Celebrating Community and Jazz: The First Lee's Summit Jazz Festival

Collin Brich • July 24, 2024

The first-ever Lee's Summit Jazz Festival, held on June 22, 2024, was a monumental success, leaving an indelible mark on our community and setting the stage for future events. Co-hosted by the Lee's Summit Jazz Orchestra (a 501c3 organization) and Bridge Space, with presenting sponsor Tom Meyer from Meyer Music, the festival transformed downtown Lee's Summit into a vibrant hub of music, art, and community spirit.

A Day of Jazz and Celebration in Lee’s Summit

The festival, which ran from 12 PM to 9:30 PM, featured eight live jazz acts that played their hearts out on a grand stage, captivating an audience of over 900 attendees. The day was filled with soulful melodies and lively rhythms that echoed through the streets, creating an unforgettable experience for all who attended.

Community and Support for This Event

The success of this event would not have been possible without the generous support of our sponsors. Special thanks go to the presenting sponsor, Tom Meyer from Meyer Music, Family Shepherd, The Rob Ellerman Team, and our dedicated Jazz Festival Committee members: Ben Rao, Collin Brich, Shawn Harrel, Jason Beta, Pam Stepp, David Tourtellot, and Matthew Willis. Additionally, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to our grant partners and supporters, The Lee's Summit Cultural Arts Foundation, and the HMF Beaudoin Family Foundation.

Our talented MCs, Nick Parker and Ronnie Dyer, kept the energy high throughout the day, adding an extra layer of fun and engagement to the festivities.

Thank you for supporting the lee's summit jazz festival

Supporting Local Art and Businesses In our Community

The festival also served as a platform to support local art and businesses. Summit Art showcased local art vendors, while three fantastic food and drink trucks—Levante Tacos, Jazzy-B's, and Embrace The Grape—kept attendees refreshed and satisfied throughout the day.

Giving Back to the Community of Lee’s Summit

All proceeds from this inaugural event are being donated to worthy causes, including The Longest Day Kansas City Alzheimer's Association, Downtown Lee's Summit Mainstreet, and the Lee's Summit Jazz Orchestra. It's heartening to see the community come together to support such important organizations.

Recognized Excellence In Downtown Lee’s Summit

In recognition of its outstanding success, the Lee's Summit Jazz Festival was awarded the "Top Special Event" of 2024 by the city of Lee's Summit. Collin Brich, Community Manager of Bridge Space, proudly accepted the award, highlighting the festival's significant impact on the community and its role in expanding the visibility of downtown Lee's Summit.

Looking Forward To The Future

We are incredibly proud and honored to have hosted this festival, which brought new people into our great city and showcased the vibrant culture of downtown Lee's Summit. This event has laid a strong foundation for future festivals, and we look forward to continuing to celebrate the power of music and community in the years to come.

Thank you to everyone who attended, supported, and contributed to making the first-ever Lee's Summit Jazz Festival a spectacular success. Together, we have created something truly special.

For more information about our sponsors and supporters, please visit the Jazz Festival Page.

For details on the award and the festival's recognition, check out the Downtown Lee's Summit Main Street Honors.