So What: Local News, Notes & Links

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

* Singer and bassist Janet Evra will provide the musical entertainment for “Wine and Jazz Under the Stars,” a benefit for Classic 107.3 (Radio Arts Foundation) to be held starting at 5:00 p.m. Sunday, September 12 at The Public School House in St. Charles.

The ticket price of $95 per person also includes appetizers by Russo’s Catering, wines from A. Bommarito Wines, free on-site parking, and the chance to participate in a silent auction of items including Cardinals baseball tickets, a wine-tasting package, gift certificates, and more. For details or to reserve a spot, go to https://classic1073.org/wine-and-jazz/.

* In an effort to "ensure the future of the music economy is sustainable, profitable, and inclusive," the Regional Arts Commission is conducting a survey of the St. Louis music scene, inviting participation from musicians, venues, festivals and fans. If you're in one of those categories, you're encouraged to complete the online survey form before October 10 at https://racstl.org/music-strategy/.

* More St. Louis venues are setting admission policies regarding COVID vaccinations and testing, as the new Chesterfield concert club The Factory and the Hollywood Casino Amphtheatre (aka Riverport) this week announced that patrons will be required to show proof of vaccination or a recent negative test to be admitted.

* Saxophonist Lisella Martin (pictured) was profiled in a feature story on Bloomington, IL's WGLT radio.

* Trumpeter and Webster Groves native Ally Hany Albrecht will transfer from the Air Force to the U.S. Navy and relocate from California to Washington DC to join the United States Navy Band Commodores, the premier jazz band of the Navy.

Albrecht, a graduate of North Texas State University and the Manhattan School of Music, has spent the past four years with the USAF Band of the Golden West at Travis Air Force Base, California.

* DownBeat magazine is conducting their annual readers poll, with voting continuing through Tuesday, September 14. If you're a subscriber to the print magazine, digital edition, or free email newsletter, you can cast a vote at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/DownBeatReadersPoll.

"All-Star Jazz Fundraiser Festival" set for Saturday, April 17 at The Grandel

More than two dozen St. Louis musicians will team up for "The All-Star Jazz Fundraiser Festival," a benefit event to be held from 12:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 17 in the "Open Air" tent on the grounds of The Grandel in Grand Center.

The event is being organized by saxophonist Kendrick Smith (pictured), and will feature five different groups of musicians performing individually ticketed, hour-long sets. The tent will be cleared, and the seating areas cleaned and sanitized after each set before a new audience is seated. The set times and lineups are:

12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.: Demarius Hicks, Kasimu Taylor, Janet Buchanan, Bernard Terry, Will Buchanan
1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.: Anita Jackson, Jahmal Nichols, Jason Swagler, Mark Harris II, Dhoruba Hill
3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.: Adam Maness, Brady Lewis, Joseph Hibbs, Ben Wheeler, Carlos Brown Jr.
4:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.: Darrell Mixon, Dawn Weber, Josiah Joyce, Ryan Marquez, Gary Sykes
6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.: Ptah Williams, Bob Deboo, Micah Walker, Joe Mancuso, Kendrick Smith

Proceeds from the event will go towards helping two small local jazz venues, Thurman's in Shaw in south St. Louis and The Cigar Inn in Belleville; radio station WSIE; and "some musicians heavily affected by the pandemic."

Tickets are $20 per set, and are on sale now via MetroTix.

So What: Local News, Notes & Links

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

* The Regional Arts Commission, nearly 20 local performing arts organizations including Jazz St. Louis and The Sheldon, and HEC TV are teaming up for "Arts United STL," a virtual benefit to support the RAC Artist Relief Fund that will take place starting at 7:00 p.m. this coming Sunday, May 31.

The free online event aims to raise more than $250,000 through sponsorships and 1,000 individual donations to provide emergency aid to St. Louis working artists whose livelihoods have been critically interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. You can watch on HEC-TV (see your TV provider's channel guide for info) or online at https://www.opera-stl.org/explore-and-learn/for-everyone/arts-united-stl.

* Drummer and East St. Louis native Terreón "Tank" Gully is featured in the latest episode of the online video series "Just Jazz Cafe."

* The latest episode of saxophonist David Sanborn's web series "Sanborn Sessions," featuring vocalist Cyrille Aimée, is online and available for viewing now.

* Trumpeter Jim Manley was the featured guest on last week's episode of the Shock City School of Music podcast "Coffee Conversations."

