Webster U jazz faculty kicks off Monday concert series August 29

The Webster University Jazz Faculty Ensemble kicks off the University's Monday concert series tomorrow with “Something New – Something Blue,” a program of original jazz compositions with a blues flavor. The concert begins at 7 p.m. in Winifred Moore Auditorium on the Webster campus, and tickets are just $3. Members of the ensemble include Mike Parkinson, trumpet; Paul DeMarinis, woodwinds; Steve Schenkel, guitar; Kim Portnoy, piano; Willem von Hombracht, bass and Kevin Gianino, drums.

In the past, concerts have typcially been scheduled each Monday evening at Webster, and the series is an excellent value. For three bucks (or occasionally $5, if there's a special guest star) you can see some fine jazz musicians performing a variety of interesting programs, usually organized around some sort of theme - for example, the work of a particular jazz composer. The Music Department usually posts the schedule of concerts for the entire semester on their Web site, but as of today, it still shows last year's events. When I can find a complete schedule, I'll write another item previewing the series.