Count Basie 90th Anniversary

Brought in to provide creative and marketing leadership for the Count Basie Orchestra’s 90th Anniversary, a landmark cultural moment requiring coordination across institutions, partners, and public audiences. The engagement focused on unifying brand direction, shaping public narrative, and executing a cohesive multi-platform rollout that elevated Kansas City’s cultural presence.

The Count Basie Orchestra 90th Anniversary was a landmark cultural celebration honoring one of Kansas City’s most influential musical figures. The project required balancing historical reverence with contemporary audience engagement, positioning the event as both a tribute and a living continuation of Basie’s legacy.

I served as Creative Director and Marketing Lead for the Count Basie Orchestra 90th Anniversary. My responsibilities included creative direction, event branding, digital marketing strategy, campaign messaging, and coordination across partners and stakeholders to ensure a cohesive and impactful celebration.

The strategy focused on positioning the 90th Anniversary as a cultural moment rather than a single event. Messaging emphasized Count Basie’s enduring influence, Kansas City’s role in American music history, and the orchestra’s continued relevance to contemporary audiences.

The campaign supported ticket sales, strengthened community engagement, and elevated awareness of Kansas City’s jazz legacy, reinforcing the event’s significance at both local and national levels.