* The early Sixties transitional period between trumpeter Miles Davis' two "great quintets" was the topic of "Miles Between: Miles Davis 1961-1963," this week's episode of Indiana public radio station WFIU's "Night Lights" program.

* In honor of the 94th anniversary of Davis' birth, SiriusXM's "Real Jazz" channel last week aired "A Miles Davis Birthday Celebration" featuring three hours of the trumpeter's music.

Edited after posting to fix a typo.

John Pizzarelli to perform Saturday, April 18 to benefit Sheldon Educational Programs

Guitarist and singer John Pizzarelli will returning to St. Louis next year to perform in a benefit for the Sheldon Educational Programs at 8:00 p.m.,  Saturday, April 18 at The Sheldon.

Pizzarelli (pictured) will be highlighting music from his latest recording For Centennial Reasons: 100 Year Salute to Nat King Cole, which was released in February of this year.

As the name suggests, the album features music associated with the late pianist and composer who has been a major influence on Pizzarelli's style, and is his third recording paying tribute to Cole, following 1994's Dear Mr. Cole and 1999's P.S. Mr. Cole.

A frequent visitor to St. Louis who has become a local favorite over the years, Pizzarelli was here most recently this past May, teaming up with singer Catherine Russell for a week of shows at Jazz St. Louis that featured the music of Billie Holiday and Frank Sinatra.

Patron tickets for the benefit at The Sheldon are on sale now at $150 per person, and include a pre-concert reception, complimentary parking, preferred seating, and a tax deduction. To purchase, call The Sheldon at 314-533-9900 or order online.

Concert-only tickets will be priced at $50 for orchestra seating, $45 for front balcony, and $40 for rear balcony, and will go on sale at 10:00 a.m. Friday, March 6 via The Sheldon's box office and Metrotix.

So What: Local News, Notes & Links

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

* A newly restored version of Say Amen Somebody, the award-winning 1982 documentary about gospel music that features St. Louisans including Willie Mae Ford Smith, Zella Jackson Price, and the O'Neal Twins, is being re-released in theaters this fall. The film will play locally from Friday, September 13 through Thursday, September 19 at the Chase Park Plaza Cinemas.

* A performance by Miss Jubilee earned a favorable mention in The Syncopated Times' review of the 2019 Bix Biederbecke Memorial Jazz Festival in Davenport, IA.

* St. Louis saxophonist Kwanae Johnson and his family recently lost their home to a fire, and friends are stepping up to help. A concert to raise funds for the Johnsons, with details still TBA, will be presented from noon to 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 29 at .ZACK. For those who can't attend that day or prefer to give directly, there's a donation page on Facebook.

* Also in need of a hand right now is guitarist Dave Black (pictured), a mainstay of the St. Louis music scene for more than 30 years. Black last week was involved in a serious cycling accident, suffering injuries that will keep him from performing or teaching for several months.

A benefit concert is in the works, but in the meantime, friends have set up a GoFundMe page to help Black with medical and living expenses during his recovery. Black's situation also was the subject of a story by KMOX radio's Maria Keena.

* As reported by St. Louis Public Radio's Jeremy D. Goodwin, a new $30 million development will bring single family homes (and some new apartments) to the Grand Center arts district.

* Jazz St. Louis has announced the selections for this year's edition of their book club, which once again will be led by Washington University professor Gerald Early. You can see the complete list of books and meeting dates here.

* The second annual St. Louis Drum Show will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 19 at the Koken Art Factory.

* Neuka Bowie Mitchell, an executive with Bayer and the daughter of trumpeter Lester Bowie and singer Fontella Bass, has been named to the board of directors of the Arts and Education Council of Greater St. Louis.

* Miles Davis: Birth of the Cool, the new documentary about the famed trumpeter, was the subject of a feature story in DownBeat. The film also was reviewed by Glenn Kenny for the New York Times  and by the Los Angeles Times' Glenn Whipp.

* The music made by Davis in 1959, including Kind of Blue and the Gil Evans-arranged Porgy and Bess, will be revisited at a tribute concert by Richard Pite’s Jazz Repertory Company on Saturday, September 21 at Cadogan Hall in London.

Ahmad Jamal to perform for The Sheldon's benefit gala on Saturday, March 30

Pianist Ahmad Jamal will be the featured performer for the Sheldon Concert Hall and Art Galleries' annual benefit gala at 8:30 p.m., Saturday, March 30 at The Sheldon.

