Jazz this week: A benefit for Willie Akins, a grand opening for a new venue, and more

As seems to be the case every year, the Labor Day weekend means that the jazz and creative music calendar in St. Louis is a bit sparse for the next few days. However, there still are a few noteworthy events happening, so let's go the highlights:

Tonight, guitarist and St. Louis native Daryl Darden is back home from the West Coast for a visit, and is playing at Robbie's House of Jazz with a group that will include pianist Nick Schlueter, drummer Leon King and bassist Willem von Hombracht.

Also tonight, drummer Bensid Thigpen opens the fall 2011 Jazz at Holmes series at Washington University, leading his trio and special guest vocalist Marsha Evans in a free outdoor concert on the Quadrangle at Wash U's main campus. For more on the fall 2011 Jazz at Holmes series schedule, see this post.

On Friday and Saturday, singer Danita Mumphard (pictured) will perform for the grand opening of the Halls Ferry Inn Jazz Cafe. For more about this new jazz venue in Florissant, see this post.

Also on Friday, guitarist Eric Slaughter's trio is back at the Cigar Inn in Belleville, and pianist Roley Overmeyer will play at Jazz on Broadway in Alton.

On Sunday, there's a benefit and jam session for the veteran saxophonist Willie Akins at the Ambassador Events Center's Klub Klymaxx. Akins has been diagnosed with prostate cancer, and although his prognosis is said to be good, the medical bills are piling up. No word on who the players at this benefit will be, but given Akins' reputation and long career in St. Louis, one would imagine there'll be a good turnout.

Also on Sunday, there's the monthly jam session at Bossanova Restaurant and Lounge in Alton, led by saxophonist Jason Swagler and Eric Slaughter's trio; and Good 4 The Soul plays an early evening show at BB's Jazz, Blues and Soups.

Looking beyond the weekend, on Monday night guitarist Tom Byrne's Pat Metheny-inspired project Have You Heard? will perform at BB's.

For more jazz-related events in St. Louis this weekend and beyond, please visit the St. Louis Jazz Notes Calendar, which can be found on the left sidebar of the site or by clicking here. You also can keep up with all the latest news by following St. Louis Jazz Notes on Twitter at http://twitter.com/StLJazzNotes or clicking the "Like" icon on the StLJN Facebook page.

(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.)

(Edited after posting to add the Jazz at Holmes show.)

Tribute to Thomas Person set for Sunday, March 28

A show raising funds and paying tribute to St. Louis businessman and musician Thomas Person (pictured) is scheduled from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Sunday, March 28 at The New Ambassador, 9800 Halls Ferry Road.

The father of the well-known jazz saxophonist Eric Person, Thomas Person runs his own air conditioning and heating company, and also is a saxophonist and jazz enthusiast himself. He had a stroke in January, and this show is intended to raise funds to help with his unexpected medical bills. According to the Facebook page for the event, Eric Person will be on hand to perform, with other musicians to be announced as they are confirmed. Suggested donation at the door will be $10.

UPDATE - 11:30 p.m. 3/9/10: Via an email from Eric Person, the list of musicians performing at the event includes guitarists Dave Black and Chris Burchett, the Bosman Twins, pianist Pauline Stark, Phil Gomez' Latin Jazz Ensemble, Willem von Hombracht and the St. Louis New Jazz X-Tet, the Ed Nicholson Trio and the Eddie Randle Trio. They'll be joined a lineup of singers including Jeanne Trevor, Mae Wheeler, Mary Dyson, Wendy Gordon, Bill Tucker, Austin Layne, Janice Battle and Diane Vaughn.

(On a personal note, I've had a chance to meet Thomas Person and jam with him on a couple of occasions, and he's a fine gentleman. Here's hoping for a good turnout on March 28, and a speedy and complete recovery for Mr. Person. )

Najee to perform Friday, December 11 at the Ambassador

Via a Kevin Johnson blog post at STLtoday.com, word is that smooth jazz saxophonist Najee is coming to St. Louis on Friday, December 11 to perform at the Ambassador Events Center, 9800 Halls Ferry Rd.

Billed as a "Jazz Explosion" concert, the show is also supposed to include some "special guests," though no specific musicians were listed. Najee has been part of several package tours using that name in the past, with other recent participants including keyboardist Alex Bugnon, guitarist Nick Colionne, saxophonist Gerald Albright, and singer Ledisi.

Ticket for Najee's performance at the Ambassador are $25 and $30, and will be on sale via Metrotix.

Eric Person to perform at the Ambassador on Saturday, October 3

Saxophonist and St. Louis native Eric Person (pictured) is coming home next month to perform Saturday, October 3 at the Ambassador, 9800 Halls Ferry Rd in St. Louis.

Backed by bassist John King and pianist Adaron "Pops" Jackson of Good 4 The Soul and drummer Kevin Kelly, Person will do two sets, at 7:00 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.

Tickets are $15 and will be available for purchase in person at all Metrotix outlets or the Ambassador box office, online at www.metrotix.com, or by calling 314-534-1111. For more information, you can call the Ambassador at 314-869-9090.