Cyrus Chestnut
It's another busy week for jazz in St. Louis, with a number of worthwhile gigs featuring touring performers as well as hometown favorites.
On Wednesday night, pianist Cyrus Chestnut and vocalist Carla Cook begin a four-night stand at Jazz at the Bistro. Frankly, I haven't heard much of Cook's work, but Chestnut is a very enjoyable pianist who, in addition to his vast technical resources, shows a strong blues and gospel influence in his playing. Interestingly, he also took part in a recent album of jazz covers of songs by the rock group Pavement, though I doubt any of that material will be on the menu this weekend.
Also on Wednesday, the promising young Chicago pianist Jo Ann Daugherty makes her St. Louis debut with a one-nighter at Finale. You may not have heard of her yet, but check her Web site for some brief sample MP3s.
On Thursday, bassist Tom Kennedy brings his group to Washington University for a free concert as part of the Jazz at Holmes series. Kennedy has played with a number of name artists, including Dave Weckl and Steps Ahead, and though I haven't yet heard his current quartet, which features vocalist Carla Harris, drummer Miles Vandiver and pianist Kara Baldus, I have heard very good things about them from reliable sources.
Karrin Allyson, the Kansas City based vocalist nominated for two Grammys for her CD of ballads associated with John Coltrane, will be at Finale for two performances on Friday night. Across the Mississippi that same evening, smooth jazz guitarist Steve Oliver will be playing at the Alton Belle Casino.
On Saturday, Kennedy and guitarist Bill Lenihan will play a free show at Wash U's Steinberg Auditorium with Lenihan's Rome-based group Cyclo, the last performance before the Italian members of the band end their current St. Louis stay. And on Sunday, Brandt's celebrates the opening of their new Red Carpet Lounge with performances by a number of musicians and singers, including Gaslight Square veterans Jeanne Trevor, Mae Wheeler and Hugh "Peanuts" Whalum.
There's plenty of other action on local club stages, too, and, as always, you can get a quick overview by consulting the St. Louis Jazz Notes Calendar. And please note: if you're a musician or presenter who'd like to get your gig on the calendar, and perhaps mentioned in the weekly highlights as well, please email the relevant information to stljazznotes at yahoo dot com.
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