Jazz St. Louis sets 25th anniversary celebration for Friday, October 2

Jazz St. Louis will celebrate their 25th anniversary with a free online event on Friday, October 2.

From its origins as the "Just Jazz" concert series presented by the late Barbara Rose at the Majestic Hotel downtown, Jazz St. Louis has grown into a top presenter of touring and local jazz performers with its own venue in the Grand Center district, renovated in 2014 and now officially known as the Ferring Jazz Bistro.

In addition to presenting live performances, the organization also offers various educational programs for local students from ranging from pre-school to high school age.

The 25th anniversary celebration will begin at 6:30 p.m. with a "pre-event concert" featuring students in the organization's JazzU program.

Then starting at 7:00 p.m., Jazz St. Louis CEO Gene Dobbs Bradford and pianist Peter Martin will serve as hosts for the main event, which will include performances by violinist Regina Carter (pictured), The Bad Plus, singer and pianist Ann Hampton Callaway, and more.

To wrap up the evening, singer Denise Thimes will perform an "after-party" set at 8:00 p.m.

Jazz St. Louis' 25th anniversary celebration will be available for viewing for free via their Facebook page. You can find out more details about the celebration here, and RSVP to receive a reminder email about the event here.

So What: Local News, Notes & Links

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

* The Jazz Journalists Association has named Gene Dobbs Bradford of Jazz St. Louis (pictured) as one of 27 local "Jazz Heroes" for 2020. The awards are given annually to "activists, advocates, altruists, aiders and abettors of jazz" in different cities across the USA.

* Keyboardist Mo Egeston was the featured guest on last Friday's episode of "St. Louis In The Know" with Ray Hartmann on KTRS.

* St. Louis Public Radio reporter Chad Davis has the scoop on the Red and Black Brass Band, the impromptu ensemble who have been playing music during the shutdown while walking the streets of the Tower Grove neighborhood in south St. Louis. The band members also were interviewed by KMOX's Debbie Monterrey.  

* Also on St. Louis Public Radio, Christian Frommelt, dance teacher and co-organizer of the Nevermore Jazz Ball, was the subject of a feature story about how local swing dancers are still pursuing their hobby during the COVID-19 shutdown.

* As many cultural organizations dig into their vaults for video and audio material to share during the shutdown, the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis has posted to YouTube a full concert performance "The Music of Miles Davis," recorded in November 2018 at the Rose Theater inside Lincoln Center in NYC.

* Also on the Miles Davis beat, LiveForLiveMusic.com has an article looking back at the night 50 years ago when Davis shared a bill with the Grateful Dead at the Fillmore West in San Francisco.

So What: Local News, Notes & Links

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

* A public memorial gathering for the late pianist Nathan Jatcko will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. tomorrow (Saturday, January 27) at Birger Hall on the campus of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.

* The decaying building that once housed Club Imperial (pictured), home to historic performances by Chuck Berry, Ike and Tina Turner, and other important St. Louis musicians, is in the news after being purchased at a tax sale by a new owner seeking to facilitate redevelopment of the site.

Those plans were put on hold this week as the St. Louis Preservation Board upheld a decision to deny a demolition permit for the building - for now, anyway. Stay tuned for further news...

* UDiscoverMusic.com's just-published list of "The 50 Best Jazz Trumpeters Of All Time" has some St. Louis flavor, with Miles Davis ranked at #3 (behind Louis Armstrong and Dizzy Gillespie) and Clark Terry at #28 (just behind King Oliver and ahead of Cat Anderson). Let the clickbait-article-driven arguments begin!

* And speaking of Miles Davis, an article in the new issue of Jazz Times has more details on the forthcoming CD box set Miles Davis & John Coltrane’s The Final Tour: The Bootleg Series, Vol. 6.

* The Baylor Project, led by drummer and St. Louis native Marcus Baylor and his wife, singer Jean Baylor, performed Wednesday at the studios of WBGO in NYC, and the radio station has posted to YouTube videos of two songs from the session, "Tell Me A Bedtime Story" and "Afro Blue."

The Baylors, who are nominated for two Grammy Awards this year, also were profiled this week in the Asbury Park Press, and appeared on the CBS3 local newscast in Philadelphia. The 60th annual Grammy Awards ceremony will be broadcast starting at 6:30 p.m. Central time this Sunday, January 28 on CBS.

