So What: Local News, Notes & Links

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

* Pianist Kenny Barron (pictured), who's performing next week with vibraphonist Stefon Harris at Jazz at the Bistro, is the subject of a preview story by Calvin Wilson of the Post-Dispatch.

* Reviews of the recently released Miles Davis box set All of You: The Last Tour 1960 are in from the Free Jazz Blog and Jazz Times' Jeff Tamarkin.

* Pianist Peter Martin's special guest at his next performance at the Sheldon Concert Hall on Friday, February 27 will be keyboardist Federico González Peña, who's played with Marcus Miller, Gregoire Maret, Sting, and other well-known musicians. Also new this week, Martin's piano lessons on video, available previously via his website, now have been collected into a "curated course" on the website MusicGurus.

* The local musician-owned bass maker CertainBass has launched a Kickstarter to fund a new original electric bass design called the Svelte Bass. The campaign is intended to raise money to pay for CNC programming, raw materials and components, and other costs for a first production run of 20 basses. Details on the Svelte Bass, the Kickstarter campaign, and the various incentives offered to contributors are here.

* The Hartenberger World Music Collection of musical instruments recently donated to The Sheldon was the subject of a feature story last week on the newscasts of KPLR and local Fox affiliate KTVI.

* St. Louis Volunteer Lawyers and Accountants for the Arts' "Every Artist Insured" awareness campaign continues with free presentations next Monday on "Navigating Health Care Reform" and on how the Affordable Care Act can affect your taxes, plus four free one-on-one enrollment sessions in early February. For more information or to sign up, visit VLAA's website.

* Jazz St. Louis is looking to hire an accountant. You can see a job description and information on how to apply here.

* Music Record Shop in the Grove is seeking local bands and musicians interested in performing in-store.  To find out more, email them at musicrecordshop at gmail dot com.

* Jazz radio update: This Saturday on Radio Arts Foundation - St. Louis, Calvin Wilson's “Somethin’ Else” program will feature the music of trumpeter Dave Douglas. Wilson can be heard at 8:00 p.m. Saturdays on 107.3 FM, 96.3 HD-2, and online at http://www.rafstl.org/listen.

Engine Room revs up first month's schedule

The Engine Room at Feraro's, the new live music venue at 7700 Ivory St. on the south side, has announced its first full month's schedule, as assembled by musician and instrument-builder David Certain, who's serving as the club's "minister of music."

Things get underway this Tuesday when the club presents the first in a series of weekly jam sessions, hosted by a trio including Darrell Mixon on bass, Jack Lane on guitar, and Certain on drums. Wednesdays will be Reggae Night, featuring Oba Simba's Onix Reggae band.

Thursdays through Saturdays, the Engine Room will present a mix of jazz, funk, R&B and rock, with the first week's bookings including saxophonist "Blind" Willie Dineen on Thursday, January 9; guitarist Tom Byrne (pictured) and his trio on Friday, January 10; and singer Brian G. Soul and band on Saturday, January 11.

The rest of the month's schedule will include saxophonist Lew Winer III, leading a trio (January 16); Kaleb Kirby's Animal Children (January 17); CertainBeat WorldBop (January 18); a return gig for Dineen (January 23); pianist/singer Jesse Gannon and Truth (January 24); GeoBilly with Billy Barnett & George Potsos (January 25); trumpeter Ben Henderson's trio (January 30); and the Kevin Renick Band (January 31), with UberCool kicking off next month on Saturday, February 1.

Tuesday hours for live music will be 8:00 p.m. to midnight, with no cover charge. Reggae Night performances on Wednesdays will be 9:00 p.m. to midnight, with a $5 cover, while weekend shows will run from 8:00 p.m. to midnight with the same $5 cover. And if you're interested in following along on social media to keep up with future bookings, The Engine Room has both a Facebook page and Twitter account.

(Edited after posting to fix a typo and to correctly identify Brian G. Soul.) 

The Brothers Peterson to perform Friday, December 27 at the Engine Room

This just in: Bassist Mark Peterson and guitarist Anthony Michael "Tru" Peterson, brothers and St. Louis natives, will be back in their hometown for a performance at 8:00 p.m. next Friday, December 27.  The gig will be at the Engine Room, a brand new music space at 7700 Ivory on the South Side that's next to Feraro's Pizza and run by the same owners.

Both of the Brothers Peterson, as they're being billed, have some impressive credits. Mark (pictured) has toured with singer Cassandra Wilson and numerous others, and now is working with Living Colour guitarist Vernon Reid producing soundtracks for TV and film. "Tru" is a both a graduate and former faculty member of Berklee College of Music who's worked with the Black Rock Coalition, Oliver Lake, Ronald Shannon Jackson, and more.

