"Sculptures in Sound" series launching Saturday, March 4 at St. Louis Artists' Guild

The St. Louis Artists' Guild has announced a new concert series of jazz and creative music called "Sculptures in Sound."

The series, curated by saxophonist and educator Christopher Braig, will begin with a concert featuring trombonist Michael Vlatkovich at 8:00 p.m. this Saturday, March 4 at the Artists' Guild, 12 N Jackson Ave in Clayton.

A St. Louis native who moved to Los Angeles in 1973, Vlatkovich (pictured) has toured extensively in the USA, Canada and Europe, and has worked as a collaborator and sideman with a variety of singers and instrumentalists, including Vinny Golia, Peggy Lee, Brian Setzer, ROVA Saxophone Quartet, Bryan Adams, Bobby Bradford, Gerry Hemingway, and Rob Blakeslee.

Though he's played jazz, rock, pop and world music, and can be heard on a number of film and TV soundtracks, Vlatkovich's own music emphasizes free improvisation, working in formats including solo performance, in a duo with poet Dorothea Grossman, and leading a trio or quartet.

For his St. Louis show, Vlatkovich will be joined by Braig and fellow St. Louis saxophonist Jay Hutson. And while he's here, the trombonist also will present a free, public open rehearsal and masterclass starting at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, March 3 at the Artists' Guild.

Subsequent concerts in the "Sculptures in Sound" series will feature performances by trumpeter Keith Moyer's quintet on Saturday, April 1, and Christopher Braig's Aboriginal Quartet with trumpeter Pat Harbison on Saturday, May 6.

Single tickets for any of the concerts in the series are $25 for general admission and a CD; $15 for general admission only; or $10 for students with ID, and can be purchased online or at the door. Series tickets are available for $40 for all three concerts, or $70 for three concerts plus three CDs.

Jazz this week: Support your local jazz musician

While there are no well-known touring jazz acts passing through St. Louis this week, it's still shaping up to be a fine few days to get out and hear some live music.

Fortunately for those so inclined, there's no shortage of upcoming gigs featuring St. Louis musicians from which to choose, including a number of free outdoor concerts. Here are a few suggestions...

Tonight, the Jazz at Holmes series at Washington University presents the first of four free "Jazz in July" concerts this month, featuring saxophonist Jay Hutson and Da Wolvez performing in the Tisch Commons of the Danforth University Center on campus.

Also tonight, Miss Jubilee plays a free outdoor concert at Bluebird Park in Ellisville, and singer and guitarist Tommy Halloran is at The Shaved Duck.

Tomorrow night, the Coleman Hughes Project with singer Adrianne Felton will perform a free outdoor show at Ferguson CityWalk; Sarah Jane and the Blue Notes are at Nathalie's; and the St. Louis Big Band (pictured) plays for dancers at the Casa Loma Ballroom.

Also on Friday, pianist James Matthews and singer Babs Robnett will team up for an early-evening set at BB's Jazz, Blues and Soups; pianist Matt Villinger brings his trio to Thurman Grill; and Wack-A-Doo plays at Evangeline's.

On Saturday night, the Funky Butt Brass Band will play a free outdoor concert at Kirkwood Park; guitarist Tom Byrne leads a trio at Evangeline's; singer Wendy Gordon returns to The Choice Restaurant; and, after a week off for Independence Day, bassist Bob DeBoo and friends resume their weekly gig and jam session at the Kranzberg Arts Center.

On Sunday evening, the St. Charles Municipal Big Band will perform in a free outdoor concert at Frontier Park on the river in downtown St. Charles.

Looking beyond the weekend, on Monday percussionist Joe Pastor's group returns to BB's Jazz, Blues & Soups; and on Tuesday, singer Joe Mancuso and pianist Nicky Schlueter perform at the Tavern of Fine Arts, and the Gateway Jazz Quintet will play a free outdoor concert at Fanetti Park, 7601 Ivory on the south side.

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.)

Jazz at Holmes "Jazz in July" series begins Thursday, July 10

The first of four free summer concerts presented by the Jazz at Holmes series at Washington University will take place this week when saxophonist Jay Hutson and Da Wolvez perform at 8:00 p.m., Thursday, July 10 on the Wash U campus.

Because the university is doing some construction work this summer in Ridgely Hall, the usual site for the Jazz at Holmes series, the 2014 "Jazz in July" concerts will be presented at Tisch Commons in the Danforth University Center, 6475 Forsyth Blvd (at Wallace).

After Hutson, next up are trumpeter Erik Jekabson (pictured) and his quintet on Thursday, July 17; and singer Joe Mancuso and guitarist Dave Black on Thursday, July 24. A trio performance by pianist Kara Baldus, bassist Eric Stiller, and drummer Kyle Honeycutt will conclude the series on Thursday, July 31.

All of the Jazz at Holmes "Jazz in July" concerts start at 8:00 p.m., and are free and open to the public.