* "The Kennedy Dream," saxophonist, composer and St. Louis native Oliver Nelson's suite commemorating the life and words of President John F. Kennedy, will be the centerpiece of a performance next month paying tribute to Nelson on the closing night of the 48th annual Rowan Jazz Festival in New Jersey.

* The Sheldon has posted to Facebook an album of photos from last week's concert by Storm Large. Large's performance at The Sheldon also was reviewed by KDHX's Chuck Lavazzi.

* While The Bad Plus were in town last week to play at Jazz at the Bistro, Jazz St. Louis had them sit down for a video interview moderated by pianist Peter Martin.

* Gene Dobbs Bradford of Jazz St. Louis this week received a St. Louis Arts Award from the Arts and Education Council of Greater St. Louis, accompanied by a brief video about Bradford that's now posted to the A&E Council's Facebook page.

* At last fall's Festival Of New Trumpet Music in NYC, St. Louis' own Keyon Harrold was part of a panel discussion with fellow trumpeter Charles Tolliver and others, and that talk now can be heard online as an episode of Greenleaf Records' podcast "A Noise From The Deep."

* Pianist and St. Louis native Lawrence Fields appears in a new music video from the group Sound Prints, co-led by saxophonist Joe Lovano and trumpeter Dave Douglas. Fields gets a nice solo spot on "The Corner Tavern," a tune from the band's upcoming album Scandal, which will be released on Friday, April 6.

* "Jazz: A Language of Faith and Model for Ministry," a two-day conference exploring "the many possibilities of jazz as a contemporary faith language and creative vehicle for the Church’s ministry," will take place on Friday, March 2 and Saturday, March 3 at Eden Theological Seminary in Webster Groves.

The event will include presentations, talks, workshops, and a jazz concert featuring the Oikos Ensemble, led by Rev. Cliff Aerie and featuring guest saxophonist Rev. Ozzie Smith, pastor of Covenant UCC in South Holland, IL.

* The woodwind retailer, repair shop, and museum Saxquest is featured in an article in Webster University's campus paper, the Webster Journal.

* Also at Webster U. the student chapter of the Audio Engineering Society will be sponsoring the Central Region Audio Student Summit February 23-25 on the Webster campus. The event is open to students, teachers and "anyone interested in the subject of audio," and will include educational panels, a student mix competition, and more.

* Saxophonist "Raven Wolf" aka C. Felton Jennings II is the subject of a column this week by the West End Word's Dwight Bitikofer.

* Metro Theater Company's upcoming production of Bud, Not Buddy, a "concert play" for children that includes a musical score by trumpeter Terence Blanchard, is previewed briefly on BroadwayWorld.com.

So What: Local News, Notes & Links

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

* Singer Storm Large (pictured) was interviewed Wednesday by St. Louis Public Radio's Alex Heuer in advance of her performance next Wednesday, January 17 at the Sheldon Concert Hall.

* Singer and St. Louis native Alicia Olatuja is the subject of a short feature story in the current issue of Jazz Times.

* A new article on the website Jazz in Europe looks at the impact of Miles Davis' landmark 1970 album Bitches Brew.

* Speaking of Davis, an article in On Milwaukee magazine recounts the story of the trumpeter's 1959 "legendary show that wasn't" at a club there called the Brass Rail.

* Saxophonist David Sanborn appeared Thursday on the morning news at New York City's WABC, promoting his gigs this weekend at BB King's in NYC.

* Lea DeLaria's performance last month at Jazz at the Bistro was reviewed for CabaretScenes.org by Chuck Lavazzi.

* Keyboardist Michael Silverman of Bach to the Future and Silverman Productions was interviewed by St. Louis County Arts Blog's Valerie Tichacek.

* Gene Dobbs Bradford of Jazz St. Louis was profiled on the website of the Arts and Education Council of Greater St. Louis. Bradford will be one of seven 2018 recipients of the council's St. Louis Arts Awards, which will be presented at an event on Monday, January 22 at the Chase Park Plaza hotel.

* Guitarist Todd Mosby's performance next week in Rolla is previewed on the Three Rivers Publishing website, which compiles news from several small towns in east central Missouri.