They'll be joined by two St. Louis musicians, keyboardist Mike Carosello and David Certain, who's best known as a bassist but will be on drums for this gig. Certain also will be working with the Engine Room's proprietors to book more live music there in the future; stay tuned to StLJN for more details on that.

Admission to the Brothers Peterson at the Engine Room will be $10 at the door.

So What: Local News, Notes & Links

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

* While in St. Louis last week to play at Jazz at the Bistro, guitarist John Scofield was interviewed by KSDK's Art Holliday on the NBC affiliate's 4:00 p.m. newscast.

* Jazz St. Louis has posted photo albums with shots of pianist Ahmad Jamal in performance last Sunday at the TouPAC, and of the reception following the concert by Jamal and singer Dianne Reeves.

* Retro-swing string band Wack-A-Doo (pictured) was spotlighted this week in the Post-Dispatch's "Listen" music video feature, performing "By The Sea" at the Fox Theatre.

* Bassist and luthier David Certain sends word that bassist and St. Louis native Mark Peterson will be playing a CertainBass Model One on an upcoming recording with pianist Bob James. You can see Peterson and his instrument with singer Ben E. King's band here.

* In more celebrity recording news, keyboardist Michael Silverman of the Classical Jazz Quartet says that famed fusion guitarist Scott Henderson has agreed to record on CJQ's next album project, The Rebirth of Fusion. Henderson, known for his work with Tribal Tech and Chick Corea's Elektrik Band, will lay down his tracks in January.

* St. Louis Kids magazine is giving away four tickets to the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra's November 27 performance of the "The Nutcracker Meets Jazz," featuring music by George Gershwin, Leonard Bernstein and Duke Ellington. The performance is presented in partnership with Jazz St. Louis, and specifically designed to introduce children to the symphony. To enter the drawing for the free tickets, go here.

* NPR's Kevin Whitehead last week reviewed the new, limited-edition CD reissue of saxophonist Julius Hemphill's landmark debut album Dogon A.D., with the NY Times Ben Ratliff weighing in on the disc here. The reissue is limited to 1,500 copies, and was done by the small International Phonograph label, which earned plaudits for its earlier re-issue of another long-out-of-print session, trumpeter Bill Dixon's Intents and Purposes. The reissue already is out of stock or back-ordered at some online retailers, but if you like, you still can download and hear a free .mp3 rip of the original recording via this StLJN Audio Archive post from back in August.

Jazz this week: Eric Slaughter Trio with Jason Swagler, Ally Hany and Addison Frei, and more

The live jazz offerings are a bit sparse around town this long Independence Day weekend in St. Louis, but there still are a few shows worthy of your attention coming up over the next few days.

On Friday and Saturday, guitarist Eric Slaughter will bring his trio (pictured) plus saxophonist Jason Swagler to Jazz at the Bistro. Although Swagler is billed as special guest, he and Slaughter actually have played together fairly often, including co-hosting a jam session the first Sunday of every month at Bossanova restaurant and bar in Alton, and so already have some shared repertoire to draw on.

Update - July 1, 4:00 p.m.: Jason Swagler has had to undergo an emergency appendectomy, and thus will be unable to perform this weekend at the Bistro. Slaughter's aunt, the well-known blues and soul singer Marsha Evans, will perform with the band instead. In the meantime, here's hoping for a quick and complete recovery for Swagler.

Also on Friday, Robbie's House of Jazz will feature a duo gig by two young musicians, trumpeter and Webster Groves native Alexandra "Ally" Hany and Addison Frei, a young pianist originally from Kansas, who have just completed their freshman year in the well-known jazz studies program at the University of North Texas. Hany also is a former member of the Jazz St. Louis All-Stars student ensemble.

That same evening, pianist Tim Garcia will lead a trio with drummer Dave Sweet and bassist Jim Cady at the Cigar Inn in Belleville; guitarist Vince Varvel's trio will perform at Broadway Bean Coffee; and the Funky Butt Brass Band will play The Gramophone, opening for Austin, TX roots-rock band Uncle Lucius.

The FBBB will be back in action Saturday afternoon with a matinee performance at the Blues City Deli, and on Sunday, Slaughter and Swagler will lead the monthly jazz jam at Bossanova in Alton.

If you're up for some live music after the fireworks downtown on Monday evening, bassist David Certain and his band CertainBeat WorldBop will be playing at BB's Jazz Blues and Soups.

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 6/30/11 to add the Vince Varvel gig.)

