Jazz this week: Special Monday edition

Wayne Shorter

There's a whole lot of music going on in St. Louis this week, and so I've bumped the weekly highlights post to Monday in hopes of doing a better job of calling attention to the various offerings of jazz and creative music around town over the next seven days.

On Monday, genial vocalist Steve Tyrell opens a four-night run at Finale, but unless you're a hard-core fan, I'd suggest putting off seeing him until later in the week. Instead, go check out "A Diamond For Kenny," the Webster University jazz faculty's 75th birthday tribute to Kenny Wheeler. Or mosey down to the South Side for a concert of experimental music and free improv at the Lemp Neighborhood Arts Center featuring Jack Wright, Carol Genetti and Jon Mueller, plus opening sets from St. Louis' own Joe Ragliani, who "works with pre-recorded materials to create subtle enveloping environments of sound," and 7th Epicycle, featuring Steve Thomas on guitar and computer electronics and Mark Sarich on cello and electronically modified cello.

Tuesday could very well be the pick night to hear Tyrell, since it's usually a light night of the week for live music. Or if you're in the mood for something a bit lower-key and more budget-friendly, go to Brandt's to hear the duo of vocalist Victoria Gough and guitarist Bob Bosch. I had the pleasure of working a gig with Bob a few weeks ago, and he's a proficient, tasteful player with a knack for the unexpected; the brief audio excerpts on the Brandt's site indicate that his work with Ms. Gough - by the way, the two are engaged to be married this fall - is definitely worth a listen.

On Wednesday, legendary saxophonist Wayne Shorter and his Quartet appear with members of the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra at the Touhill Performing Arts Center as part of the SLSO's new "Fusion" series under music director David Robertson. Shorter is one of the giants of modern jazz, and he rarely tours in this part of the country, so this show gets my "must-see" designation for the week.

On Thursday, Washington University's Jazz at Holmes series features a free concert by St. Louis pianist Ptah Williams - a nice price if you've shelled out the big bucks to see some of the other attractions this week - and Tyrell wraps up his gig at Finale.

On Friday, saxophonist Willie Akins opens a two-night stand at Jazz at the Bistro as part of the club's "Spotlight Series," the fine pianist Curt Landes performs at Crossings, and the Ambassadors of Swing bring their retro big band sound to the Casa Loma Ballroom.

And on Saturday, St. Louis area big band fans get a special treat as the Count Basie Orchestra visits the TouPAC. Sure, Basie's been gone for almost 20 years now, but restocked with a new generation of musicians (still including, as far as I know, St. Louis native Tony Suggs on piano), the Count's book of classic charts and relaxed sense of swing live on for all to appreciate and enjoy.

Sunday is another day that presents a near-embarassment of musical riches. The Pat Metheny Trio - expanded to a quartet with the addition of saxophonist David Sanchez - performs at the TouPAC, and there are two experimental music shows in town as well. Pianist Thollem McDonas and a gaggle of St. Louis musicians including Eric Hall, Dave Stone and Darin Gray will perform at Dunaway Books, while New Music Circle presents the Natto Quartet in concert at Washington University's Steinberg Auditorium.

For more, visit the St. Louis Jazz Notes calendar. And if you're a musician or venue who would like to have your event listed in the calendar, email your information (time, date, place, ticket price, and so on) to stljazznotes at yahoo dot com.

(edited to fix typos 9/27/05)