So What: Local News, Notes & Links

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

* Jazz St. Louis' Gene Dobbs Bradford is one of the 2018 St. Louis Arts Awards winners featured in an article on the website of the Arts and Education Council of Greater St. Louis. The honorees will receive their awards at a ceremony on January 22 at the Chase Park Plaza.

* Drummer Emanuel Harrold (pictured) has a new promotional video out offering a preview of his forthcoming EP Look Forward.

* St. Louis based Entertainment Cruise Productions is offering special, limited-time two-for-one pricing on their upcoming "Blue Note at Sea" cruise. The cruise takes place January 27 - February 3,  and will feature performances from Charles Lloyd, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Marcus Miller, Robert Glasper, St. Louis' own David Sanborn, Chick Corea, Dr. Lonnie Smith and many others.

* Singer Ken Haller's Gaslight Cabaret Festival show "Happy Haller Days" was reviewed by the Ladue News' Mark Bretz and KDHX's Chuck Lavazzi.

* And speaking of KDHX, the station now has a page on VuHaus.com, "a non-profit, digital music video service that introduces emerging and established artists to new audiences. Through a website and mobile app, VuHaus aggregates performance videos and interviews from leading "Music Discovery" public radio stations from markets across the U.S."

So What: Local News, Notes & Links

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

* Trumpeter Russell Gunn (pictured) has launched a crowd-funding campaign to finance the debut recording of his Royal Krunk Jazz Orkestra, which he describes as an "ultra modern contemporary Jazz Big Band from the U.S.A." featuring vocalist Dionne Farris.

You can find out more about the project and pledge your support here.

* The latest album from Trio 3, featuring saxophonist and former St. Louisan Oliver Lake, was reviewed by the Free Jazz Blog.

* A 100th birthday tribute to Buddy Rich at Ronnie Scott's in London, featuring drummer and St. Charles native Dave Weckl driving a group of alumni of Rich's big band for half the show, was reviewed by Jazz Journal.

* Jazziz magazine has published a download-only article detailing "what they think are the five absolute essential Miles Davis albums that any jazz lover must have in their collection." (Spoiler: Their picks are Kind of Blue, Miles Ahead, 'Round About Midnight, Nefertiti, and In A Silent Way.) The download is available (in exchange for an email address) here.

* Speaking of Miles, the SFJAZZ Collective's latest album featuring their new arrangements of Davis' compositions was reviewed by AllAboutJazz.com's John Kelman.

* The website Best of American Towns has included St. Louis' Vintage Vinyl on their list of "15 of the Best Record Stores in America."

* After a hiatus of several months, pianist Peter Martin has a new blog post up at Medium.com, offering his thoughts on the ballad comping style of pianist Wynton Kelly.

* Gene Dobbs Bradford of Jazz St. Louis is one of seven winners of the Arts and Education Council's St. Louis Arts Awards for 2018. Bradford will receive his award, which is for "Excellence in the Arts," at A&E's gala event on January 22 at the Chase Park Plaza hotel.

* Keyboardist James Hegarty, cellist Tracy Andreotti, and flute player Fred Tompkins have released more new improvised music under Hegarty's "Secret Sessions" imprint, now available as a free download from Bandcamp.

So What: Local News, Notes & Links

It's been a week of various difficulties, technical and otherwise, here at StLJN HQ, but even though this post may be a bit later than usual, you'll still want to check out these short news items and assorted links from the past few days:

* According to posts this week on social media, bassist David Troncoso died on Monday, July 11 of complications from cancer. He was 70 years old.

Originally from Montebello, CA, Troncoso (pictured) was known particularly for his expertise in Latin jazz, but he played with a variety of St. Louis musicians and bands, as well as with nationally and internationally known performers including Carmen McRae, Peter Nero, Eddie Cano, Bobby Hutcherson, Clare Fischer, Nino Tempo, and more.

In addition to earning wide respect for his musical skills, Troncoso also is being remembered as a devoted dad, friend, and animal lover with a sharp sense of humor. No memorial service will be held, but according to his son Dave "Don Tron" Troncoso, plans for a musical "celebration of life" will be announced at a later date. Our condolences go out to David Troncoso's family, friends and musical associates.

* Jazz St. Louis' Gene Dobbs Bradford will lead a "Jazz History Ride" being offered to local bicycle enthusiasts tomorrow by Trailnet. The tour of "local jazz landmarks" starts at 10 a.m.; for details and last-minute registration info, go here.

