August 29, 2026 – August 29, 2026

Charlie Parker was born in Kansas City on August 29, 1920, and learned his horn in the clubs of 18th & Vine. On Saturday, August 29, the American Jazz Museum celebrates Bird’s 106th birthday where his story began — a full day of live music, conversation, deep listening, and family fun, all free and open to the public. (Want to walk the museum’s galleries while you’re here? Regular admission applies — and Saxophone Supreme, the Charlie Parker exhibit, closes the very next day.)

The day at a glance

10:00 am — Saxophone Salute. A 30-minute outdoor concert of Bird’s tunes at the Bird Lives statue, featuring Steven Martin, Roger Wilder, Ben Tervort, Kenny Watson, and friends.
10:30 am — Instrument petting zoo (sponsored by B.A.C. Horn Doctor). Open 10:30 am–12:30 pm and 1:30–3:30 pm. All ages welcome — try a wind instrument for the first time, or pick one up again after years away. Every instrument is properly sanitized between players.
11:00 am — “Bird in Kansas City” with Chuck Haddix. The author of Bird: The Life and Music of Charlie Parker on Parker’s Kansas City years and the city’s mark on his life, with audience Q&A. Mr. Haddix also co-curated Saxophone Supreme, the museum’s Charlie Parker exhibit — it closes August 30, so this is your last Saturday to see it (regular museum admission).
12:30 pm — “Listen In” session. The debut of a new museum program devoted to deeper listening: slowing down with great records, rebuilding the listening skills our culture has let slip, and letting the music spark creativity in everyday life.
1:30 pm — “Ornithology” trivia. Test your Charlie Parker knowledge solo or as a team. Answer 7 of 10 correctly to earn entry into a second raffle drawing — three winning tickets take home a prize bag from the museum’s Swing Shop.
2:15 pm — Guest artist: Willie Cole (sponsored by B.A.C.). A panel conversation with the acclaimed sculptor behind Ornithology, the flock of birds built from alto saxophones soaring over Concourse B at KCI — a work assembled right here in the 18th & Vine district. His art lives in the collections of MoMA, the Met, and the Whitney; today he talks about his work and his lifelong relationship with jazz.
3:30 pm — Raffle winners announced. One paid-raffle winner takes home a mini Ornithology statue donated by B.A.C. Horn Doctor.

Raffles

Two ways to win: raffle tickets are $5 each, with the winning ticket earning a mini Ornithology statue — or play the trivia challenge, where 7 of 10 correct answers earns free entry into a second drawing for one of three Swing Shop prize bags.

Saturday, August 29, 2026 · 10:00 am–3:30 pm American Jazz Museum · 1616 E 18th St, Kansas City, MO 64108 Free and open to the public. Museum gallery entry, including the Saxophone Supreme exhibit, requires regular admission.