Jazz this week: Jazz on Broadway, at the Art Fair, and more

With Labor Day 2006 now in the rear-view mirror, things are getting busier on local club and concert stages, and this week's calendar offers a eclectic selection of creative music, including several free events.

Starting chronologically, Jazz St. Louis continues their "Jazz on Broadway" series at the Hilton at the Ballpark at 6 p.m. tonight with a performance by the Phil Dunlap Trio. As mentioned several times before in this space, there's no cover charge for the "Jazz on Broadway" performances, and JSL and the Hilton are looking closely at the turnout before deciding to proceed with more dates. So if you'd like to see live jazz back downtown on at least a semi-regular basis, this is the time to show your support.

And speaking of free performances, all of the music at this weekend's St. Louis Art Fair is free, and the event features a number performers jass fans are likely to enjoy, including guitarist Rick Haydon (pictured above) and the SIUE Concert Jazz Band on Friday; Anita Rosamond, Lamar Harris, El Caribe Tropical and the THF Realty All-Star Student Emsemble on Saturday; and the Todd Mosby Trio and Danita Mumphard on Sunday. For a complete schedule of performances, see the Art Fair's Web site.

Elsewhere in St. Louis: On Thursday, the Sinatra Songbook will perform at Finale and singer Ron Wilkinson takes the stage at Cookie's Jazz and More. On Friday, pianist Carolbeth True and her trio hold forth at Crossings Taverne and Grille, the Ambassadors of Swing will do their big band thing at the Casa Loma Ballroom, and the Lemp Neighborhood Arts Center has an improv show featuring guitarist Luke Polipnick, the group epicycle, and learn, artist! - that's how it's punctuated, folks - a newish ambient project from guitarist Tony Renner.

On Saturday night, Crossings has guitarist Bob Borgestede, Cookie's has singer Kim Massie, and Brandt's will feature the last St. Louis appearance by singer Amy Ehrlich before she moves to Los Angeles. Finally, on Sunday the St. Louis Jazz Club will hold their annual picnic during the afternoon, and that evening Brandt's will feature the Kol Sosson klezmer band.

And if all that's not eclectic enough for you, you can see an expanded list of the week's performances by visiting the St. Louis Jazz Notes Calendar.

(If you have calendar items, band schedule information, news tips, links, or anything else you think may be of interest to StLJN's readers, please email the information to stljazznotes (at) yahoo (dot) com. No attachments, please.)