© 2026 WGLT
A public service of Illinois State University
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

. Kansas City

Noah talks with Robert Altman, director and co-writer of "Kansas City," which opens today. It's a film about crime and jazz set in Kansas City at the height of the Depression. Altman was born in Kansas City and would go into the clubs there as a teenager to hear the music. He tried to recreate the jam sessions, filming the music live, rahter than dubbing it in later. The musicians in the film are today's best jazz players, assembled to help pay tribute to the giants of the 30s.

Copyright 1996 NPR