I-435 West KC-KS in Kansas City in Wyandotte County, Kansas — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Eva Jessye

Dean of Black Music in America

— January 20, 1895 • Coffeyville, Kansas —

Eva Jessye Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Jason Voigt, May 26, 2022

1. Eva Jessye Marker

Inscription. Humanitarian and academician Dr. Eva Jessye organized her first all-girl singing quartet as a pre-teen. Thus began a lifetime of establishing and directing singing ensembles. The Negro spirituals of her ancestors formed her musical foundation. In 1935 she became chorus trainer for George Gershwin's Porgy and Bess. A "grand dame of Black music in America," she toured war-torn Europe with her Eva Jessye Choir, and became the first internationally recognized Black female choral group director.

Erected by Legends Outlets.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment • Women. A significant historical year for this entry is 1935.

Location. 39° 7.577′ N, 94° 49.666′ W. Marker is in Kansas City, Kansas, in Wyandotte County. It is in I-435 West KC-KS. Marker can be reached from Village West Parkway. Marker can be reached from Village West Parkway. Marker is on the grounds of Kansas Legends Outlets shopping/entertainment complex. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1859 Village West Pkwy, Kansas City KS 66109, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Big Joe Turner/Pete Johnson (here, next to this marker); Merle Evans (here, next to this marker); The Golden Mean

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(a few steps from this marker); "Jay" McShann (a few steps from this marker); Samuel Edward Ramey (a few steps from this marker); Coleman "Hawk" Hawkins (within shouting distance of this marker); Julia Lee (within shouting distance of this marker); Bennie Moten (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Kansas City.

Regarding Eva Jessye. This is one of several sidewalk plaques placed on the grounds of Kansas Legends Outlets shopping/entertainment complex, which highlight notable people and inventions that came from the state of Kansas.

Also see . . . Eva Jessye on Wikipedia. (Submitted on July 8, 2022, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.)

Photographed By Jason Voigt, May 26, 2022

2. Eva Jessye Marker

Marker is on the grounds of Kansas Legends Outlets complex.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 10, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 8, 2022, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 90 times since then and 8 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 8, 2022, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.