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Kansas City & New Orleans: Sister Cities of Jazz

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Birthplace & Breeding Grounds of Jazz Unite to Raise
Awareness of Jazz through Education & Performance

(Kansas City, MO - September 5, 2007) - It's often been said that jazz was born in New Orleans, and it grew up in Kansas City. Since the birth of America's greatest art form, its journey through America both east and west, and across the globe, these two cities have put distinctive stamps in its sound, history and development. In honor of the American Jazz Museum's 10th Anniversary, these two mighty purveyors of jazz are uniting through a newly established Jazz Sister City program.

As part of the budding program, New Orleans is sending some of its greatest emissaries, the ReBirth Brass Band, and three of its city officials, to join in the activities surrounding Turning X on 18th & Vine, on Friday, September 14 and Saturday, September 15, which commemorates the 10th Anniversary. New Orleans city officials making the trip to Kansas City include:

Kenya J.H. Smith, Mayor's Executive Assistant to Intergovernmental Relations Irvin Mayfield, Jr., City of New Orleans Ambassador of Jazz Carlyn Ducre, Director of Special Projects, Mayor's Office of Intergovernmental Relations

Formed in 1983, the ReBirth Brass Band has earned worldwide performance opportunities and garnered an enthusiastic audience among younger generations by upholding the New Orleans brass band tradition, while at the same time incorporating modern genres such as funk and R&B into their style.

They will be participating as guest performers on both of the aforementioned dates, leading Friday evening's Gala attendees in marches between the American Jazz Museum and the Gem Theater. They will also be featured in the kickoff mini-parade at the free community street fair held on Saturday.

This inaugural Jazz Sister City event is only one of many planned for New Orleans & Kansas City to combine their efforts in elevating each others' profiles as hotbeds for America's indigenous music, through education, performance and an array of other activities.

About Turning X on 18th & Vine

During three days of educational programs, live performances and an array of other activities, the American Jazz Museum will celebrate its 10th Anniversary as the premier jazz museum in America. The celebration, which has been titled Turning X on 18th & Vine, will run from September 13-15 and is designed to be an all-inclusive event that will entertain, educate and showcase Kansas City's Historic 18th & Vine Jazz District.

About the 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, educational programs, the Changing Gallery, the Blue Room jazz club and the Gem Theater, a modern 500-seat performing arts center. Located in the Historic 18th and Vine Jazz District in Kansas City, MO., 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. For more information, call 816-474-8463 or visit our website.

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