The Blue Devils included Young, Smith, Hot Lips Page, Count Basie and Jimmy Rushing. Page, a bassist, pioneered the 'walking' bass style that became the rhythmic underpinning of swing and bebop. Other important Kansas City bands included Walter Page's Blue Devils and Andy Kirk's Clouds Of Joy. This left a good deal of room for solo work, and some of the most important soloists in jazz developed within the Kansas City bands, including Coleman Hawkins (who left Kansas City early, in 1922), Ben Webster, Herschel Evans, and most importantly, Lester Young and Charlie Parker. Kansas City jazz typically featured a full, big-band sound, with simple arrangements that were based on riffs, or two-to four-bar musical phrases, rather than on fully developed melodies. Moten's band became a model for the Kansas City sound, which was based on ragtime and blues. The first major Kansas City bandleader was Kansas City native Bennie Moten, whose band included during its run of ten years (1922-32) such musicians as Walter Page, Hot Lips Page, Eddie Durham, Eddie Barefield, Count Basie, Ben Webster, Buster Smith, and Jimmy Rushing. It was estimated that in the mid-1920s, in the area centered by Vine Street and bounded by 12th Street to the north and 18th Street to the south, there were at least 50 clubs featuring music at any given time.

As a result, many of the important territory bands, such as Page's (originally from Oklahoma City) made their way to Kansas City, where clubs were open 24 hours a day and the music never stopped. Pendergast's high tolerance for corruption led to a wide-open city during the Prohibition era, which became a center for anyone looking for booze, gambling, prostitutes, or entertainment. Kansas City, Missouri, became the most important of the territorial centers with the ascension of the political machine run by Tom Pendergast. Musicians who got their start in the territories included Earl Bostic and Buster Smith. Jesse Stone, later the chief producer at Atlantic Records, and Walter Page were among the best known of the territory bandleaders. The rapidly spreading popularity of jazz in the 1920s led to the rise of the 'territory bands,' bands located throughout the Midwest and Southwest, which designated a specific city, often a small one, as home base and played dance dates throughout the surrounding territory. All sales are final.Jazz flourished in Kansas City during the 1920s and 1930s, becoming a key part of a significant happening in American sociopolitical history, as well as an important musical style. The Kansas City Jazz Orchestra does not issue ticket refunds. For exchanges or to donate your tickets, simply call the Box Office 24 hours prior to concert time at 81.

A letter acknowledging your donation for tax purposes will be mailed to you shortly after the date of the performance. All ticket holders can also donateВ their tickets back to the KCJO to receive a tax deduction. Season ticket holders can exchange tickets between any upcoming concerts for free. Call the Kauffman Center Box Office at 81 or CLICK HERE to buy online. You can purchase a Gift Certificate in any amount and they never expire or decrease in value over time. Give the Gift of Jazz! A Gift Certificate to the KCJO is always the right size and color and never goes out of style. Groups of 10 or more receive a 15% off of regular single ticket prices! Call the Box Office at 81 for more information or to make your group reservation.

For each student under 18, parents/chaperone may also purchase oneВ chaperone ticket at the student rate. A valid student ID will be required to pick up your ticket 1 ticket per ID for students 18 and older. $10 when you call the Kauffman Center box office (816.994.7222). Save 15% compared to regular single ticket pricesДЇirst choice of the best seats in the hall Thinking about subscribing to our concert series? Here are five great reasons why you should: All KCJO regular season performances take place in Helzberg Hall in the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts.

Kansas city jazz