Even if you don’t like jazz, Gary Jones thinks this new business can change your mind

Even if you think you don’t like jazz, Gary Jones said there will be something for you to enjoy at the new Walker’s Jazz Lounge, which is having a soft opening in Old Town this weekend.

Jazz “has a little bit more universal appeal than a lot of other music genres,” Jones said.

That’s because there are so many sub-genres, he said.

Jazz “can overlay into blues” and “even folk and traditional music.”

“Within jazz, there’s usually something for everyone.”

Walker’s is named for Jones’ son, Walker, who is the general manager.

The business is at 252 N. Mosley, which is the former Oasis Staffing space on the southeast corner of Second and Mosley just east of the Pumphouse.

Jones said he’d hoped to open in October, but some licensing “that I had no idea was going to take so long” held it up.

He already had to move a couple of planned shows to other venues.

“It was something we calibrated for.”

Walker’s sponsored the shows at Odd Fellow Hall and the Lux.

“Both of those venues turned out to be great shows for everyone.”

The first official weekend of shows at Walker’s is when Donna Tucker plays Christmas shows Dec. 15 and 16.

For the soft opening this weekend, customers are invited to come check out the space on Friday. Jones said the plan is “just to get the bar working and test out everything.”

There will be charcuterie boards, and Jones said the bar will “be able to sell our great cocktail concoctions.”

Saturday night, the Jim Pisano Group will play. Sunday, Walker’s will air live Steve Bauer’s “Sunday Jazz Experience” from KBOB, 97.1-FM.

With that contemporary smooth jazz, Jones said, “It’s a little bit more low key on Sunday.”

Walker’s will be open 3 p.m. to midnight every day but Monday.

Early in the new year, Jones said he hopes to add a light brunch component on Sundays starting at 2 p.m., with mimosa and Bloody Mary specials all day.

Jones, who has been on the board of the Wichita Jazz Festival for about six years, said he wants to create a premium experience for all ages, but he said he particularly wants to show a younger population what else is out there.

“Well, I think the jazz is misunderstood because there’s so many different types.”

He said he’s surprised sometimes when he hears the reaction of some younger people who are just getting to know it.

“Oh, wow,” he said they say, “I didn’t realize that’s what jazz is about.”