So What: Local News, Notes & Links

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

* St. Louis-based luthier Chris Kroenlein and his K-Line Guitars were the subjects of a feature story in Guitar magazine.

* As part of the recent series of shows by Pink Floyd tribute act El Monstero, The Pageant, St. Louis-based sound and lighting contractor Logic Systems, and other vendors tested out new procedures and techniques for putting on shows with reduced COVID risk, and writer Kevin Mitchell reported on their efforts for the trade magazine Production Lighting and Sound News.

* Electronic musician and DIY promoter Josh Levi was the featured guest on the first episode of the new podcast "Dynanics Of."

* Saxophonist Greg Osby (pictured) in October did a live-streamed performance with pianist John Chin and bassist Lonnie Plaxico for the online Woodwind Fest 2020, which now has been archived on YouTube.

* Ending a year that already has seen more than the usual share of death and tragedy, St. Louis lost two more veterans of the local music scene in the latter half of December.

On Tuesday, December 15, cellist Tracy Andreotti died at age 55. She was the principal cellist for Union Avenue Opera and a founding member of the Vernacular String Trio, the Perihelion Trio, and the Trinity Piano Trio. Andreotti also performed with the St. Louis Philharmonic, the New City Chamber Orchestra, the Gateway Festival Orchestra, and various string quartets and chamber music groups, including a seven-year stint with the contemporary music ensemble Synchronia. In addition to playing notated music, she also was an improvisor, frequently performing in various events presented by New Music Circle and the Nu-Art Series, and collaborating with visual artists, dancers, poets, and many other musicians. No cause of death was disclosed; arrangements were handled privately by Hutchens Funeral Homes.

Then on Friday, December 25, pianist Charles Creath died at age 68 after what his St. Louis Post-Dispatch obituary called "a short illness." The grandson of famed 1920s and 30s multi-instrumentalist Charlie Creath, Creath played all sorts of music in his long career, but was best known for his work as musical director for the St. Louis Black Rep and as pianist and artistic director of touring group The Gospel People. Creath's passing also was noted by an obituary in the St. Louis American. Funeral arrangements are pending at this time.

So What: Local News, Notes & Links

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

* A new documentary film about Miles Davis is in production and scheduled for release early next year.

The film, which has the working title Miles Davis: Birth Of The Cool, is a joint venture of Eagle Rock Entertainment and PBS' American Masters and will be produced and directed by Stanley Nelson, who helmed the Emmy Award-winning documentary Freedom Riders.

The producers' plan is for the film to be submitted to film festivals and get a theatrical release before it is broadcast on PBS and BBC2. Nelson is working with the Davis estate to get access to rare photos and never-before-seen footage, including outtakes from the trumpeter's recording sessions. He also has interviewed musicians and music industry figures who knew and/or worked with Davis (pictured), including Quincy Jones, Carlos Santana, Clive Davis, Wayne Shorter and Ron Carter.

* On a related note, Davis finished fifth in a poll by the Springfield, IL State Journal-Register asking readers to name their favorite musicians and bands born in Illinois.

* The STL Sanders Band, a politically conscious brass band organized by Cody Henry of the Funky Butt Brass Band, was the subject of a short feature written by Thomas Crone for the Riverfront Times.

* Singer Chuck Flowers and pianist Charles Creath performed Thursday on KTVI-Fox 2's morning newscast.

* Ichida, the new album from bassist Darin Gray and multi-instrumentalist Eiko Ishibashi, has been released.

Black Rep to open Louis Jordan musical on Wednesday, March 24

Having just closed its production of Yesterdays: An Evening With Billie Holiday with singer Vanessa Rubin, the Black Rep has another musical coming up that also may appeal to St. Louis jazz fans. The company's staging of Five Guys Named Moe, which is based on the music of saxophonist and singer Louis Jordan, opens next Wednesday, March 24 and continues through Sunday, April 25 at the Grandel Theatre.

Combining elements drawn from big band swing and rhythm & blues with a hefty dose of humor, Jordan (pictured) was hugely popular in the 1940s with songs like "Let The Good Times Roll," "Caledonia," "Ain't Nobody Here But Us Chickens," "Choo-Choo Ch' Boogie," and many others.

Five Guys Named Moe takes its name from another of Jordan's hits, and originated in London in 1990 before premiering on Broadway in 1992. The show features two dozen of Jordan's songs, knitted together by a storyline devised by actor and writer Clarke Peters (who played the thoughtful detective Lester Freamon on the HBO TV series The Wire). The Black Rep production stars Drummond Crenshaw, Sean Walton, Gary Vincent, Herman Gordon, Horace E. Smith and Anthony Tarvin, Jr. Black Rep founder and producing director Ron Himes is directing the show, with pianist Charles Creath serving as musical director.

Tickets are priced from $17 to $43, and can be purchased online here. Performances times are 7:00 p.m. Thursdays; 8:00 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; and 3:00 p.m. for Saturday and Sunday matinees. There also will be student matinee performances at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, March 31 and Wednesday, April 14. For more information, call the Black Rep at 314-534-3810 or visit their website.