Jazz In The Valley Faculty Extravaganza featuring Mildred Nottingham and Clarence Smith, Jim Lower Jazz Orchestra, and Stranded in the City at Jazz in the Valley

Kansas City, Missouri has a strong history of Jazz. Jazz legends like Charlie Parker visited the Musicians Foundation on Vine for late-night jams. Count Basie visited the area and performed at the Drum Room. He along with a variety of Jazz musicians made Kansas City a frequent stop. Director and Kansas City native Robert Altman produced his Kansas City movie here, using local talent. He revitalized the area for his set and felt there was no other place to produce his movie. Since Kansas City was considered the “Paris of the Midwest”, Jazz helped cultivate the persona. Jazz greats, Lonnie McFadden, Charles Williams, and younger stars continue to keep this genre alive. With this type of history, it’s only natural that Metropolitan Community College Penn Valley will be hosting the first annual Jazz Fundraiser. Entitled Jazz in the Valley will include performances by Kansas City legends and Metropolitan Community College Penn Valley alumni. ...

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Kansas City, Missouri has a strong history of Jazz. Jazz legends like Charlie Parker visited the Musicians Foundation on Vine for late-night jams. Count Basie visited the area and performed at the Drum Room. He along with a variety of Jazz musicians made Kansas City a frequent stop. Director and Kansas City native Robert Altman produced his Kansas City movie here, using local talent. He revitalized the area for his set and felt there was no other place to produce his movie. Since Kansas City was considered the “Paris of the Midwest”, Jazz helped cultivate the persona. Jazz greats, Lonnie McFadden, Charles Williams, and younger stars continue to keep this genre alive. With this type of history, it’s only natural that Metropolitan Community College Penn Valley will be hosting the first annual Jazz Fundraiser. Entitled Jazz in the Valley will include performances by Kansas City legends and Metropolitan Community College Penn Valley alumni.

Jazz in the Valley will become the Campus’s annual Jazz festival. The event will be held on Friday, September 29, 2023 from 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm. Three Kansas City Jazz Bands will perform, including the MCC Penn Valley Jazz group. This group will include former Students and Faculty. There will be community outreach for advertising and support. The sponsorships and dollars raised will support the creation of a Music Engineering program.

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