Bistro to host big band performances

Jazz St. Louis has announced that the St. Louis Jazz Orchestra under the direction of Jim Widner will begin a series of performances at Jazz at the Bistro on Wednesday, February 7. The band, which will also feature guest vocalist Mardra Thomas, will perform sets at 8:30 and 10:15 p.m.

Subsequent appearances by the SLJO are scheduled for Thursday, March 8; Thursday, April 5; and Thursday, May 3. You can read more and hear some sound samples of the St. Louis Jazz Orchestra here.

With regular big band performances in relatively short supply here locally, it's good to see JSL doing this. It's another performance opportunity for the musicians, another chance for big band aficionados to enjoy their favorites sounds and for those who have never heard a big band to experience one live, and a way to keep the Bistro itself active on nights when it might otherwise be dark. Here's hoping the audience response is sufficient to justify making it a long-lived, continuing series.