Jazz this week: Bucky Pizzarelli & John Pizzarelli, Tatsuya Nakatani, Bhob Rainey, Dave Dickey Big Band, and more

This weekend's calendar of live jazz and creative music in St. Louis includes a few final chances to hear some holiday jazz, as well as music from a famed father-and-son team of guitarists and two evenings featuring touring free improvisors. Let's go to the highlights...

Tonight, guitarists Bucky Pizzarelli and John Pizzarelli open a four-night engagement at Jazz at the Bistro, continuing through Saturday.  While John Pizzarelli is a St. Louis favorite who has appeared here many times at the Bistro and elsewhere, this will be the first time in recent years that he's played here with his dad. (For more about the Pizzarellis, and some video clips of them playing together, please check out this post from a couple of weeks ago.)

As you might expect, demand for tickets has been brisk, and as of this writing, Jazz St. Louis reports that the early shows for all four nights are essentially sold out, with just a few tickets remaining for the late shows.

Also tonight, singer Feyza Eren performs at BB's Jazz, Blues & Soups; the Route 66 Jazz Orchestra performs big band versions of some holiday favorites at Kirkwood Station Brewing Company; and Cabaret Project St. Louis will hold their monthly open mic at the Tavern of Fine Arts.

Tomorrow night, downtown will reverberate with danceable swing and jump blues as played by Sarah Jane and the Blue Notes at BB's Jazz, Blues & Soups and/or Miss Jubilee at Thaxton Speakeasy.

On Friday, fans of adventurous improv will want to check out percussionist Tatsuya Nakatani (pictured) and his Gong Orchestra at Lemp Neighborhood Arts Center; while those still seeking additional Christmas spirit will find it in plentiful supply at the first of two nights of the Funky Butt Brass Band's annual Holiday Brasstravaganza at Off Broadway.

That same evening, pianist and St. Louis native John McDaniel has sold out two performances of his show "Home For The Holidays" at Kranzberg Arts Center, so if you don't have tickets, your only option at this point is to hope for a last-minute cancellation.

Elsewhere around town on Friday, singer Joe Mancuso and guitarist Dave Black are back at Chaser's Lounge in the Chase Park Plaza Hotel; singer Ann Dueren and her trio will be at Il Bel Lago; and guitarist
Tom Byrne leads a trio at Thurman Grill.  Also on Friday, singer Nicholas Brooks, who's originally from East St. Louis and has played Vegas and toured nationally as Sammy Davis Jr. in a "Rat Pack" themed show, will present the first of two Christmas-themed performances this weekend Robbie's House of Jazz.

On Saturday, crooner Gene Lynn will help inaugurate the upstairs performance space at Nathalie's, a new restaurant occupying the space at 4356 Lindell in the Central West End that formerly was home to Salt and before that, Savor and the Cabaret at Savor. Also on Saturday, keyboardist Jesse Prather and his band Jus4U with singer Adrianne Felton will present a "Smooth Jazz Christmas Concert" at Jazz on Broadway.

On Sunday, you've got a couple of final chances to get a holiday music fix, as percussionist Joe Pastor plays what's being billed as a "Christmas Jazz Show" at BB's Jazz, Blues & Soups, and the Dave Dickey Big Band promises some seasonal sounds during their last monthly gig of the year at Kirkwood Station Brewing Company. As a bonus, the Webster Groves High School jazz ensemble will perform Duke Ellington's "Nutcracker Suite" during the Dickey band's intermission.

Looking beyond the weekend, on Monday Dizzy Atmosphere will play at The Shaved Duck, and the Lemp Neighborhood Arts Center will present another concert in their new "Quiet Music" Series, incorporating the annual Christmas week visit from improvising saxophonist Bhob Rainey into a show that also will feature music from Greg Farough and Mark Sarich.

Due to the holidays, the next "jazz this week" post her won't appear until Thursday, December 26. Until then, for more jazz-related events in and around St. Louis, 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.)

Bhob Rainey to perform Monday, December 23 at Lemp Neighborhood Arts Center

For the ninth year in a row, improvising saxophonist Bhob Rainey is coming back to St. Louis just before Christmas to perform at Lemp Neighborhood Arts Center.

Rainey's concert, which this year also has been designated as part of LNAC's new "Quiet Music" series, will take place at 8:30 p.m., Monday, December 23. The performance also will feature music from Greg Farough and LNAC's own Mark Sarich.

Rainey (pictured) has played in St. Louis numerous times over the past decade and a half, both at LNAC and for New Music Circle. His most recent recording Levitate is the soundtrack to a film by Leah Ross, and was featured last month on the website Tiny Mix Tapes.

