KCUR

Photo by C.J. Janovy

Kansas City’s Charlie Parker History Tour Requires A Guide — And Imagination

Charlie Parker was born on Aug. 29, 1920. For three years now, Kansas City jazz organizations have marked his birthday week with a Charlie Parker Celebration, trying to increase hometown appreciation for the influential jazz saxophonist.

KCUR’s CJ Janovy reported on events this past weekend, which included UMKC students (from left) Max Levy, Joe Tesoro, Matt Brown and Phillip Hannah. The students study with UMKC Conservatory of Music and Dance Assistant Professor and Co-Chair of UMKC Jazz Studies Dan Thomas; and William D. and Mary Grant/Missouri Professor of UMKC Jazz Studies Bobby Watson, Jr. Thomas hosted and lead the musical event at the gravesite. Read more…


Tags: , , , , , .
  • Recent UMKC News

    $20 Million Scholarship Article in The Kansas City Star

    KC Scholars partnership also in U.S. News and World Report … Read more

    Geosciences Professor’s Research Cited in New York Times

    Fengpeng Sun co-authored study on California wildfire seasons The 2015 … Read more

    Bloch Faculty Interviewed on NBC Nightly News

    Brent Never teaches about Kansas City’s racial dividing line Never … Read more

    More