On May 1st, 2019, the idea for LiveJazzKC.com was hatched and implemented. With little notice, nor explanation the only real option we had for a live jazz calendar had recently gone radio silent and there seemed to be a gaping hole to fill for musicians, listeners, and venues supporting the jazz community in Kansas City. In less than a day we were up and running.
I wasn’t sure what to expect on many levels. How would the musicians cooperate? Would the venues be supportive? Would the audiences find us? Accomplishing these things seemed paramount to long term success. And so far, YES to all of these things. We’ve exceeded our own expectations many times. With your support, we reached over 16,000 people through social media in October and had over 9k unique website visitors (with the calendar listings being the biggest driver). We’ve hosted successful events as well as been approached by local and national outlets looking to improve their efforts in promoting jazz at a local level.
As we proceed we look forward to bringing so much more coverage, live captured content, and curated special events as we honor the legacy of our history and promote the progress of our current innovators.
We are very grateful for our partnerships with and support from great local organizations like KC Jazz Alive, Kansas City Jazz Ambassadors, The American Jazz Museum, Visit KC, The Folly Theater, Kansas City Jazz Alliance and Kansas Public Radio. These are key relationships to bringing Kansas City’s jazz to the national forefront once again.
If you haven’t taken the time to “Like” our FB page please take the time. Spread the word, let people know by sharing content & posts, encourage your friends to visit www.LiveJazzKC.com…. and most of all continue to support live jazz in Kansas City. Without the listener’s support at the venues, musicians have no place to play and we have no live jazz. Your presence in support of live musicians (not just going but patronizing and spending money) in venues is the economy on which this scene is based. I believe there are more opportunities to cultivate more venues in this city that host live jazz of all varieties. So get out there. Listen to music. Support musicians & venues…. and see what we can accomplish.
Huge shoutout to David Valdez for being instrumental in capturing live content and having a profound impact in the long term goals of Live Jazz KC. You’re an asset to our scene & I am very grateful for you my friend.
Thank you Kansas City!
~HM