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Join host Libby Hanssen for September’s edition of the Marr Sessions as we spotlight a powerhouse Kansas City vocal legend with Priscilla Bowman’s 1986 compilation, An Original Rock & Roll Mama.Active throughout the 1950s, Kansas City's own Priscilla Bowman first made waves as the commanding lead singer for jazz giant Jay McShann. Her fiery, uninhibited vocal style bridged the gap between jump blues and rhythm & blues, directly laying the groundwork for the rock and roll boom that followed.
Libby will share rare historical context from the archives and guide us through this vital collection of 1950s recordings—re-released in 1986—highlighting Bowman's signature hits like the chart-topping "Hands Off" alongside her blistering, genre-defining tracks that pre-dated the rock revolution.
Our high-end sound rig will bring out every ounce of raw grit, soulful brass, and infectious 1950s rhythm in full analog clarity.
Come early, grab a drink, and discover the roaring legacy of one of KC's true rock & roll pioneers!
The Marr Sessions is a series at The Listyning Room brought to you by C4RM.org and the Marr Sound Archives housed at the UMKC Library. These events represent a unique synergy between the preservation of music history and the art of modern listening. This program bridges the gap between the Marr Sound Archives at UMKC - one of the nation's premier repositories of recorded sound—and the Center for Recorded Music (C4RM), which is dedicated to the social and technical impact of audio.
With The Marr Sessions, the archives provide the "raw material" of history in the form of rare, physical artifacts, while The Listyning Room provides the "lens" through which to experience them, utilizing a world-class, high-fidelity sound system featuing equipment by Audio Note, Perlisten, and Cambridge Audio, that brings these vintage recordings to life with startling clarity.
This collaboration is particularly powerful because it transforms what is often a solitary research activity into a communal, sensory event. By bringing rare recordings out of the climate-controlled vaults and into a purpose-built social space, C4RM and UMKC are making Kansas City’s deep musical heritage accessible and visceral. It allows the public to not just learn about the past, but to hear it exactly as it was meant to be heard, fostering a deeper connection to the artists and engineers who shaped our cultural landscape.
Doors open at 6:30pm with music in the air.
Your $10 Donation supports Center For Recorded Music 501(c)(3) and includes admission, complimentary snacks and 1 beverage including soft drinks, flavored waters, and a selection of adult beverages including beer, wine, mixed drinks, and NA versions of your favorites.
Seating at The Listyning Room is on a first-come first-seated basis. Donate in advance to secure a spot for these exclusive events. If any spots are left open, donations will be accepted at the door.
The Listyning Room is located inside the nbkc building - at 3510 W. 95th Street, Leawood, KS 66206 - on the north side of Ranch Mart. There is plenty of parking next to the building.
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Event venue
3510 W. 95th Street, Leawood, KS, United States, Kansas 66206, 3510 W 95th St, Leawood, KS 66206-2033, United States, Prairie Village
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