KCKCC hosted the Kansas City Jazz Summit April 29-May 2. The jazz summit provides an educational performance opportunity for middle school, high school and college jazz bands, combos and vocal jazz ensembles. It also features the “Basically Basie” Jazz Heritage Competition.
During the "Basically Basie" Jazz Heritage Competition bands are judged on their ability to capture the essence of the Kansas City style as best exemplified by the Count Basie Orchestra. The judges are not asked to decide which is “the best band.” The competition is about determining which band embraced the study of the repertoire and embraced the spirit and musicianship of the Count Basie Orchestra most thoroughly and effectively on stage.