While this weekend isn't as jam-packed with jazz activity as some we've had lately, there are still several good reasons for fans of jazz, improvisation or creative music to get out and hear some live music.The biggest event of the weekend is the 80th birthday tribute to the late trumpet player and bandleader Maynard Ferguson on Sunday night at the Touhill Performing Arts Center. Organized by St. Louis music impresario Steve Schankman, who was Ferguson's last personal manager, and the trumpeter's friend and former road manager Ed Sargent, the event will feature a video tribute to Ferguson before the performance by a group of alumni from his big band.
Among the musicians to be featured are trumpet soloists Eric Miyashiro from Japan and Walter White from NYC, along with saxophonists Chip McNeill, Denis DeBlasio, Matt Wallace and Tim Ries (pictured). The band also will include Steve Wiest on trombone and Scott Engelbright on trumpet, along with a rhythm section comprised of Chip Stephens on piano, Brian Stahurski on bass and Dave Throckmorton on drums.
That's not your only chance to hear a big band this weekend, though, because the St. Louis Jazz Orchestra, directed by bassist and educator Jim Widner, also is performing tonight at Jazz at the Bistro. The Bistro's email newsletter for this week calls it their last performance of the season, so if you've been wanting to go check out the StLJO but haven't made it yet, this could be your last chance for a while.
On Friday and Saturday, singer Erin Bode returns to the Bistro. Bode has been spending a fair amount of time out of town in recent months, and on previous gigs at the Bistro she's worked with an expanded version of her band. I don't know what specific plans, if any, they may have for this gig, but if you're a fan, this would seem to be a good opportunity to catch up with Bode and her group before they head out on the road again.
In addition, here are a few more noteworthy shows happening over the next few days: Guitarist Dave Black brings his group to Pop's Blue Moon this evening, and the St. Louis Public Library's central branch downtown has two free concerts coming up - one on Saturday afternoon by Dizzy Atmosphere, and another on Monday night by the Jeff Lash Trio. Also, on Sunday percussionists Tom Zirkle and Matt Henry, a.k.a HaZMat, will do a concert sponsored by New Music Circle at St. Louis Community College - Forest Park's Mildred E. Bastian Performing Arts Center, 5600 Oakland Ave..
For more jazz-related local events this weekend and beyond, please visit 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. If you have photos, MP3s or other digital files, please send links, not attachments.)
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