Erika Johnson
With several local jazz concert series having wrapped up for the year, there are no major touring jazz performers passing through St. Louis this weekend. But if you're jonesin' for some jazz anyway, there's plenty of local talent on various club stages to help you get your fix.
Vocalist Erika Johnson performs at Jazz at the Bistro on Friday and Saturday nights as part of the club's Spotlight Series. I've only heard her sing once, this past January at BB's doing a few songs for the Erma Whitesides benefit show. However, it was a performance that I enjoyed very much, thanks to Johnson's energetic stage presence and an interesting selection of material ranging from Charlie Parker's classic bebop composition "Billie's Bounce" to a funked-up version of the Beatles' "Come Together". Though that brief sampling wasn't enough to give me a good feel for what she's capable of over an entire evening's worth of music, I think she's definitely a talent worthy of some attention.
At Finale Music and Dining, smooth saxophonist Tim Cunningham returns for another appearance on Friday night, continuing what's turning into a recurring gig for him. And as usual, sax addicts can also get an earful from two other fine tenor men playing their own regular weekly gigs, as the Dave Stone Trio holds forth Friday night at Mangia Italiano and Willie Akins does his early Saturday show at Spruill's.
Brandt's will feature a pair of female vocalists this weekend, with the R&B-flavored stylings of Kim Massie on Friday and Amy Ehrlich taking the mic on Saturday. Female singers also figure into this weekend's schedule at Cookie's Jazz and More, as Cheri Evans and Friends take the stage on Friday night and trumpeter Dan Smith's Quintet featuring Debby Lennon performs on Saturday.
As always, you can see a more complete listing of this weekend's choices by visiting the St. Louis Jazz Notes Calendar. And remember, the best way to make sure that we continue to get a wide selection of live jazz music in St. Louis is get out and support the artists and venues that you enjoy.
(If you are a band, musician, presenter or venue who'd like to get your event listed in the St. Louis Jazz Notes Calendar, please email your news release or schedule information to stljazznotes at yahoo dot com.)
(Edited immediately after posting to fix a bad break in the headline.)
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