155. The History of Kansas City Jazz with Lonnie McFadden, and how his father was apart of it.

<p>Trumpet player, singer and tap dancer Lonnie McFadden has been a fixture in the Kansas City music scene since he was a teenager, often performing with his brother Ronnie. After five decades of entertaining, McFadden is experiencing something new, his own Jazz Club called Lonnie’s Reno Club. This jazz club in the Ambassador Hotel pays homage to the famous Reno Club that was once located at 12th and Cherry streets in Kansas City.</p> <p>Lonnie grew up learning to play trumpet, singing and tap dancing which he does all of them in his shows at the club. Lonnie's show is arguably the best entertainment you can find in the city and has been described as a place where style, class, history and jazz meet.</p> <p>In this podcast Lonnie talks about why Kansas City was known as one of the best Jazz towns in the 30’s and 40’s - all over the Unites States. He talks about Count Basie, Charlie Parker, Bennie Moten and so many more. Lonnie’s dad was a great part of the that jazz scene and was known as a great emcee and tap dancer. Lonnie tells the true story that happened in the late spring 1936, when Parker (15 years old at the time) played at a jam session at the Reno Club in Kansas City. His attempt to improvise failed when he lost track of the chord changes. This prompted Jo Jones, the drummer for Count Basie's Orchestra, to contemptuously take a cymbal off of his drum set and throw it at his feet as a signal to leave the stage. That only encouraged Parker to work even harder. Lonnie also explains how Parker at age 15 and 16 would go to club and club to play and learn, He was never discouraged, only stimulated to get better.</p> <p>This is podcast is filled with Lonnie’s love of the history of Jazz, taught by his parents and how he is continuing that great tradition of Kansas City Jazz. In the closing words of this podcast Lonnie shares his heartfelt thoughts and feelings about Martin Luther King.</p> <p>Google – Lonnie’s Reno Club and go out for a great night of exceptional entertainment.</p>