The origin of jazz lies in another great Black American art form: the blues.
But the relationship that Kansas City jazz has with the blues is unique, maintaining a strong association throughout the past century. From Julia Lee to Charlie Parker––who developed his own bebop variation of the standard twelve-bar blues––to Bobby Watson and beyond, KC jazz musicians have embodied this tradition in a holistic, yet continually contemporary style.
The Kansas City Jazz Orchestra’s final concert of their 20th anniversary season will celebrate the origin of the jazz and celebrate what KC does best––aside from BBQ and football––on the final night of the NFL Draft. From the swinging songbook of Count Basie to the contemporary catalogue of Bobby Watson, The Root will showcase a breadth of music all from the Kansas City vernacular and steeped in the blues.
Purchase tickets for The RootSaturday, April 29, 8 p.m. Helzberg Hall, Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts |
Folly Theater to Present First Folly Pride Concert Featuring Alex Newell
The Folly Theater welcomes television and Broadway star Alex Newell in their Kansas City debut for the organization’s first Folly Pride Concert on July 19 at 8pm. ABOUT ALEX NEWELL Alex Newell made history with…
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