Honoring Anita Dixon-Brown: Kansas City Jazz Icon & UNESCO Visionary

Welcome to a very special edition of the Neon Jazz interview series. Today, we honor a true titan, visionary, and cultural force who will be sorely missed in Kansas City and far beyond—Mrs. Anita Dixon-Brown.

Anita Dixon-Brown served as the former Executive Director of the legendary Mutual Musicians Foundation, and she played a pivotal role in securing Kansas City’s designation as a UNESCO Creative City of Music—a global recognition rooted in decades of jazz excellence and cultural preservation.

Born on September 26, 1956, Anita left us suddenly on January 4, 2026, at the age of 69. Though her time was far too short, her influence on jazz, arts advocacy, cultural equity, and historic preservation was towering and enduring. Her work ensured that Kansas City’s jazz legacy was not only honored, but protected and amplified on the world stage.

In this retrospective, we reflect on Anita’s life and legacy through the voices of Kansas City musicians and cultural leaders, including Lonnie McFadden, along with friends and collaborators from near and far. Their words paint a portrait of a woman whose leadership, grace, and unwavering dedication shaped generations of artists and preserved one of America’s most vital jazz institutions.

Long live Anita Dixon-Brown.
Her legacy resonates.
Her impact endures.
And she will never, ever be forgotten.

🎷 Dig this tribute to a Kansas City force.

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