So What: Local News, Notes & Links

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

* The STL Free Jazz Collective's show this coming Tuesday at the Sheldon is previewed in an article by Calvin Wilson of the Post-Dispatch.

* A bit later than originally anticipated, the National Blues Museum downtown (pictured) finally has an official opening day: April 2, 2016. The complete schedule of events for the opening will be revealed closer to that date.

* Jeffery M. Wright's performance last week at the Gaslight Cabaret Festival was reviewed by the website Critical Blast.

* St. Louis' newest record store, Planet Score, is now open for business in Maplewood.

* Saxophonist David Sanborn's latest album, Time and the River, has made it into the first round of Grammy nominations in the categories for Improvised Jazz Solo and Jazz Instrumental Album.

* Singer/guitarist Tommy Halloran has posted online a free sample song, "State Streets," from his forthcoming album. The recording will get a digital release in conjunction with Halloran's gig next weekend at Jazz at the Bistro, with a vinyl version to follow.

* The Sheldon's North County Big Band, directed by saxophonist Harvey Lockhart, has posted a brief promotional video to YouTube, in which some of the participating students talk about the impact of being  part of the ensemble.

* While you're on YouTube, you also can check out the promo clip for trumpeter Jim Manley's upcoming CD Groove Therapy. The album, Manley's 14th release as leader, will be available on Tuesday, November 17 via his website, iTunes, CD Baby, and Amazon.

* The Friends of Scott Joplin have posted to YouTube a half-dozen videos from their fall "East Coast Meets West Coast" concert featuring pianists John Reed-Torres and Frank Livolsi. You can see all the footage on the Friends' YouTube Channel.

* Ten St. Louis pianists representing a variety of musical genres will perform in "100 Fingers," a fundraiser for the not-for-profit organization Pianos For People, on Sunday, November 22 at the Stage at KDHX.

Presenters Dolan set fall schedule of cabaret shows at Gaslight Theater

The Presenters Dolan have announced their fall schedule of cabaret shows, featuring 15 different acts performing over seven weekends in October and November at the Gaslight Theater, 358 Boyle Ave in the Central West End.

Though apparently without the "Gaslight Cabaret Festival" branding used recently, the series will welcome several new performers, including Wendee Glick, the New Hampshire-based jazz singer who gave the final performance in June 2014 at Robbie's House of Jazz; folk-influenced singer-songwriter Susan Werner; and Kat Edmondson (pictured), a one-time American Idol contestant who has sung with Lyle Lovett and toured as opening act for Jamie Cullum.

There also will be encores from several acts featured previously, including Lina Joutrakos and Rick Jensen, Storm Large, Jeffrey Wright, and Ken Haller, as well as cabaret debuts from the acappella group One Too Many, rock duo Sleepy Kitty, and more.

Here's the complete schedule in chronological order:

Thursday, October 8: Wendee Glick - "Moon Over The Mississippi"
Friday, October 9: Maxine Linehan - "An Immigrant’s Journey From Ireland To America"
Thursday, October 15: Shanara Gabrielle - "Rated SG"
Friday, October 16: One Too Many
Saturday, October 17: Chuck Flowers - "Popping In"
Thursday, October 22: Dean Christopher - "Everybody Loves Somebody Sometime: A Tribute to Dean Martin"
Friday, October 23: Ken Haller - "Mama's Boy"
Saturday, October 24: Jeffrey M. Wright
Sunday, October 25: Lina Koutrakos and Rick Jensen - "Two For The Road"
Thursday, October 29 & Friday, October 30: Kat Edmonson - "The Big Picture"

Thursday, November 5: Sleepy Kitty (Paige Brubeck and Evan Sult)
Friday, November 6 & Saturday, November 7: Storm Large
Thursday, November 12: Sleepy Kitty (Paige Brubeck and Evan Sult)
Friday, November 13 & Saturday, November 14: Karen Oberlin - "His Aim Is True - The Songs of Elvis Costello"
Thursday, November 19: Brian Owens - "The Soul of Cash - Johnny Cash"
Friday, November 20 & Saturday, November 21: Susan Werner

All shows start at 8:00 p.m.. Prices for most performances range from $25 to $35, except for Storm Large, which is priced at $45 and $40. Tickets are on sale now via LicketyTix.com.

Jeffrey Wright's cabaret show sells out; April date added

This just in: Cabaret impresario Jim Dolan sends word that the performances of Jeffrey Wright's show "The Dance" on February 19 and 20 are sold out, prompting the addition of another performance at 8:00 p.m. on Friday, April 16 at the Kranzberg Arts Center. Tickets for Wright's April 16 show are now on sale via www.licketytix.com.