* Saxophonist Oliver Lake was the subject of a brief feature story in SF Weekly previewing an upcoming gig in the Bay Area. .

* Saxophonist Eric Person and his band Meta-Four have booked a return appearance at NYC's Blue Note Jazz Club on Monday, September 19.

* Pianist Peter Martin's Open Studio Network has announced the pending release of yet another jazz education course on video, "Fundamentals of Jazz Trumpet" as taught by Sean Jones.

So What: Local News, Notes & Links

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

* The 50th anniversary of famed sound engineer and designer Bob Heil's company (based in Fairview Heights, IL) is the subject of an article by St. Louis freelance writer and musician Kevin Mitchell for the music trade website Front of House Online.

* Speaking of freelance writers, St. Louis' own Terry Perkins has two articles in the current (February 2016) issue of DownBeat magazine: a feature story on trumpeter Randy Brecker, and a short history of Murry's, a club in Columbia, MO that's listed in the same issue as one of "193 Great Jazz Venues" worldwide.

Also making the jazz venue list from Missouri were Jazz St. Louis' Ferring Jazz Bistro, aka Jazz at the Bistro, and the Blue Room in Kansas City. While neither of Perkins' articles currently is among the limited content offered by DownBeat for free online, the mag would, of course, be happy to sell you a copy or an annual subscription to either the print or digital version. (Or you can look for a print copy at a bookstore or newsstand, if you can find one of those.)

* And speaking of Jazz St. Louis, the organization's executive director Gene Dobbs Bradford was interviewed on video by the website OnStL.

* According to an article by Joe Holleman of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and STLtoday.com, downtown's Thaxton Speakeasy (pictured), which features live vintage jazz and swing most Thursday evenings, is being sued by ASCAP for non-payment of performance rights fees.

* Free-improvising pedal steel guitarist Susan Alcorn was interviewed briefly for a preview, published on the KDHX website, of her New Music Circle concert tonight with drummer Frank Rosaly.

* Also on the KDHX website, the St. Louis Banjo Club is the subject of a feature article by volunteer Bill Motchan.

* Two St. Louis natives, trumpeter Keyon Harrold and keyboardist Shedrick Mitchell, were among the musicians pictured in a New York Times photo feature about the recently concluded Winter Jazzfest.

* Saxophonist David Sanborn is set to be a guest performer on the upcoming album from Chicago saxophonist Frank Catalano and ex-Smashing Pumpkins drummer Jimmy Chamberlain.

* Collinsville native Angela Sapolis' cabaret show on January 28 at the Monocle was previewed in a story in the Belleville News Democrat.

* Keyboardist and impresario Michael Silverman was featured on the blog of digital sheet music vendor Musica Neo.

So What: Local News, Notes & Links

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

* Singer-guitarist John Pizzarelli, in town to perform 
through Saturday at Jazz at the Bistro, was a guest yesterday on John Carney's program on KTRS.

* Saxophonist Oliver Lake has a new album, What I Heard, out on his Passin' Thru label. Available any day now via the usual outlets, it's the third release from his organ quartet with trumpeter Freddie Hendrix, drummer Chris Beck, and organist Jared Gold, and features all original compositions by Lake.

* Keep On Keepin' On, the new documentary featuring trumpeter Clark Terry and his student Justin Kauflin, got a favorable review in this video from New York Times film critic A. O. Scott.

* Saxophonist Eric Person has put on YouTube a new video of his big band playing the original composition "And Then There Was Light."

* Actor/director Don Cheadle talked with Variety about completing and searching for a distributor for his Miles Davis movie, Miles Ahead.

* Speaking of Davis, NPR's new program "Jazz Night in America" debuted last week with trumpeter Wallace Roney's set from the Detroit Jazz Festival in which he performed a series of recently "rediscovered" works written for Davis and orchestra by saxophonist Wayne Shorter. 

* Meanwhile, the controversy over Mostly Other People Do The Killing's note-for-note remake of Davis' Kind of Blue continues, with another review of the album, by AllAboutJazz.com's Bruce Lindsay, while over at his blog Do The Math, pianist Ethan Iverson of The Bad Plus weighs in with some interesting thoughts about the project as a work of conceptual art.

