway if they can do the job.

    I will be up all hours to entertain you guys!!! My brain need some challenge these days

  40. beena says:

    would like to entertain big words like nonsensical. Come on you can do better !!! get with it. i am still up at 5pm. damn!!!

  41. mike says:

    reply to beena
    I don’t belong to a caste. We don’t have them here. I’m glad they hire based on merit. To not do so would be NONSENSICAL.

  42. glenn says:

    Caste System in India
    Mike,
    Technically the caste system is against the law in India. But it is still practiced by Hindu’s, particularly in interior areas of India where police presence is negligible.

    I know of an Brahmin East Indian that couldn’t understand he had to pull his own weight at work. He kept ordering his colleagues around.

  43. mike says:

    reply to glenn
    I remembered hearing about the caste system when I was in school. I had wondered if they still had it in light of the growing economy and modernization over there. Thank you for your answer.

  44. emik says:

    the real question for Beena
    I am getting bored with all the Jardine’s talk. What I want to know is what kind of pooper scooper did you have to use to clean up after Ganesh? Did you clean up behind him yourself? Was he housebroke?

  45. snappietom says:

    Thank you Lance the Intern
    Thank you to” Lance the Intern” for putting some numbers together that backs up my statement tabout India’s almost non-existent middle class. Where does Beena come up with her version? Right or wrong it just flows right out of her mouth. You got to back it up with facts sister.

    Now dip into your savings and pay those servers, kitchen help and Dave Stephens. Get this nightmare behind you

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