Join us as we celebrate the life,
the music, and the iconic legacy
of Kansas City’s own:
Charlie “Yardbird” Parker!
Please keep checking back for More Events for 2024! *Artists and Venues subject to change at any time. Please confirm with Venue directly.
SPOTLIGHT: CHARLIE PARKER EVENT
It Takes a Village – CD Release Performance featuring Morgan Faw and The Flame
With a special edition of the famous “Blue Monday Jam Session” co-hosted by Houston Smith and Morgan Faw. (*Special Guest Appearance by: Bobby Watson) @ The Blue Room
Aug 22 @ 7:00 pm – 11:00 pm
First Set: “It Takes a Village” CD Release Concert Featuring: Morgan Faw and The Flame
Morgan Faw, saxophone
Alonzo Demetrius, trumpet
Miles Lennox, piano
Isaac Coyle, bass
Christian Napoleon, drumset
Morgan Faw was raised musically in Kansas City. This album release performance is his first of many expressions of gratitude to the greater KC community of artists, musicians, teachers, friends, and family who helped shape and raise him.
Recorded in April 2022, his debut album, “It Takes a Village” (ARC-8777), Artists Recording Collective – ARC Records, was completed on two separate days. The recording features all original music by Faw collaborating with trumpeter Will Mallard and one composition written by Pamela Watson.
“This is my first step and attempt in truly giving back to those who taught me,” says Faw. “I want to celebrate this album with everyone who helped me. And to be able to release this project in The Blue Room at 18th and Vine is a dream come true. The historic Jazz District had been my musical home and arts family growing up. There is nowhere else I would want to celebrate this achievement.”
The community is invited to this celebratory event and open jam session to follow, “It Takes a Village.”
With a special edition of the famous “Blue Monday Jam Session” co-hosted by Houston Smith and Morgan Faw.
Annual Musical Salute to Charlie Parker
Burnett Music Foundation was able to establish a strategic partnership in 2022 with the American Jazz Museum and brings its Bird Boot Camp’s “Musical Salute to Bird” finale to the Charlie Parker Memorial Plaza in the Historic 18th & Vine District. Morgan Faw and Houston Smith will help lead the tribute this year.
The memorial is located directly behind the American Jazz Museum.
The Musical Salute will also act in synergy as a prelude to the AJM’s “In The Yard” concert at 5 pm.
The 2022 musical salute will be led by Artists in Residence, Houston Smith and Morgan Faw who anticipate being joined by jazz great Bobby Watson.
BRING YOUR INSTRUMENT AND PLAY ALONG
All musicians are welcome to participate in this brief performance tribute to Charlie Parker.
The Musical Salute traditionally symbolized the conclusion of Kansas City’s festive “Spotlight: Charlie Parker” week of celebration.
HISTORY OF THE MUSICAL TRIBUTE
The late Eddie Baker conceived a “21 Sax Salute” at Charlie Parker’s gravesite in Lincoln Cemetery where all of the area saxophonists would congregate to pay musical tribute to “Bird.” The tradition was resumed by Ahmad Alaadeen in 2002 up until his passing. The salute was conducted sporadically until the cemetery owner restricted public access to the historic site. Bird Boot Camp took up the “Musical Salute” as part of our programming in 2019 when Burnett Music Foundation took over administration.
CHARLIE PARKER MEMORIAL – BIRD LIVES
Artist/Designer: Robert Graham
Dedicated: March 1999
Description: Large face of Charlie Parker. Green patina on face. Trapezoidal base with brown patina. “Bird Lives” inscription on the base. The face was not cast but was pieced together in a grid-like pattern.
This sculpture memorializes legendary jazz artist Charlie “Bird” Parker. He was a major part of the Kansas City jazz scene and culture. It is located in the middle of a plaza, also named after Parker, in the historic Jazz District and just west of the American Jazz Museum at 18th and Vine Streets.
Inscription:
Charlie “Bird” Parker Plaza
Mayor Emanuel Cleaver II
Board of Parks & Recreation Commissioners: Ollie W. Gates, President; Sheila Kemper Dietrich, Commissioner; Anne Garney, Commissioner; Terry R. Dopson, Director
City Council: Ed Ford, Teresa Loar, Jim Glover, Paul Danaher, Ronald E. Finley, Mary Williams-Neal, Evert Asjes III, Aggie Stackhaus, Ken Bacchus, Kelvin Simmons, George D. Blackwood, Judy Swope.
Robert Graham, Sculptor
In loving memory of Blanche Jones and Doris Jones-Stein. Given by the Jules and Doris Stein Foundation, the Oppenheimer Brothers Foundation, and Tony and Marti Oppenheimer.
History courtesy of KC Parks.
