Join us for our annual jazz concert to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on Monday, Jan 20, the MLK holiday, at noon. The Doug Talley Quartet, with guest Millie Edwards, will once again be joining us in celebration of the life of Dr. King by playing a selection of music by African American composers. Come early to secure your seat as this is our most popular concert of the year.

This annual King celebration began in 2001 and honors African Americans’ contributions to American culture. It has become a tradition for the concert to end with the audience helping to sing “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” often referred to as the Black American National Anthem.

Vocalist Millie Edwards has been called “the little woman with the big voice.” She has performed nationally and internationally and is a regular on the Kansas City Jazz and Blues circuit. Currently, she can be heard at the Union on the Hill, the Phoenix Downtown, and B&B Theatres. Edwards has performed with Kansas City’s Jazz Orchestra and for the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. She is a member of Kansas City’s Wild Women.

In addition to honoring Martin Luther King, Jr., the concert focuses on the works of African American composters. The Doug Talley Quartet includes TJ Marley on piano, Tim Brewer on bass, Keith Kavanaugh on drums/cymbals, and Doug Talley on saxophone.

Please remember that although our Noontime Concerts are free to everyone, it is important to pay our talented artists, and we ask that you consider making a contribution if possible. If you can help support the noontime series, donate here or at the concert.