Jazz this week: Mulgrew Miller, Jeff Coffin's Mu'tet, Denise Thimes with Clark Terry, Craig Russo Latin Jazz Project, BAG II and more

The jazz-related events happening in St. Louis this week represent a variety of stylistic options for for local music fans.

If you've got a taste for some straightahead, mainstream jazz, give a listen to the powerful pianist Mulgrew Miller, who's at Jazz at the Bistro with his trio tonight through Saturday. Miller, who records for the St. Louis-based MAXJAZZ label, has been a sought-after sideman for years and is now getting more and more attention for his work as a leader. He's rooted in blues and gospel and almost always swings hard, but Miller also has a refined touch and technique that can evoke the fleet-fingered inventions of Tatum, Peterson et al, when he chooses to deploy it.

And speaking of straightahead jazz legends, St. Louis native Clark Terry will be back in his hometown on Sunday as the special guest at this year's edition of singer Denise Thimes' annual Mothers Day show at the Sheldon Concert Hall. While I've been hearing some buzz about a sellout, as of this writing it looks like Metrotix still has some seats left.

But let's say you're in the mood for something a bit more electrified and contemporary; if so, go check out Bela Fleck and the Flecktones' saxman Jeff Coffin (pictured) and his Mu'tet tonight at the Lucas Schoolhouse. The group is one of several ensembles currently blurring the boundaries of jazz and jam bands, but they're a bit quirkier and more versatile than some similar groups that rely almost exclusively on funk-based grooves. And of course, Coffin's two-saxes-at-once routine certainly is entertaining to see.

Latin jazz fans can head out to see the Craig Russo Latin Jazz Project at Finale Music and Dining on Saturday night. A percussionist who hails from just up the road in Champaign/Urbana, Russo is making his third St. Louis appearance in less than a year, so presumably he's developing something a fan base here.

Also on Saturday, aficionados of the avant garde can hear BAG II's "The Group" (Zimbabwe Nkenya, Glenn "Papa" Wright and Jerome "J-Dubz" Williams) performing with poet Michael Castro in a free show at the Scott Joplin House State Historic Site.

Some other noteworthy performances this weekend include singer Jeanne Trevor at Brandt's and Visions Jazz at Cookie's Jazz and More on Thursday night; the Randy Holmes Quintet at Cookie's and smooth jazz saxophonist Tim Cunningham at Finale on Friday; Trio Tres Bien with singer Danita Mumphard at Brandt's on Saturday; and guitarist Todd Mosby playing outside on the patio at Terrene on Sunday.

For more of this weekend's musical menu, please consult the St. Louis Jazz Notes Calendar.

On a sadder note, the memorial service for guitarist Bob Borgstede will be held at 7 p.m. this evening in the gymnasium at Southwestern Illinois College in Belleville, where Borgstede taught music and served as band director. A musical remembrance of Borgstede will follow the service.

For those who'd like to do something in addition to paying their respects, Borgstede's solo CD Narrative Threads is available for purchase as a download from the iTunes store and Napster, and as a physical CD from CD Baby. Since the recording was self released, after the sales outlets take their cut, the rest of the revenue goes directly to Borgstede's family.

(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)