How KC’s most iconic new art installation became this season’s must-have holiday ornament (plus where to find the 14-inch version flying)

“On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, a jazz bird in a pear tree,” sculptor Willie Cole said in a singsong voice. 

The artist behind “Ornithology” — an eye-catching and newly iconic installation suspended within Kansas City International Airport since its new terminal’s debut in March 2023 — this fall unveiled what’s become one of the season’s most-talked-about KC holiday gifts.

Willie Cole’s Ornithology ornament in its limited edition packaging; courtesy image

The 7-inch wingspan ornament — nicknamed “Charlie” for legendary Jazz saxophonist and Kansas City son Charlie “Bird” Parker (creator fo the 1946 tune, “Ornithology”) — is a miniature of the 12 larger-than-life jazz birds made entirely from alto saxophones featured in the airport.

Ornithology ornaments for sale at Made in KC’s Country Club Plaza location; photo by Tommy Felts, Startland News

The limited edition KC Jazz Bird Ornament series is available at select stores across the metro, from Made in KC locations (priced at $49.95) to Mildred’s and Cafe Caphe, as well as online.

Ornaments can also be found at the American Jazz Museums’ gift shop in the historic 18th and Vine district and the Nelson Atkins Museum of Art’s gift shop.

“Art is an experience,” Cole said. “And this particular piece is important because it spreads the experience. Not everyone is going through the airport to see them, so this is an accessible way to get the art out of our studio and into the hands of people.” 

Click here to read more about Willie Cole and the origins of the “Ornithology” installation (and what came next for the instruments).

Both the miniatures and full-size sculptures would not be possible without Kansas City’s own “Horn Doctor” Mike Corrigan, Cole emphasized. Corrigan is a musical instrument craftsman and founder of B.A.C. Musical Instruments. After Cole sculpts each bird and secures the saxophones with zip ties, Corrigan is able to piece them together with no welding or soldering, just positioning.

Sculptures by Willie Cole hang in an installation at the new terminal for Kansas City International Airport; photo by Channa Steinmetz, Startland News

“Ornithology” by Willie Cole; The suspended artwork is a tribute to Kansas City native son, jazz great, Charlie “Yardbird” Parker, and his 1946 tune titled, "Ornithology". Constructed in the historic 18th & Vine District in Kansas City, Ornithology consists of twelve larger than life birds made entirely from alto saxophones; photo by Tommy Felts, Startland News

Willie Cole and Michael Corrigan also known as the “Horn Doctor”; photo by Channa Steinmetz, Startland News

The installation at the Kansas City airport took about two years to complete, Corrigan said. Creating the miniatures seemed to take nearly as long. 

“We started the process last spring,” Corrigan noted. “We went pretty hard ensuring the miniatures captured and represented the full-size pieces accurately.”

The duo connected with Made in KC co-founder Tyler Enders, who previously was part of the art selection committee for the airport, to discuss distributing the ornament-sized jazz birds in Made in KC. Enders was on board.

Mike Corrigan and Willie Cole stand with 14-inch versions of the “Ornithology” jazz birds; courtesy photo

But for those wanting an in-between of the miniature ornaments and full-size art pieces, Cole and Corrigan also designed a “presentation” size jazz bird with a 14-inch wingspan. The presentation-sized jazz birds are very limited in quantity, the duo noted, and come in the classic gold, as well as pink, green, blue and black.

Pricing for the specialty size ranges from $1,250 to $1,750 depending on color, and it can only be purchased on KC Jazzbird’s website.

Along with being visually stunning sculptures, the jazz bird (of all sizes) is a symbol of the heart, history and spirit of Kansas City, Corrigan said.

“These jazz birds represent so much regarding the innovative spirit and history we have here,” Corrigan said. “There’s been so many artists who have come through Kansas City, Willie included. He was inspired by Charlie Parker and then was fed by the energy of this community to create work here. So I really see [the jazz birds] as an opportunity to celebrate the rich cultural history that Kansas City has on the world.”

Willie Cole; photo by Channa Steinmetz, Startland News

Did you know: KC as a ‘City of Music’

Kansas City is the only U.S. city to be recognized as a UNESCO (The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) “City of Music”. The honor is given to cities that “have identified creativity as a strategic factor for sustainable urban development” to help further music-related activities and culture. 

“We have these saxophone birds in the airport, so it’s an international symbol,” Cole shared. “It’s about international art relationships and talks about the ability of jazz to travel around the world. It is jazz in flight.”