Anat Cohen out, Erin Bode, Brian Owens in for Peter Martin concert Friday, November 21 at The Sheldon

The Sheldon Concert Hall has announced that clarinetist and saxophonist Anat Cohen, who had been scheduled to return to St. Louis to perform with pianist Peter Martin on Friday, November 21 at the Sheldon, will be unable to appear that night "due to an unexpected family health situation."

Cohen's spot on the bill will be filled St. Louis vocalists Erin Bode (pictured) and Brian Owens, both of whom have performed with Martin before.

Current ticket holders who still wish to attend the concert need only to keep their current tickets and present them at the door on November 21. Single ticket buyers may request refunds for the face value of their tickets at the original point of purchase; by calling MetroTix at 314-534-1111; or in person at the Fox Theatre box office, 531 N. Grand Blvd.

Concert with Spyro Gyra, Mindi Abair canceled; Ferguson unrest cited

Promoters of the Eco Music Festival have canceled the event, which was to have featured Spyro Gyra, Mindi Abair (pictured) and two St. Louis acts in concert on Saturday, August 30 at the Chesterfield Amphitheater.

No replacement date was announced, and although a story by Calvin Wilson on STLtoday.com refers to the event as "indefinitely postponed," an email from a representative of promoters Sky Promotions used the word "canceled," suggesting that none will be forthcoming.

The email also stated that "the processing of refunds on Eventbrite is underway," but the Eventbrite page for the concert still had no mention of any cancellation, postponement or refund procedure as of 12:15 p.m. Thursday. However, the show has been removed from the Chesterfield Amphitheater site, and the URL ecomusicfestivals.org that originally was used to promote the event is now redirecting to the EventBrite page.

Wilson's story says that the promoters are citing the current unrest in Ferguson as the reason for the cancellation; the story also drily notes that the Chesterfield Amphitheater is located more than 20 miles away from Ferguson.

Given that promoters were still soliciting vendors for the event via Twitter as recently as this past Tuesday, August 19 - 11 days after people took to the streets to protest the shooting of 18-year-old Mike Brown by a Ferguson police officer - and tensions on the ground there seem to have eased somewhat since then, one can't help but wonder what's happened in the last two days to prompt the cancellation now. Perhaps a report indicating poor advance ticket sales?

Joe Sample cancels shows at Jazz at the Bistro

Due to medical issues, pianist Joe Sample (pictured) has cancelled his shows scheduled for Wednesday, May 28 through Saturday, May 31 at Jazz at the Bistro.

"We are working with Mr. Sample’s management on a new set of dates for the 2014-2015 season," said a statement issued by Jazz St. Louis. "We will not be booking a replacement performer for May 28-31, 2014 at the Bistro."

Refunds will be processed automatically using the original form of payment, with no further action required. Subscribers and anyone who paid via check or cash will receive a refund check for your tickets within the next two weeks.

In lieu of a refund, ticket buyers who wish to donate the value of their tickets to Jazz St. Louis can get a tax-deductible donation receipt. To donate, please respond by 5:00 p.m Monday, March 31 by calling the JSL box office at 314-289-4030 or emailing Jessie@jazzstl.org.

Terence Blanchard replaces Chucho Valdés for February 15 concert at The Sheldon

This just in: The Sheldon Concert Hall has announced that trumpeter Terence Blanchard (pictured) and his sextet will replace Chucho Valdés for the concert scheduled for 8:00 p.m. Saturday, February 15 at the Sheldon. According to the Sheldon's announcement, Valdés is unable to appear due to an injury sustained while on tour.

If you've already bought tickets for Valdés and wish to attend Blanchard's performance, you can keep your tickets and just present them at the door on February 15. Refunds for the face value of tickets can be obtained at the original point of purchase.

Blanchard was here in St. Louis frequently last year, as Opera Theater St. Louis presented the world premiere production of his first opera, Champion, and played free outdoor concerts at both St. Louis Place Park and the Missouri Botanical Garden. (Coincidentally, when Blanchard performed at The Sheldon in 2006, he was filling a date that had opened up when bassist Dave Holland had to cancel.) 

The New Orleans native also is known for writing scores for a number of director Spike Lee's films, and for the recent Broadway revival of A Streetcar Named Desire. He also appeared here in 2012 at both the Touhill Performing Arts Center, with percussionist Poncho Sanchez, and at Jazz at the Bistro with his own band. Blanchard's most recent album Magnetic, released last year, made the year-end "Best of 2013" lists of a number of jazz critics and publications.

(Edited 1/10/14 to fix a redundancy in the text.)

