This week's jazz offerings include the return to St. Louis of a hometown hero and two smooth jazz shows with a holiday theme.The hometown hero in question is drummer Dave Weckl (pictured at left), who performs with his band at Jazz at the Bistro Wednesday through Saturday. With fellow Gateway City natives Tom Kennedy on bass and keyboard player Jay Oliver joining Weckl and saxophonist/keyboardist Gary Meek in the current version of the group, it's a St. Louis-centric lineup and for more about what they'll be up to, see this recent StLJN post for a link to an interview where Weckl talks about his homecoming. Also, at the bottom of this post, you'll find some extra Weckl video goodness, specifically a ten-minute video clip in which Weckl and fellow drummers Steve Gadd and Vinnie Colaiuta show off their chops at a Buddy Rich tribute concert.
As for the holiday themed smooth jazz, it gets started tonight at The Pageant with "A Peter White Christmas" featuring the guitarist (pictured at right) along with trumpeter Rick Braun and saxophonist Mindy Abair and continues at the same venue on Sunday with "A Soulful Christmas," featuring multi-instrumentalist Brian Culbertson, singer/guitarists Bobby Caldwell and Ray Parker Jr. and saxophonist Warren Hill. (Note that since these two concerts are being marketed together as DJ "Rick Sanborn's Smooth Holiday Party," there's a package price for those who buy tickets for both shows.)Other noteworthy shows this week include a comparatively rare outing by guitarist William Lenihan, who's doing a free concert Thursday night at Washington University's Holmes Lounge as part of the Jazz at Holmes series. Also on Thursday, singer Denise Thimes is appearing in a special benefit concert at the Sheldon; trumpeter Dan Smith and his band with vocalist Debby Lennon will appear at Cookie's Jazz and More, and Hugh "Peanuts" Whalum will be at Brandt's.
On Friday, guitarist Todd Mosby is performing at Crossings Taverne and Grille, the Latin-world-jazz of Farshid Etniko will be heard at Erato Wine Bar, and the big band sound of the Original Knights of Swing will resonate throughout the generous expanse of the Casa Loma Ballroom. Saturday's picks include Jeanne Trevor's "sings Billie, Ella and Judy" show at Finale Music and Dining, and singer Danita Mumphard and Trio Tres Bien at Gene Lynn's.
As always, you'll find a more complete listing of this week's jazz events 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.)
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