Kansas City Jazz Orchestra

The Kansas City Jazz Orchestra (KCJO) has seen various milestones of growth over the last 20 years. Founded by retired attorney Gene Hall and a local jazz musician and professor of Jazz Studies at Johnson County Community College Jim Mair and his wife Mary, KCJO sprung to life at an inaugural concert with Marilyn Maye and the newly formed band on November 21, 2003. 20 years later, Marilyn joined the Orchestra on stage with 6 of the original band members in that original concert. This concert took place on October 27 and 28th at the Folly Theater and was a culmination of growth and investment in the future of The Kansas City Jazz Orchestra and a full rebranding. During the 20th season, KCJO embarked on several projects to both commemorate 20 years and set the stage for the next chapter of jazz excellence. Season Expansion: This was perhaps the most consequential decision that the organization had made for many years. Described as a "wither and die or grow and bloom moment," the Board approved the expansion of the season to include the Folly as a venue and to perform more programs and consecutive runs to engage more audiences. Jazz Café: This program launched last year and has since reached more than 3500 students. This is a no barrier program wherein a KCJO jazz trio performs a free concert during school lunch, thus reaching the entire student body; giving some enjoyment to a school day, which sometimes the teachers say they didn't know they needed.

Studio Album: One such project was producing the first studio album in more than 7 years, entitled "In the Key of KC," replete with new jazz compositions and a classic, Moten Swing honoring the Kansas City style of yesterday and today. This album features tunes written by talented members of the Orchestra and regular guest vocalist, Eboni Fondren. The album has been released on limited edition vinyl, cd, and streaming. Commemorative Book: To complement the studio album, Libby Hanssen, a local journalist and musician, authored a commemorative book for the Kansas City Jazz Orchestra's 20th anniversary, entitled States of Swing: the History of the Kansas City Jazz Orchestra, 2003-2023. This LP-sized publication highlighted the history of the organization and honored those who have made KCJO as successful as it is today, while also illustrating the artistic and organizational vision for the coming 20 years. It is now a part of the Kansas City Library Circulation and UMKC Miller Nichols Library.

Riff Generation: Finding the right venue has perhaps been more challenging than finding a tremendously talented group of jazz composers and musicians to make up Riff Generation, a 10-member ensemble that spends their year-long residency collaborating and creating new jazz tunes based on a riff in the Kansas City Style. This ensemble has allowed more performance opportunities for more musicians, including musicians who may not have been trained in the common Euro-Centric style.