Jazz Music: History of Jazz Music in Kansas City

>From its beginnings as nothing more than a simple trading poston the banks of the Missouri river, to its raucous heyday in the1920’s and 30’s, Kansas City has retained the independent spiritof its frontier beginnings. Even though an assortment ofcolorful characters, cowboys, politicians, criminals, and evenwagon trains populate the history of Kansas City, you can forgeteverything you’ve ever heard about it being a “cow town.” Today,the outgrowth of that colorful history and frontier spiritradiates energetically throughout the city and its populace.
Widely regarded as the birthplace of Jazz. KC’s early reputationas a “wide-open, anything goes” city captivated and allured themusical performers of the day. It’s central location and ease ofaccess via rail were the other components which induced thismusical migration. Kansas City became a haven for musicians andfans alike.
The musicians, who interpreted their experiences in KC’spermissive environment through their music, were also creatingthe elastic techniques and musical license, which remain at theheart of Jazz today. The hub of this development was the 18thand Vine district. Many legendary musicians, Count Basie, EllaFitzgerald, Joe Turner and Charlie Parker to name a few, madetheir way to Kansas City. Their connection to one another and tothe Kansas City “scene” brought about a unique musical expansionwhich enriched the city’s history and initiated the genesis ofJazz.
Kansas City’s affiliation with Jazz is celebrated daily at theAmerican Jazz Museum in the 18th and Vine District and nightlyat clubs and restaurants throughout the city. Live Jazz andBlues are still an important part of the Kansas Cityentertainment and nightlife scene.
Kansas City’s early sports history, specifically its affiliationwith Negro League Baseball, is showcased in detail at the NegroLeague Baseball Museum.
Also located at the 18th and Vine District, the museum documentsthe history of Negro League Baseball from its beginnings in themid 1800’s, to its demise in the 1960’s. If you are interestedin this facet of the histoy of baseball, a visit to this museumis highly recommended.
A part-time writer and full-time webmaster, Joseph Patrick, canusually be found managing his full service travel website,http://www.Triptactics.com where you will find the resources tobook affordable trips to Kansas City as well as other excitingvacation destinations.

by J.Patrick