Now 88 years old, Jamal (pictured) plays only a select handful of concert dates a year, so his performance here should be especially anticipated by local jazz fans.

He's been a fixture on the music scene since the late 1950s, winning just about every honor that can be given to a jazz musician, including being named an NEA Jazz Master back in 1994 and getting a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2017. Jamal's most recent recording is Marseille, released in 2017, and he last appeared in St. Louis in November 2011 at the Touhill Performing Arts Center.

Patron tickets for the gala can be purchased now by calling the Sheldon at 314-533-9900. Prices start at $500 per person, and include pre-concert cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, dinner, preferred concert seating, complimentary valet parking, and a tax deduction.

Concert-only tickets will be $50 for orchestra seats, $45 front balcony, $40 rear balcony, and will go on sale at 10:00 a.m. Friday, February 15 via MetroTix and the Sheldon box office. Proceeds from the event benefit The Sheldon's concerts, gallery exhibitions and educational programs.

So What: Local News, Notes & Links

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

* Due to the state's ongoing budget crisis, radio station WSIE has lost all funding from the state of Illinois, and is seeking donations from individuals as well as underwriting support from local businesses.

New general manager Jason Church tells StLJN that additional fund-raising efforts are in the works, but anyone who'd like to make a contribution right now can do so here.

* Speaking of raising money, Radio Arts Foundation will present a fundraising event called "An Evening of Wine and Jazz Under The Stars," featuring live music from Miss Jubilee, on Friday, September 14 at the Sophia M. Sachs Butterfly House in Faust Park in Chesterfield.

* Trumpeter Keyon Harrold is the featured guest on the latest episode of WBGO's "The Checkout," which also airs on various NPR affiliates around the country.

* On a related note, Harrold's "Wayfaring Traveler," from his most recent album The Mugician, was Jazziz magazine's "Song of the Day" on Wednesday.

* Jazz Times has put online the cover story from their August issue about guitarist and St. Louis native Grant Green.

* Veteran St. Louis trumpeter and arranger Frank Goessler Jr. has died. He was 63 years old and lived in St. Charles. Goessler was a long-time member of the Bob Kuban Band who taught music at several local schools, most recently Academy of Sacred Heart and St. Monica School.

A graduate of what's now known as Berklee College of Music, Goessler also performed with and wrote charts for the Sessions Big Band, St. Louis Jazz Orchestra (aka Jim Widner Big Band), the Dave Dickey Big Band, and others. Visitation will be from noon to 4:00 p.m. this Sunday, August 5 at Baue Funeral and Memorial Center in St. Charles, with a funeral service scheduled at 4:00 p.m. Sunday in the Baue chapel.

Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, Wynton Marsalis returning Friday, October 12 for benefit concert at The Sheldon

Trumpeter Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra are returning to St. Louis to perform at 8:00 p.m. Friday, October 12 at the Sheldon Concert Hall.

Marsalis and the JaLCO (pictured) were here most recently in May of this year to perform the trumpeter's "Swing Symphony" with the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra at Powell Hall.

Their most recent recording United We Swing: Best of the Jazz at Lincoln Center Galas, which came out earlier this year, compiles performances by the band with a variety of guest musicians at various JALC events between 2003 and 2007.

The upcoming concert here in St. Louis will benefit education programs at The Sheldon, which serve more than 30,000 local students per year. Patron tickets, which include a pre-concert reception, complimentary parking, preferred seating and a tax deduction, are $150 each and can be purchased now by calling The Sheldon at 314-533-9900.

Concert-only tickets will be priced at $65 orchestra, $55 balcony, and will go on sale at 10:00 a.m. Saturday August 11 via Metrotix and the Sheldon box office.

Jazz this week: The Baylor Project, Don Dietrich & Ben Hall, "Essentially Ellington" festival, and more

This week's calendar of live jazz and creative music in St. Louis features the local debut of a Grammy-nominated act featuring one of the city's own; a rare local appearance from a founder of one of the most uncompromising free jazz/noise bands of all time; several student ensembles showing off what they've learned this year, and more. Let's go to the highlights...

Wednesday, March 28
The Baylor Project makes their St. Louis debut with the first of four nights of performances at Jazz at the Bistro.

Led by singer Jean Baylor and her husband, drummer and St. Louis native Marcus Baylor (pictured), they were nominated this year for Grammy awards in both jazz and R&B categories. You can find out more about them and see some videos of live performances in this post from last week.

