Jazz events to benefit charities

Two events coming up this month offer local listeners the chance to hear some good music and contribute to a couple of worthy causes. On Sunday, June 19, “Songs for My Father’s Day” will be held from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Seven, 3221 Olive Blvd (just east of Grand) to pay tribute to dads everywhere while raising money for the 100 Black Men Prostate Cancer Survivors and Awareness Walk on August 20, 2005.

The show kicks off with a performance at 3:30 p.m. by vocalist Ron Wilkinson, who's organizing the event, and pianist Curt Landes. Saxophonist Willie Akins will play at 4:30 p.m., followed by the Trio Trés Bien with Gene Lynn at 5:30 and the Bosman Twins at 6:30. WSIE's Ross Gentile will serve as MC and host. Tickets are $25 in advance, $30 at the door, and are available at Downtown Music, Vintage Vinyl, and at Wilkinson's Web site or you can call (314) 535-3134 for additional information and ticket sales locations.

Later that week on Thursday, June 23, pianist and vocalist Al Oxenhandler and his special musical guests will celebrate the release of Al's new CD Something's Gotta Give with a party at 8 p.m. in the Ritz-Carlton's Lobby Lounge that will also raise money to fight cystic fibrosis. Admission is free, and CDs will be available from servers for $15, with a portion of the proceeds going to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. You can find out more by visiting Al's Web site, or calling the Ritz-Carlton at 314-863-6300. Once the party's over, you'll still be able to purchase copies of the CD at St. Louis area Borders bookstores, Webster Records and other outlets, as well as through through CDbaby.com and Al's site.