Local music

An eclectic album has emerged from the Black Creatures' COVID-19 hunker-down routine.

An argument for moving away from the essential-nonessential business designation that has proliferated since the pandemic, how censuses have shaped society for thousands of years, and an eclectic album has emerged from the Black Creatures' new hunkered-down routine.

As part of an international 'Black is Beautiful' initiative, rap artist and bandleader Kemet Coleman teamed up with Crane Brewing in Raytown, Missouri, to create a new imperial stout — and a new album.

Murals on the value of Black life are set to grace Kansas City streets, a historic vice presidential candidacy gives rise to reflections on race and identity, and Kansas City music venues are embracing change to salvage the summer concert season.

Artist Stephonne Singleton says he'd long felt he wasn't "enough." He looked to substances and to other people to soften the feeling, until he found freedom in his own music.

Kristiane Bryant is challenging the incumbent district attorney for Wyandotte County in the Aug. 4 Democratic primary election, hurdles await the new superintendent of Hickman Mills schools, and 25 artists collaborate on a new album to support Kansas City tenants in need.

A Trump administration policy could force international students home if their American schools go online-only, remembering the life of a local Black political powerhouse, and Kansas City's resident jazz master discusses how COVID-19 turned his touring plans upside down.

KCUR officially launches 91.9 Classical KC today, providing the region with 24 hours of classical music programming each day.

Under stay-at-home orders in the French countryside, trumpeter Hermon Mehari spent two months working on the new album. He calls it his most personal work to date.

A symphony commissioned for the University of Kansas music program in response to the Syrian refugee crisis turns out to be relevant in a pandemic, too.

Kansas City struggles for a share of coronavirus relief money and a solution to violent crime, Prairie Village rejects a requirement to wear masks in public, local music enthusiasts provide performers a safe live audience, and the commencement speech of a valedictorian of Ewing Marion Kauffman School.

Kansas City jazz clubs have been shut down since mid-March. Across the metro, veteran musicians are finding new ways to reach their fans as the virus continues to take its toll on the local music industry.