Also on Wednesday, singer Joe Mancuso performs for the last night of his winter residency at Taha'a Twisted Tiki, and the "Grand Center Jazz Crawl" features the St. Louis Steady Grinders at The Stage at KDHX, the weekly jam session hosted by bassist Bob Deboo at the Kranzberg Arts Center; and trumpeter Kasimu Taylor's quartet at The Dark Room.

Thursday, March 29
The Jazz at Holmes series at Washington University presents a free concert featuring Washington University Jazz Studies Students; guitarist Dave Black leads a trio at The Dark Room; and saxophonist Andy Ament plays at The Pat Connolly Tavern.

Friday, March 30
The closing concert of the annual "Essentially Ellington" festival at SIU Edwardsville's Dunham Hall will feature the participating student bands, plus the SIUE Concert Jazz Band and jazz faculty and visiting clinicians including trumpeter Terell Stafford, pianist Reggie Thomas, bassists Rodney Whitaker and Jeff Campbell, and drummer Dennis Mackrel.

Also on Friday, Oikos Ensemble presents "Good Friday Blues - A Jazz Lamentation" at the First Congregational Church of Webster Groves; Sarah Jane and the Blue Notes return to Evangeline's; and guitarist and singer Tommy Halloran wraps up his winter residency at Das Bevo Underground.

Saturday, March 31
Traditional jazz bands including the Riff Raff Jazz Band, Annie and the Fur Trappers, and Roya and the High Timers will perform in a benefit for clarinetist and sculptor Rudy Torrini at Yaquis on Cherokee;

Also on Saturday, keyboardist Ryan Marquez celebrates the release of his album Moving Forward In Time with a show at the Kranzberg Arts Center, and singer Feyza Eren and bassist Willem von Hombracht will duet at the KindaBlue Club.

Sunday, April 1
Saxophonist Don Dietrich, best known as one of the founding members of the apocalyptic free-jazz group Borbetomagus, teams with composer/sculptor Ben Hall for a performance at The Sinkhole; Tim Cunningham headlines a bill featuring fellow saxophonists Antoine Washington, Terry Grohman and Kendrick Smith at Troy's Jazz Gallery; and the The Jazz Troubadours return to Evangeline's.

Monday, April 2
Webster University Student Jazz Combos perform at Webster's Community Music School.

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

* Can't make it to Jazz at the Bistro this week to hear the new lineup of The Bad Plus? You can see a free online video stream of tonight's first set starting at 7:30 p.m. via Jazz St. Louis' Facebook page.

* Saxophonist David Sanborn (pictured) was interviewed last week on NYC public radio station WBGO.

* Metro Theater Company, the long-running local troupe specializing in theater for children, will take over the Grandel Theater for most of February with two jazz-related events.

They'll present a benefit concert with music from Peter Martin, Brian Owens, and Terence Blanchard on Friday, February 3 at the Grandel, followed by a three-week run of Bud, Not Buddy, a "concert play" that is based on a Newbery Medal and Coretta Scott King Award-winning children's novel and will feature a live, 13-piece jazz band on stage.

* The film Django was reviewed for KDHX.org by film critic Diane Carson. In French with English subtitles, the movie dramatizes the life of jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt during World War II, and will play tonight through Sunday, January 21 at 7:30 p.m. each evening at Webster University's Winifred Moore auditorium.

* The death of pianist Nathan Jatcko was covered in stories written by Daniel Hill of the Riverfront Times and Nassim Benchaabane of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

* Drummer and St. Louis native Kimberly Thompson has posted to her YouTube channel a video of a full set by the Mike Stern Band recorded live at Jazz at the Bistro during their appearance there in February, 2017. Along with Thompson on drums and Stern on guitar, the band included tenor saxophonist Bob Franceschini and bassist Teymur Phell.

Ramsey Lewis to headline benefit gala on Friday, April 13 at The Sheldon

Pianist Ramsey Lewis is returning to St. Louis next year to headline the Sheldon Concert Hall and Art Galleries' annual benefit gala at 8:30 p.m., Friday, April 13.

Lewis (pictured), an NEA Jazz Master who's known for groove-oriented hits from "The In Crowd" to "Sun Goddess" and more, will perform a program featuring his interpretations of the music of the Beatles, including songs such as “And I Love Her” and “A Hard Day’s Night,” plus some favorites from his own extensive catalog.

