Ken Lovern Interview | The Blind Boone Project, Kansas City Jazz & a Remarkable American Story

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Kansas City-based Jazz Organist Ken Lovern as we explore the remarkable 2026 Blind Boone Project.This ambitious project brings together music, history, a comic book, and a live on-stage production to tell the extraordinary story of John William “Blind” Boone, one of the first African American concert performers to achieve international recognition.Born in a Union Army camp near the end of the Civil War, Boone faced enormous barriers in a country defined by segregation, discrimination, and racism. Yet his extraordinary musical gifts — and the determination of the people who believed in him — helped him build a remarkable career as a concert pianist.A former Confederate general and town elder in Warrensburg, Missouri, helped arrange for Boone to receive an education at a school for the blind. Later, with the assistance of his loyal and savvy African American business manager John Lange Jr., Boone pursued an elite concert career that lasted from 1880 through 1927.His story is one of music, perseverance, entrepreneurship, racial barriers, friendship, education, and triumph, making Blind Boone an important — and sometimes overlooked — figure in American music history.Ken Lovern has brought together an impressive group of musicians and Kansas City-connected artists to help bring this history to life, including vocalist Madisen Ward, known as part of the acclaimed folk duo Madisen Ward and the Momma Bear.In this conversation, we explore the Blind Boone musical, the history behind the project, Kansas City connections, Blind Boone's incredible career, John Lange Jr., race and American music history, the comic book, live theatre, and the power of storytelling through music.This is much more than a jazz project. It's an effort to bring an extraordinary American story back into the spotlight.We get into the whole project. Enjoy this interview.All Things Blind BooneBlind Boone: The Musical — Official Website For More Neon Jazz: Shows via MixCloud: https://www.mixcloud.com/neonjazzkc/Subscribe via Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/user/neonjazzkcSubscribe via iTunes/Apple - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/famous-interviews-joe-dimino/id546432639?mt=2The Home of Neon Jazz: http://theneonjazz.blogspot.com/Contribute to Neon Jazz via PayPal:                     https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=ER  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.