Friday, August 12, 2011

So What: Local News, Notes & Links

Here's the latest wrap-up of assorted links and short local news items of interest:

* Nonagenarian trumpeter and St. Louis native Clark Terry was in the hospital briefly earlier this month, to have surgery on his right leg to remove what was described as "some blockage." Terry already is back home recovering, and according to one friend who spoke to him on the phone, even has been practicing his horn. Doug Ramsey of the Rifftides blog has the story here and here.

* Last Sunday's concert by DMS at the TouPAC was reviewed here by Calvin Wilson of the Post-Dispatch. You can read StLJN's review of the show here.

* Wilson also filed a story for the Post last weekend about Jazz St. Louis' plans for a new or renovated performance space. While most of the piece covers similar ground as the Business Journal story linked to and commented upon here last month, it does clarify a couple of points. JSL executive director Gene Dobbs Bradford is quoted as saying that the organization is not starting a capital campaign at this time; the feasibility study being conducted this summer is "intended to gauge fundraising potential," not to evaluate potential new locations or facility layouts, which means things may not be quite as far along as implied in the earlier Business Journal article. More on this story as we can get it...

* Saxophonist Willie Akins (pictured) is receiving treatment for prostate cancer, and while, according to friends, his prognosis is good, the bills are piling up. Singer Wendy Gordon and other Akins amigos will present a benefit show to raise money for his medical expenses at 6:00 p.m. Sunday, September 4 in the Klymaxx Room of the Ambassador Events Center. In happier news, Akins is one of fifteen alumni of Webster Groves High School newly selected for inclusion on the school's Wall of Fame.

* Lastly, NPR's A Blog Supreme had an interesting post this week about the evolution of what remains the most famous song about our town, W.C. Handy's "St. Louis Blues".

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