Kansas City - Birthplace of Jazz & Blues

Historic Jazz District American Jazz Museum Nearby Hotel City Celebrates Blues Blues Festival

Kansas City, Missouri is considered the birthplace of jazz, blues, swing and Bebop and KC-style jazz and blues are featured nightly at clubs across Kay Cee. The Kansas City Sound was a swinging blend of the blues with attitude, or as Count Basie called it “swing." The road to swing music began in Kansas City through a cadre of jazz musicians and legends who honed their craft in KayCee, articulating the blues into a new note - from blues to bebop to swing - in the 18th & Vine St. district - known as the birthplace of Kansas City jazz!

18th & Vine Historic Jazz District - Kansas City’s Jazz Legacy. Discover the birthplace of Kansas City jazz at the 18th & Vine Historic Jazz District, a great place to learn about and hear Kansas City’s swinging jazz legacy. Located just east of Downtown, and once the epicenter of the city’s African-American community, this vibrant neighborhood features the famed American Jazz Museum. The Mutual Musicians Foundation, Blue Room jazz club and Black Archives of Mid-America are highlights of the area. To the north, the Goin’ to Kansas City Plaza at Twelfth Street and Vine pays tribute to the song that made the intersection of 12th & Vine famous.

Kansas City’s American Jazz Museum. The mother of swing and nurturer of Bebop, Kansas City honors its dynamic musical heritage at the American Jazz Museum. Located in the 18th and Vine Historic Jazz District, the American Jazz Museum presents the sights and sounds of this uniquely American art form. Jazz come alive through interactive exhibits, educational programs, the Blue Room (a working jazz club) and the Gem Theater, a modern 500-seat performing-arts center. Visit www.americanjazzmuseum.com

Kansas City Celebrates Blues. Kansas City blues is a distinct genre of blues music that was born out of the Kansas City blues scene and legendary musicians Count Basie and Charlie Parker. Kansas City blues spawned the Kansas Blues & Jazz festival, the Kansas Blues Society and famed nightclubs, such as The Blues Alley. Today’s Kansas City blues and jazz fans can find many music clubs, bars and festivals dedicated to the roots and rhythms of the Kansas City sound.

Rhythm & Ribs Jazz and Blues Festival. The 2007 Rhythm & Ribs Jazz and Blues Festival - held in June - is a music and barbecue celebration showcasing Kansas City’s historic 18th & Vine Jazz District and Kansas City. The 18th & Vine Jazz District has a national and international reputation for the birth of classic jazz, known for legends like Charlie “Bird” Parker and William “Count” Basie. The Rhythm & Ribs Jazz and Blues Festival is one of the largest and most significant destination events in the Heartland. The event combines two of Kansas City’s richest traditions: Jazz and barbecue. Designed as a classic jazz festival, Rhythm & Ribs features two days of live music and activities. The event features two stages of jazz, blues, and R&B, an amateur barbecue contest and a children’s pavilion with live performers, games and interactive entertainment for kids. Festival attendees can delight in an assortment of food and merchandise.  [Top]