So What: Local News, Notes & Links

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

* Update - 8/24/12, 12:30 p.m: The HEC-TV program I Love Jazz is looking for audience members for the recording of a performance by Bach to the Future next Tuesday afternoon, August 28 at Focal Point, 2720 Sutton Ave. in Maplewood. Doors open at 4:00 p.m., the show starts at 4:30 and should wrap up by 6:00 p.m. There's no charge to attend, but if interested, you do need to make a reservation by emailing producer Madeline Dames at maddie @ damesandassociates.com.

* The St. Louis Beacon this week published a two-part article by Southern Illinois University Carbondale journalism teacher Paul Povse looking at how the legacy of Miles Davis currently is being treated in Alton, where the trumpeter was born, and in East St. Louis, where he grew up.

* Online voting is open for the the Riverfront Times' annual "Best of St. Louis" poll. You can cast your vote for your favorite local bands & musicians, restaurants, attractions, and much more here.

* And speaking of the RFT, this also is the week for the paper's Fall Arts Guide, which includes previews of some upcoming jazz and classical music concerts by writers Ryan Wasoba and Nicole Beckert.

* Jazz St. Louis will present a preview party offering "a behind-the-scenes look at its 2012-13 Jazz at the Bistro Season," at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, September 6 at the Bistro. Executive director Gene Dobbs Bradford and artistic director Bob Bennett will give a multi-media presentation on the season line-up and how JSL puts together their schedule. The event is free and open to the public, with complimentary hors d’oeuvres, water and tea provided and a cash bar available. If you've like to attend, RSVP by Tuesday, September 4 to JSL's Devin Rodino by calling 314-289-4030 or sending an email to devin@jazzstl.org.

* Sarah Lebeau & Friends and Miss Jubilee are the winners of the second round in the "Webster's Got Talent" contest to select an opening act for the Allen Avenue Stage at the Old Webster Jazz and Blues Festival on Saturday, September 15. They'll compete against Sarah Jane & The Blue Notes and Ron Wilkerson and Friends in the contest's finale at 7:00 p.m. next Thursday, August 30 at Robbie's House of Jazz.

* Ornette In America, the rare 1985 documentary about saxophonist and composer Ornette Coleman (pictured) by filmmaker Shirley Clarke, will be screened by the Webster University Film Series at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, October 26; Saturday, October 27; and Sunday, October 28. Tickets are $6 for general admission, $5 for seniors, Webster alumni and students from other schools, $4 for Webster University staff and faculty, and free for Webster students with ID.

(Edited after posting.)

Stanley Clarke, Hiromi postpone Wednesday night shows at Jazz at the Bistro

This just in, from Jazz St. Louis director of operations and artistic administration Bob Bennett:

"Due to flights being canceled coming into Lambert Airport on Wednesday, February 2, 2011, Stanley Clarke and Hiromi will not be able to begin their engagement at Jazz at the Bistro until Thursday, February 3, 2011.

We are working on rescheduling Wednesday's performances for a later date and will announce the new date as soon as possible.

Tickets for Wednesday night's shows may be returned to the point of purchase for a refund, or can be used for the new date once announced. All other dates of the engagement will proceed as scheduled."

So What: Local News, Notes & Links

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

* Jazz St. Louis's Bob Bennett this week updated his previously published list of favorite holiday jazz albums.

* Meanwhile, several of the local high school student musicians involved in JSL' educational programs have made their respective all-state jazz bands in Missouri and Illinois

* The South County Times' Don Corrigan wrote about the "John Lennon Remembered" concert put on earlier this month by jazz faculty and students at Webster University.

* The Riverfront Times' Annie Zaleski blogs about how new legislation authorizing the creation of hundreds of low power radio stations across the country may affect St. Louis, in particular Washington University's campus station KWUR (90.3 FM).

* Lastly, for all you vinyl aficionados, old and new, out there in the St. Louis area, Euclid Records now is selling turntables from Crosley and Ion in their Webster Groves shop.

So What: Local News, Notes & Links

Here's the latest wrap-up of links and short local news items of interest that you may have missed:

* The Post-Dispatch's Sarah Bryan Miller reports that the new work composed by Wayne Shorter for soprano Renée Fleming and conductor David Robertson, which gets its world premiere Saturday night at the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra's gala concert, now has a name: "Aurora." Miller also talked with Fleming about working with Shorter and the SLSO, while the St. Louis American's Chris King scored an interview with the often-elusive saxophonist to discuss the project.

* Meanwhile, the P-D's Suburban Journal subsidiaries had a couple of items of interest this week: a feature on the St. Louis Banjo Club, written by Chris Campbell for the South County edition; and an unbylined Q&A with trumpeter and educator Prince Wells in the Madison County paper.

* Jazz St. Louis has photos from last week's shows by Kenny Barron and Mulgrew Miller on their Facebook page. (You don't have to have a Facebook account to view them.) JSL also has begun a series of blog posts back on their main site in which various staff members describe their 15 favorite jazz albums. Director of operations Bob Bennett was first up last week.

* Lisette Dennis of the Regional Arts Commission sends word of a French-American jazz exchange offering grants of up to $10,000 for small jazz ensembles and/or individual musicians from France and the United States or their territories engaged in collaborative projects and/or exploring new music. The application deadline is October 22; for more details, go here.

