Archiver is a tour through the most important moments in history with host, Sam Zeff. Using archival tape, our show will pull you into the world of these events while explaining how they still affect us today.
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.
12 Aug 2025
Episode 5: Ambassador Bey
In this episode, we follow Queen’s journey across continents—from singing in Saudi Arabia and performing for royalty in Bahrain to captivating audiences in Germany, Costa Rica, and beyond.
Despite early struggles in California, Queen Bey found her voice on the global stage and eventually returned home to Kansas City, where she flourished. Named Kansas City Jazz Ambassador in 1980, she became a fixture in the city’s vibrant jazz and theater scenes, mentoring young artists and performing in productions like Ain’t Misbehavin’.
Through interviews with Kevin Willmott and Chuck Haddix, we see how Queen’s international experiences and hometown pride shaped her final chapter.
12 Aug 2025
Episode 4: Queen Bey the Actor
Queen Bey wasn’t just a singer—she was a natural-born performer whose acting career added another layer to her story. In this episode, we explore her work on stage and screen.
Oscar-winning filmmaker Kevin Willmott reflects on Queen’s soulful presence and instinctive talent, and how he wrote roles specifically for her in films like Ninth Street,Confederate States of America, The Only Good Indian and Jayhawkers.
Musician Kelley Hunt recalls her emotional depth and raw honesty, especially in live performances. Whether gleefully cursing on screen or singing “Motherless Child” with heartbreaking intensity, Queen Bey epitomized a powerful life experience in every performance.
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
4.8 / 5
19 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
1 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 28 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
36
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
51
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