Lewis last played in St. Louis in November 2015 for The Sheldon's "ArtSounds" benefit. His most recent recording is 2011's Taking Another Look on the Hidden Beach label.

Tickets for the benefit gala are on sale now, starting at $500, and can be purchased by calling The Sheldon at 314-533-9900. Gala tickets include pre-concert cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, dinner, preferred concert seating, complimentary valet parking and a tax deduction. Proceeds from the event will benefit the concerts, gallery exhibitions and educational programs of the Sheldon Concert Hall and Art Galleries.

Concert-only tickets will be $45 orchestra, $40 front balcony, $35 rear balcony, and will go on sale at 10:00 a.m. Friday, March 2 via The Sheldon's website and from MetroTix.

Jazz this week: Grace Kelly, Steve Swell Quintet, Kevin Eubanks, a benefit for Puerto Rico, and more

The fall presenting season is gathering some momentum this week, as the calendar of jazz and creative music for the next few days in St. Louis includes three significant touring headliners - two of whom are making their local debuts - plus a benefit raising money for hurricane relief in Puerto Rico, and more.

Let's go to the highlights...

Wednesday, October 4
Saxophonist and singer Grace Kelly (pictured, top left) makes her St. Louis debut in the first of four nights at Jazz at the Bistro.

For more about Kelly and some video samples of recent performances, take a look at this post from a couple of Saturdays ago.

Also on Wednesday, guitarist Dave Black plays solo at Evangeline's, and the weekly "Grand Center Jazz Crawl" features saxophonist Andy Ament at KDHX's Magnolia Café, a jam session hosted by bassist Bob DeBoo at the Kranzberg Arts Center, and trumpeter Kasimu Taylor at The Dark Room.

Thursday, October 5
Singer Kim Fuller will perform in a free concert for the Jazz at Holmes series at Washington University, percussionist Joe Pastor leads a trio at The Dark Room, and saxophonist Vince Sala brings his trio to The Pat Connolly Tavern.

Friday, October 6
The Puerto Rican Society of St. Louis presents "STL Stands Up For Puerto Rico," a benefit performance to raise money for hurricane relief on the island, at St. Louis Community College-Forest Park. The event will feature music from Orquestra Son Montuno, Farshid Etniko, Clave Sol, Mark Holland, and more.

Saturday, October 7
Veteran free-jazz trombonist Steve Swell makes his St. Louis debut, leading an all-star quintet in a concert presented by New Music Circle at The Stage at KDHX.

Swell's band (pictured, bottom left) features pianist Dave Burrell, bassist William Parker, drummer Chad Taylor, and saxophonist Jemeel Moondoc, and you can find out more of them and see some video performances here.

Sunday, October 8
Guitarist Kevin Eubanks, who's gotten very good notices for his post-Tonight Show efforts both on stage and on records. returns to the St. Louis area to perform in the intimate confines of the Wildey Theatre in Edwardsville. 

Also on Sunday night, the Coleman Hughes Project plays an early evening show at Troy's Jazz Gallery.

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 this week: Fourth annual Richard McDonnell Scholarship Concert, Gerald Albright, No BS! Brass Band, and more

This week's calendar of live jazz and creative music in St. Louis includes a concert raising funds for music scholarships in honor of a much-loved local jazz supporter; gigs from a popular, groove-oriented saxophonist and a New Orleans-style brass band, and more.

Let's go to the highlights...

Wednesday, June 14
The third annual Richard McDonnell Scholarship Concert will take place at Jazz at the Bistro, featuring drummer Matt Wilson, members of Good 4 The Soul and the Funky Butt Brass Band, and various other guest musicians.

The event raises money for music scholarships for St. Louis area students in the name of Richard McDonnell, the late founder of MAXJAZZ Records who also was a board member of Jazz St. Louis and an enthusiastic, well-liked supporter of the local jazz scene before his sudden death in 2014.

Also on Wednesday, The Gaslight Squares will play a free outdoor concert for the Whitaker Music Festival at Missouri Botanical Garden.

Thursday, June 15
The Dark Room is changing up their regular music offerings a bit starting this week. Going forward, they're booking a different band every week on Thursdays, with pianist Ptah Williams moving to a regular weekly trio show at "happy hour" on Fridays. This week's debut of the "Thursday Night Revue" will feature drummer Kaleb Kirby's band Animal Children.

Also on Thursday, Cabaret Project St. Louis will present their monthly "Broadway Open Mic" at the Curtain Call Lounge.

