Jazz this week: Christine Ebersole & Billy Stritch, Adam Larson, Craig Pomranz, Dave Koz & Friends, Storm Large, and more

This week's calendar of live jazz and creative music in St. Louis includes an exploration of the compositions of a legendary jazz saxophonist, several servings of holiday music, some contemporary cabaret, and more.

Let's go to the highlights...  

Wednesday, December 5
Singer Christine Ebersole and singer/pianist Billy Stritch present their cabaret show "Snowfall" for the first of two nights at Jazz St. Louis, with just a handful of tickets still available at this writing.

Also on Wednesday, the weekly "Grand Center Jazz Crawl" will feature trumpeter and banjo player T.J. Muller at The Stage at KDHX; the weekly jam session hosted by bassist Bob Deboo at the Kranzberg Arts Center, this week featuring students from some of Jazz St. Louis' JazzU groups; and trumpeter Kasimu Taylor's quartet at The Dark Room.

Thursday, December 6
The Jazz at Holmes series at Washington University will close out the semester with a free concert featuring the Arc of Light Ensemble, a sextet including trumpeter Randy Holmes, saxophonist Paul DeMarinis, trombonist Wayne Coniglio, pianist Ken Kehner, bassist Jeff Anderson and drummer Montez Coleman.

Also on Thursday, the Funky Butt Brass Band will be getting in the spirit with a show at the Blues City Deli that could include a preview of some numbers from their upcoming "Holiday Brasstravaganza"; and pianist Jim Hegarty leads a quintet at The Dark Room.

Elsewhere around town, Latin/funk/hip-hop band Ozomatli plays at the Old Rock House, and new music ensemble Alarm Will Sound returns to the Sheldon Concert Hall.

Friday, December 7
Saxophonist Adam Larson (pictured, top left) plays the music of Sonny Rollins for the first of two nights at Jazz St. Louis.

Though Rollins is esteemed as one of the all-time greatest improvisors in jazz, he's also written a number of tunes that have become standards, including "St. Thomas," "Alfie's Theme," "Oleo," "Doxy," "Pent-Up House," and "Airegin." These compositions, and others from deeper in the Rollins catalog, should provide Larson and friends with ample opportunities for improvisation and interpretation.

Also on Friday, St. Louis native Craig Pomranz (pictured, center left) will be back home from NYC to perform his latest cabaret show, "Love: It Takes Time..." for the first of two nights at the Kranzberg Arts Center; saxophonist Tim Cunningham plays at Troy's Jazz Gallery; and Jesse Gannon returns for a late show at The Dark Room.

Saturday, December 8
Singer Mardra Thomas and keyboardist Reggie Thomas, once mainstays on the St. Louis scene and now living in northern Illinois, will be back for a visit and, along with guitarist Rick Haydon, playing a set of holiday music for "Saturday With Santa" at the Missouri Botanical Garden's Ridgway Visitors Center.

Sunday, December 9
Miss Jubilee performs vintage jazz and blues for brunch at Evangeline's, and the North County Big Band and the City of Music All-Star Chorus will perform at the Sheldon Concert Hall.

Tuesday, 
December 11
Saxophonist Dave Koz (pictured, bottom left) brings the 14th annual edition of his holiday show to the Family Arena, with guest stars including saxophonist Mindi Abair, singer and guitarist Jonathan Butler, and keyboardist Keiko Matsui; and singer Storm Large, who's performed here several times in a cabaret setting, gets a slightly bigger stage for her show "Holiday Ordeal" at the Sun Theatre.

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.)

A guide to holiday jazz in St. Louis

The holiday season has always brought with it plenty of thematic music, and here in St. Louis, recent years have seen a proliferation of performances aimed at those who'd like to mix some jazz with their jingle bells.

Here's a quick look at some noteworthy holiday-themed jazz shows starting this week and continuing throughout the next month:

Kenny G "The Miracles Holiday and Hits Tour"
8:00 p.m., Friday, November 30
Touhill Performing Arts Center
If the G-Man's albums were filed in a record-store bin labeled "instrumental pop," he'd probably attract less scorn from many jazz fans. In the meantime, he's on tour with his annual holiday show, and presumably laughing all the way to the bank. $49 - $99.

Washington University Student Big Band and Jazz Combos "Jazz Celebration"
8:00 p.m., Friday, November 30
560 Music Center
Wash U students perform a program of holiday songs. Free and open to the public.

"Holiday Jazz" with Marion Meadows, Alex Bugnon & Mark Harris II
7:00 p.m. Saturday, December 1
Sun Theatre
Smooth jazz saxophonist Meadows and keyboardist Bugnon team up for a program of seasonal favorites, with some help from St. Louis keyboardist Harris. $67.50 plus $10 service charge.

"Jazz for the Holidays" with the UMSL Jazz Ensemble, Vocal Point and University Symphony Orchestra
3:00 p.m. Sunday, December 2
Touhill Performing Arts Center
UMSL music students perform in their annual holiday concert. Free and open to the public.

