So What: Local News, Notes & Links

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

* Bassist Raymond Eldridge, who's played with many different St. Louis jazz musicians and groups over the course of a five-decade career, reportedly has been in the intensive care unit at Barnes Hospital after suffering a stroke last Friday. His condition had been described as "grave," though a subsequent post on Facebook from a family member said Eldridge had improved greatly since first being admitted. More information on this as it becomes available...

* On a much happier note, StLJN sends best wishes to DJ, author and photographer Dennis Owsley, who celebrated his 70th birthday this week.

* New Music Circle's "Seeing Sound" film-and-music event on Friday, April 5 at Webster University is previewed by Stefene Russell of St. Louis magazine.

* The Monterey Jazz Festival 55th anniversary touring all-star ensemble was featured this past week on NPR's "JazzSet." They'll play as part of the Greater St. Louis Jazz Festival on Friday, April 19 at the Touhill Performing Arts Center.

* And speaking of the Touhill, Jazz St. Louis has posted on Facebook a photo album from last Friday's concert there by Chick Corea and Bela Fleck.

* Saxophonist Oliver Lake has posted on his SoundCloud page two sample tracks from his new big band album Wheels.

* The Post-Dispatch's recurring feature "A Look Back" this week offered a retrospective on the Gaslight Square entertainment district, written by Tim O'Neil.

* A new episode of HEC-TV's I Love Jazz will begin airing on Thursday, April 4. It includes footage of a recent performance at Jazz at the Bistro by the group led by saxophonist Willie Akins and drummer Montez Coleman (pictured); a feature on the Sheldon's recent exhibit of jazz-influenced work by famed cartoonist and native St. Louisan Al Hirschfeld; and more. Check your TV provider's program guide for the channel and times, or watch online at www.hectv.org/.

* Finally, a reminder that there are just a couple of days left to vote legendary trumpeter and St. Louis native Clark Terry into Jazz at Lincoln Center's Nesuhi Ertegun Jazz Hall of Fame. You have until midnight on Sunday, March 31 to cast your ballot at http://jalc.org/2013-jazz-hall-of-fame-vote.