American Jazz Museum

After being closed through 12.7.2020, the museum is back open! Read the graphic below for our operation hours, and head to americanjazzmuseum.org for our COVID-19 policies and procedures. You are missed, and we hope you’re staying safe!

This holiday season, we know folks are looking for safe, fun activities to do with family and friends. With the brand new launch of our online shop, we suggest buying this puzzle! What makes this different than buying from anywhere else is YOUR direct support for our museum. Find more here: shop.americanjazzmuseum.org

Live from the Horace Peterson III Visitor Center, it’s December’s performance of the Br. John Duo! Head to americanjazzmuseum.org/support to help fund future music programs like this!

Yesterday marked 14 years since the passing of one of Kansas City's most famous jazz musicians, Jay McShann. The pianist was the first person to give legendary saxophonist Charlie Parker a chance to showcase his lightening-speed musicianship, setting up his international fame. McShann was also was bandleader to one of the most famous well known territory bands in the Midwest, covering dance halls in states like Oklahoma, Missouri, and Kansas in the 1930s and 1940s. A core su...pporter to the American Jazz Museum when it opened in 1997, McShann will never forgotten. From his jam sessions at Mutual Musicians Foundation International to his piano that now sits on display in our permanent exhibit, McShann will always be a true symbol of Kansas City jazz. You are missed in the historic 18th & Vine District, forever and always! The photo below features the Jay McShann Band, with Parker looking down at McShann's piano. This photo and more can be found in our free Charlie Parker exhibit, on display in our museum's Changing Gallery.

Have you visited AJM since we reopened in June? We'd love to have you! Our new COVID-19 policies and procedures include a two-step admissions process to ensure patrons can easily social distance. Visit this link on our website to learn more: https://americanjazzmuseum.org/reopening

LAST DAY FOR A DEAL: Get 10% off your entire purchase & get a free tote if you spend over $100 on our brand new online museum store! Clothes, books, and CDs are some of the wonderful products you can shop while you also support local! We KNOW there’s nothing like the perfect bowtie. Ladies or gents, we know this would be the perfect addition to your outfits! Shop now to support our future : https://american-jazz-museum-swing-shop.myshopify.com

Last night we officially launched our online museum gift shop! Check out one of our most popular items, an official American Jazz Museum hoodie! And this weekend only, we’ve got some special discounts to celebrate this launch: 1. 10% off your entire purchase... 2. The first 20 people to buy $100 of merch get a free tote celebrating Charlie Parker’s centennial! Each purchase made directly funds the events, programs, and future of the museum. Consider shopping local as you buy gifts this holiday season: https://american-jazz-museum-swing-shop.myshopify.com

Tomorrow is First Friday down at 18th & Vine, and that means we have two special programs for you to check out: - From 10:00 am to 11:00 am, it's Jazz Storytelling feat. our wonderful jazz storytellers inside the Gem Theater Lobby! - From 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, there will be live painting by some of Kansas City's finest visual artists. ... You can learn more about our social distancing procedures and ticketing protocols by visiting our website below: americanjazzmuseum.org/events

The last couple of days have been filled with stress for many people in the United States. As a museum, we are here to be your space for education, but also an escape for some moments of peace. We invite you to watch this short video of our Collections Associate Katharine Molnar highlighting objects from "Saxophone Supreme: The Life & Music of Charlie Parker". This special, free exhibit is on display through December 31, 2020, and hearing from Katharine may warm your heart as much as it warms ours to have her on our staff. Take care of yourself, and enjoy.

November's Jazz Storytelling is now LIVE! This is the longest running public program at the American Jazz Museum, with a mission to educate preschoolers and kindergartners about the fundamentals of the genre. Big kids, you may also learn a thing or two! Visit our website to find the latest information about next month's Jazz Storytelling program. We'd love to see you at the Vine: https://americanjazzmuseum.org/events If enjoyed this video, consider making a donation to the American Jazz Museum to support future programming: https://americanjazzmuseum.org/support

You may be wondering: why the heck are we posting at 6:00 am? Because voting polls have officially opened in Kansas City and will be until 7:00 pm tonight! As you’re waiting in line, feel free to turn on this 45-minute Voter Soundtrack we found curated by CapRadio to pass the time. We hope music is one way to help you make a difference through your civic duty! Vote and stay safe: https://www.capradio.org//voter-soundtrack-jazz-soul-musi/

Don't worry, we also understand the importance of staying safe during the times of COVID-19! Since March we've been adding to "AJM @ Home," our free, online educational portal. Visit now and explore our world of jazz: https://americanjazzmuseum.org/ajmathome

From live painting to live music, at least one of our socially distanced programs this month is bound to fit for you and your interests! See below to see what we have going on in November: https://americanjazzmuseum.org/events

We're a little reminiscent of "Trunk or Treat" last week lead by our neighbors Bob Kendrick and the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum staff! We were lucky enough to have these wonderful kiddos help us with our table and spread some spooky joy. If you're planning on trick or treating tonight, be sure to stay safe and follow social distancing guidelines by the CDC! Have a Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween AND Happy Birthday to famous jazz singer Julia Lee! Raised in Kansas City, MO, Lee sang around the 18th & Vine District with Charlie Parker and Jay McShann. Ready for a bonus fact? She was married to Frank Duncan, a manager and catcher of the Negro Leagues' Kansas City Monarchs! Pretty cool to share history with our neighbors at Negro Leagues Baseball Museum!

In addition to Jazz Storytelling, we will have live painting by some of Kansas City's most talented visual artists inside the museum from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm! We're already missing the first time we did this outside by the Charlie Parker bust! It was a beautiful day, and it was a huge success! Want to learn more about next Friday's featured artists and when they'll be painting? Click here to learn more: https://americanjazzmuseum.org//first-friday-tribute-ida-m

We know Halloween is tomorrow, but we want to remind you of our two awesome programs happening next Friday, November 6th! Up first we have Jazz Storytelling at 10:00 am, our free public program introducing little kids and big kids to the world of jazz music! If you liked the video below, click this link for more about November's program: http://ow.ly/T7Y050C7zjD

Like most jazz fans, we're STILL thinking about how this year is the 100th birth year of Charlie Parker! Why don't you take some time to celebrate with this incredible documentary from Kansas City PBS called "BIRD: Not Out Of Nowhere." The documentary explores the life of the famous saxophonist, which perfectly pairs with our FREE "Saxophone Supreme" exhibit currently on display! Watch the movie today, and give the museum a visit tomorrow. We'll be ready and waiting for you!

You know what doesn't get enough love on our social media? The wonderful jazzy merchandise inside the Swing Shop, our museum's gift store! We also wanted our staff to give you their personal touch on what their favorite merchandise is. Up first we have Patricia, our Swing Shop Associate. Her favorite thing are these custom prints of famous jazz musicians. "These are from a featured artist inside Kansas City's own Ethnic Art Gallery. The original artwork is made of textiles, s...o these prints are great for coloring in! I'm currently coloring two and will probably get two more for myself." Interested in seeing what else we have in store? Check out our museum hours at americanjazzmuseum.org/visit Shop local, support local!