StLJN Saturday Video Showcase: Six from Sonny Rollins

Since his continuing health issues forced the great saxophonist Sonny Rollins to cancel his concert originally scheduled for tonight at the Touhill Performing Arts Center, it seems fitting to use today's video showcase to pay tribute to the man who's been called "the world's greatest living tenor saxophonist," "the heavyweight champion of the tenor sax," and many similar complimentary names.

Of course, no video of Rollins truly can substitute for the real thing, so let's just call this a sort of "get well" card, expressing our hope for a fast and full recovery and serving as a reminder of Rollins' continued greatness.

Longtime readers may remember that he's been featured in this space twice before, in 2007 and 2009. One of those clips from that little-seen 2007 post is so compelling as to warrant another look, and so we've chosen it to kick off today's festivities.

It's an excerpt from the Robert Muegge film Saxophone Colossus, and features Rollins and his mid-1980s band (trombonist Clifton Anderson, bassist Bob Cranshaw, pianist Mark Soskin, and a very young-looking Marvin "Smitty" Smith) at an outdoor show in Saugerties, NY. The tune is Rollins' "G-Man," which in this case consists of nearly 14 minutes worth of jaw-dropping soloing from the leader. It's as good an example of Rollins' unflagging energy, inventiveness and pure audacity at mid-career as you're likely to find.

Let's fast-forward a few years for the next two clips, which are extended versions of "Long Ago and Far Away" and "Tennessee Waltz" recorded in May, 1992 at the Philharmonie im Gasteig in München, Germany, featuring Rollins, Anderson, Soskin, Cranshaw, guitarist Jerome Harris and drummer Yoron Israel.

Below that is an excerpt from a 2006 show in California, featuring Rollins and band as shot by his friend and associate Bret Primack, aka the Jazz Video Guy, who has lots more Rollins- and jazz-related material on his YouTube channel.

We close out with two vintage B&W clips showing Rollins in an intimate trio setting. Recorded in 1965 in Denmark, "There Will Never Be Another You" features Rollins swinging with drummer Alan Dawson and bassist Niels Henning Orsted-Pedersen, while "Love Letters" from all the way back in 1959 shows him in ballad mode, aided and abetted by bassist Henry Grimes and drummer Joe Harris.

Sonny Rollins cancels summer concerts including June 22 show at the Touhill

This just in: Saxophonist Sonny Rollins (pictured) has cancelled all his shows for June and July, including a scheduled date on Saturday, June 22 at the Touhill Performing Arts Center here in St. Louis.

Here's the complete text of the news release sent out this morning by Jazz St. Louis:

"SONNY ROLLINS CANCELS JUNE 22 TOUHILL SHOW

ST. LOUIS, MO. Citing ongoing health issues, saxophone legend Sonny Rollins has canceled all June and July 2013 shows, including his June 22 St. Louis appearance at the Blanche M. Touhill Performing Arts Center.

Jazz St. Louis, presenter for the June 22 date, received the following official statement from Rollins after close of business on Thursday, June 6:

“This past spring, I was dealing with some respiratory issues that necessitated my canceling several concerts. I have been under a doctor’s care, and we were hopeful that I would be able to return to performing in time for my scheduled concerts this month and next. However, I am still not in condition to perform, and regretfully I must cancel these shows.”

All tickets will be refunded by the Touhill Performing Arts Center box office by calling 314-516-4949 or visiting the box office during regular business hours."

While this is, of course, a huge disappointment for St. Louis jazz fans, here's hoping for a fast and full recovery for Rollins.

Jazz at the Bistro: Marlena Shaw postponed, Russell Malone & Cyrus Chestnut added

This just in: Jazz St. Louis has announced that due to "circumstances beyond their control," singer Marlena Shaw's upcoming engagement at Jazz at the Bistro, scheduled for Wednesday, April 11 through Saturday, April 14, has been postponed. JSL director of operations and artistic administration Bob Bennett says they're working with Shaw's representatives to reschedule for next season.

Shaw's place on the calendar will be taken by guitarist Russell Malone (pictured) and pianist Cyrus Chestnut's trio. Both have played the Bistro as headliners several times before - Malone most recently in October 2010, Chestnut in April 2011 - but this will be the first time they've teamed up for joint performances there.

Bennett added that "those who purchased tickets for Marlena Shaw may use them for the new shows with Russell Malone and the Cyrus Chestnut Trio (same night/set) or return them to the point of purchase for a refund.”

Tickets for Russell Malone and the Cyrus Chestnut Trio are $30 for Wednesday and Thursday, $35 for Friday and Saturday, $15 for students. Sets are at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.

