Kansas City Jazz Legend Luqman Hamza

Born September 15, 1931 in St. Louis Missouri. Hamza grew up in Kansas City’s fabled 18^th and Vine district. Lugman Hamza played and sang among legendary likes, Charlie Parker and Ella Fitgerald  “Charlie Parker lived two blocks from our house” and there were at least 50 clubs within a six-block area.  “I was surrounded by music,” Hamza said, “it was part of my living room.”  

Hamza set in for Bob Wilson, the piano player at Bill Vaughn's Famingo on 39th and Main, when Charlie Parker was in town.