We Did It, (KC)JO!

Vocalist Eboni Fondren and the Kansas City Jazz Orchestra perform songs from In the Key of KC at Helzberg Hall at the album/book release concert, September 23, 2023. Credit: Libby Hanssen

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States of Swing: The History of the Kansas City Jazz Orchestra, 2003-2023 is now available! It’s a companion to In The Key of KC, KCJO’s 20th anniversary album, and details the organization’s past two decades.

From the book:

Since 2003, the Kansas City Jazz Orchestra has served as KC’s premiere big band. The organization not only preserves the Kansas City swing style of the 1930s and ’40s, but defines what the Kansas City sound is in the 21st century. Through performance, education, and outreach, KCJO shares the legacy of KC jazz with the community and the next generation. The Orchestra has performed regionally and internationally, collaborated with world-class talent, and produced critically-acclaimed albums, all while staying true to its hometown roots.

This volume explores that history, gathered from personal interviews and thousands of documents, giving readers a backstage look at favorite concerts, stories from the road and recording sessions, and sharing the challenges and triumphs of a nonprofit performing arts organization dedicated to preserving a Kansas City art form.

– States of Swing: The History of the Kansas City Jazz Orchestra, 2003-2023

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The book is available via kcjo.org. Many, many thanks to Lea Petrie, Executive Director of KCJO, for trusting me with the KCJO story, the many, many people who contributed their time and memories, the resources at local Kansas City libraries, Nina Cherry and Ivy Anderegg for their help with sourcing images and editing suggestions, designer Goizane Esain Mullin, who made the final product look amazing, and my husband Sam, who offered suggestions, insights, and encouragement throughout the 18 months it took to do this project.