Meredith Monk
This week in St. Louis is highlighted by appearances from two very different female vocalists, neither a pure jazz performer but both of interest to at least some local jazz fans.
Ann Hampton Callaway, who begins a four-night stay at Jazz at the Bistro tonight, is a singer and songwriter whose resume stretches from small cabarets to Broadway shows to writing theme songs for network TV shows like the 1990s sitcom The Nanny, starring gravel-voiced comedienne Fran Drescher. The Chicagoan-turned-New Yorker is also a capable pianist, but these days often leaves most of the keyboard duties to others so she can concentrate on her singing. She's got a good following here, thanks to her past appearances as part of the cabaret series at the Grandel Square Theater, and should draw a crowd, so call ahead for reservations if you're thinking of going.
On Thursday, St. Louis gets a visit from Meredith Monk, composer and pioneer of extended vocal techniques, in the form of a 7 p.m. concert at the St. Louis Art Museum. Monk's performance is presented in association with the exhibition Minimal Art from St. Louis Collections, which will be on view in Galleries 322 and 323 through summer 2006. I don't know much else about this show, since it was just announced last week and the Museum's news release seems to have been sent primarily to local media covering visual arts. However, tickets are $15 for the general public and $10 for SLAM members and may be purchased at the door, online at www.slam.org, or by calling 314-655-5299.
Beyond these two events, the weekend's musical menu consists of local fare. In the Delmar Loop area, Brandt's features vocalist Victoria Vox on Wednesday, "Peanuts" Whalum on Friday and Mae Wheeler on Saturday. Farther south in Webster Groves, Crossings will have Dave Venn and Scott Alberici on Thursday and Swing Set on Friday, while neighboring Cookie's Jazz and More feature Valerie Tichacek on Thursday, Erin Bode on Thursday and the Randy Holmes Quartet on Friday. Heading back into the city, Mangia Italiano will showcase the Brian Sullivan Quartet on Thursday as well as the Dave Stone Trio's usual Friday night gig.
Looking just past the weekend, don't forget about next Monday's program at Webster University, entitled "Tomorrow Is The Question" and featuring performances of a number of compositions associated with 1960s avant garde jazz as well as a screening of the film Space Is The Place, featuring Sun Ra and his Arkestra.
There's more, of course, and you can see a comprehensive list of this week's gigs by visiting the St. Louis Jazz Notes Calendar.
(If you're a musician, band, venue or presenter who'd like to get your event listed in the StLJN calendar, please email your news release or announcement to stljazznotes at yahoo dot com.)
(Edited after posting, because subjects and verbs should agree.)
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