KCUR's spotlight for Kansas City musicians on the rise, as heard on Up To Date. Got a suggestion for who we should spotlight next? Send us a text at 816-601-4777.
Up To Date airs weekdays at 9 a.m. on KCUR 89.3 and is available wherever you get podcasts.
-
Kansas City artist Paris Williams has been writing songs since he was 13. His music is a blend of the rap and R&B he listened to with his parents, and the indie, pop and punk his classmates listened to growing up in Muskegon, Michigan. You can hear him perform later this month at Manor Fest. -
The percussion quartet serves as faculty and ensemble-in-residence at the UMKC Conservatory. Playing on wine glasses and an empty bourbon bottle (in addition to a vibraphones and drums), Sandbox Percussion recently performed a dynamic Tiny Desk Concert at NPR. -
Fritz Hutchison, leader of the band Fritz and Sons, knows his way around the Kansas City music scene. The multi-instrumental singer-songwriter said his "hunger" for music led him to be versatile. -
A creative collaboration between a Lawrence high schooler named Flora and her dad, Flora From Kansas dropped its debut EP, "Homesick," on March 14. Flora says the musical project has made her feel less alone. -
After years as one-third of the Kansas City indie rock/hip hop trio BLACKSTARKIDS, TheBabeGabe is going solo. Her new mixtape "HONEYPOP" aims to re-introduce her to the world. -
Malek Azrael's new EP "Feels Like..." channels the angsty, pop-punk sound of the 2000s. He's out to reclaim rock music for Black musicians in Kansas City. -
The singer-songwriter from Kansas City, Kansas, ruminates on life, family and relationships in the "The Great Conjunction," a new album released Feb. 7. Daniel Gum is playing an album release show this Friday at The Ship. -
After 20 years, veteran jazz performer Tim Whitmer is out with a new album. Recorded live at the Black Dolphin, the two-disc record captures the sound and energy of Kansas City jazz. -
The Kansas City-based band released their debut EP, "saturn return," this year. Led by Makayla Scott, the group says they want to make music that feels honest and authentic. -
Vincent Orsolini's genre-blending, collaborative sound is highlighted in a new EP, "It's About Time," released last month. -
The Salvation Choir started as a church choir for Congolese and Tanzanian immigrants in Kansas City. Now, it's a band with over 40 members that brings its infectious Rumba sound to shows and festivals across the region. -
Irv Da PHENOM!’s song “Red and Yellow” has been a Kansas City anthem since its release in 2010. Now, the song has been given a second life after being picked up by Marvel for the soundtrack of “Deadpool & Wolverine.”
