KC Jazz ALIVE

08/25/2026

Celebrate Charlie Parker Day!

Join the American Jazz Museum Saturday, August 29, from 10 AM–3:30 PM for a day celebrating the legacy of Kansas City jazz legend Charlie “Bird” Parker.

Enjoy live music, trivia, an instrument petting zoo, guest artist Willie Cole, a $5 raffle and more!

08/25/2026

🎷 One big night for Bird. One incredible Kansas City stage.

This Saturday, Aug. 29, the The Kansas City Jazz Orchestra takes over the Folly Theater for a big band celebration featuring KC saxophone legends Bobby Watson, Matt Otto and Stephen Martin, joined by some of the city’s rising young saxophonists.

Legends + rising stars + a full big band = a finale worthy of Bird. 🎶

Don’t wait — grab your tickets and help us fill the Folly!

🎟️ Tickets: https://orders.follytheater.org/ChooseSeats/39401

08/20/2026

TONIGHT at 515 Music Hub! 🎺🎷

Join Stan Kessler and Friends — including a special guest! — for an evening celebrating the music and legacy of Kansas City’s own Charlie “Bird” Parker.

It’s another night of Spotlight: Charlie Parker, bringing KC musicians together to honor the sound that changed jazz forever.

🎶 Stan Kessler and Friends
🎷 A Tribute to Charlie Parker
🕕 Tonight | 6–9 PM
📍 515 Music Hub | 515 Southwest Blvd., KCMO

Come celebrate Bird with us — and see who shows up as our special guest! 👀

08/19/2026

Dive deep into captivating special discussions in honor of Charlie Parker at our "Vivid Visions" Session, featuring KCUR's Chuck Haddix.

08/18/2026

Tomorrow night! Join Chuck Haddix at the 515 Music Hub for Memories of Bird and take a deeper dive into the life and legacy of Charlie “Bird” Parker.

6pm, Wed. Aug 19

Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/vivid-visions-memories-of-bird-tickets-1992889754904

(can also purchase tickets at the door)

08/18/2026

🎷 The best of Bird is still ahead!

We’re heading into the final stretch of Spotlight: Charlie Parker, and there’s still plenty of music to hear, history to celebrate and good times to share.

From stories about Bird and live jazz at 515 Music Hub to the next generation of KC musicians, an open jam, a behind-the-scenes KCJO rehearsal and our big finale at the Folly Theater on Aug. 29 with the The Kansas City Jazz Orchestra — there are so many ways to join the celebration.

Pick an event. Bring a friend. Hear some incredible music. And help us keep Kansas City jazz alive and swinging. 🎶

🎟️ Explore events + get tickets: www.kcjazzalive.org

08/16/2026

Miles Davis, John Coltrane, and Charlie Parker all played the Blue Bird Inn, a neighborhood bar at 5021 Tireman on Detroit's west side, and more than $2 million in grants is now rebuilding it.

The Detroit Sound Conservancy bought the building, put a new roof on in 2021, and broke ground on the renovation in September 2023. The funding includes $1.9 million from the Mellon Foundation and another $100,000 announced this week. The plan is a working music venue, not a museum, though there's no opening date yet.

In 2016, they went into the abandoned building and pulled the original stage out. They've kept it ever since.

08/15/2026

08/15/2026