Jazz this week: Jeremy Davenport, Perihelion Quartet, John King, and more

While the biggest-name jazz musician visiting St. Louis this week actually is an expat playing his annual homecoming gig, there nevertheless is a tasty selection of jazz shows from local performers available for your pre- and post-Turkey Day consumption. Let's go to the highlights...


Wednesday, November 25
The Perihelion Quartet, featuring pianist Greg Mills and friends, will offer free jazz and improvisation at the Tavern of Fine Arts, while over in Grand Center, the regular Wednesday gigs are in effect, with bassist Bob Deboo leading an early evening jam session at the Kranzberg Arts Center, followed later by trumpeter Kasimu Taylor's trio at The Dark Room.

Friday, November 27
The aforementioned expat - trumpeter, singer and U City native Jeremy Davenport (pictured, top left) - will be back from his adopted home in New Orleans for the first of two nights of what's become an annual Thanksgiving weekend gig at Jazz at the Bistro. Given Davenport's popularity, tickets for the early shows may be hard to come by, but even for the late sets, advance reservations would seem to be a must. 

Elsewhere on Friday, saxophonist Jim Stevens and band will play an early show at BB's Jazz, Blues & Soups; saxophonist Jay Hutson and Da Wolvez will perform at Evangeline's; and singer Joe Mancuso brings a quartet to Nathalie's.

Saturday November 28
Saxophonist Stan Coleman and bassist Darrell Mixon will co-lead a quartet for an early show at Tavern of Fine Arts; the Midwest Jazz-tette plays West Coast jazz at Evangeline's; and guitarist Eric Slaughter and bassist Glen Smith will play duets at Thurman Grill.

Also on Saturday, bassist John King (pictured, lower left) brings another edition of his guest-star-laden, autobiographical show "My Life In Music" to BB's Jazz, Blues & Soups; and singer Ralph Butler and keyboardist Gigi Darr will play a concert at the Jacoby Arts Center in Alton.

Sunday November 29
If you still have relatives or friends visiting from out of town and want to take them to Sunday brunch, you can get some live jazz along with your meal courtesy of singer/guitarist Tommy Halloran's Guerilla Swing at Jazz at the Bistro, Elsie Parker and the Poor People of Paris at Nathalie's, Miss Jubilee at Evangeline's, or trumpeter Jim Manley with keyboardist Mark Friedricks at Jimmy's Cafe on the Park.

Monday, November 30
The Webster University Jazz Collective, featuring members of Webster's jazz faculty, will play a concert at Winifred Moore Auditorium on the Webster campus; and saxophonist "Blind" Willie Dineen and the Broadway Collective will be back for their monthly gig at BB's Jazz, Blues & Soups.

Tuesday December 1 
Harmonica master Sandy Weltman will lead a master class and workshop at City Music, and the First Tuesday Composer's Club will convene their monthly event showcasing new compositions at The Dark Room.

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.)

So What: Local News, Notes & Links

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

* Saxophonist Greg Osby's latest blog post wonders if NYC is now suffering from a "talent overload" of young musicians.

* In advance of her gig this weekend at Jazz at the Bistro, singer Denise Thimes did a brief interview with St. Louis magazine's Sarah Kloepple.

* Bassist John King (pictured), who plays with Good 4 The Soul, saxophonist Jim Stevens, and various other local acts, has more reasons than most to dislike the rainy weather we've had recently in St. Louis, as both his car and his bass amp were washed away last week in a flood. If you'd like to kick in a few bucks to help replace them, you can do it at this GoFundMe page.

* Dr. Aurelia Hartenberger, who recently donated her multi-million dollar collection of unusual and historic musical instruments to the Sheldon Concert Hall and Art Galleries, will speak about the instruments of Africa, Asia and Latin America in a gallery talk at 6:00 p.m. this coming Tuesday, July 14 at the Sheldon.

Presented in conjunction with the exhibit "A World of Music: Africa, Asia and Latin America ~ Instruments from the Hartenberger World Music Collection," the talk is free and open to the public, but seating is limited so you must reserve a place in advance by emailing ssheppard@thesheldon.org or calling 314-533-9900, extension 37. 

* Jazz radio update: This Saturday on Radio Arts Foundation-St. Louis, Calvin Wilson's program “Somethin’ Else” will feature music from throughout the career of the late saxophonist and musical innovator Ornette Coleman. You can tune in at 8:00 p.m. Saturdays on 107.3 FM, 96.3 HD-2, and online at http://www.rafstl.org/listen.

The next evening on KWMU/St. Louis Public Radio, Dennis Owsley's "Jazz Unlimited" program will present alternate takes of famous tracks by musicians including Louis Armstrong, Charlie Christian, Art Tatum, Billie Holiday, Duke Ellington, Ahmad Jamal, Art Blakey, Count Basie, Woody Herman, Herbie Hancock, and others. The program can be heard from 9:00 p.m. to midnight Sundays over the air at 90.7 FM and online at http://www.stlpublicradio.org/listen.php

So What: Local News, Notes & Links

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

* The new book Miles Davis: The Complete Illustrated History was reviewed by Calvin Wilson of the Post-Dispatch/STLtoday.com.

