Dennis Owsley to discuss, sign new book Thursday, July 18 at UMSL at Grand Center

Radio host, jazz historian and photographer Dennis Owsley will discuss and sign copies of his new book St. Louis Jazz: A History at an event at 7:00 p.m. this Thursday, July 18 at UMSL at Grand Center, 3651 Olive St.

At the event, Owsley will discuss the book (pictured), which recounts the history of jazz in St. Louis, with St. Louis Public Radio reporter Jeremy Goodwin.

A reception and book signing will follow, and copies of St. Louis Jazz: A History will be available for purchase from Left Bank Books.

Owsley, whose radio program "Jazz Unlimited" is broadcast weekly on Sunday nights by St. Louis Public Radio, previously authored another history of local jazz, City of Gabriels; The History of Jazz in St. Louis, 1895-1973, which came out in 2006.

In an email to StLJN, Owsley said that singer Jeanne Trevor and singer/percussionist Don Cunningham, both veterans of St. Louis' storied Gaslight Square era, plan to attend Thursday's event and will offer a brief acapella performances.

The event is free and open to the public, but because space is limited, online registration at St. Louis Public Radio's website is required.