Lynne Fiddmont
4:00 p.m., Sunday, December 2
Sheldon Concert Hall
Singer and St. Louis native Fiddmont, who now lives in California, comes home for a concert that will include selections from her album Spirit of Christmas. $35 general admission plus $4.75 service charge.

Webster University Jazz Singers 
7:00 p.m., Monday, December 3
Winifred Moore Auditorium
Webster U students under the direction of Debby Lennon present a program of seasonal songs. $5 general admission, free to students with ID.

Route 66 Jazz Orchestra's Third Annual "Half A Holiday Concert"
7:30 p.m., Tuesday, December 4
Sheldon Concert Hall
St. Louis-based Route 66 Orchestra presents one set of big band jazz and one set of holiday music. $15 general admission.

Christine Ebersole & Billy Stritch - "Snowfall"
7:30 p.m. Wednesday, December 5
7:30 p.m. Thursday, December 6
Jazz St. Louis
A winter-themed show from singer and Broadway actress Ebersole and singer/pianist Stritch, part of the cabaret series being co-presented this year by Jazz St. Louis and Cabaret Project of St. Louis. $46.50 & $41.50 adults, $11.50 students

Dave Koz Holiday Show with Mindi Abair, Jonathan Butler & Keiko Matsui
7:30 p.m., Tuesday, December 11
Family Arena
Smooth jazz saxophonist Koz has been doing holiday shows for more than a decade, and is supported this year by fellow saxophonist Abair, singer and guitarist Butler and keyboardist Matsui. $50-$90, "VIP Experience" $198.

Storm Large "Holiday Ordeal"
8:00 p.m., Tuesday, December 11
Sun Theatre
Singer and actress Large, who has performed her cabaret show here several times in recent years, gets a bigger stage for her holiday extravaganza, which already is a sell-out annual tradition in her hometown of Portland, OR. $25 & $35, "VIP" $85.

Kirk Whalum's "Gospel According to Jazz Christmas" with Sheila E, Lynn Mabry, John Stoddart & Kevin Whalum
7:00 p.m., Friday, December 14
Friendly Temple Missionary Baptist Church
Memphis-based saxophonist (and nephew of St. Louis' Hugh "Peanuts" Whalum) returns with guest stars for his annual holiday show. $20 & $35, "VIP" $50.

Funky Butt Brass Band "Holiday Brasstravaganza"
9:00 p.m. Friday, December 14
3:00 p.m. & 9:00 p.m. Saturday, December 15
3:00 p.m. & 7:00 p.m. Sunday, December 16
Off Broadway
St. Louis' popular New Orleans-style brass band has expanded again for the eighth year of their holiday show, adding a family-friendly Sunday matinee and Sunday evening show for a total of five performances. $18-$25 for evening performances, $5 and $10 for matinees.

"Jazz Noel" with Oikos Ensemble and Java Jived
3:00 p.m., Saturday, December 15
Parkway United Church of Christ
3:00 p.m., Sunday, December 16
First Congregational United Church of Christ
"Re-imagining the Christmas story through jazz for today’s audience." Free and open to the public.

The 442s and Friends "Holiday Spectacular"
7:30 p.m., Monday, December 17
7:30 p.m., Tuesday, December 18
560 Music Center
Eclectic instrumental quartet plus guest stars present originals and holiday favorites. $15 - $30.

Jazz St. Louis Big Band plays Ellington's "Nutcracker"
7:30 p.m. & 9:30 p.m., Tuesday, December 18
7:30 p.m. & 9:30 p.m., Wednesday, December 19
7:30 p.m. & 9:30 p.m., Thursday, December 20
Jazz St. Louis
Hear Duke Ellington's re-imagining of Tchaikovsky's famous work played live by a big band of St. Louis musicians, plus additional favorites from the Ellington catalog. $21.50 balcony; $26.50 floor; $21.50 military, police & fire; $11.50 students.

"A Gospel Christmas" with Take 6 and the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra
7:30 p.m. Thursday, December 20
Powell Hall
The Grammy Award-winning vocal group, orchestra and In Unison chorus perform "unforgettable contemporary gospel renditions of favorite holiday classics and more." Sold out; for information on standing room tickets, call the SLSO box office at 314-534-1700.

Dean Christopher "Rat Pack Christmas"
7:30 p.m., Thursday, December 20
Sheldon Concert Hall
Singer and impressionist Christopher offers seasonal songs in the style of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., and more. $15 general admission.

Harry Connick Jr. "A New Orleans Tricentennial Celebration... Holiday Edition"
7:30 p.m., Thursday, December 20
Stifel Theatre
The famed singer, pianist, actor, and talk show host and his big band perform Christmas music and more in a New Orleans style. $147, $112, $77 and $52.

Jim Manley's Mad Brass and Rhythm "A Very Manley Christmas"
7:30 p.m., & 9:30 p.m., Friday, December 21
7:30 p.m., & 9:30 p.m., Saturday, December 22
Jazz St. Louis
St. Louis trumpeter and his seven-piece band offer high-energy versions of holiday favorites. $21.50 & $15.50, students $11.50.