* Elsewhere on the Miles Davis front, Jeff Hyatt of Miles Davis Online has another update on the status of the proposed Hollywood biopic of the trumpeter; a Los Angeles concert paying tribute to Davis was named one of 2012's best by the Los Angeles Times; and the blog London Jazz Collector has an interesting post about acquiring a particularly desirable Davis LP.

* Drummer Marcus Baylor was interviewed by the P-D's Wilson for a brief article about his “Sons of St. Louis Reunion” next week at the Bistro at Grand Center, which you can read online here. (Note, however, that while the article includes the Jazz St. Louis website and phone number, they're not actually producing the show; advance tickets are available only via Metrotix.)

* Bassist John King (pictured) appeared yesterday on the 9:00 a.m. newscast at local Fox affiliate KTVI to promote his show tonight at BB's Jazz, Blues and Soups; you can see a clip online here.

* Last Thursday's performance by pianist Peter Martin and guitarist Romero Lubambo at the Sheldon Concert Hall was reviewed by KDHX's Mike Gualdoni.

* Trumpeter, singer and St. Louis native Jeremy Davenport was interviewed on New Orleans radio station WWNO. Davenport will be back in St. Louis for a concert on Thursday, February 2 at The Sheldon.

* The KDHX website also has up a photo set of the Funky Butt Brass Band's Holiday Brasstravaganza last Saturday, shot by Caroline Philippone. And the FBBB have posted audio of their rendition of "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town" and three other tunes from the Brasstravaganza on SoundCloud.

* Speaking of photo sets, Saxquest has posted one to their Facebook page detailing Chris Potter's visit to the shop while he was in town last week to play Jazz at the Bistro.

* Also, the Route 66 Jazz Orchestra (formerly the Meramec Jazz Band) has documented their recent holiday concert with a photo album here.

* Soul Jazz Records/Universal Sound are reissuing NTU: The Point From Which Creation Begins, the recorded debut as a leader of saxophonist and former St. Louisan Oliver Lake. The record originally was issued in 1971 and has been out of print for many years; the re-release will come in both CD and vinyl LP formats.

* Finally, let's extend all best wishes to author, photographer and "Jazz Unlimited" radio host Dennis Owsley and Sara Serot, who were married a week ago Tuesday at the Ethical Society. Mazel tov to the happy couple!

Jazz this week: Bhob Rainey, Dogtown All-Stars, John King, Joe Mancuso, Kasimu Taylor, and more

Holiday hustle and bustle will be in full effect for the next couple of weeks, but if you've got time to get out and hear some live jazz this weekend, here are some upcoming gigs in and around St. Louis to consider....

Tonight, guitarists Eric Slaughter and Tom Byrne will co-lead a quartet at Troy's Jazz Gallery, the recently opened venue on Olive just west of Taylor in the Central West End . Update - 3:50 p.m., 12/20/12: This gig has been canceled due to inclement weather.

On Friday, the Dogtown All-Stars begin a two-night engagement at Jazz at the Bistro. On record, the All-Stars (pictured) mostly have made organ-driven groove music with a nod to the Meters and Booker T. and the MGs. For their debut at the Bistro, they'll be augmented by members of the Funky Butt Brass Band, hence the "Funkestra" appellation used in some of the promos. (And just to clear up any possible confusion, though the presence of the FBBB horns and bassist Andy Coco means there's some personnel overlap with the Rhythm Section Road Show gig that took place at the Bistro a couple of weeks ago, the All-Stars are a separate project with their own catalog of songs.)

Also on Friday, bassist John King will debut his new band featuring drummer Kevin Kelley, keyboardist Kyle Kelley and guitarist Steve Johnson in an early evening show at BB's Jazz, Blues and Soups. Although previously announced plans to record a live DVD seem in doubt as of this writing, the bill definitely still will include a number of guest performers such as saxophonist Jim Stevens; singers Denise Thimes, Kim Massie, Cheryl Brown, and Anita Jackson; and others.

Elsewhere on Friday, singer Joe Mancuso will be at Robbie's House of Jazz for a holiday themed performance featuring guest trumpeter and vibraphonist Joe Bozzi; and trumpet player Kasimu Taylor leads a quartet at the Cigar Inn.

On Saturday evening, singer Feyza Eren fronts a trio at the Wine Press, and saxophonist Jim Stevens will be back at BB's, this time leading his own group for the late shift at the club. 

On Sunday, saxophonist Bhob Rainey returns to the Lemp Neighborhood Arts Center for his eighth consecutive pre-Christmas gig, headlining a bill that also includes Jack Callahan and epicycle. Rainey is a free improvisor and a prolific collaborator, so don't be surprised if all the musicians present at LNAC end up playing together before the night is done.

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.)

More on two new jazz venues

Following up on last week's post about the new Central West End jazz venue Troy's Jazz Gallery, we can tell you now that more information was added over the weekend to the club's website.