Friday, June 16 
Saxophonist Gerald Albright (pictured, top left), will headline a "Salute to Fathers/Mentors" at the Sheldon Concert Hall, with support from saxophonist Tim Cunningham, comedian James Stephens III and singer Denise Thimes. For more about what Albright has been up to lately, and some videos of recent live performances, check out this post from last Saturday.

Also on Friday, guitarist Farshid Etniko Soltanshahi brings his multi-ethnic "world music" sound to Jazz at the Bistro; drummer Steve Davis leads a group with singer Feyza Eren in a free show at the Webster Groves Concert Hall; and Sarah Jane and the Blue Notes return to the Venice Cafe.

Over on the east side, Gypsy jazz/swing trio The Bonbon Plot will play a concert at Jacoby Arts Center; and drummer Marty Morrison leads a trio at Cigar Inn.

Saturday, June 17
The Gaslight Squares will play a matinee at the Blues City Deli; and keyboardist and singer Jesse Gannon and his band The Truth will perform at Jazz at the Bistro.

Sunday, June 18
The Grand Center district will be the site of not one, but two different Frank Sinatra tributes for Father's Day, as singer/impressionist Dean Christopher will do his "Sinatra...and Other Stuff" show for brunch in the relatively intimate confines of The Dark Room, while singer Steve Lippia will be featured with the St. Louis Symphony for a matinee of "Sinatra: 100 Years and Beyond" at the spacious Powell Symphony Hall.

Sunday night, the No BS! Brass Band (pictured, bottom left), a Virginia-based group offering their own contemporary take on the traditional New Orleans ensemble sound, will play at the Old Rock House.

Monday, June 19
A triple bill of free-improvising musicians featuring guitarist Shane Parish, the duo of Christopher E. Trull and Mabel Suen, and the Vernacular String Trio will play at Foam.

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

* Bassist and St. Louis native Tom Kennedy has released a new album titled Points of View, available now via CD Baby and various digital music services.

The album (pictured) includes eight tracks - including one with a titular shout-out to St. Louis, "Gaslight Square Blues" - performed by a stellar cast of musicians including drummer and St. Charles native Dave Weckl; singer and former St. Louisan Karla Harris; trumpeter Randy Brecker; saxophonists Bill Evans, Bob Franceschini and Bob Malach; guitarists Mike Stern, Lee Ritenour and Chuck Loeb; drummers Obed Calvaire and Richie Morales; and more.

* Singer Chuck Flowers performed this week on the morning newscast of KTVI/Fox 2, promoting his upcoming gig on Sunday, April 23 at BB's Jazz Blues & Soups.

* Last week's homecoming performance by trumpeter Keyon Harrold, drummer Kimberly Thompson and pianist Lawrence Fields at Jazz at the Bistro got a shout-out from the St. Louis American's Delores Shante.

* Singer Brian Owens has released an animated music video for his song "For You," featuring additional vocals by fellow Ferguson native Michael McDonald, the singer known for his work as a Grammy winning solo artist and with classic rock bands The Doobie Brothers and Steely Dan.

The video, which includes animated renderings of several St. Louisi landmarks, supports the release of Owens' latest album Soul of Ferguson, and can be seen on YouTube and on Owens' Facebook page and website.

* Singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Alan Ox will provide the musical entertainment for "A Night In The Stacks," an event benefiting SIUE's Lovejoy Library to be held from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 13 at the Library on the SIUE campus.

GoFundMe campaign set up to raise money for saxophonist Hamiet Bluiett

Baritone saxophonist Hamiet Bluiett is ailing, and family members have set up a page at the website GoFundMe to raise money to help him.

From the message posted to the page by Bluiett's granddaughter Anaya:

"Recently, he's been hospitalized for several months because he has had numerous strokes and seizures. He was in the critical intensive care unit, then the hospital and two rehabs to help him get back to himself but it's still going to take some time. I am trying to raise money for him for his bills and traveling expenses, since he no longer will be able to work."

Considered by many fans and critics to be the top baritone saxophonist of his generation, Bluiett (pictured) originally is from Brooklyn, IL (aka Lovejoy), just across the river from St. Louis, and attended SIU-Carbondale.

Now 76 years old, Bluiett first gained wide recognition in the jazz world in the late 1960s as a member of the Black Artists Group, and then went on to form the World Saxophone Quartet with fellow BAG members Oliver Lake and Julius Hemphill plus David Murray.

