saxophone

In their decades-long careers, vocalist Deborah Brown and saxophonist Bobby Watson have lived and performed around the world, but have settled down in Kansas City. They'll perform this weekend with the Kansas City Jazz Orchestra.

After a former mayor spent $144,000 of public money on the synthetic saxophone, it became the centerpiece of a Kansas City institution. A reissued recording of the instrument, played by our greatest bebopper, was released last month.

This week we'll hear the Kansas City Symphony in a recent performance of George Gershwin's perennial favorite, "Rhapsody in Blue," alongside a 21st century Saxophone Concerto written by composer and jazz pianist Billy Childs. We'll also hear a fanfare by Paul Dukás and two works from the under-appreciated Austrian composer Alexander Zemlinsky: his setting of Psalm 23 and a massive symphonic tone poem based on Hans Christian Andersen's "The Little Mermaid."

Spotlight: Charlie Parker 2023 welcomes jazz fans from all over the world to celebrate the iconic saxophonist with a series of concerts, educational opportunities and jam sessions.

The Spencer Museum of Art has a new gallery and curators have been deliberate in their selection of more diverse artwork — and an unexpected literary twist. Plus: The Kansas City jazz community is mourning the sudden loss of Ronald McFadden, legendary tap-dancer and musician and one half of the McFadden Brothers.

McFadden, was one-half of the internationally known McFadden Brothers. He died, passed unexpectedly after a performance with his brother Lonnie McFadden at the Loews Hotel in downtown Kansas City.

Classical KC speaks with Matt Levy and Zach Shemon of the Grammy Award-winning Prism Quartet on this week's Local Feature. We'll find out how a gig with Prism set Shemon on the road towards teaching at the UMKC Conservatory, plus we'll hear the ensemble perform music by Jennifer Higdon, Chen Yi, Libby Larsen and more.

Segment 1: What the junior senator from Missouri can gain from the issues he chooses to tackle.Freshman Sen. Josh Hawley has been vociferous in his…

Christopher Burnett is a prominent Kansas City saxophonist, band leader, instructor and raconteur. He also operates Artists Recording Collective, a record…

From the mainstreaming of social media to "fake news" indictments from the chief executive, the journalism industry is in the midst of sweeping…

Sir Winston Churchill is revered as one of history's greatest politicians due to his leadership during World War II, but the British Bulldog also had a…

We air highlights of conversations with performing artists from the Kansas City area who wowed audiences here and across the country. Actress Cinnamon…