Jass
816 Day, City Market, August 16th, 6:00 PM
Bio: As a musician from Kansas City, my work is rooted in jazz, blues, and soul, yet constantly evolves by blending hip-hop and spoken word. At its core, my music is about connection—bridging past and present, blending the familiar with the unexpected, and creating shared moments that bring people together.
Wonder, to me, is discovering something new within something known—finding fresh inspiration in old rhythms, hearing a story unfold in a melody, or watching a room full of strangers move to the same beat. My performances embrace curiosity, weaving original songs with improvisation to spark both personal reflection and collective energy.
In a time when differences divide us, I use music to remind people of our shared experiences. My goal is to craft performances that invite participation, conversation, and movement—physically and emotionally. Whether through the groove of a bass line, the call-and-response of a flute melody, or the poetry laced within my lyrics, my art asks the audience to be present, to listen, and to feel.
In connection to the theme: My performance ties into Wonder by exploring the ways music fosters connection and curiosity within the Kansas City community. As an artist rooted in the traditions of jazz and blues—genres that originated as expressions of resilience and shared experience—I use music to bridge differences, creating spaces where people from all walks of life can find common ground through rhythm, melody, and movement.
How do we live together with differences? For me, the answer is in music. My performances encourage interaction, call-and-response, and improvisation—reminding us that, just like in a great jam session, we are at our best when we listen to and build with one another. By blending jazz, hip-hop, and spoken word, I reflect both the past and present of Kansas City, celebrating its cultural richness while inviting audiences to imagine what comes next.
As for my true north, it’s always been about serving both art and community. Music has the power to heal, to uplift, and to create moments of joy and reflection. Through my performance, I want to spark curiosity about our shared history, about the ways we connect, and about how we can embrace the unexpected together.
By bringing this energy to the Art in the Loop stage, I hope to leave audiences with not just a performance,but a feeling—one that lingers and inspires them to see their city, and each other, with fresh eyes.
Socials:
Instagram –
https://www.instagram.com/jassrcouch
Facebook –
https://www.facebook.com/JassTheArtist/
Youtube –
https://www.youtube.com/@jassrcouch
Apple Music –
https://music.apple.com/us/artist/jass/1503197475
Spotify Link –
https://open.spotify.com/artist/6pZx69wO2abh91JcYuVwDf?si=kA8LVA_NT8Kp5GjNaMUeOA
Artist Interview
By: Lilly Gerend
Jass is a musician whose work is rooted in jazz, blues, and soul, combined with a modern element of spoken word and hip hop. This particular performance entitled “The Ride,” encourages the audience to enjoy the journey and to be open to exploration throughout. “Through lyrics, instrumentation, and moments of live improvisation with my band, I’ll create space for movement—both physical and emotional. Every note, every shift, is an invitation to ride along, reflect, and release,” she says. 
This Art in the Loop theme “wonder,” to Jass felt like the perfect invitation to include her Art into the downtown scene. “There’s something cool about transforming everyday spaces into stages, and I knew I wanted to add my voice to it,” she mentioned. “This season felt like an invitation to share not just my music, but the spirit behind it—of joy, wonder, growth, and reflection—with the people of Kansas City, in a way that’s accessible, surprising, and real. It’s an honor to contribute to a project that makes art part of the daily rhythm of the city.”
Art is integral to Jass’ life in every facet. When it comes to facing challenges or processing the world around. The eccentric and imaginative nature of Jass’ music allows her to be able to explore and express herself freely using not only words, but movements and melodies. “Art has been my way of finding voice, vision, and liberation,” she says, clearing the way for the performance and experience we will all share on 816 Day.
With her inherent storytelling and honest humanity audience members find it easy following the journey Jass’ performance leads. This community element and Art in the Loop support, as Jass expressed, “has given me room to be myself, to stretch, to experiment, to play. It’s a reminder that my voice and experience matters, that my melody has a place in the city’s larger song and I carry KC’s creative pulse with me wherever I go.”
We are so excited for Kansas Cityians and people all over to participate in this wonderful performance, and are so grateful for Jass’ participation in our season. Make sure to mark you calendars form August 18th for 816 Day in the City Market, and keep a lookout for other fun Art in the Loop and Downtown Council events!
