StLJN's 2006 year in review

On this final day of 2006, it seems appropriate to take a look back at what's happened in St. Louis jazz over the last year. So here's a review of some of the most noteworthy items published by StLJN over the past 12 months:

January 2006

• Jazz radio personality Leo Chears dies after a long illness.
• Marty Ehrlich talks about his new CD News on the Rail.
• Jazz at the Bistro becomes Jazz St. Louis.
• NEA Jazz Masters tour skips St. Louis.
• James Carter subs for David Murray at WSQ's St. Louis shows.
• Eric Person releases new CD, premieres "lost" John Coltrane arrangements.

February 2006

• Erin Bode releases new CD featuring original material.
• Washington University holds symposium examining the history and legacy of the Black Artist Group.
• Singer/producer Valerie Tichacek gives StLJN the scoop on Jazz @ Cookie's, a new cable TV program featuring St. Louis jazz musicians.
• David Sanborn joins Chris Botti's tour-in-progress, providing an unexpected bonus for fans who had tickets for Botti's appearance at the TouPAC.
• The US Bank St. Louis Jazz and Heritage Festival announces its new name and 2006 lineup.
• World Saxophone Quartet performs at Jazz at the Bistro, and Hamiet Bluiett reveals details of their upcoming CD Political Blues.
• Webster University presents music and film programs on Thelonious Monk and the 1960s avant garde.
• The Sheldon announces events to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the birth of Josephine Baker.
• Filmmaker Christian Cudnik begins work on a documentary on the history of St. Louis jazz.
• Clark Terry announced as headliner for the Greater St. Louis Jazz Festival.

March 2006

• With the New Orleans Ritz-Carlton still closed, Jeremy Davenport re-ups on his gig at Busch's Grove.
• StLJN hosts a roundtable discussion about jazz festivals, featuring thoughts and ideas from local music journalists and DJs including Dennis Owsley, Steve Pick, Terry Perkins and Rene Spencer Saller. Introduction Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 Part 7.
• Whitaker Music Festival announces its 2006 lineup.
• Miles Davis inducted into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
• Patricia Barber performs at Jazz at the Bistro, reviewed by guest contributor Terry Perkins.
• St. Louis premiere set for PBS series Legends of Jazz.

April 2006

• Hugh "Peanuts" Whalum signs with Dave Koz' Rendezvous Music label.
• Review of Eric Person's Reflections.
• Brandt's Cafe and Red Carpet Lounge for sale.
• Sheldon Concert Hall announces its 2006-07 concert season, prompting a commentary on race and commercialism.
• StLJN runs its first embedded YouTube clip.
• StLJN celebrates one year of publishing.
• Concert held to benefit Leon Thomas scholarship fund.

May 2006

• Kurt Elling, reconsidered and reviewed.
• Jazz concert wish list.
• Noted jazz pianist and former St. Louisan John Hicks dies.
• Jazz St. Louis announces 2006-07 schedule for Jazz at the Bistro.
• Peter Martin and friends schedule a performance of their Big River concert in Chicago.
• My personal favorite StLJN headline of 2006: Live on the Levee lineup looks lackluster.
• Osby to perform with WSQ at Bistro in the fall.
• Miles Davis' birthday celebrated.

June 2006

• Main Street Jazz and Blues club sold.
• St. Louis Public Library named pilot site for jazz documentary film and discussion series.
• Performance space Radio Cherokee announces it will close.
• The TouPAC announces its 2006-07 season.
• Jazz at the Bistro gets a fancy new neon sign.
• US Bank St. Louis Jazz and Heritage Festival, previewed and reviewed in two parts.
• Old Webster Jazz Festival announces its 2006 lineup.

July 2006

• St. Louis debut set for legendary saxophonist John Handy.
• A coda to StLJN's coverage of the US Bank St. Louis Jazz and Heritage Festival.
• Jazz St. Louis adds more acts to the 2006-07 Jazz at the Bistro season.
• A major summer storm knocks out power to St. Louis, including StLJN HQ.

August 2006

• Publication date announced for City of Gabriels, Dennis Owsley's history of jazz in St. Louis.
• Jazz St. Louis moves outside the confines of the Bistro by presenting "Jazz on Broadway".
• Trumpet legend Maynard Ferguson, a frequent visitor to St. Louis, dies.
• New poster from St. Louis artist Kevin Belford shows local jazz legends.
• Maynard Ferguson tribute concert to be held in St. Louis.

September 2006

• Delmark Records issues newly discovered recordings from St. Louis trumpeter Dewey Jackson.
• Jazz@Cookie's finally makes its debut - on YouTube.
• The Sheldon announces a major exhbit on St. Louis jazz history.
• Washington University's Jazz at Holmes series announces its fall 2006 schedule.
• New Music Circle announces its 2006-07 season schedule, just days before the first concert.

October 2006

• Christian Cudnick's documentary about St. Louis jazz history makes its debut.
• Dave Douglas will join SF Jazz Collective for 2007 tour.
• KC Star writer praises St. Louis jazz history, pans our current jazz scene.

November 2006

• "Peanuts" Whalum featured in Jazz Times magazine.
• Jazz historian and critic Dan Morgenstern speaks in St. Louis.
• StLJN updates now available by email.

December 2006

• StLJN opens its Emporium for your shopping and buying pleasure.
• Metheny/Mehldau tour coming to St. Louis in 2007.
• Singer Nancy King's latest CD for MAXJAZZ is nominated for a Grammy award.
• Al Jarreau will headline Jazz St. Louis benefit gala.
• The "Zappa Plays Zappa" tour's St. Louis concert is reviewed.
• STLJN's sister site Heliocentric Worlds goes live with music videos of jazz, blues, soul, funk and more.

Thanks to all the readers, commenters, e-mail correspondents, tipsters, musicians, presenters, publicists, critics, DJs and all the rest who have been part of this site in various ways over the past year. See you in 2007.

(Edited after posting to fix some formatting problems.)