So What: Local News, Notes & Links

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

* We regret to report that there's some more difficult news on Clark Terry's health this week, as the legendary trumpeter had to go back into a hospital near his home in Arkansas and undergo surgery to amputate his left leg. Terry's wife Gwen has details about his condition in a blog post titled "Quitting Is Not An Option".

There is some good news, though - the amputation site on Terry's right leg, which doctors removed just a few weeks ago, is "healing very well." And according to a Twitter message sent out last night by JazzCorner.com, which hosts Terry's web site, "Clark Terry's leg amputation went well. He's in ICU & resting comfortably. Prayers r being answered!"

* The Sheldon Concert Hall announced this week that drummer Karriem Riggins will be replacing Ulysses Owens, Jr. on the upcoming concert by Peter Martin on Saturday, March 10. The show will mark the debut of Inner Circle, Martin's new band that "interprets classic pop and R&B songs and originals through a jazz lens." In addition to Martin and Riggins, the concert also will feature bassist Robert Hurst and guest singer Vivian Sessoms.

No reason for the switch was announced, but Riggins (pictured) certainly brings an interesting resume to the mix. His first big jazz gig at age 19 was with bassist Ray Brown's trio, and he currently works with singer/pianist Diana Krall, among others. But he's also has done production work with hip-hop artists included Common, J Dilla, The Roots, Talib Kweli and others, and is featured on the new album by ex-Beatle Paul McCartney.

* Guitarist Larry Brown Jr, a native of Venice, IL and alumnus of SIUE who's now living in Chicago, is the subject of the latest "Jazz Preview" segment airing on radio station WSIE (88.7 FM). The interview with Brown will be broadcast at 10:00 a.m. Friday, February 24; 2:00 a.m. Saturday, February 25; 2:00 p.m. Saturday, February 25; 6:00 p.m. Sunday, February 26; and 2:00 p.m. Monday, February 27.

* Jazz on Broadway has posted on their Facebook page an album of photos from saxophonist Tim Cunningham's weekly "Jazzy Friday" gig, which currently is scheduled to continue through the end of April.

* New Orleans funk band Galactic, who will be in St. Louis on Wednesday, March 14 to play The Pageant, have released a new music video, "Heyna," from their new album Carnivale Electricos.

(Edited after posting to fix a typo.)