Century Room and Jay McShann

In the late 1930s and early 1940s, one could regularly listen to future American Jazz Walk of Fame inductee Jay McShann at this location which was home to the Century Room. American Jazz pianist, vocalist, and bandleader James Columbus “Jay” McShann had a music career that spanned over 60 years and is credited with the creation of the distinctive Kansas City jazz sound through swing music and big bands. Born in Muskogee, Oklahoma, on January 12, 1916, Jay McShann was passing through Kansas City, Missouri in 1936 when he decided to stay after securing a regular gig at the Monroe Inn on Independence Avenue. During the next three years, he formed a small group, then a big band, which soared to national prominence and bolstered McShann's career along with Charlie "Bird" Parker and vocalist Walter Brown.

James Columbus “Jay” McShann, also known by the nickname Hootie, was one of the most prominent jazz musicians of the 20th century and he got his start listening to damaged records from his father’s furniture store. When he was school-aged, he longed to play the trumpet, saxophone, or clarinet but his family could not afford any of those instruments so instead, he learned to play the piano in his family’s home. He normally entertained his family with gospel tunes as Jazz music wasn’t allowed in his parent’s home. He performed with local bands in Oklahoma and Kansas before coming to Kansas City, Missouri in 1936. He was just passing through on his way to Omaha to look for a steady gig but was persuaded to stay by fellow musicians after visiting a nightclub in the city. He secured his first gig at the Monroe Inn and one year later, he formed his own sextet and from there, built a band and in 1941 recorded his most popular tune ‘Confessin’ the Blues’ for Decca records.

McShann's musical legacy is intricately tied to the work of jazz legend Charlie “Bird” Parker. According to a 1987 interview, McShann took saxophonist Parker under his wing and they became close friends as Parker developed his signature style while playing in McShann’s band. They collaborated for two of McShann’s hits "Hootie’s Blues" and "Jumpin the Blues". His time with the McShann band also helped Parker boost his career as he made a name for himself in New York City and later toured in Europe before succumbing to pneumonia in 1955.

World War II marked the end of the big band including the Jay McShann band. During the draft, a large number of young men left the city which meant fewer young men and women in the dance halls. It was also the end of The Pendergast era which resulted in a slew of area nightclubs closing. McShann was drafted in 1943 and by the time he returned to Kansas City in 1945, his best musicians were gone. He eventually continued touring and added singing to his list of talents as he could no longer afford lead singers to perform the tunes that he created. He continued to hone his skills by taking on small engagements and studying music at the University of Missouri - Kansas City. In the mid-sixties, McShann returned to the road and began touring through the 1990s. He died in Kansas City on December 7, 2006. 

During the 2014 inaugural American Jazz Walk of Fame induction ceremony, a 30-inch bronze medallion honoring regional jazz legend Jay McShann was dedicated and can be found along 18th Street near 18th and Vine District. The medallion for McShann is included among medallions for honorees Count Basie, Charlie Parker, Mary Lou Williams, Pat Metheny, and Bobby Watson.

Pearson, Nathan W. Goin' to Kansas City, January 1st, 1987. Accessed November 15th, 2022. https://archive.org/details/gointokansascity0000pear/page/n221/mode/2up?q=jay+mcshann.

Celebrating the Legacy of Jay McShann: 105th Birthday, YouTube. January 12th, 2021. Accessed November 15th, 2022. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nsDu0rnAE08.

Gross, Terry. Celebrating 30 Years Of 'Fresh Air': Big Band Pianist Jay McShann, npr.org. August 13th, 2017. Accessed November 15th, 2022. https://www.npr.org/2017/08/31/547316597/celebrating-30-years-of-fresh-air-big-band-pianist-jay-mcshann.

Charlie Parker Biography, pbs.org. October 19th, 2003. Accessed November 15th, 2022. https://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/charlie-parker-about-charlie-parker/678/.