Exploring Kansas City’s American Jazz Museum

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In the 1920s the 18th and Vine distinct of Kansas City was the epicenter of the burgeoning jazz scene. Along with New Orleans Basin Street and Beale Street in Memphis, the neighborhood helped birth one of the most unique of all forms of American music. Such greats Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Charlie Parker, and Ella Fitzgerald either got their start or developed their talent in the clubs surrounding the Jazz District around Vine Street.

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The American Jazz and National Negro baseball Museums are housed together at 18th and Vine in Kansas City Missouri
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The Museum offers many interactive displays and has its own club, “The Blue Room” which features live jazz many nights of the week.
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Charlie Parker’s Saxophone
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The wall of Greats
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Recreations of many of the Neon entrance signs to the jazz clubs that flourished in KC
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The museum has many hours of jazz albums available for listening
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Ella Fitzgerald’s famous cat’s eye glasses and a few of her many accolades
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Jazz Legend Charlie (The Bird) Parker may be gone, but the spirit of the bird is alive and well in KC

The American Jazz Museum is located at 18th and Vine near downtown Kansas City, Tickets are 10.00 but a combo ticket with The national Negro Baseball Museum in the same building is available for 15.00

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