Brian Thurn Collection

Poster advertising concert on Sunday, May 30, 1943, at Municipal Auditorium, Kansas City; concert featured the Ink Spots and Lucky Millinder and his Orchestra featuring Trevor Bacon, Peg Leg Bates...

Publicity photo of Bettye Miller seated at piano.

Bob Wilson (second from right) and unidentified musicians.

Bobby Stafford (center) performing with two unidentified men.

Bobby Stafford (center) performing with two unidentified men.

Close-up headshot of Cab Calloway.

Poster advertising concert at Municipal Auditorium, Kansas City, on Sunday, October 11, 1942, featuring Cab Calloway and his Cotton Club Orchestral; admission 75 cents in advance and 90 cents at the...

Poster advertising performances at Scott's Club, 18th Street and Highland, Kansas City, for one week starting March 6 through Sunday, March 10; advertised entertainment includes "Charles A. Taylor's...

Promotional photo of Count Basie seated at the piano.

Poster advertising concert at Municipal Auditorium, Kansas City, on Thursday, February 2, 1942, sponsored by Paseo Men's Service Club, featuring "The Spotlight sensation" Count Basie; admission 75...

Poster advertising concert at Municipal Auditorium, Kansas City, on Monday, April 11, 1938, featuring Count Basie and His Orchestra along with Jimmy Rushing, presented by Music Corporation of America...

Headshot of Duke Ellington.

Publicity photo of Duke Garrette playing trumpet; caption reads: Duke Garrette Featured With Lionel Hampton's Orchestra.

Dwight "Gatemouth" Moore performing at the Chaz Paree in Kansas City, Missouri.

Publicity photo of Eddie South holding violin.

Poster advertising performances at Boone Theatre, Kansas City, for eight days commencing Saturday, September 27, 1941; featured events include a "Midnite Ramble Saturday-Sunday-Thursday" and "Jack...

Samuel "Baby" Lovett (seated, left) and unidentified musicians at the Mutual Musicians Foundation in Kansas City, Missouri.

Samuel "Baby" Lovett (far left) and unidentified musicians at the Mutual Musicians Foundation in Kansas City, Missouri.

Samuel "Baby" Lovett (drums) and unidentified musicians performing at the Mutual Musicians Foundation in Kansas City, Missouri.

Teddy (guitar) and Lotty (bass) of the Vale-Dairs performing at the Mutual Musicians Foundation in Kansas City, Missouri.

Teddy (guitar) and Lotty (bass) of the Vale-Dairs performing at the Mutual Musicians Foundation in Kansas City, Missouri.

The Vale-Dairs band with unidentified local musicians performing at the Mutual Musicians Foundation in Kansas City, Missouri.

Unidentified group outside the Musicians Protective Union Local 627 in Kansas City, Missouri.

Unidentified male piano player performing.

Unidentified African American male saxophone player in a hat blowing into his instrument.