Jazz St. Louis confirms NYC trip details, schedules Young Friends fundraiser

A couple of brief news items this week from Jazz St. Louis:

* JSL director of development Melissa Jones has more details on the upcoming JSL-sponsored trip to New York City. Specifically, the itinerary is now confirmed: On Friday, May 29, the group will hear music at Birdland and the Village Vanguard, and on Saturday, May 30, there's a tour of Jazz at Lincoln Center, a group dinner at Blue Smoke, and sets at the Jazz Standard and Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola. For all the particulars, including prices and specifics of the tour package, see this post from Melissa's blog.

* The Young Friends of Jazz St. Louis are throwing a fundraiser on Thursday, February 26 at The Gramophone to benefit the Jazz St. Louis All-Stars. The event will be hosted by Gilberto Pinela and Ivy Hartman of Channel 46's Best of the STL, with music from the All-Stars, who are the select ensemble of student musicians involved in Jazz St. Louis' educational programs, and pianist Bruce Barth's quintet. Barth's group, which features Terell Stafford on trumpet, will be in town that week doing an educational residency for JSL and performing at Jazz at the Bistro.

The Young Friends event runs from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., and tickets are $40 for the VIP pre-party (includes complimentary drinks and "lite appetizers"), $30 for general access (includes two free drink tickets), or $25 in advance for Young Friends members. You can get more information or make reservations by calling the Jazz St. Louis offices at 314-289-4030.

(Edited after posting.)