I-435 West KC-KS in Kansas City in Wyandotte County, Kansas — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Bennie Moten

Pianist & Bandleader

— Kansas City —

Bennie Moten Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Jason Voigt, May 26, 2022

1. Bennie Moten Marker

Inscription. Ragtime-oriented pianist and bandleader Bennie Moten was born November 13, 1894 in Kansas City, Missouri. He made his recording debut in 1923 leading an orchestra that set the Kansas City jazz standard. Moten's popular band attracted musicians away from competitors like Walter Page's Blue Devils. Artists who eventually joined Moten included his brother Buster Moten, Eddie Durham, Jimmy Rushing, Hot Lips Page and Count Basie. Moten admired Basie's piano playing and gave him the chair during recording sessions.

Erected by Legends Outlets.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment. A significant historical date for this entry is November 13, 1894.

Location. 39° 7.593′ N, 94° 49.68′ W. Marker is in Kansas City, Kansas, in Wyandotte County. It is in I-435 West KC-KS. Marker can be reached from Village West Parkway. Marker is on the grounds of Kansas Legends Outlets shopping/entertainment complex. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1859 Village West Pkwy, Kansas City KS 66109, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Coleman "Hawk" Hawkins (a few steps from this marker); Charlie "Bird' Parker (a few steps from this marker); "Jay" McShann (a few steps from this marker);

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Merle Evans (within shouting distance of this marker); Eva Jessye (within shouting distance of this marker); Mary Lou Williams (within shouting distance of this marker); Big Joe Turner/Pete Johnson (within shouting distance of this marker); Wilbur "Buck" Clayton (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Kansas City.

Regarding Bennie Moten. This is one of several sidewalk plaques placed on the grounds of Kansas Legends Outlets shopping/entertainment complex, which highlight notable people and inventions that came from the state of Kansas.

Also see . . . Bennie Moten on Wikipedia. (Submitted on July 8, 2022, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.)

Photographed By Jason Voigt, May 26, 2022

2. Bennie Moten Marker

Marker is on the grounds of Kansas Legends Outlets complex.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 10, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 8, 2022, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 69 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 8, 2022, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.