Mar 2, 2026 9:58 PM
In Memoriam: John Hammond Jr., 1942–2026
John P. Hammond (aka John Hammond Jr.), a blues guitarist and singer who was one of the first white American…
Late jazz legends often become the subject of memorial concerts and albums years after their passing, but an annual tribute to Charlie Parker gives that formula a fresh twist—a “21-Sax Salute” will take place at the saxophonist’s grave site next month.
Held yearly on a weekend close to Bird’s birthday (Aug. 29), the event features a collective performance and will be conducted Aug. 26 at 1 p.m. Saxophonists and other musicians from Kansas City and nearby areas will be on hand to celebrate the life of one of the most influential jazz figures of all time. The “21-Sax Salute” was initially started by the late Eddie Baker, president of the Charlie Parker Memorial Foundation, and is now lead by saxophonist Ahmed Alaadeen and Dean Hampton. The tribute is open to all instrumentalists, regardless of musical ability, as well as the general public.
Parker’s grave site is located in Blue Summit, Mo., just outside Kansas City. The address is 8604 E. Truman Road. Musicians are asked to report at 12:30 pm. Go here for a map with directions.
Hammond came to the blues through the folk boom of the late 1950s and early 1960s, which he experienced firsthand in New York’s Greenwich Village.
Mar 2, 2026 9:58 PM
John P. Hammond (aka John Hammond Jr.), a blues guitarist and singer who was one of the first white American…
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