Jazz Crusaders reschedule St. Louis concert for Saturday, June 11 at the Touhill

Jazz St. Louis has announced that the Jazz Crusaders (pictured) have rescheduled their St. Louis concert for 8:00 p.m., Saturday June 11 at the Touhill Performing Arts Center.

The concert, which will feature original Crusaders members Joe Sample, Wayne Henderson and Wilton Felder, originally was scheduled for September 2010 at the Touhill, but was postponed to due to a medical issue affecting one of the musicians, reportedly Felder.

Tickets for the Jazz Crusaders at the Touhill will be priced at $100 for Gold Circle seating, which includes a post-concert reception with the musicians, $50 and $35. Jazz at the Bistro subscribers will receive an email offering them the first opportunity to purchase seats. Tickets then will go on sale to the general public at 10:00 a.m. next Tuesday, January 18, and can be purchased by phoning the Touhill box office at 314-516-4949 or online at www.touhill.org.

Dave Brubeck cancels St. Louis concert

This just in: Pianist Dave Brubeck (pictured) has canceled his St. Louis performance that had been scheduled for Sunday, October 17 at the Sheldon Concert Hall. Here's the text of the news release StLJN received from the Sheldon:

"Due to health reasons, Dave Brubeck has been advised by his doctors to avoid travelling and performing at this time, and therefore must cancel his appearance at The Sheldon on October 17.

Ticket buyers may request a refund for the face value of their tickets at the point of purchase. Tickets purchased via phone or internet will be automatically refunded. If purchased in person at a MetroTix outlet or in person at the Fox Theatre Box Office, please return tickets to the point of purchase.

For more information, contact The Sheldon at 314-533-9900 during normal business hours, Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m."

Brubeck, who will turn 90 on December 6, was in St. Louis most recently in 2008 to perform at the Sheldon.

UPDATE - 5:30 p.m., 9/24/10: Shortly after this item was posted, another Brubeck-related news release arrived at StLJN HQ from the We Always Swing series in Columbia. Unsurprisingly, Brubeck has canceled his October 16 appearance there, too, as well as the rest of his fall tour dates. Here's hoping the venerable pianist is feeling better soon...

King Sunny Ade cancels tour

After canceling the first five dates of their North American tour last week, singer and guitarist King Sunny Ade and His African Beats now have scrapped the entire tour. Ade was scheduled to perform in St. Louis tomorrow night (Tuesday April 20), at the Old Rock House. A statement released today by Ade's management said:

"On March 26th 2010 a tragic car accident took the lives of two members of the African Beats, talking drummer Gabriel Ayanniyi and percussionist Omo Olope, who were en-route to a video shoot for a forthcoming recording. When the US Embassy refused to grant visas to replacement members in a timely manner, there was confusion about the possible courses of action.At the same time, it became clear that the artist and the band had neither recovered from the impact of the tragedy, nor were they able to find consensus on how to move forward with normal touring.

As a result, the North American April/May 2010 tour has been canceled until such a time as King Sunny Ade and his group have sufficiently regrouped and are ready to face the rigors of an International tour again.

We offer our heartfelt condolences to the band and the families of the deceased. On behalf of the artist and his band we extend our apologies to all who will be disappointed by their inability to perform in North America this year."

The Old Rock House is offering ticket refunds at the point of purchase only.

Robert Glasper cancels shows at Jazz at the Bistro; Houston Person booked to perform October 7-10

Jazz St. Louis has announced another change in the fall schedule for Jazz at the Bistro. Pianist Robert Glasper, who had been scheduled to perform at the Bistro Wednesday, October 7 through Saturday, October 10, has canceled.

Saxophonist Houston Person (pictured), who was in town this past weekend to perform at Harris-Stowe State University as part of the fundraising event "A Night of Jazz Greats," has been booked to fill the dates vacated by Glasper. Person has played the Bistro several times before, and over the years, his old-school blend of blues, bop and ballads has proved quite popular with St. Louis listeners.

Tickets for Houston Person will be $25 for Wednesday and Thursday, and $30 for Friday and Saturday, and go on sale at 10:00 a.m. next Tuesday, September 8. Tickets can purchased in person at all Metrotix locations, online at www.metrotix.com, by phone at 314-534-1111, or by calling the Jazz St. Louis box office at 314-289-4030.

Subscribers with tickets for Robert Glasper may use the same tickets for the shows by Houston Person (same set/evening). Single ticket buyers may use them for the same show with Person, or return them to the point of purchase for a full refund.

