TouPAC's 2007-08 season will offer more of the same

The Touhill Performing Arts Center has announced its 2007-08 season of concerts and theatrical presentations, and while there are a few shows that may be of interest to jazz listeners, for the most part they feature artists who already have played the venue in the very recent past.

In addition to the October 8 concert featuring Frank Sinatra, Jr. that previously showed up on Pollstar, the TouPAC's upcoming season will include return appearances by vocal group the Manhattan Transfer (December 12, pictured), trumpeter Chris Botti (January 18 and 19), and the Glenn Miller Orchestra (April 26) as well as another "Explosions" percussion concert featuring members of the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra on March 29.

There is one new entry on the schedule that ought to stir up some interest in the local jazz community and beyond: an 80th birthday tribute to Maynard Ferguson, scheduled for May 4. No word as to what form the tribute will take, or the musicians involved, but given the loyalty of the late trumpeter's former sidemen and fans, and the probable involvement of Ferguson's manager and friend Steve Schankman, I'm sure no effort will be spared to do it up right.

In addition to these shows, the main hall at the TouPAC will serve as one of the performance venues for the 2008 edition of the Greater St. Louis Jazz Festival, which will be held April 16-19.

Beyond that, though, it looks like pretty slim pickings for jazz fans, and that's too bad. As a major concert facility at a University that's trying very hard to promote its jazz program, it seems as if the TouPAC ought to be both more active in the genre and less risk-averse in selecting acts.

You can see the entire season schedule and read a bit more about it in Calvin's Wilson's piece from the weekend Post-Dispatch, available online here.