In addition to more than 20 albums with the WSQ, Bluiett has made a similar number of recordings as a bandleader, and also has performed or recorded with well-known jazz and improvisational musicians including Charles Mingus, Gil Evans, Anthony Braxton, Kahil El'Zabar, the Music Revelation Ensemble, and many others.

(On a more personal note, as longtime StLJN readers may have noticed, yr. humble editor is a big fan of Bluiett's many musical contributions to our culture. I've also interviewed him a couple of times, and found him to be candid, funny, and very quotable.) 

To find out more or to contribute to the GoFundMe campaign supporting Hamiet Bluiett, go here.

George Benson to perform for Sheldon gala on Friday, May 12

Guitarist and singer George Benson (pictured) will be the featured performer for the Sheldon Concert Hall's annual fundraising gala to be held at 8:30 p.m. Friday, May 12 at The Sheldon.

Benson's most recent recording, Love Songs in Concert, was released in November and is his first album since 2013's Inspiration: A Tribute to Nat King Cole. He last played St. Louis in October, 2011 at the Touhill Performing Arts Center.

Patron tickets for the event, which include pre-concert cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, dinner, preferred concert seating, complimentary valet parking and a tax deduction, are $500 each and are available for purchase now by calling The Sheldon at 314-533-9900.

Concert-only tickets will be priced at $65 orchestra, $55 balcony 1, $45 balcony 2, and will go on sale go on sale at 10:00 a.m. Friday, April 7 via MetroTix outlets and The Sheldon's website.

Proceeds from the gala benefit the concerts, gallery exhibitions and educational programs at the Sheldon Concert Hall and Art Galleries.

James Carter to play benefit concert on Saturday, October 22 at The Sheldon

Saxophonist James Carter and his organ trio are returning to St. Louis to headline the Sheldon Art Galleries' annual "ArtSounds" benefit at 8:00 p.m. Saturday, October 22 at the Sheldon Concert Hall.

Carter (pictured) and his trio, which includes organist Gerald Gibbs and drummer Leonard King, last performed here in March of this year at Jazz at the Bistro.

As part of his Sheldon concert, Carter will improvise a solo piece inspired by the "Paint for Peace" murals created by St. Louis artists following the death in 2014 of Michael Brown and the subsequent protests in Ferguson.

The murals will be featured in "Outside/In: Paint for Peace," an exhibit opening on Friday, October 7 at the Sheldon Art Galleries. (Additional works from the exhibit will be shown at the Ferguson Youth Initiative, UMSL's Gallery 210, Missouri History Museum, and Vaughn Cultural Center.)

Proceeds from the "ArtSounds" event benefit the exhibits and educational programs of the Sheldon Art Galleries. Patron tickets, which include a pre-concert reception, complimentary parking, preferred seating and a tax deduction, are priced at $500, $300 and $150, and can be purchased now by calling The Sheldon at 314-533-9900.

Remaining tickets for the concert only will cost $35 for orchestra seating, $30 and $25 for the balcony, and will go on sale at 10:00 a.m. Friday, September 16 via MetroTix outlets and the Sheldon box office.

Jeremy Davenport to perform for benefit gala Sunday, June 5 at The Sheldon

Trumpeter, singer, and U City native Jeremy Davenport is returning to St. Louis to perform in a benefit gala at 2:00 p.m., Sunday, June 5 at the Sheldon Concert Hall.

Davenport (pictured), who now lives in New Orleans and leads the house band at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel there, has been coming back to his hometown each year for more than a decade to perform at Jazz at the Bistro over Thanksgiving weekend.

He also did a Twilight Tuesdays show back in 2010 at the History Museum, but otherwise has made few appearances here since the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, when he moved back to St. Louis for a year and had a regular gig at the now-shuttered Busch's Grove.

Proceeds from this performance will benefit the programs and exhibits at The Sheldon's art galleries. Patron tickets for the gala are $250 and $125, and are available for purchase now by calling The Sheldon at 314-533-9900. These tickets include a pre-concert reception with "brunch-style appetizers and cocktails," plus complimentary parking, preferred concert seating, and a tax deduction.

Concert-only tickets for Jeremy Davenport will be priced at $40 orchestra, $35 balcony, and will go on sale at 10:00 a.m. Friday, April 29 at Metrotix outlets, by phone at 314-534-1111, and via the The Sheldon's website.

