In the season finale of Archiver: Queen Bey from KCK, we return to the historic Gem Theater, where Queen Bey—at 83—sings “Misty” in a pandemic-era tribute concert. Though the crowd is sparse, the emotion is rich.
This episode reflects on Queen’s final years, her role as a mentor, and her unwavering commitment to Kansas City jazz. Through intimate stories from Kelley Hunt, Curtis Smith, Chuck Haddix, and Kevin Willmott, we see Queen not just as a performer, but as a teacher, a champion of women in jazz, and a spiritual guide to younger artists.
Her generosity, grit, and refusal to give up defined her life. In her own words, she was “a soldier,” and her legacy is one of courage, joy, and deep musical truth.