Tribute Honorees

Jay McShannJay McShann

Jay McShann s a noted pianist, bandleader, singer, and composer, whose music career thrived in the Kansas City jazz scene. More information can be found about him and his career by clicking here.

Horace Peterson

Horace Peterson is Founder of Kansas City's Black Archives of Mid-America, an African-American icon recognized in Juneteenth Holiday bills and observances around the country. More information can be found about him and Black Archives of Mid-America by clicking here.

 

 

Features

Rev. Ronald V. Myers, Sr., M.D.

 

REV. RONALD V. MYERS, SR., M.D. serves as the Chairman of the National Juneteenth Observance Foundation (NJOF) and has led over 30 states in the country to recognize Juneteenth as a holiday or observance. His musical performance is guided by the mentorship and influences of Sonny Stitt, Donald Byrd, Jimmy Cheatham, and Alvin Batiste-- all of whom he’s encountered is his journey as a jazz musician. Dr. Myers serves as an icon of Juneteenth Jazz, with the objective of preserving the legacy of African-American Jazz by producing performances and programs across the country. His album “Doctor’s Order’s” is acclaimed by writer Willard Jenkins “as one of the most important recordings in the last ten years.”

 

 

Aye Aton

 

AYE ATON is not only a world-traveled percussionist, with musicians like Pat Patrick, John Gilmore, and Sun Ra --featuring on “Sun Ra + His Space Arkestra” (What Planet Is This) Live In New York (1973), “Space is the Place” and other recordings, he is also an accomplished painter, designer and muralist with artwork that has toured museums, galleries, and civic institutions across the country, such as The DuSable Museum of African-American History in Chicago, Illinois, and The Masur Museum of Art, in Monroe, Louisiana.

 

 

 





HORACE WASHINGTON is an accomplished and multi-disciplined musician in the Soprano, Alto, Baritone, and Tenor Saxophone, as well as the Flute, Alto Flute and Fife. His career includes working with The Dells, Gladys Knight, Clark Terry, Frank Weiss and many more. Washington is a Kansas City Jazz jewel, serving as former board member of the historic Mutual Musicians Foundation, named as one of Kansas City Globe’s 100 Most Influential, and selected to represent the 18th and Vine Jazz District in Jazziz Magazine and Jazz Times.




Juneteenth America of Kansas City, Inc. is an organization with the objective to educate the public about the significance of “Juneteenth” (June 19th, 1865) in American history.

Our motto, Perfecting Unity, represents our belief in Juneteenth as a means to celebrate the gift of Liberty, build on our shared values, respect our differences and teach generations of Americans not only to accept our diverse heritage, but to also embrace it. As people come together in the celebration of cultural heritage, we seek to provide the opportunity for at-risk families and minorities to advance themselves, in the areas of arts, business, education, careers, health & wellness, socioeconomics, and sustainability. Ultimately, our programs instill self-empowerment, cultural pride, and knowledge to improve lives and foster community involvement, building healthy communities and addressing issues involving crime, poverty, and literacy.

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