Jazz this week: Victor Goines, Fred Hersch's "Leaves of Grass" and more

Due to some rather severe time constraints for yr. humble editor, this entry will be a brief, highlights-only affair.

The week's jazz activities get going in earnest this evening, when the St. Louis Jazz Orchestra - directed by Jim Widner and featuring vocalist Mardra Thomas - makes the first of a series of monthly appearances at Jazz at the Bistro. Then on Friday and Saturday, singer Jeanne Trevor will take the stage at the Bistro, performing two sets each night.

As for touring acts - well, this week, it looks like all the action is at the Sheldon. On Friday, saxophonist and clarinetist Victor Goines (pictured) and the Juilliard Jazz Small Ensemble return to the Sheldon Concert Hall for a concert, and on Saturday, pianist Fred Hersch brings his critically acclaimed suite "Leaves of Grass" to the same venue. (For more on the Hersch concert, see this previous post.)

Otherwise, there's plenty more going on in St. Louis jazz this week, and you can see a more extensive list of local gigs 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.)