The Kansas City Jazz Orchestra aims to help young musicians make a cool genre hot again

Jazz and Kansas City have been linked for more than half a century, but some say the art form has lost its luster over time — especially with young listeners. That’s why the Kansas City Jazz Orchestra embraces education and performance to raise the next generation of musicians.
On a small, dimly lit stage at one of Kansas City’s oldest live jazz venues, the songwriter, producer and jazz vocalist Lee Langston serenades a packed house.

Fans and aspiring artists have flocked to The Phoenix every Friday night for more than two decades. There, Langston envelops them in sultry covers of funk, pop, R&B and jazz hits on the first floor of the old hotel in the former garment district.

Langston says he’s remained a mainstay on the local jazz scene because of his willingness to guide the next generation of musicians.