* Ladue News has party pics from the recent opening of Jazz St. Louis' new HQ.

* And in a related development, JSL's executive director Gene Dobbs Bradford has been named the St. Louis American's Nonprofit Executive of the Year. Bradford will be honored at the American's annual awards luncheon on Friday, November 14 at the Four Seasons Hotel St. Louis.

* Following a recent series of thefts of equipment and valuables from touring bands that had their vehicles broken into, St. Louis police were scheduled to meet yesterday with owners and managers of several rock music venues in the city to come up with plan to catch the thieves.

* There's bad news this week for the Palladium, as artist, author and preservationist Kevin Belford reported on Twitter that the historic building in Grand Center, once the site of shows by numerous touring jazz and blues performers, has been tagged with a Notice of Condemnation. No word yet as to if this is truly the end of efforts to save the structure; please stay tuned...

* St. Louis Volunteer Lawyers and Accountants for the Arts continues their efforts to get "Every Artist Covered" by health insurance with two workshops, about the Small Business Health Options Program for not-for-profit organizations and "Navigating Health Care Reform" for individuals, on Tuesday, November 11 at the Regional Arts Commission. VLAA also will offer individualized, in-person help with health insurance enrollment during four sessions in November and December. For more details, visit the VLAA website.

* Jazz radio update: This Saturday on Radio Arts Foundation - St. Louis' “Somethin’ Else,” DJ Calvin Wilson pays tribute to the late pianist Mulgrew Miller. Right after that on "The Jazz Collective," host Jason Church will remember singer Tim Hauser of Manhattan Transfer, who passed away this week, and spin tracks from Johnny Britt, Jonathan Butler, Dan Siegel, Rick Braun, Herb Alpert, Larry Carlton, Donald Byrd, Erin Bode, The Funky Butt Brass Band, Chris Hazelton's Boogaloo 7, and Tim Cunningham.

Wilson's program can be heard at 8:00 p.m., followed by Church at 9:00 p.m., on 107.3 FM, 96.3 HD-2, and online at http://www.rafstl.org/listen. 

So What: Local News, Notes & Links

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

* "Jazz Unlimited" host Dennis Owsley will will serve as interviewer and moderator for a discussion with multi-instrumentalist and composer Marty Ehrlich at 7:00 p.m. Thursday, October 3 at the Regional Arts Commission, 6128 Delmar Blvd.

Ehrlich, who grew up in University City, will play with his Rites Quartet in a concert presented by New Music Circle the following evening, Friday, October 4, at the Kranzberg Arts Center. The Ehrlich/Owsley conversation is free and open to the public, and refreshments will be served.

* Saxophonist and St. Louis expat Greg Osby (pictured) talked to London Jazz News about his upcoming appearance at the Whirlwind Festival in UK.

* Trumpeter Russell Gunn, raised in East St. Louis and now living in Atlanta, has a new album, Elektrik Funeral, out this month on the Atlanta-based indie label Hot Shoe Records. Described as "inspired by the work of the Brecker Brothers Heavy Metal Bebop and the music of the classic Black Sabbath lineup," the album features a cover version of Sabbath's "War Pigs" and guest appearances from musicians including saxophonist Branford Marsalis, pianist Robert Glasper, and trombonists Andre Hayward and Fred Wesley.

* A new short film, Trane and Miles, takes a fictionalized look at Miles Davis and John Coltrane in 1959 during the recording of Davis' landmark album Kind of Blue.

* Saxophonist Eric Person (also from St. Louis, now living in Brooklyn, NY) has posted on Facebook an album of pictures from his big band's first live gig earlier this month at NYC's Jazz Standard.

* Speaking of Facebook photo sets, here's one posted by the American Embassy in Guyana, documenting the recent trip to that country by pianist and Jazz St. Louis education director Phil Dunlap, bassist Nick Jost and drummer Marty Morrison. The trio were in Guyana from September 9 through September 14 on behalf of the U.S. State Department's Jazz Ambassadors program to perform a concert and lead workshops for local students and musicians.

* In other Jazz St. Louis-related news, there's a new promo video online for the touring edition of "Abyssinian: A Gospel Celebration," the extended work composed in 2008 by Wynton Marsalis for the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra and a gospel choir. JSL is presenting the St. Louis stop of the "Abyssinian" tour next month at the Touhill.

