The Sheldon, Cardinals Care team up to teach young baseball players about jazz music

Jazz music and major league baseball grew up together during the 20th century, and later this month the Sheldon Concert Hall and the St. Louis Cardinals' Cardinals Care charity will team up to teach a new generation of potential fans and players about the connections between the two.

The two organizations are sponsoring free educational jazz concerts featuring the Jeff Anderson Quartet that will be be presented to kids participating in the "Redbird Rookies" program at 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, June 25 and Thursday, June 26 at the Sheldon, 3648 Washington Boulevard.

A news release sent out by the Sheldon says that the program will tell the story of jazz through the music of Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington and other greats, and also teach that jazz, like baseball, requires "practice, creative improvisation, teamwork and respect for diversity." Students attending the concerts also will receive a free CD, Red Hot St.Louis Jazz, that features tracks recorded by local jazz musicians such as Willie Akins, Carolbeth True, Reggie and Mardra Thomas, Ptah Williams, Rick Haydon, Erin Bode, Kim Portnoy, Montez Coleman and more.

The "Redbird Rookies" program was started in 2004 to allow kids to play baseball free of charge; it provides donated equipment and uniforms as well training for volunteer coaches and parents that emphasizes the character-building aspects of sports.