Admission for Bhob Rainey at Lemp Neighborhood Arts Center will be $5 at the door.

Jazz this week: Bhob Rainey, Dogtown All-Stars, John King, Joe Mancuso, Kasimu Taylor, and more

Holiday hustle and bustle will be in full effect for the next couple of weeks, but if you've got time to get out and hear some live jazz this weekend, here are some upcoming gigs in and around St. Louis to consider....

Tonight, guitarists Eric Slaughter and Tom Byrne will co-lead a quartet at Troy's Jazz Gallery, the recently opened venue on Olive just west of Taylor in the Central West End . Update - 3:50 p.m., 12/20/12: This gig has been canceled due to inclement weather.

On Friday, the Dogtown All-Stars begin a two-night engagement at Jazz at the Bistro. On record, the All-Stars (pictured) mostly have made organ-driven groove music with a nod to the Meters and Booker T. and the MGs. For their debut at the Bistro, they'll be augmented by members of the Funky Butt Brass Band, hence the "Funkestra" appellation used in some of the promos. (And just to clear up any possible confusion, though the presence of the FBBB horns and bassist Andy Coco means there's some personnel overlap with the Rhythm Section Road Show gig that took place at the Bistro a couple of weeks ago, the All-Stars are a separate project with their own catalog of songs.)

Also on Friday, bassist John King will debut his new band featuring drummer Kevin Kelley, keyboardist Kyle Kelley and guitarist Steve Johnson in an early evening show at BB's Jazz, Blues and Soups. Although previously announced plans to record a live DVD seem in doubt as of this writing, the bill definitely still will include a number of guest performers such as saxophonist Jim Stevens; singers Denise Thimes, Kim Massie, Cheryl Brown, and Anita Jackson; and others.

Elsewhere on Friday, singer Joe Mancuso will be at Robbie's House of Jazz for a holiday themed performance featuring guest trumpeter and vibraphonist Joe Bozzi; and trumpet player Kasimu Taylor leads a quartet at the Cigar Inn.

On Saturday evening, singer Feyza Eren fronts a trio at the Wine Press, and saxophonist Jim Stevens will be back at BB's, this time leading his own group for the late shift at the club. 

On Sunday, saxophonist Bhob Rainey returns to the Lemp Neighborhood Arts Center for his eighth consecutive pre-Christmas gig, headlining a bill that also includes Jack Callahan and epicycle. Rainey is a free improvisor and a prolific collaborator, so don't be surprised if all the musicians present at LNAC end up playing together before the night is done.

For more jazz-related events in and around St. Louis, 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.)

Bhob Rainey to perform Sunday, December 23 at Lemp Neighborhood Arts Center

In what's become a holiday tradition, improvising saxophonist Bhob Rainey will be back in St. Louis just before Christmas to perform at Lemp Neighborhood Arts Center. The concert at 8:30 p.m. on Sunday, December 23 also will include sets from composer Jack Callahan and epicycle, featuring Travis Snyder and Mark Sarich.

This is the eighth year running that Rainey (pictured) has played a late-December date at LNAC. A prolific collaborator both live and on record, his most recent album is When you talk, you hear from the other side, a limited-edition project with visual artist Nancy Bernardo that features her glass collages along with a vinyl LP of Rainey's music.

Admission for Bhob Rainey, Jack Callahan, and epicycle at Lemp Neighborhood Arts Center is $5 at the door.

Jazz this week: Bhob Rainey, Rodney Lancaster & Doug Bert, Marcus Baylor & Free Day, and more

As one might expect given that a number of local venues are closed for the Christmas holidays, the calendar of live jazz and creative music in St. Louis is a bit sparse over the next week, but there still are a few performances worth noting wrapped around the holiday weekend. Let's go to the highlights...

On Thursday night, the annual "Noel-A-Thon" concert takes place at BB's Jazz Blues and Soups. The seven-hour show features an eclectic mix of St. Louis musicians playing short sets of blues, jazz, folk, rock and more, with proceeds from the $5-per-person cover charge going to local charities.

On Friday, the improvising saxophonist Bhob Rainey will be in town for what has become an annual pre-Christmas concert at Lemp Neighborhood Arts Center. Also on the bill are St. Louis' own Andrew Hefner, Jack Callahan and epicycle.