* Meanwhile, JSL executive director Gene Dobbs Bradford on Wednesday night took part in a Jazz Journalists Association online video panel, "The Future of Jazz: Where We’ll Hear Jazz," with Revive Music's Meghan Stabile and former Jazz at Lincoln Center head Adrian Ellis. You can watch a replay of their discussion here.

* Singer Michael Buble's concert last Friday at the Scottrade Center was reviewed by the Post-Dispatch's Kevin Johnson.

* The St. Louis Jazz Orchestra's tribute to Maynard Ferguson next Tuesday night at the Touhill is previewed in an online story from UMSL's news service.

* Trumpeter Roger Ingram's appearance Sunday night with the Dave Dickey Big Band at Kirkwood Station Brewing Company is previewed by St. Louis magazine intern Kim Aubuchon (who's a trumpet player herself).

* Congrats to Logic Systems Sound & Lighting, based in the St. Louis suburb of Valley Park, for being named one of the finalists for Front Of House magazine's 2013 Hometown Hero awards.

* In some less felicitous news, St. Louis blues guitarist and singer Jimmy Lee Kennett is facing a relapse of the colon cancer he's fought for several years, and friends and family have launched an online fund-raising effort to help with medical bills and other expenses.

* Jazz radio update: This week's edition of Calvin Wilson's "Somethin' Else" is devoted to the music of legendary bassist and composer Charles Mingus, as heard on recordings by Mingus himself; his former sideman, saxophonist Charles McPherson; and the Mingus Big Band, which continues to perform his compositions under the auspices of his widow Sue Mingus. The program can be heard at 8:00 p.m. Saturdays via 107.3 FM, 96.3 HD-2 and online at http://www.rafstl.org/listen.

So What: Local News, Notes & Links

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

* Clark Terry's blog has a new entry this week with news of the great trumpeter's health - holding steady for the past few months - and recent activities.

* Drummer Ronnie Burrage is the subject of a feature story this week by Terry Perkins in the St. Louis Beacon. Burrage and his quartet also performed Wednesday on the 9:00 a.m. newscast on Fox 2 (KTVI); you can see that segment online here. Their performances tonight and tomorrow night have been moved at the last minute to a new venue, the clubhouse of the Probstein Golf Club in Forest Park

* Saxquest has posted to their Facebook page an album of photos from last Friday's performance and master class by Jeff Coffin.

* The Willie Akins/Montez Coleman Group's CD release event last Saturday at Jazz at the Bistro was reviewed by KDHX's Mike Herr.

* Saxophonist Oliver Lake was interviewed by a campus publication in advance of a performance tonight at Duke University.

* Don Wolff has posted on his website a new interview with singer Norm Drubner.

* There's more coverage of  trumpeter Terence Blanchard's visit to St. Louis last week from the St. Louis Beacon, as well as three separate stories about his residency from the Post-Dispatch's Sarah Bryan Miller. Champion, the new opera composed by Blanchard (pictured), will get its world premiere in June at Opera Theatre St. Louis.

* Also from the P-D's Miller comes word that the Radio Arts Foundation has won FCC approval to begin operating a new classical music radio station in St. Louis later this year. In addition to orchestral, chamber and choral music, previously announced plans for the station's proposed program schedule also include a "new music" show featuring contemporary composers, and a jazz program hosted by Calvin Wilson of the Post-Dispatch.

* The 2013 SXSW music convention, held later this month in Austin, TX will include a panel about Miles Davis' 1969 quintet.

* Jazz St. Louis is looking for a new Development Associate to join their staff. For information on the job and how to apply, visit the JSL website.

So What: Local News, Notes & Links

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

* St. Louis' FOX affiliate KTVI had two jazz-related stories during this past Wednesday's local newscasts. The St. Louis Big Band (pictured) and singer Joe Mancuso were featured in a performance segment, and Jazz St. Louis executive director Gene Dobbs Bradford was interviewed about JSL's new season. The StLBB performs this Saturday evening at Chesterfield Amphitheater; Jazz St. Louis' season opens on Sunday with Marcus Miller at Jazz at the Bistro.

* And speaking of Marcus Miller, the bassist talked about picking cover songs for his new album Renaissance in an interview with the Post-Dispatch's Kevin Johnson, which can be viewed online here.

