Charlie Parker is one of the most influential musicians in the history of jazz, and he was born right here in Kansas City. This weekend, the Kansas City Jazz Orchestra and Kansas City Jazz ALIVE are celebrating Parker’s birthday with a special concert at the Folly Theater called “Spotlight: Charlie Parker: Saxophone Legends and Rising Stars.” The concert brings together three generations of Kansas City saxophonists, including jazz legend Bobby Watson, Matt Otto and Stephen Martin, along with some promising young saxophone students.
Stephen Martin joins Show Me Today to discuss Charlie Parker’s lasting influence, Kansas City’s role in developing of jazz, and what it means to keep that tradition alive.