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.)

Jazz this week: Jeremy Davenport, a tribute to Dinah Washington, and more

Many of St. Louis' larger jazz presenters routinely avoid scheduling shows on holidays like Christmas, New year's and Independence Day, and since Labor Day is another weekend that falls into the same category, jazz activity in town will be relatively sparse over the next several days. Jazz at the Bistro and Robbie's House of Jazz are both closed for the holiday weekend, and other fall concert series won't get underway until later in the month.

As a result, the best-known jazz performer to play here in the next few days won't even get to St. Louis until after Labor Day. That would be trumpeter, singer and U. City native Jeremy Davenport (pictured) who's returning home from New Orleans to headline a free Twilight Tuesdays show next Tuesday outside the Missouri History Museum in Forest Park. Davenport remains a local favorite and, barring bad weather, should draw a good crowd, so get there early for the best seats.

However, while touring activity may be at a minimum, our town's local musicians are, as usual, working hard this Labor Day weekend. Tonight, singer Erin Bode plays the Tenderloin Room in the Chase Park Plaza hotel, and trumpeter Keith Moyer and his quartet perform an early-evening session at the downtown nightspot Lola.

On Friday, saxophonist Dave Stone will do his weekly gig at Mangia Italiano, and on Saturday afternoon, the Nu-Art Series presents Nikki Washington singing the music of Dinah Washington at the Metropolitan Gallery downtown helping to kick off the gallery's month-long exhibit of paintings by Cbabi Bayoc.

Also on Saturday afternoon, vibist and trumpeter Joe Bozzi leads his band Night Flight in a matinee at the Sands, while saxophonist Willie Akins plays his weekly show at Spruill's.

On Sunday, pianist Bob Row's group with clarinetist Scott Alberici does a matinee at the the Sands, and that evening, guitarist Teddy Presberg plays at Riddle's. And on Monday, bassist David Certain and his group CertainBeat WorldBop will take the stage at BB's Jazz, Blues and Soups.

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.)

Marvin Horne, Greg Bandy & David Certain to perform Sunday, March 14 at BB's Jazz, Blues and Soups

Bassist David Certain sends word that he's put together a show with guitarist and St. Louis native Marvin Horne (pictured) and drummer Greg Bandy for Sunday, March 14 at BB's Jazz, Blues and Soups.

Born in St. Louis in 1953, Horne has worked with Chico Hamilton, Freddie Hubbard, Stanley Turrentine, The Dells, Nancy Wilson, Billy Eckstine, James Spaulding, Jack McDuff and many others. He can be heard on recordings with Pucho and His Latin Soul Brothers and on Luther Thomas and the Human Arts Ensemble's cult favorite Funky Donkey.

Known to NYC fans and musicians as "The Mayor of Harlem," Bandy first gained wide attention at age 20 performing with Charles Mingus. He has played with prominent jazz artists such as Gary Bartz, Joe Henderson, Betty Carter, Pharoah Sanders, Freddie Hubbard, Olu Dara, Curtis Fuller, Jack McDuff, Leon Thomas, Lee Morgan, Freddie Hubbard, Stanley Turrentine, George Benson, Yusef Lateef, and many others. Bandy has recorded with many artists as a sideman, and his own 1997 CD Lightning in a Bottle earned two Grammy nominations. He also is a busy teacher and clinician, and leads an ensemble called Bandy Does Blakey paying tribute to the late Art Blakey with former members of Blakey's Jazz Messengers.

Certain moved to St. Louis from the San Francisco Bay area in 2006. He performs with singer/guitarist Billy Barnett, serves as bassist and musical director for The Oliver Sain Revue tribute band, and works with many other St. Louis jazz and blues performers. He has played with a number of well-known national artists, including saxophonists Gary Bartz, Willie Smith and Vincent Herring, free jazz pianist Bobby Few, organist Jimmy McGriff, singer "Little" Jimmy Scott, trumpeter Eddie Henderson, percussionist Babatunde Lea, and singer Paula West. Certain also makes makes custom instruments for bassists around the world through his company CertainBass.

Certain says set times will be 8:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m., with a third set possible if there's still a crowd. Tickets for Marvin Horne with Greg Bandy, David Certain and CertainBeat WorldBop at BB’s Jazz, Blues and Soups will be $15, and available in advance at BB's and at the door the evening of the show.

(Full disclosure: Yr. humble StLJN editor has worked with David Certain in the aforementioned Oliver Sain Revue and on various other gigs.)

(Edited twice after posting, to add set times and disclosure information. Edited again to clarify advance ticket info.)