Kansas City in Platte County, Missouri — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
All That Jazz
New Orleans may be known as the birthplace of jazz, but “America’s music” really grew up in Kansas City. Here, jazz developed and matured, growing out of ragtime and blues into a distinct Midwestern sound. The most important bands to come out of Kansas City’s jazz heydays of the 1930s were Walter Page’s Blue Devils and Benny Moten’s BB&D band. 18th and Vine, the center of the black community at the time, was their stomping ground and the stage at the Panama Club was their showcase. Benny’s band was quickly noticed by record producers and eventually got a recording contract, and Kansas City-style jazz was soon introduced to the world, along with a newcomer in the band named Count Basie. Among the other jazz greats to come out of our city were Big Joe Turner, Charlie Bird Parker, and L.C. “Speedy” Huggins.
At its height in the 1930s, Kansas City had over 200 jazz clubs, and old-timers say that music could be heard at all hours of the day and night. It was one giant, non-stop jazz party, much like New Orleans. Today, 18th & Vine has been restored to its former glory, and the sights and sounds are all worth a visit. Be sure to stop by the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, and, of course, The American Jazz Museum, the only museum of its kind devoted solely to this American art form. And be sure to let your ears lead you to one of the many jam sessions that still go on at the Mutual Musicians Building.
Erected by Kansas City International Airport. (Marker Number C2.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment.
Location. 39° 18.97′ N, 94° 41.851′ W. Marker is in Kansas City, Missouri, in Platte County. Marker is at Passenger Kiosk C2, in Economy Parking Lot C, at Kansas City International Airport, 601 Brasilia Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Kansas City MO 64153, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Swope Park (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Lewis and Clark (about 400 feet away); The Pony Express (about 600 feet away); Sweet Tooth (about 600 feet away); Thomas Hart Benton (about 600 feet away); Heart of the Nation (about 700 feet away); Shoe Parties (about 700 feet away); On The River (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Kansas City.
More about this marker. The Economy Parking Lots' passenger kiosks each have unique historical markers and flashy artwork to help passengers remember where they parked.
Also see . . .
1. Kansas City in Jazz: A Film By Ken Burns. PBS website entry (Submitted on June 7, 2011, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
2. The History of Kansas City Jazz. Visit KC website entry (Submitted on June 7, 2011, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
3. American Jazz Museum. Museum website homepage (Submitted on June 7, 2011, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
Credits. This page was last revised on June 11, 2022. It was originally submitted on June 7, 2011, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 541 times since then and 6 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 7, 2011, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.