Do you know of any holiday jazz shows in St. Louis that we missed? If so, please share the relevant info in the comments.

Edited 11/27/18 to add the Webster University Jazz Singers performance.

Storm Large's "Holiday Ordeal" set for Tuesday, December 11 at Sun Theatre

Singer Storm Large is returning to St. Louis to present her show "Holiday Ordeal" at 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, December 11 at the Sun Theatre in Grand Center.

Described as "a night of music, stories, gags, and gifts," the show includes songs such as "2000 Miles," "O Holy Night," "Hallelujah," "Sock It to Me Santa," "I'll Be Home For Christmas" and "Somebody To Love," which Large calls in the show's promotional material "the greatest holiday song never written for the holidays."

Large (pictured) has performed here several times in recent years, both with the band Pink Martini and as a solo act, most recently as part of the Gaslight Cabaret Festival's winter series earlier this year.

Tickets for "Holiday Ordeal," which is produced by the Presenters Dolan, are $25 and $35 for regular seating, $85 for a package that includes "premium seating" and a post-concert reception, and are on sale now.

Jazz this week: All That Tap XXIV, "Swinging for the Fences," Good 4 The Soul, and more

It's another sultry mid-summer week in St. Louis, and though there are no major touring headliners in town this week, there's plenty of activity involving local jazz and creative musicians, offering sounds ranging from nostalgic to experimental. Let's go to the highlights...

Wednesday, July 29
Tonight, the Spiritual Revolution Ensemble will make their official debut at the Tavern of Fine Arts. Formed after a jam session in May at ToFA, the group of free improvisors features a core band of saxophonists Jerome “J-Dubz” Williams, Aaron Parker, and Rahtu Johnson, pianist David Parker and percussionist Glenn "Papa" Wright, augmented for this performance by guests including guitarist Kendra Mahr, poets Pacia Anderson and Jana Thomas, and pianist Greg Mills.

Also tonight, Tommy Halloran's Guerrilla Swing will play a free outdoor concert for the Missouri Botanical Garden's Whitaker Music Festival; and guitarist Vincent Varvel leads a trio at Nathalie's.

Thursday, July 30
Jazz St. Louis continues their series of events looking at the relationship between jazz and baseball with "Jazz & the Negro Leagues", a free lecture by author and Washington University professor Gerald Early, followed by a reception at Jazz at the Bistro.

Also on Thursday, drummer Montez Coleman leads a quartet in a free concert wrapping up the summer edition of the Jazz at Holmes series at Washington University; and the St. Louis Big Band and singer Joe Scalzitti will open the second weekend of performances of their tribute show "Sinatra at 100" at the Kranzberg Arts Center.

Elsewhere around town, Miss Jubilee will make up for a rainout earlier this summer with a free concert at Ellisville's Bluebird Park, and singer Erin Bode returns to Nathalie's.

Friday, July 31
Good 4 The Soul (pictured, upper left) returns to Jazz at the Bistro for the first of two evenings, with guitarist Shaun Robinson, bassist John King and drummer James Jackson joined for the weekend by keyboardist Pete Ruthenberg, subbing for Adaron "Pops" Jackson.

Also on Friday, singer Tony Viviano will serenade diners at Fortel's, guitarist Eric Slaughter and bassist Glen Smith will take the stage at Thurman Grill; and Sarah Jane and the Blue Notes will be swinging at the Venice Cafe.

Saturday, August 1
The annual St. Louis Tap Festival culminates with All That Tap XXIV, an evening of tap dance performances and music at the Grand Center Arts Academy's Sun Theatre.

This year's event serves as a tribute to Tap Festival founder Robert L. Reed, who died earlier this month in Oklahoma City, and will feature Reed's daughter Robin Reed (pictured, lower left) performing in his stead.

Pianist Carolbeth True's trio once again will provide the music for a lineup of featured dancers including Charon Aldredge, Christopher Broughton, Omar Edwards, Anthony LoCascio, Avi Miller & Ofer Ben, Jason Samuels Smith, and Dorneshia Sumbry-Edwards. You can read a brief preview of the performance from St. Louis magazine here.

Also on Saturday, percussionist Joe Pastor and the St. Louis Legacy Ensemble will play a free outdoor concert at Lafayette Park

Sunday, August 2
The Friends of Scott Joplin will present their monthly "Ragtime Rendezvous," a free event at the Scott Joplin House State Historic Site.

Also on Sunday, Jazz St. Louis wraps up their "Swinging for the Fences" series with a "Town Picnic" at Lafayette Park. The free event is open to the public and will feature a "vintage" baseball game played with period uniforms and rules, followed by Lindy Hop dance lessons and a concert of traditional jazz and swing by the Spats 'n' Flapper Speakeasy Orchestra, who are from Clear Lake, IA.  

Monday, August 3
Singer Erika Johnson and guitarist Tom Byrne will return to BB's Jazz, Blues & Soups.

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.)