Among the additions were an "About" page, a map that suggests patrons will have access to a gated parking lot across the street from the club, and a beverage menu with a long list of cocktails and coffee drinks named after jazz musicians. The venue will not offer food service; a note on the drinks page says "We suggest you eat before coming to the jazz gallery."

The band schedule shows live music booked five times a week. Wednesday will feature the Soul Thump Chronicles, with a trio led by bassist John King backing performances by local poets. Guitarist Eric Slaughter will be fronting a group on Thursdays, with vibraphonist Peter Schlamb on Fridays, Tommy Holland and Friends on Saturday afternoons, and saxophonist Willie Akins' quartet on Saturday nights.

According to the "reservations" page, cover charges will range from $5 to $10, depending on the night of the week, with a two-drink minimum and advance reservations required on weekend evenings.

As no dates are listed, it's not clear yet exactly when this schedule will begin. (I also checked the Facebook page for Troy's Jazz Gallery, but it hasn't been updated since last week.) Slaughter and guitarist Tom Byrne last week had announced they'd be playing a gig there last Thursday, then a day later announced that it was postponed until this Thursday, December 6. We'll be checking back to see if that comes off as planned, and as soon as more information becomes available, we'll have it for you here.

In related news, Voce, a bar, restaurant and live music venue located downtown at 212 N. Tucker (at Pine St) and described on its Facebook page as "jazz themed," will open this weekend.

The pertinent question here is, of course, what exactly is meant by "jazz themed"? A graphic elsewhere on the Facebook page says "Voce invites all styles of music and comedy," and the club's opening on Friday, December 7 will feature rock/pop acts Billy Schuh, Foxing, and The Breaks.

On the other hand, the handful of other bookings listed on the page include dates for singers Kim Massie on Saturday, December 15 and Erin Bode (pictured) on Saturday, December 29. Voce's website sheds no additional light, however, as it's mostly empty right now.

Suffice it to say then that the venue's policy with regard to musical genres to be featured seems a bit unclear at this point. Again, yr. humble editor will be looking into this further, with updates here as warranted.

John King to record live DVD on Friday, December 21 at BB's Jazz, Blues & Soups

Bassist John King (pictured), known for his work with Good 4 The Soul, saxophonist Jim Stevens, and numerous other St. Louis musicians and groups, will launch his new solo project with the recording for DVD of a live performance at 7:00 p.m. Friday, December 21 at BB's Jazz, Blues and Soups.

The gig, billed as "John King - The Story of My Life," will showcase King's new band, featuring drummer Kevin Kelley, keyboardist Kyle Kelley and guitarist Steve Johnson, as well as guest performers including Stevens; singers Denise Thimes, Kim Massie, Cheryl Brown, and Anita Jackson; and others. Admission for the show is $20.

Eric Person to perform at the Ambassador on Saturday, October 3

Saxophonist and St. Louis native Eric Person (pictured) is coming home next month to perform Saturday, October 3 at the Ambassador, 9800 Halls Ferry Rd in St. Louis.

Backed by bassist John King and pianist Adaron "Pops" Jackson of Good 4 The Soul and drummer Kevin Kelly, Person will do two sets, at 7:00 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.

Tickets are $15 and will be available for purchase in person at all Metrotix outlets or the Ambassador box office, online at www.metrotix.com, or by calling 314-534-1111. For more information, you can call the Ambassador at 314-869-9090.

Oasis reuniting for a show tonight at the Bistro

This just in: The jazz-fusion group Oasis, which featured keyboard player Reggie Thomas and bassist John King (of Good 4 the Soul) and was a regular Sunday night attraction at the old Cicero's basement, is doing a one-off reunion show at 7:00 p.m. this evening, Monday, July 7 at the Bistro, 3536 Washington Ave. From King's MySpace page:

"I don't how many of you remember the days of Cicero's basement...this was the place to see upcoming national artists and local artists who were getting off the ground. One my favorite nights was Sunday. This was jazz night. For years it featured the group Tracer with Ptah Williams, Darryl Mixon, Tony Saputo, Tom Byrne. What a group. Later towards the end of the basement bar days before they moved up the street, another band crept on the scene and played there carrying the torch of great jazz on Sundays. "OASIS". The group originally featured Reggie Thomas, Tom Byrne on guitar, John King on bass, the late Tony Saputo on drums, and the late Gerald DeClue on saxes. We first lost Tony to the success of getting a gig with Reba McIntire and subsequently the airplane crash that took the lives of some her band. We lost Gerald DeClue in a tragic car accident... We went on to get John "Puncho" Williams on drums and Scott Alspach on trumpet. We had some awesome times in the basement and the though the group hasn't been together for awhile we still often are confronted by fans and friends who haven't forgotten...Thank you so very much. Finally, Reggie is pulling it together for one more go round. Come out and help us bring back some of the memories. It won't be as awesome without ya."

Joining former members Thomas, King, Williams and Alspach, alto saxophonist Jason Swagler will be sitting in for DeClue at tonight's show. Tickets are $10 each and will be available at the door.