American Jazz Museum
Jill Johnson & Jordan Malhiot
Kansas City’s musical history is inseparable from jazz—and few places have played a more important role in preserving that legacy than the American Jazz Museum.
In this brand-new episode of There’s Just Something About Kansas City, we sit down with Jill Johnson, interim executive director, and Jordan Malhiot, senior manager of collections and exhibits, for an inside look at one of Kansas City’s most important cultural institutions.
Jill and Jordan take us inside the museum’s mission to preserve, celebrate and promote jazz, from the legendary musicians and rich history of Kansas City’s 18th & Vine Jazz District to the artifacts, stories and music that continue to shape the genre today.
They share some of the treasures found in the museum’s collection, the challenges and rewards of preserving jazz history, and how exhibits help bring the people, places and sounds of Kansas City jazz to life.
And they look toward the future: How does the American Jazz Museum keep jazz relevant to new generations? How does it attract visitors from around the world? And what role does the museum play in preserving Kansas City’s identity as a jazz city?
It’s a conversation about Kansas City jazz, music, history, preservation and the future of one of the city’s most iconic cultural institutions—and the people working to make sure its story continues to be heard.
