KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The historic 18th and Vine District is getting a little more jazzed up with the “John Baker Jazz Film Collection.”
John Baker was an avid film collector who began collecting records in the 1920's and films in 1943.
"He considered himself to be the first film collector,” says Rodney Thompson with the American Jazz Museum.
Baker, who passed away in the 1990's, considered Kansas City the home of jazz.
Most of his collection which spans over four decades and includes Betsie Smith, Lionel Hampton and Ella Fitzgerald hasn't seen the light of day, until now.
The 700 hours of footage will go on display September 18th.
