American Jazz Museum

1616 E. 18th St., Kansas City
816/474-8463
www.americanjazzmuseum.com [1]

HOURS: Tues.–Sat. 9 a.m.–6 p.m., Sun. noon–6 p.m.

COST: $8 adult, $3 child;
Negro Leagues Museum [2] combo ticket $10 adult, $5 child

Billed as “the premier jazz museum in the United States,” the American Jazz Museum is an interactive testament to a musical culture that not only shaped Kansas City [3], but also lent its significant soundtrack to other major U.S. cities.

Opened in 1997, the American Jazz Museum hosts four major exhibits on Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, and Charlie “Yardbird” Parker. A wealth of memorabilia including rare photos, album covers, recordings, films, and special collections detail “the artistic, historical, and cultural contributions of jazz.”

Try your hand at sound mixing in The Studio, which includes 16 separate listening and mixing stations that focus on music’s three main elements: rhythm, melody, and harmony.

After you’ve finished touring the museum, stop in The Blue Room [4] for live music most evenings or a show at the renovated 500-seat Gem Theater, which hosts the annual Jammin’ at the Gem national jazz concert series.

When you plan your trip to the American Jazz Museum, consider purchasing a combo ticket that offers reduced admission into the adjacent Negro Leagues Baseball Museum [2].