Celebrating Black Music Month: Kansas City's music history
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — June is Black Music Month throughout the nation, which gives us a chance to highlight some of the Black musical greats right here in Kansas City.
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Kansas City is hailed as one of the top cities with deep roots connected to Jazz and Blues music with a rich history dating back to the early 1920s.
The early emergence of Kansas City Blues and Jazz took place inside local dance halls, cabarets and speakeasies throughout the city.
Some of these dance halls and clubs gave a platform to local greats such as saxophonist Charlie Parker and Bennie Moten's Orchestra.
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Today, jazz and the blues live on throughout Kansas City inside of clubs such as The Blue Room, and inside of historical time capsules such as the .
Beyond Jazz and Blues, Kansas City is also home to a number of Black musicians, including some of the following:
Janelle Monáe – Singer, Songwriter, Actress
Tech N9ne – Hip-Hop Artist
Fat Tone – Hip-Hop Artist
Bloodstone – Soul & Funk Group
Justus West – Guitarist, Producer
Titus Johnson – Musician, Songwriter, Producer
Blair Bryant – Bassist
There are many Black musicians who have called the Kansas City Metro home over the years, and many more new emerging artists to add to the history books.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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