* This also is the opening weekend for the Sheldon Art Galleries' new Al Hirschfeld exhibit, which focuses on the famed caricaturist and St. Louis native's interest in jazz and Broadway; see the stories by the St. Louis Beacon's Nancy Fowler and the P-D's Calvin Wilson for details.

* Also from the Post, Peter Martin shares some background about the piece he's writing for the Sheldon's 100th anniversary via what looks to be an email to Johnson; and book editor Jane Henderson has word that a 1962 Playboy magazine interview with Miles Davis is the first to be offered by the magazine for purchase in the Kindle ebook format.

* Ragtime pianist and composer Scott Joplin, who once lived in St. Louis, and Kansas City's renowned saxophonist and bebop pioneer Charlie Parker are among the latest inductees into the Missouri Music Hall of Fame in St. Joseph.

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.)

So What: Local News, Notes & Links

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

* Nonagenarian trumpeter and St. Louis native Clark Terry was in the hospital briefly earlier this month, to have surgery on his right leg to remove what was described as "some blockage." Terry already is back home recovering, and according to one friend who spoke to him on the phone, even has been practicing his horn. Doug Ramsey of the Rifftides blog has the story here and here.

* Last Sunday's concert by DMS at the TouPAC was reviewed here by Calvin Wilson of the Post-Dispatch. You can read StLJN's review of the show here.

* Wilson also filed a story for the Post last weekend about Jazz St. Louis' plans for a new or renovated performance space. While most of the piece covers similar ground as the Business Journal story linked to and commented upon here last month, it does clarify a couple of points. JSL executive director Gene Dobbs Bradford is quoted as saying that the organization is not starting a capital campaign at this time; the feasibility study being conducted this summer is "intended to gauge fundraising potential," not to evaluate potential new locations or facility layouts, which means things may not be quite as far along as implied in the earlier Business Journal article. More on this story as we can get it...

* Saxophonist Willie Akins (pictured) is receiving treatment for prostate cancer, and while, according to friends, his prognosis is good, the bills are piling up. Singer Wendy Gordon and other Akins amigos will present a benefit show to raise money for his medical expenses at 6:00 p.m. Sunday, September 4 in the Klymaxx Room of the Ambassador Events Center. In happier news, Akins is one of fifteen alumni of Webster Groves High School newly selected for inclusion on the school's Wall of Fame.

* Lastly, NPR's A Blog Supreme had an interesting post this week about the evolution of what remains the most famous song about our town, W.C. Handy's "St. Louis Blues".

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 St. Louis Symphony Orchestra last Saturday night premiered "Aurora," a new orchestral composition by Wayne Shorter, as part of their annual fundraising gala, and the Post-Dispatch's Sarah Bryan Miller was there to review the performance. You can read her article online here.

* Saxophonist Joshua Redman (pictured), in town this week to play at Jazz at the Bistro, was featured yesterday on the afternoon newscast at local CW affiliate KPLR (Channel 11). You can see the segment online here.

* In other Jazz St. Louis-related news, the Post's fashion editor Debra Bass wrote this week about the food and beverages at the Bistro, while her colleague Deb Peterson had an item about plans for the organization's annual benefit in March.

Also, JSL executive director Gene Dobbs Bradford was a guest on the most recent edition of radio station KDHX's program "Nancy's Arts Interview"; and administrative assistant Kate Eastwood is the latest JSL staff member to blog about her all-time favorite jazz albums.

* The St. Louis branch of the American Federation of Musicians, Local 2-197, is at odds with the Family Arena and the rock band Kansas over the use of a student orchestra from Truman State University for an upcoming concert at the St. Charles venue. The Riverfront Times' Aimee Levitt has the story here.

* The P-D's Kevin Johnson reports that a tribute to the late St. Louis percussionist and singer Blake Travis will be held on Sunday, October 17 at the Broadway Oyster Bar.

Jazz St. Louis CD Listening Club to meet Tuesday, June 8

After a brief break during May, Jazz St. Louis has scheduled the next meeting of their CD Listening Club for 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, June 8 at Borders Books and Music, 1519 S. Brentwood Blvd.

The St. Louis-based pianist Peter Martin will the special guest, leading a discussion of the featured CD Relaxin' with the Miles Davis Quintet (pictured) with JSL's Gene Dobbs Bradford serving as moderator.

