StLJN Saturday Video Showcase: They've got it covered...

Rather than featuring a single artist, this week's video showcase is loosely organized around the idea of St. Louis musicians covering well-known songs. First up is singer Jeanne Trevor with a rendition of Duke Ellington's "It Don't Mean A Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)," taken from a performance of fellow singer Wendy Gordon's songbook musical/cabaret show "A Jazz Heaven" at the Kranzberg Arts Center.

Down below, the St. Louis Low Brass Collective plays their arrangement of Neal Hefti's "Li'l Darlin'," made famous by Count Basie. This clip was recorded at the StLLBC's 2010 performance at the Sheldon Concert Hall, and features (left to right) trombonists Jim Owens, Cody Henry and Caleb McKee and bass trombonist Gerry Pagano, with Jeff Hoard on tuba, Ken Kehner on piano, and Kevin Gianino on drums.

Below that, singer Mardra Thomas and keyboardist Reggie Thomas offer a sultry version of Ray Charles' "Unchain My Heart" in a video shot at a concert last summer in O'Fallon Park. The Thomases will be performing on Friday, February 11 and Saturday, February 12 as well as Valentine's Day evening at Jazz at the Bistro.

Batting cleanup today is pianist Peter Martin, with his version of "Viva La Vida," a big pop hit for the group Coldplay that won the Grammy Award for Best Song in 2009. Martin recorded the tune that same year on his self-produced, solo piano EP Set of Five; this version appears to have been done in his living room. Martin will continue his eponymous concert series at the Sheldon with a solo piano performance on Thursday, February 10.







(Edited 2/1/11 to add the additional dates for Mardra and Reggie Thomas at Jazz at the Bistro.)