An Inventive, Inviting Evening of Theater
Do you get jazzed about jazz? Hopped up about history? Thrilled by theater? Here’s a great chance to indulge all of these passions. One Missouri city’s celebrating its playwriting talent in a Theatre Lab Festival starting May 18.
Hermann Wine and Jazz Festival 2022
Enjoy the sound of jazz from four bands and two vocalists this Saturday as the music returns to Hermann, MO for their annual Hermann Wine and Jazz Festival. The event will be fundraising for Hermann Music Boosters to support the local school's music program.
February 7, 1882
Wilbur C. Sweatman was born in Brunswick, MO. Sweatman was an African American ragtime and dixieland jazz composer, band leader, and clarinetist. In the late 1890’s, Sweatman became famous for playing three clarinets at once.
March 12, 1955
The life of KC's fabulously talented Charlie "Bird" Parker ended on this day. He was suffering from pneumonia and an ulcer, as well as cirrhosis, and had struggled with declining mental health and an addiction to heroin and alcohol. He was 34 years old. Parker is buried in Lincoln Cemetery near Kansas City.
September 5, 1997
The American Jazz Museum opened on East 18th Street in Kansas City's hotbed neighborhood for Jazz. They say "Jazz was born in New Orleans but grew up in Kansas City!"