Jazz this week: Vacation's almost over...

Did I mention that the group Swing Set is playing at Brandt's on Saturday? They swing, of course, in the jazz sense, not in the playground-equipment sense, though for all I know the members of the band may very well enjoy a romp on the teeter-totter or jungle gym now and again. Anyway, they're a good band, even if I couldn't find a current photo of them.


It's the middle of August, the "dog days," the last hurrah for summer vacationers hoping to get a bit more recreating done before Labor Day signals the inevitable return to fall schedules - which is all a longwinded way of saying that this is pretty much the trough of the summer as far as touring jazz acts visiting St. Louis are concerned.

Next week, Jazz at the Bistro begins its 2005-06 season with St. Louis vocalist Erin Bode. Then once we're into September, we can look forward to increased activity all over town, from concert halls like the Sheldon and the TouPAC to campus-based programs like Washington University's Jazz at Holmes series and the Monday night concerts at Webster University's Winifred Moore Auditorium. So rather than think of this as a slow weekend, think of it as one more opportunity to enjoy some perennial local favorites who are out there plying their trade week after week.

On Friday, the Dave Stone Trio will be, as always, in residence at Mangia Italiano, while vocalist Jeanne Trevor holds forth at Brandt's. On Saturday, Scott Alberici deploys his fleet and mellow clarinet sound at Crossings; saxophonist Willie Akins is doing his usual Saturday thing at Spruill's; and the Bosman Twins are part of a benefit concert at the TouPAC. Those who still have hungry ears after that are urged to check out the John Norment Quartet on Sunday night at Riddle's or the Sessions Big Band on Monday night at BB's. For still more, see the St. Louis Jazz Notes calendar.

If you're a band, musician or venue who would like to have your event listed in the calendar, and possibly included in the weekly highlights, email your information to stljazznotes at yahoo dot com. Also, I'm planning some sort of "fall highlights" post in the not-too-distant future, so if you've got any special events or concerts coming up that you'd like the world to know about, send your information along without delay.