Filmmaker seeks information for documentary on St. Louis jazz history

Do you have photos, memorabilia, or even some personal stories from the past about jazz music and musicians in St. Louis? If so, a local filmmaker may want to you to share those memories.

Christian Cudnik is working with the not-for-profit arts and cultural cable station HEC-TV on an as-yet-untitled, 60-minute documentary film about the history of jazz in St. Louis. He's now in pre-production, gathering information and "looking for historical and archive material (photographs, video), new music from local unsigned artists and material related to jazz education in St. Louis."

Cudnik's voice is familiar to local radio listeners as the weekend morning host on KWMU, and he's also a still photographer, Internet developer and radio producer, overseeing "Johnnie Johnson, 88 Keys," an episode of the American Masters radio series set to air this spring on KDHX. He's made one previous film, Enduring Tradition: Ballet in the Heartland, a 30-minute documentary about the Saint Louis Ballet company and its executive director Gen Horiuchi.

"I also hope to explore where the music of today (is), and how it's being preserved and taught in our schools. With this documentary as a foundation, HEC-TV would like to cultivate a regular St. Louis jazz series in the future," writes Cudnik. "For me, jazz is an original and evolving American art form. It has a rich and substantial tradition in St. Louis and I look forward to learning more about its essential players, places and supporters."

Readers with materials or information related to St. Louis jazz history are invited to contact Cudnik by sending an email to him at films@triptone.com.