Jazz this week: Tatsuya Nakatani, Lamar Harris, Cornet Chop Suey, "Cool Nights, Hot Jazz," and more

It's a chilly week in St. Louis, but if you're willing to brave the freezing temperatures, there's a diverse selection of jazz and creative music worth checking out. Let's go to the highlights in chronological order:

On Friday, trombonist and "low brass specialist" Lamar Harris brings his mix of jazz, soul, funk and hip-hop to Jazz at the Bistro for a two-night stand.

That same evening, an event called Cool Nights, Hot Jazz will feature student musicians from the Webster Groves High School and Middle School jazz bands alongside members of the University of Illinois jazz faculty at The Pageant.

Also on Friday, singer Erin Bode heads to the exurbs to perform at Exodus, a new "family and faith-friendly entertainment venue" located in what was once the Belz Factory Outlet Mall in Wentzville, while singer Jeanne Trevor will be at Brandt's.

On Saturday, improvising percussionist Tatsuya Nakatani (pictured) returns to the Lemp Neighborhood Arts Center for a performance that also will involve bassist Zimbabwe Nkenya and members of the group 7th epicycle. Nakatani also will present a musicians workshop on improvisation and extended techniques at 1:00 p.m.Saturday afternoon at LNAC. Also on Saturday, pianist Carolbeth True and her trio will play at Peppertini's in Chesterfield.

On Sunday afternoon, the St. Louis Jazz Club kicks off 2009 with a matinee performance by the traditional jazz and swing band Cornet Chop Suey at Moolah Shrine Center, 12545 Fee Fee Rd. in Maryland Heights.

For more jazz-related events in the St. Louis area 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.)