Annual Charlie Parker Celebration

The Annual Charlie Parker Celebration is an annual festival held in Kansas City, Missouri, since 2014, celebrating legendary jazz saxophonist Charlie Parker. It is held for 10 days in August and celebrates all aspects of Parker from live jazz music shows and boot camps, to tours of his haunts in the city, to exhibits at the American Jazz Museum. During the 2nd celebration in 2015, the museum featured rare programs, album sleeves, a pocket watch and cuff links that belonged to “The Bird” himself.[1]

In 2016, saxophonist Tivon Pennicott was artist-in-residence at the festival.[2] A 21-sax salute was made to Parker at his gravesite. The 2016 event was attended by about 300 people and unites numerous interests,[3] with supporters including the Office of Culture and Creative Services and the Neighborhood Tourist Development Fund.[4]

  1. ^ "2nd annual Charlie Parker Celebration begins Thursday in Kansas City". KSHB. 20 August 2015. Archived from the original on 11 February 2017. Retrieved 9 February 2017.
  2. ^ "Jazz Town: Charlie Parker Celebration honors hometown innovator". The Kansas City Star. 13 August 2016. Retrieved 9 February 2017.
  3. ^ "Jazz legend Charlie Parker gets a 21-sax salute at his grave site". Kansascity.com. Retrieved 9 February 2017.
  4. ^ "Charlie Parker Celebration 2016 (August 18-27)". City of Kansas. Archived from the original on 11 February 2017. Retrieved 9 February 2017.