Congressman Emanuel Cleaver on the KC Jazz Icon Count Basie 90 Celebration, KC & Jazz

Welcome to a special edition of the Neon Jazz interview series. In this episode, we catch up with Congressman Emanuel Cleaver II to talk about the 90-year celebration of jazz icon Count Basie—happening on International Jazz Day 2025 in Kansas City.

Titled “90 Years of Count Basie’s Swing!”, the celebration promises an unforgettable evening of live music, tributes, and rhythm featuring the legendary Count Basie Orchestra, surprise guests, and a late-night jam session at Lonnie McFadden’s Reno Club.

Congressman Cleaver—currently serving his tenth term representing Missouri’s Fifth Congressional District and former Mayor of Kansas City (1991–1999)—shares insights on Basie’s legacy, Kansas City's rich jazz history, and how he helped establish KC as the official “Home of Jazz” in 2016.

🎷 Join us as we celebrate jazz, heritage, and one of KC’s greatest musical legacies.
https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/joe-dimino/episodes/Congressman-Emanuel-Cleaver-on-the-KC-Jazz-Icon-Count-Basie-90-Celebration--KC--Jazz-e314vrh

🎟️ Tickets are selling fast—get yours now: kccreativecity.com/count-basie

For More Famous Interviews: Subscribe via Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgi6GpDDDrc_PgOzaERGbLQ Subscribe via iTunes/Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/famous-interviews-with-joe-dimino/id1660256991
Subscribe via Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7j92QDS13LXgajPt80X2dh

The Home of Famous Interviews: http://famousinterviewswithjoedimino.blogspot.com/

Contribute to Famous Interviews via PayPal:               https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=ER