Also on Friday, drummer Montez Coleman will lead a trio with bassist Bob DeBoo and pianist Ptah Williams at the Cigar Inn; singer Charlie B. and trumpeter Jim Manley will perform for a "Rat Pack" themed dinner and show at LoRusso's Cucina; and trombonists Rodney Lancaster and Doug Bert will team up for a gig at Robbie's House of Jazz, backed by a band including bassist Willem von Hombracht, pianist Rick Zelle, and drummer Kevin Gianino.

On Monday evening, saxophonist "Blind" Willie Dineen of the Voodoo Blues Band will step out front to lead his own band, the Broadway Collective, in a performance at BB's.

On Tuesday night, drummer, ex-Yellowjacket and St. Louis native Marcus Baylor (pictured) returns home to perform with his new band Free Day at Lola. The group also includes his wife Jean Baylor, a singer who had some R&B hits a few years back as part of the group Zhane.

Also on Tuesday, Robbie's will host their weekly jam session, with a larger-than-usual crowd anticipated due to people visiting and/or returning home for the holidays.

On Wednesday afternoon, Bob Coleman's Legacy Big Band will perform at the Sheldon Concert Hall. Their "Sinatra Hit Parade!" show will feature singer Tom Heitman, plus a guest appearance by trumpet player Susan Slaughter, who retired last year after 40 years with the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra.

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.)

Bhob Rainey to play Friday, December 23 at Lemp Neighborhood Arts Center

Returning to St. Louis to do a pre-Christmas show for the ninth consecutive year, saxophonist and composer Bhob Rainey (pictured) will perform at 8:00 p.m. Friday, December 23 at Lemp Neighborhood Arts Center.

Also on the bill are epicycle, the solo project of LNAC's Mark Sarich, and bassist Andrew Hefner, who will play what's being touted as "an especially heart warming free-improvisation drone set."

General admission for the all-ages concert will be $5 at the door.

Jazz this week: Happy holidays from St. Louis Jazz Notes

With the Christmas holidays falling on Friday and Saturday this year, the live music choices in St. Louis are understandably somewhat limited this weekend, but there nevertheless are a few things to highlight.

Tonight, saxophonist Bhob Rainey returns to St. Louis to headline a night of improvised music at the Lemp Neighborhood Arts Center. Also tonight, the annual Noel-a-thon, a charity fundraiser which features short sets from a variety of St. Louis blues, rock, folk and jazz musicians, takes place at BB's Jazz, Blues and Soups.

BB's also will have Good 4 The Soul on Sunday in the early evening, and bassist David Certain's CertainBeat WorldBop on Monday.

Beyond that, here's what else we can tell you after checking the schedules around town: Jazz at the Bistro, Robbie's House of Jazz, and The Gramophone are all closed this weekend, as are most concert venues such as the Sheldon, the Kranzberg Arts Center, the TouPAC, and all the halls associated with local colleges and universities. Other restaurants and bars in the area that feature live music may be open for limited hours, but given that the websites of many smaller spots are updated only sporadically, the only way to know for sure is to call ahead.

Here at StLJN, posting likely will be light over the weekend, though the Saturday Video Showcase is pre-scheduled and so will appear at the usual time.

Next week, we'll have lots of year-end material, including a look at the musical options around town for New Year's Eve; a recap of 2010's most significant local jazz-related stories; our annual roundup of lists of the best jazz of the past year, and, as the saying goes, much more.

Until then, here's hoping that you and yours have a happy and peaceful holiday weekend!

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.)

Bhob Rainey to play Thursday, December 23 at Lemp Neighborhood Arts Center

This just in: Saxophonist Bhob Rainey (pictured) will return to St. Louis for a performance at 8:30 p.m. this Thursday, December 23 at the Lemp Neighborhood Arts Center. According to Rainey's website, this will be the eighth year in a row that the Boston-based improvisor has done a pre-Christmas show at LNAC.

"Working with extended techniques, multiphonics and standing resonant frequencies, Rainey 'plays the room' more literally than any performer you will ever see," says the news release from LNAC. Billed as "a special holiday show of experimental music," the evening also will feature sets from St. Louis composer/performer Jack Callahan and epicycle, the project headed by LNAC's Mark Sarich. Admission is $5 at the door.

Jazz this week: BAG II's farewell, Good 4 The Soul, Bhob Rainey, Randy Holmes, and more

Looking to hear some jazz or creative music amid the holiday hustle and bustle? Here's what's going on in St. Louis over the next few days:

Tonight, free-improvising saxophonist Bhob Rainey (pictured) will perform a solo concert at Lemp Neighborhood Arts Center. You can see a couple of short video samples of Rainey's playing here. (The Tuesday night jazz series at The Gramophone is on pause this week as the club hosts a private party.)

