Kansas City’s jazz scene will take on an international flair this fall when the Hannover Jazz Orchestra under the direction of saxophonist Lothar Kirst, visits Kansas City for the first time.
The October 14-24 visit is part of a Sister City jazz exchange program between the cities of Hannover, Germany, and Kansas City. Dr. Traute Kohler, who was instrumental in the 2018 Kansas City Jazz Orchestra trip to Hannover, is Chair of the Hannover Committee of the Sister City Association of Kansas City (SCAKC).
Kohler has worked tirelessly over the past 5 years to return the jazz favor. Following the May 2018 visit by KCJO, the Hannover Big Band wholeheartedly planned to visit and perform their Duke Ellington sacred music concert at the Kauffman Center in honor of Charlie Parker’s 100th Anniversary Celebration. COVID 19 thwarted those plans and several others.
“Kansas City is well known for its jazz scene,” said Dr. Kohler, “and hosting a jazz orchestra of this caliber only adds to our incredible jazz legacy.”
The group’s visit kicks off with a concert Saturday, October 15 at 11am in The Atrium of the American Jazz Museum. On Monday, October 17th the orchestra performs 2 sets at the KC Bier Co, 310 W 79th Street.
On October 18th, the big band will appear at Knuckleheads Saloon. www.knuckleheadskc.com
On Friday, October 21 at 8pm, the groups secular finale pairs the Hannover Jazz Orchestra with the Kansas City Jazz Orchestra for a joint performance in Yardley Hall, of the Midwest Trust Center at Johnson County Community College. www.jccc.edu/midwesttrustcenter
When the Kansas City Jazz Orchestra traveled to Hannover in 2018, Kansas City folks that traveled with the KCJO, raved about the Hannover Jazz Orchestra’s performance of Duke Ellington’s Sacred Music.
On October 22nd and 23rd Kansas City audiences will finally have 2 unique opportunities to hear that concert, with the full choir, live at Village Presbyterian Church 6641 Mission Road, Prairie Village, KS 66208, call (913) 262-4200 for details.
In addition to the band’s 6 scheduled public appearances, visiting musicians will participate in a collaborative jazz program with Kansas City jazz musicians, as well as workshops with local jazz students.
Let the cross-cultural musical fun begin!
Up to the minute details and changes can be found at the Hannover Jazz Orchestra website https://kris387.wixsite.com/hannover-jazz.
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