This is the second time in two seasons that Glasper has bowed out of scheduled dates at the Bistro. Although the official announcement from Jazz St. Louis referred only to "circumstances beyond our control," it's no secret that Glasper has been on tour this year with R&B singer Maxwell - a tour that started in June and, according to the latest from Pollstar, is now running through mid-October. In fact, Glasper will actually be in St. Louis, performing with Maxwell at the Scottrade Center, on October 9, a date that was part of his scheduled run at the Bistro.

So why didn't the keyboardist, or his representatives, catch the conflict before now? This sort of thing is very preventable as long as someone is paying attention. On one hand, you can't blame Glasper for wanting to take advantage of a good-paying gig such as the one with Maxwell - but waiting to cancel until after season brochures have been printed, tickets have been sold, and so on, certainly puts Jazz St. Louis in a bad spot. Under the circumstances, it seems unlikely that Glasper will invited to return to the Bistro any time soon. And given all this, the name of the pianist's latest CD, released last month on Blue Note, seems very appropriate: it's called Double Booked.

Jazz Cruise All-Stars cancel performance at Jazz at the Bistro

Jazz St. Louis has announced that the performance by the Jazz Cruise All-Stars featuring Ken Peplowski that was scheduled for Saturday, September 12 at Jazz at the Bistro has been canceled. From the weekly JSL email newsletter, which went out today:

"Due to circumstances beyond our control, the Jazz Cruise All-Stars have been forced to cancel their date at Jazz at the Bistro. Those with tickets for this show can return them to the point of purchase for a full refund. Jazz at the Bistro will not be scheduling a show to replace the Jazz Cruise All-Stars. We apologize for any inconvenience this has caused."

Ronnie Laws concert at The Sheldon canceled

According to the Sheldon Concert Hall's Web site, the concert by saxophonist Ronnie Laws scheduled for this Wednesday, June 17, at the hall has been canceled. There's no reason given, nor any information about refunds for tickets already purchased.

The show was to have benefited the scholarship fund of the National Black MBA Association - St. Louis Chapter, but as of late Sunday night, there's nothing at all about the cancellation on their site. In fact, a search for "Ronnie Laws" using the site's own search feature yields no results at all, though a properly configured Google search reveals several documents pertaining to the benefit, including this flyer (.jpg), still residing on their servers.

One would hope the organization is contacting ticket buyers directly about refunds. But even if they are, the cancellation of the show with no reason given, followed by what looks like a deliberate scrubbing of their Web site, seems rather - well, "sleazy" is the first word that come to mind, but let's go with "unprofessional" instead. Ticket buyers and those who wanted to support the group's scholarship fund certainly would seem to deserve something more than no explanation at all.

Since this show was a rental of the facility rather than a Sheldon production, their communications staff may not know much more than what's already public, but yr. humble StLJN editor plans to make inquiries, and will update here if anything interesting turns up.

Red Holloway concert at Kiener Plaza canceled

The free concert previously announced by St. Louis City Jazz that would have featured saxophonist Red Holloway performing this Friday, August 29 at Kiener Plaza has been canceled.

Although as of this writing the show is still listed on the group's Web site, callers to the contact number (314-757-0555) listed on the site are being told that the show is off. When I called, the man who answered what apparently is someone's personal mobile phone said that St. Louis City Jazz hoped to reschedule the event "after the first of the year" in 2009.

Tonight's Jazz at Holmes concert canceled due to bad weather

The sleet and ice storm that hit St. Louis today has forced Washington University's Jazz at Holmes series to cancel tonight's concert featuring singer Jan Shapiro and guitarist William Lenihan. However, the show may be rescheduled, according to this email from the Jazz at Holmes list:

"Hello Fellow Jazz Fans,
It is very unfortunate that I have to report to you that we have to cancel Jazz at Holmes Tonight because of the awful weather we have been hit with.
But the Good News is that were are interested in trying to reschedule the concert for tomorrow night, Friday, or Saturday Night and we are trying to gauge interest in this proposition. It would still feature Jan Shapiro and Bill Lenihan, but instead of having this concert in Holmes, Jazz at Holmes would be hosting in the Concert Hall at the new music department building, the 560 building. Please respond to this e-mail ASAP so we can get a rough estimate of the amount of people interested. Hope to hear from many of you."

The 560 Building is located at 560 Trinity at Delmar, near the east end of the the University City loop. It's the former synagogue that was used by several local cultural institutions, including the old Conservatory and School for the Arts (CASA), before it was acquired by Washington University. You can express your preference about the reschduling of the concert by sending an email to auschnei@gmail.com.