1616 E 18th St
Kansas City
MO 64108
Self-guided Walking Tour Descriptions
Get your tickets TODAY for a walking tour of one of Kansas City’s most historic neighborhoods; 18th & Vine Jazz District! August 29, 2020 is the 100th Birthday of Kansas City jazz legend, Charlie Parker. Celebrate by touring Bird’s old stomping grounds and feel his tunes run through you!
Please note, in an effort to minimize the number of people gathered in one space, we have split this tour into two with two different start times. The first tour will run from 9:30am – 10:30am and the second tour will be held from 10:30am – 11:30am. Each tour is limited to 26 people.
Tour Guides:
Chuck Haddix – Director of UMKC Marr Sound Archives, host of KCUR 89.3 “Fish Fry” on Friday and Saturday nights, author of “Bird – The Life and Music of Charlie Parker” and “Kansas City Jazz – From Ragtime to Bebop”.
Jacob A. Wagner – Associate Professor, UMKC Department of Architecture, Urban Planning and Design, Director of Urban Studies, and faculty founder of the UMKC Center of Neighborhoods.
Charlie Parker spent many meaningful hours in and around the area known as 18th and Vine. Join tour guides Chuck Haddix and Jacob Wagner from UMKC on a walking tour of the Jazz District to learn more about the historical context in which Charlie Parker developed as a young musician. 18th and Vine – African American business district during the time of segregation – provided all of the necessary services for Kansas City’s black community at the time. This “city within the city” is known as the Black Metropolis – and Charlie Parker’s creative genius was one of many artistic innovations that grew from this vibrant corner of the world. Tour the jazz district and learn about the remaining historical buildings and places where Charlie Parker lived and worked – from the Lincoln Building to the Mutual Musicians Foundation.
Attendees for the 9:30am tour will meet outside behind the American Jazz Museum in the Jay McShann Pavilion at 9:15am to be checked in. Attendees for the 10:30am tour will meet behing the American Jazz Museum in the Jay McShann Pavilion at 10:15am to be checked in. Please be sure to bring your tickets with you.
Following the walking tour, you are invited to tour American Jazz Museum’s latest exhibition, “Saxophone Supreme: The Life & Music of Charlie Parker”.
Charles Parker™ is a trademark of the Estate of Charles C. Parker, Jr.