American Jazz Museum

Museum in Kansas City, Missouri, U.S.

American Jazz Museum

Established| September 5, 1997 (1997-09-05)
Location| 18th and Vine, Kansas City, Missouri
Coordinates| 39°05′29″N 94°33′43″W﻿ / ﻿39.0912832°N 94.5619851°W﻿ / 39.0912832; -94.5619851
Website| americanjazzmuseum.org

The American Jazz Museum is located in the 18th and Vine historic district of Kansas City, Missouri. The museum preserves the history of American jazz music, especially Kansas City jazz music, with exhibits including Charlie Parker, Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald Big Joe Turner, Thelonious Monk, and Etta James. The Blue Room is a jazz club which holds live performances multiple nights each week.[1][2][3] The museum also runs youth cultural programs, including youth jazz ensembles, lessons, camps, and visual storytelling sessions.[4]

## History

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The museum opened on September 5, 1997[5] and shares the building with the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum. In March 2024, music historian and ethnomusicologist Dr. Dina Bennett became the executive director of the museum, returning after beginning her professional career there as in intern in 1999.[6]

## Collections

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The adjacent Gem Theatre

The museum is a Smithsonian Affiliate.[7] It displays the Graphon alto saxophone played by Charlie Parker at the famous January 1953 Massey Hall concert in Toronto with Max Roach, Dizzy Gillespie, Charles Mingus, and Bud Powell. Other exhibits include Benny Goodman's shoes, Harold Ashby's saxophone, and Myra Taylor's dress. Visitors can learn about different styles and rhythms of jazz at multiple listening station exhibits.[8] The 1912 Gem Theatre is part of the museum, located directly across 18th Street.[9]

## The Blue Room

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The Blue Room

The Blue Room is a jazz club based on the design of the Street Hotel's Blue Room that hosted players like Charlie Parker and Bennie Moten during the 1930s. The Blue Room has interactive exhibits, a bar, and hosts live performances multiple evenings every week. Its entrance is directly at the corner of 18th and Vine streets.[10]

## See also

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* List of points of interest in Kansas City, Missouri
* List of music museums

## References

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1. ^ Peterson, Lucas (March 29, 2017). "In Kansas City, Barbecue, Beer and Bargains". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved March 6, 2018.
2. ^ Planet, Lonely. "American Jazz Museum in Kansas City, USA". Lonely Planet. Retrieved March 6, 2018.
3. ^ "The American Jazz Museum in Kansas City is filled with treasures and memories". WBGO. Retrieved November 12, 2024.
4. ^ "Academy". American Jazz Museum. Retrieved November 12, 2024.
5. ^ "American Jazz Museum celebrates 10 years". Retrieved March 6, 2018.
6. ^ Cherry, Nina (March 22, 2024). "KC's American Jazz Museum's new Director Dina Bennett talks about the future". Kansas City Magazine. Retrieved November 12, 2024.
7. ^ "Affiliate Detail". Affiliate list. Smithsonian Affiliates. 2011. Archived from the original on September 29, 2011. Retrieved July 13, 2011.
8. ^ "Exhibits". American Jazz Museum. Retrieved November 12, 2024.
9. ^ Alexander, Danie (October 22, 2012). "Aptly Named Gem Theater Celebrates 100 Years". KCUR-FM. Kansas City, Missouri. Retrieved December 18, 2024.
10. ^ "The Blue Room: one venue's place in Kansas City jazz history". 6AM - KCtoday. February 17, 2022. Retrieved November 12, 2024.

## External links

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Wikimedia Commons has media related to American Jazz Museum.

* Official website
* American Jazz Museum feature. The Local Show (season 4, episode 2), PBS. Aired July 18, 2013, retrieved March 5, 2018.
* The Street Hotel and the Blue Room photographic archives at Black Archive
* 18th and Vine photographic archives at Black Archive

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