You might be thinking to yourself, what does Jazz have to do with travel. Kansas City is home to one of the most iconic, yet unrecognized historical landmarks in America—the Mutual Musicians Foundation, Local 627 the colored musicians union. Established in 1917, during a time when Kansas City, MO was under the heavy influence of mob rule, the building that houses the foundation is a National Historic Landmark. Kansas City occupies a unique place in American lore as one of the four pillars of Jazz, along with New Orleans, Chicago and New York. It’s the birthplace of the Swing Era, the Lindy Hop and that Big Band sound so prevalent starting in the 1920s, and depicted in more Hollywood films than we can count. The heyday of Kansas City swing actually started during Prohibition. Today, you can actually attend jam sessions, once Covid is over on Friday and Saturday nights starting at 1 am.

Kansas City, and the historical 18th and Vine District is also home to the American Jazz Museum, and definitely worth a visit.

But the influence of Jazz that emanated from America has made its way around the world. Our guest, Anita Dixon, one of the world’s foremost Jazz historians, and a Kansas City native, discusses Jazz, and its influence on one very special European city, Copenhagen. The city hosts one of the world’s largest Jazz festivals and features the Ben Webster Foundation, to celebrate and remember the Kansas City native’s contribution to Jazz. If you’re a tourist and love Jazz, this is a must stop. The article linked below is just the tip of the iceberg of places to enjoy Jazz in Denmark.

Here’s an article from Culture Trip entitled 11 of Copenhagens Top Spots to Hear Jazz. It’s not an all-inclusive list, but this will give your an appreciation for the high esteem and regard held by the Danish people for Jazz.

About Our Guest

Anita Dixon is one of the world’s foremost Jazz historians, especially as it pertains to the swing era of Jazz that emanated from her hometown of Kansas City, MO starting in 1917. Jazz is that quintessential American art form that’s been exported around the world. Dixon discusses Jazz and its connection to Asia and Europe, and in particular, her experience in Copenhagen, and the Danes reverence and total immersion in this art form. Travel and Jazz go hand-in-hand. In Copenhagen it’s the powerful Jazz rhythms that attracts tourists the world over. Thanks to Dixon’s efforts, Kansas City, MO is the only U.S. city recognized by UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization) as a Creative City of Music. You can learn more about Anita through her consulting company Sageworldview.com.