Music

Lindsey Rood-Clifford is the president and CEO of Starlight Theatre in Kansas City's Swope Park. She caught up with KCUR's Steve Kraske as part of Up To Date's new series "5 Questions."

Frank Byrne, the former executive director of the Kansas City Symphony, is the host of "From the Archives" on KCUR's sister station Classical KC. He joined Up To Date to discuss classical holiday music and his career in the industry.

Arts programs are among the first to be trimmed by Missouri school districts, especially after the COVID pandemic. But arts educators are trying to turn the tide in arts education disinvestment.

Blanche began hosting Night Tides on KCUR 89.3 in 1994. Celebrate her anniversary this Thursday at Belger Crane Yard Studios.

A collection of rare recordings from jazz legend Charlie Parker are featured on the new album "Charlie Parker: Bird in Kansas City." The tracks were all recorded in Kansas City in the 1940s and 1950s.

Despite her success in the 1930s, Dana Suesse’s music remains underappreciated. From piano concertos infused with jazz to popular film music, Suesse was a woman of great musical prowess.

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.

As the first Black-owned brewery in Missouri, Vine Street Brewing is hosting Hip-Hops Hooray in the 18th and Vine District. Starting Friday, the festival will combine hip-hop with jazz, and feature over 30 different brewers.

The Vinyl Underground at 7th Heaven has played a central role in Kansas City's music and counterculture scene for 50 years. But now owner Jan Fichman is retiring, leaving longtime customers to reflect on what the record store has meant to them.

Nearly 100 players from the region, spanning grades 6-12, are participating in the new Ad Astra Chamber Orchestra of Kansas City. “I try to get away from stuffy concerts,” says the group co-founder Russ Pieken.

Angela Wildflower grew up in Kansas City, Kansas, and has since gone on to perform in Broadway productions and popular television series. She plays the iconic jazz singer in "Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill," which runs through Oct. 27 at the Kansas City Repertory Theatre.

Pintscher is a well-known conductor and composer who previously led the renowned Parisian group Ensemble Intercontemporain. He replaces former music director Michael Stern at the helm of the Kansas City Symphony's orchestra.