Kansas City, MO - The American Jazz Museum in the 18th and Vine district is the epicenter of Jazz music in Kansas City. They host a number of programs throughout the year to get youth onboard with the art form. Marissa Baum with the museum says a common misconception is that jazz tends to be viewed for an older or more elite kind of audience.
She explains, "That's absolutely not the case. In fact, with jazz storytelling in the Kansas City Jazz Academy. There's really great opportunities to get kids excited about the fundamentals of jazz music."
They just completed their summer session of the Kansas City Jazz academy youth program, but Fall sessions are just around the corner. One graduate this year is breaking stereotypes as a female jazz musician and a percussionist.
Braum says, "People tend to second guess her, or maybe assume she's not going to be as impressive as she is, and she just shows up and shows out. She loves wowing people in that way."
Baum says jazz music has a huge impact on brain development and creative problem solving, not to mention it's one of America's only indigenous art forms. Toddler through elementary age children can experience a Jazz Story Telling session at the museum on Friday morning from 10am to 11:30am at no cost.
