American Jazz Museum

The sights and sounds of a uniquely American art form come alive at the American Jazz Museum. The Museum includes interactive exhibits and educational programs as well as the Blue Room, a working jazz club, and the Gem Theater, a modern 500-seat performing arts center. Located in the 18th & Vine Historic Jazz District in Kansas City, this is the place where jazz masters such as Charlie Parker, Count Basie, Big Joe Turner, and hundreds of others defined the sounds of the 1920s, 30s, and 40s. Today, scholars, students, musicians, and fans are drawn here to learn about the legends, honor their legacy, or simply enjoy the best music America has to offer. Additional Museum Highlights: Celebrating the artistic, historical, and cultural contributions of jazz, the American Jazz Museum includes: Rare photos, album covers, memorabilia, and personal items telling the stories of jazz legends Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald and Charlie Parker. More than 100 recordings of the greatest jazz ever played. Studio 18th & Vine, where visitors experiment with harmony, melody, and rhythm. Films and special collections honoring the impact of jazz on the American experience. Special exhibits highlighting Kansas City’s unique contributions to jazz. "Where Jazz Lives" The American Jazz Museum provides several programs and venues for people to enjoy live jazz music, including: The Blue Room: Named after the famed 18th & Vine nightspot in the old Street Hotel, this working jazz club is open four nights a week and features the best local and national artists in an intimate, creative, smoke-free setting. The Gem Theater: Behind the restored 1912 façade is a modern 500-seat performing arts center. In addition to our annual "Jammin' at the Gem" jazz masters' concert series, the theater hosts many community events and theatre productions. The Changing Gallery: Throughout the year, the American Jazz Museum presents special artistic exhibits inspired by jazz, baseball, and African-American life.