On Friday and Saturday, the band Good 4 The Soul brings their fusion of jazz, r&b, funk, soul and gospel influences to Jazz at the Bistro. Also on Friday, singer Kim Massie will be at Brandt's, and saxophonist Dave Stone and his trio play at Mangia Italiano.

On Saturday, trumpeter Randy Holmes and his trio offer a tribute to trumpeter and singer Chet Baker to wrap up the free "Birth of the Cool" concert series at the Kemper Museum on the Washington University campus, and saxophonist Willie Akins will, as far as we know, be doing his usual Saturday thing at Spruill's.

Sunday brings another free concert, as BAG II gives its farewell presentation at the Scott Joplin House State Historic Site featuring music from Zimbabwe Nkenya; poetry from Shirley LeFlore, Michael Castro and others; and more. It's a shame the new incarnation of BAG is coming to an end; here's hoping that Nkenya and the others who have been involved in the organization will stay active on the local scene.

Looking beyond the weekend, singer Erin Bode and her band will appear at the restaurant Revival, 3800 Chouteau, on Tuesday night. That same evening, The Gramophone is hosting what's being billed as the "Jazz St. Louis open jam"; for the latest info, go directly to their Web site.

As for New Year's Eve activities, an initial survey of the available options here in the Gateway City suggests a meager number of choices that are of specific interest to jazz fans. As has been the case for the last several years, Jazz at the Bistro will be dark on NYE as the First Night event takes over the Grand Center neighborhood.

This year's First Night lineup (.pdf file) does have some performers of interest, including Kim Massie, the Nuclear Percussion Ensemble, Farshid Etniko, Jeanne Trevor, El Caribe Tropical, and the Urban Groove Project. However, as anyone who's been knows, the First Night experience is qualitatively quite different from going to a club, concert or hotel, and thus may not be your particular cup o' tea.

Local concert stages are, for the most part, dark as well on New Year's Eve, though The Sheldon once again will be a venue for First Night. Looking at some of the clubs around town that regularly feature jazz, it seems that Brandt's, which last NYE featured a triple bill of Trevor, "Peanuts" Whalum and Mae Wheeler, is going with rock/Latin/pop singer Javier Mendoza this year, while The Gramophone will feature funk band Hazard To Your Booty. There's still some research to do with regard to jazz-related NYE options at local hotels and restaurants, though, and so look for updated info on that in a future post.

In the meantime, you can find more jazz-related events in St. Louis this weekend and beyond by visiting the St. Louis Jazz Notes Calendar.

(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.)

StLJN Saturday Video Showcase: Spotlight on Bhob Rainey

As fate would have it, news of saxophonist Bhob Rainey's performance next Tuesday, December 23 at the Lemp Neighborhood Arts Center reached StLJN HQ just as yr. humble editor was attempting to decide on a subject for this week's video post. So, in keeping with the spirit of improvisation, here are a couple of video clips that give a taste of Rainey's approach to spontaneous music.

Based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Rainey studied at the New England Conservatory of Music with free jazz saxophonist Joe Maneri and released his first CD, Ink, in 1997. Since then, Rainey has been involved in a wide variety of improvised music projects, including the ensemble Nmperign, which is a duo-plus-occasional-guests effort with trumpeter Greg Kelley, and the BSC, a large ensemble that uses both acoustic instruments and electronics.

Both of today's clips are from the No Idea Festival, a festival of improvised and experimental music held in February 2008 in Austin, TX. The first video features Nmperign, which here consists of Rainey and Kelley plus Sean Meehan on snare drum. The second clip is an excerpt from Rainey's solo set at the festival. His solo concert Tuesday at LNAC starts at 8:00 p.m., and admission is $5.

LNAC to present concerts by Bhob Rainey, Tatsuya Nakatani

Via an email from Brett Underwood (who's recently added "blogger" to his multi-hyphenate resume), word comes that the Lemp Neighborhood Arts Center has added two concerts of improvised music to its schedule.

Saxophonist Bhob Rainey, who's made Christmas week stops at LNAC the last couple of years, will be back in St. Louis next Tuesday, December 23 to perform a solo concert at the venue.

Then on Saturday, January 17, percussionist Tatsuya Nakatani will visit the LNAC to conduct a daytime workshop dealing with improvisation and extended percussion techniques, followed that evening by a concert that will feature collaboration with local performers.

Show time for both events is 8:00 p.m., and each has a $5 admission charge.