Both cities have jazz and blues organizations and host outstanding jazz and blues festivals and concerts throughout the year. The elder statesmen of Kansas City jazz who grew up during the '30s and '40s polishing their skills with legendary jazzmen who made Kansas City a home base present the style known for being upbeat, light, and swinging. Numbers include vocal choruses punctuating the instrumental sections and ballads. Programs are meant for dancing as well as listening. In addition, Alaadeen and colleagues do workshops focusing on technique, improvisation, and illustrating the interrelationships of band members.
Performances feature trumpet, clarinet, or trombone in trios or quartets.
Dance bands play early jazz instrumentals and vocals. Mae Wheeler, Speedy Huggins and the Scamps. A long-time colleague of Henry Townsend, Leroy Pierson provides drive and down home blues with a good dose of blues history. A master of blues guitarist, he brings a diverse repertoire and much knowledge to his performances. They are a high energy, upbeat blues band with a repertoire with lots of vocals.