* Last but not least, a belated "Happy Birthday" to one of St. Louis' foremost jazz advocates, broadcaster Don Wolff (pictured), who celebrated his 75th natal day last week. Although yr. humble editor's knowledge of Yiddish is gleaned entirely from old Lenny Bruce records and a few other Jewish comedians, I believe it would be accurate to describe Mr. Wolff as a mensch, as well as a longtime and vocal supporter of jazz in general and St. Louis jazz in particular. Here's hoping he'll continue to do his thing for many years to come.

(Edited 10/4/10 to correct Lisette Dennis' last name.)

Jazz St. Louis seeks Guest Relations Assistant

Looking for a part-time job that will give you the chance to be around live jazz? Jazz St. Louis' Devin Rodino tells StLJN that there's an opening for a part-time Guest Relations Assistant for Jazz at the Bistro. The job involves greeting and seating guests, selling tickets, and related duties. Interested applicants should email a cover letter and resume to operations director Bob Bennett at bob@jazzstl.org.

Lou Donaldson interviewed in new Jazz St. Louis podcast

Jazz St. Louis has put online another installment in their ongoing series of podcast interviews. The latest podcast features a conversation between JSL's Bob Bennett and alto saxophonist Lou Donaldson (pictured) , who will be in St. Louis from Wednesday, February 3 through Saturday, February 6 to perform at Jazz at the Bistro.

You can download the Lou Donaldson interview in .mp3 format or listen to an audio stream of it here.

David King featured in latest Jazz St. Louis podcast interview

The latest installment of Jazz St. Louis' ongoing series of podcasts is now online, featuring an interview between David King (pictured), drummer of The Bad Plus, and JSL's Bob Bennett.

The Bad Plus will be in St. Louis to perform Wednesday, January 6 through Saturday, January 9 at Jazz at the Bistro. You can listen to a streaming version of the David King interview or download a copy in .MP3 format here.

(Edited after posting to fix a broken link.)

New Jazz St. Louis podcast features interview with Christian McBride

Jazz St. Louis has just posted a new installment in their ongoing series of podcasts. This latest edition features a conversation between bassist Christian McBride and Jazz St. Louis' Bob Bennett.

McBride is bringing his new band Inside Straight (with St. Louisan Peter Martin on piano) to town from Wednesday, November 18 through Saturday, November 21 to perform at Jazz at the Bistro. You can listen to a stream of the podcast or download a copy here.

Jazz St. Louis seeks part-time employee, volunteer ushers for Jazz at the Bistro

Via this week's email newsletter, there's word that Jazz St. Louis is hiring a part-time Guest Relations Assistant for Jazz at the Bistro. The job will require 5 to 10 hours per week on evenings when there are performances at the Bistro. Interested applicants should email a cover letter and resume to operations director Bob Bennett at bob@jazzstl.org.

JSL also is looking for volunteer ushers to work at the Bistro. These volunteers help seat guests before and during shows, a task that takes about three and a half hours of per night. If you're interested in volunteering or would like more information, call Devin Rodino at 314-289-4144 or send an email to devin@jazzstl.org.

(Edited after posting to add links.)

Jazz St. Louis podcast interview with Terence Blanchard now online

Jazz St. Louis has put online a new podcast featuring an interview with trumpeter and composer Terence Blanchard, who will be in St. Louis to perform Wednesday, June 3 through Saturday, June 6 at Jazz at the Bistro. The interview with Blanchard was done by JSL director of operations Bob Bennett, and is about 10 minutes long. You can download the MP3 of the interview here, or access an online stream from the podcasts page on JSL's Web site.

Bob Bennett leaving WSIE

In addition to his duties as director of operations for Jazz St. Louis, Bob Bennett has been doing jazz radio on WSIE (88.7 FM) in Edwardsville for a number of years, both on his own and partnered with the late Leo Chears. However, today Bennett sent out an email announcing that he's relinqueshing his spot at the station effective immediately. "With my schedule as hectic as it is with the Bistro, the physical toll to keep both jobs is no longer something I can deal with," he wrote.

No word yet on who or what will occupy Bennett's Sunday late-afternoon and evening time slot, or who will take over his off-air duties, but as soon as there's an announcement, we'll have the info for you here. In the meantime, here's hoping that the new programming in question will be local and live, and not more of the syndicated fare that already occupies a good sized chunk of the station's airtime.

Bistro's Bennett and "The Boss"

By way of continuing our irregular series about the non-jazz activities of well known local jazz personalities: Many regular patrons of Jazz at the Bistro know that Bob Bennett, director of operations for Jazz St. Louis, is also a saxophonist, if for no other reason than that for the last few years, Bennett's combo Swing 'n Soul has provided the music for the Bistro's annual open house celebration.

However, Bennett's got another part-time gig, too - performing with the St. Louis area's only Bruce Springsteen tribute/cover band, Asbury Park. The six-member ensemble has a show this Friday, April 6 at the 10 Mile House, 9420 Gravois in Affton. The music starts at 9:30 p.m. and the cover is $5. I haven't yet caught Asbury Park myself, but judging from their songlist, fans of "The Boss" may very well dig 'em; check their Website for a couple of audio samples.