The event is FREE and open to the public. However, because seating is limited, those who would like to attend are asked to reserve a spot in advance by calling Jazz St. Louis' Devin Rodino at 314-289-4144.

John Pizzarelli podcast interview now online at Jazz St. Louis website

Jazz St. Louis has just put online the latest installment in their series of podcast interviews. This one features singer and guitarist John Pizzarelli, who will be performing at Jazz at the Bistro starting next Wednesday, April 14 through Saturday, April 17.

You can listen to the audio stream of Pizzarelli chatting with JSL's Gene Dobbs Bradford here, or download the interview as an .MP3 file here.

Jazz St. Louis CD Listening Club to meet Tuesday, April 13

The Jazz St. Louis CD Listening Club will hold its next meeting at 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, April 13 at Borders, 1519 S. Brentwood Blvd in Brentwood.

The featured CD for the month will be Stanley Turrentine's Sugar (pictured), with JSL executive director Gene Dobbs Bradford serving as moderator and Carol Daniel of KMOX radio and KMOV's Great Day St. Louis as special guest.

(An editorial aside: Though she is a capable and well-liked broadcaster, Ms. Daniel seems like a strange choice for this gig, given that she has scant professional connections to jazz. Her official biographies at the websites of KMOX and KMOV make no mention of any interest or involvement in jazz; the only reference to music in either bio is to note Ms. Daniel's philanthropic support for the Cameron Youth Orchestra, a classical music group. When I inquired as to what Ms. Daniel's qualifications to lead a discussion about jazz might be, I was told that she's attended shows at the Bistro and has interviewed several musicians on her television program.

This seems like a rather thin set of credentials for the task. Consider this: During her time in St. Louis, I'd bet that Ms. Daniel has attended some Cardinal games and interviewed a few ballplayers, but you don't see her being asked to appear on sports programs discussing the team's prospects for 2010. That's because there are plenty of other people who are much better qualified to discuss that particular topic - broadcasters and writers who cover the game on a regular basis, former players, coaches, and so on.

Similarly, one would think there are at least one or two music professors, professional musicians, critics, scholars or music journalists in the St. Louis area who would have something interesting or relevant to say about Stanley Turrentine and Sugar. So why bring in someone without a significant connection to jazz?

Using a local semi-celebrity as a guest as a way to entice casual fans into taking more of an interest in jazz is a defensible idea, but it seems at odds with the CD Listening Club's alleged purpose of helping listeners "explore and understand great jazz recordings while building their personal jazz libraries."

It should be noted that JSL did have Glenn Zimmerman, who does the weather for KTVI, as the featured guest at an earlier CD Listening Club meeting, but Zimmerman at least plays a musical instrument and is known around town as an avid music hobbyist who attends all sorts of concerts. Perhaps Ms. Daniel will surprise the audience with relevant insights on, say, Turrentine's use of motivic development, or the impact of Creed Taylor's production style on the music's commercial prospects, but yr. humble editor remains skeptical. )

The CD Listening Club is free and open to the public. However, because space is limited, interested parties are asked to reserve a spot by calling Devin Rodino at 314-289-4144.

Jazz St. Louis CD Listening Club to meet Tuesday, March 9

The Jazz St. Louis CD Listening Club will hold its next meeting at 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, Arch 9 at Borders, 1519 S. Brentwood Blvd in Brentwood.

St. Louis jazz DJ, historian and photographer Dennis Owsley will lead a discussion of John Coltrane's classic album A Love Supreme, with JSL executive director Gene Dobbs Bradford serving as moderator.

The event is free and open to the public. However, because space is limited, interested parties are asked to reserve a spot by calling Devin Rodino at 314-289-4144.

Alyssa Graham podcast interview now online

Jazz St. Louis has just posted the latest installment in their series of podcast interviews: a chat between JSL's Gene Dobbs Bradford and singer Alyssa Graham, who will be making her St. Louis debut this Wednesday, March 3 through Saturday, March 6 at Jazz at the Bistro.

You can listen to an audio stream of the interview here. Also, after a bit of tinkering by the web gurus on the recently re-designed JSL site, visitors once again have the option of downloading an .mp3 file of the interview. Glad to see JSL has restored that feature for those who may choose to use it.