Sara Gazarek
After a couple of very busy weeks on the local jazz scene, things are marginally slower this week, but there's still lots of good stuff to see and hear.
Guitarist Doug Wamble, who's played with Wynton Marsalis and Cassandra Wilson and has released a couple of critically acclaimed recordings as a leader, is probably the biggest touring name in town as he makes his St. Louis debut this week. He'll be at Jazz at the Bistro for shows on Wednesday and Thursday night.
Up-and-coming vocalist Sara Gazarek also makes her first St. Louis appearance this week, performing Thursday at Finale. Gazarek won a down beat student award a couple of years ago, which led to a slot on a package tour put together last year by Concord Jazz. That in turn led to her signing with some high powered-management and getting jazz veterans John Clayton to produce and Al Schmitt (George Benson, Al Jarreau) to engineer her record, which is called Yours. Though not without flaws, it's a very listenable record - quite an assured effort for a 23-year-old, and it marks Gazarek as someone to watch. I'll have a Critic's Pick on this show in this week's Riverfront Times, and will link to it here as soon as it's online.
Also on Thursday, the Dave Stone - John Covelli Quartet will return to Cookie's, while veteran pianist Dave Venn is at Crossings. Over the weekend, Cookie's will play host to two St. Louis singers, as they present Cheri Evans on Friday night and the CD release party for Danita Mumphard on Saturday night. Another local singer, Denise Thimes, will be featured as part of the Bistro's "Spotlight Series" on Friday and Saturday, while the multi-reed playing Bosman Twins will do a two-night stand at Finale for the weekend.
As always, there's plenty more to check out, and you can get an overview by visiting the St. Louis Jazz Notes Calendar. If you're a musician or venue who would like to have your event listed in the calendar, and possibly included in the weekly highlights post, send all the relevant info to me by email at stljazznotes at yahoo dot com.
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