Friday, December 04, 2015

So What: Local News, Notes & Links

Here's the latest wrap-up of assorted links and short news items of local interest:

* Singer Tony Viviano visited the podcast A Concert Pitch to talk about his show celebrating the 100th birthday of Frank Sinatra next Friday, December 11 at Patrick's Westport Grill.

* Miss Jubilee's show tonight at the Wildey Theatre was previewed by EdGlen.com.

* A featured by Tim Bryant in today's St. Louis Post-Dispatch looks at what the National Blues Museum will offer to visitors when it opens downtown in April.

* Saxophonist Jim Stevens (pictured) will be playing with some big names this Sunday in southern California, as keyboardist and Metro East native David Garfield has invited him to take part in the 18th annual memorial concert for drummer Carlos Vega at Alvas Showroom in San Pedro, CA. The lineup for the show features a number of nationally and internationally known musicians, including bassist Will Lee, drummer Steve Ferrone, ex-Steely Dan guitarist Denny Dias, singer Alex Ligertwood, and more.

* In a story that broke last week just after this column went online, the city of St. Louis has canceled its contract with Los Angeles-based production company International Creative Management granting exclusive rights for up to ten years to oversee a series of outdoor rock, pop, and country concerts in downtown St. Louis. The city now is seeking potential local producers for new events in 2016 and beyond.

* Genesis Jazz Project reports that their performance last week benefiting the local food bank Circle of Concern raised more than $350 in cash and collected nearly 400 food items for the charity.

* The Baylor Project, featuring drummer and St. Louis native Marcus Baylor and his wife, singer Jean Baylor, will make their Boston debut next Thursday, December 10 at Sculler's Jazz Club. The band also features pianist Sullivan Fortner, bassist Eric Wheeler, and saxophonist Keith Loftis.

* Former bandleader and broadcaster Carlos "Buddy" Moreno has died. He was 103 years old, and lived at Delmar Gardens North assisted living facility. A native of Los Angeles, Moreno began his career during the Great Depression, working with bands led by Griff Williams, Dick Jurgens (with whom he recorded "one Dozen Roses," a number one hit in 1942) and Harry James before forming his own big band in 1944.

Moreno moved to St. Louis in the 1950s to lead the house band at the Chase Park Plaza Hotel, and also directed orchestras at the Fox Theatre and the Muny. He subsequently got into broadcasting, hosting The Buddy Moreno Show on local CBS affiliate KMOX-TV (now KMOV) and appearing on radio stations WIL-FM, WEW, and WSIE, where he hosted a weekly program playing big band music until 2005.

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