Victor Goines to perform benefit concert Sunday, December 6 at The Sheldon

Saxophonist and clarinetist Victor Goines is returning to St. Louis for a performance benefiting the North County Big Band at 7:00 p.m. Sunday, December 6 at the Sheldon Concert Hall.

Goines, a member of the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra since 1993, also directs the jazz studies program at Northwestern University and is active as a solo artist, performing and recording with his own quartet as well as with Wynton Marsalis, Marcus Roberts, Diana Krall, Dianne Reeves, and more. He's played here in St. Louis several times over the past decade, both as a member of JaLCO and as a headliner at the Sheldon and Jazz at the Bistro.

For this performance, Goines (pictured) will accompanied by a rhythm section of St. Louis musicians including Adam Maness on piano, Jahmal Nichols on bass, and Montez Coleman on drums.

The North County Big Band, which will play an opening set before Goines, is made up of students from several St. Louis area high schools, including Riverview Gardens, Normandy, Hazelwood Central, Central Visual and Performing Arts, and University City. The group is led by saxophonist Harvey Lockhart, band director for Riverview Gardens HS, and has performed several times at the Sheldon and at community events since its inception earlier this year.

Tickets are $35 for general admission orchestra seats, $30 general admission balcony, and $15 for students, and are on sale now via MetroTix at 314-534-1111 and online.

Jazz this week: Dave King Trucking Company, Gateway Jazz Festival, a benefit for Willie Akins, Dave Easley, and more

Though it's still before Labor Day, the fall presenting season would seem to be already getting underway this week, with several noteworthy touring musicians visiting St. Louis, plus the customary variety of jazz and creative music from local performers.

Let's go to the highlights...


Thursday, September 3
Erin Bode concludes her two-night engagement singing standards at Jazz at the Bistro, and guitarist Dave Black and friends will perform at Nathalie's.

Friday, September 4
The Dave King Trucking Company will make their St. Louis debut in the first of two nights at Jazz at the Bistro. Drummer and leader King (pictured, top left), who St. Louisans know from his many performances here with The Bad Plus, has described the Trucking Company's sound as "Americana meets avant-garde." Given TBP's popularity here, odds are that King's side project will draw an enthusiastic audience as well, so advance reservations are recommended.

Also on Friday, Second Generation Swing plays for dancers at the Casa Loma Ballroom; Sarah Jane and the Blue Notes will return to the Venice Cafe; and singer Joe Mancuso will perform in a benefit concert for saxophonist Willie Akins at Kranzberg Arts Center.

The show will feature Mancuso's quintet plus special guests raising funds to help with medical and living expenses for Akins (pictured, center left), who's facing serious health problems related to heart disease and had to be admitted to the hospital this week. (If you can't attend the show but would like to help, you can donate at a GoFundMe page that's been set up for Akins here.)

Saturday, September 5
New-Orleans based steel guitarist Dave Easley will be in town to perform at Pop's Blue Moon, 5249 Pattison Ave on the Hill. Easley, who's played with drummer Brian Blade's group, Dave Liebman, Kenny Garrett, Cyril Neville, Dr. John and many other well-known bands and musicians, will be backed by fellow New Orleans resident Tom Chute on drums and St' Louis' Bob DeBoo on bass.

Also on Saturday, Miss Jubilee and The Sidemen will team up on a double bill at the Casa Loma Ballroom.

Sunday, September 6
The first day of the St. Louis Jazz Club's Gateway Jazz Festival at the DoubleTree Hotel at Westport will feature performances from Michael Lacey's New Orleans Swing, the piano duo of Stephanie Trick and Paolo Alderighi, pianist Pat Joyce, the St. Louis Stompers, Red Lehr's Powerhouse 5, and Cornet Chop Suey, with the Funky Butt Brass Band joining in when the festival continues on Monday.

Also on Sunday, Good 4 The Soul returns to BB's Jazz, Blues & Soups.

Monday, September 7
Guitarist Tom Byrne and singer Erika Johnson will perform at BB's Jazz, Blues & Soups.

Tuesday, September 8
Trumpeter Jim Manley adds another recurring gig to his weekly schedule, as he and pianist Chris Swan now are playing every Tuesday at Riverbend Restaurant and Bar, 1059 S. Big Bend Blvd in Richmond Heights.

Also on Tuesday, Miss Jubilee will perform in a free outdoor concert for the "Twilight Tuesdays" series at the  Missouri History Museum; and the Saxquest Jazz Orchestra will hold an open rehearsal at Tavern of Fine Arts.

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.)