Jazz St. Louis benefit gala raises more than $150,000

Jazz St. Louis has announced that their benefit gala held last Sunday at the Hilton at the Ballpark netted more than $150,000, an increase of more than 30% from the 2009 event. The benefit featured music from saxophonist Houston Person, Good 4 The Soul, the Funky Butt Brass Band, and the Jazz St. Louis All-Stars student ensemble, with proceeds going towards JSL's education and outreach programs.

Speaking of those education programs, JSL has posted online a set of photos from last week's educational residency by the Clayton Brothers Quintet. Before playing at Jazz at the Bistro last Friday and Saturday, bassist John Clayton, saxophonist Jeff Clayton and the rest of the band spent the week visiting area schools to perform and conduct clinics and master classes. You can see the photos on the JSL Facebook page, even if you do not have a Facebook account.