So What: Local News, Notes & Links

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

* Webster University will host the Audio Engineering Society's 11th Annual Central Regional Student Summit from Friday, March 24 through Sunday, March 26 on the main Webster campus.

The event will include presentations from audio experts on recording techniques and related topics such as technical ear training, sound system design, and psychoacoustics, plus a mix competition for students and a recording critiques panel. For more information, go to http://www.websteraes.org/.

* Saxophonist and St. Louis native Eric Person (pictured) will join forces with fellow saxophonist (and unrelated namesake) Houston Person for two nights of "Person2Person" next Wednesday, March 8 and Thursday, March 9 at Dizzy's Club in NYC's Jazz at Lincoln Center.

* Guitarist Todd Mosby has posted online a new video of his song "Western Sky."

* Pianist Peter Martin's company Open Studio Network is looking for looking for interns to help with video editing, social media, and curating and annotating musical content. Get the details via OSN's website.

* The video of Martin's version of "Another Day of Sun" from the soundtrack of Oscar-nominated film La La Land was featured on the website ClassicFM.com as part of a compilation of the best cover versions of music from the film.

* The online station UMSL Radio aka "The U" is now airing "Jazz on the U" from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. every Monday through Saturday. Check out the live stream, programmed by Steve Engelmeyer, at http://umslradio.com/.

* For his work as artistic director of the Sopot Jazz Festival in Sopot, Poland, saxophonist and St. Louis native Greg Osby has been named the city's "Cultural Personality of 2016."

So What: Local News, Notes & Links

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

* Trumpeter Keyon Harrold, currently touring with R&B singer D'Angelo, was interviewed on video by Demencha Magazine.

* Singer, actor, comedian, and Belleville native Lea DeLaria was interviewed by Slate about her new album of jazz covers of David Bowie songs.

* Saxophonist Eric Person is taking part this week in the Jazz Composers Orchestra Institute's summer intensive at the Herb Alpert School of Music at UCLA. The week-long program "brings together jazz composers at various stages in their careers chosen from a national pool of applicants, to explore the challenges of writing for the symphony orchestra."

* The Bosman Twins were profiled in an article on the website Something Else.

* Beverly Hacker, longtime executive director at KDHX, has been placed on administrative leave by the community radio station's board of directors, and wrote about it in a "letter to the community" published by the Riverfront Times.

* Saxophonist Oliver Lake will participating in NYC's Charlie Parker Jazz Festival later this month, engaging in a conversation with fellow saxophonist Rudresh Mahanthappa on Thursday, August 20 at The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music, and leading his big band in a performance Friday, April 21 at Marcus Garvey Park.

* The Goldenrod Showboat, once home to performances of traditional jazz and ragtime from the 1960s to the 1970s while moored on the St. Louis riverfront, is finally headed for the scrapyard. Attempts to resurrect the boat (pictured) have been abandoned after a recent attempt to move it from a remote spot along the Illinois River near Kampsville, IL to a safer location resulted in major structural damage.

The Historic Riverboat Preservation Association, the volunteer group that’s been working to preserve the boat, announced Wednesday morning that it will salvage what it can from the boat’s interior for a proposed riverboat museum.

* Jazz radio update: This Saturday on Radio Arts Foundation-St. Louis, “Somethin’ Else” host Calvin Wilson will showcase the music of fast-rising bassist and singer Esperanza Spalding. The program begins at 8:00 p.m. and can be heard over the air on 107.3 FM, on HD radio at 96.3 HD-2, and online at http://www.rafstl.org/listen.

So What: Local News, Notes & Links

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

* Drummer Mark Colenburg (pictured) has recorded a new promotional video for Zildjian's "Cover To Cover" series, playing a version of Radiohead's "Packed Like Sardines."

* Speaking of videos, the St. Louis Big Band has posted a new one on YouTube featuring excerpts from their shows "Sinatra at 100," which continues through next Sunday at the Kranzberg Arts Center.

* Guitarist Jonathan Kreisberg of Dr. Lonnie Smith's band has posted to Facebook an album of photos from Smith's most recent St. Louis gig with Lionel Loueke in May at Jazz at the Bistro.

* Metro East audio equipment manufacturer Heil Sound is expanding, adding 3,200 square feet of space to their Fairview Heights warehouse.

* The Nevermore Jazz Ball announced this week that advance tickets for 2015's event are sold out. More information on a wait list, pass transfers, and the NJB's free public events will be forthcoming at a later date.

* Jazz radio update: This Saturday on Radio Arts Foundation-St. Louis, “Somethin’ Else” host Calvin Wilson will dig into the catalog of tenor saxophonist Dexter Gordon.

After that on "The Jazz Collective," host Jason Church will play tracks from Four80East, Dave Koz, The Sure Fire Soul Ensemble, James Lloyd, Keyon Harrold, the JT Project, Gato Barbieri, Down To The Bone, Slash, Young-Holt Unlimited, Funky Butt Brass Band, Vincent Varvel, Feyza Eren and Dawn Weber.

Wilson's program begins at 8:00 p.m., followed by Church at 9:00 p.m., and can be heard over the air on 107.3 FM, on HD radio at 96.3 HD-2, and online at http://www.rafstl.org/listen.

So What: Local News, Notes & Links

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

* Guitarist and singer John Pizzarelli, in town to play a benefit for the family of the late pianist Ray Kennedy on Saturday at the Sheldon, was interviewed about the performance on KWMU's "CityScape" program.

* DownBeat magazine's 80th annual Reader's Poll is open for voting, and you can cast your ballot here.

* Drummer Dave Weckl (pictured) has recorded a new demo video for Sabian's "HHX Evolution Performance Cymbal Pack," which can be seen online here.

* The Funky Butt Brass Band took a road trip this past weekend to play a gig in Boyne City, MI, and they've posted on Facebook a photo album of the journey

* Also on Facebook, an album of pictures from Sound Unlimited pianist John Pyatt's birthday celebration last Sunday at Candicci's.

* StLJN sends condolences to bassist Willem von Hombracht, whose wife Ira passed away earlier this month. A memorial celebration of Ira von Hombracht's life is planned for Sunday, August 2 upstairs at the Sheldon Concert Hall.

* Applications for Regional Arts Commission's 2016 Artists' Fellowships are due on Friday, August 7.

* Jazz radio update: This Saturday on Radio Arts Foundation-St. Louis' “Somethin’ Else,” host Calvin Wilson will feature the music of pianist Robert Glasper, including tracks from his new trio album, Covered. You can listen over the air on 107.3 FM, on HD radio at 96.3 HD-2, and online at http://www.rafstl.org/listen.

Then on Sunday, and a bit to the left on your radio dial, bassist Darrell Mixon will be the featured guest this week on WSIE's "Jazz Talk". The program can be heard from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Sundays over the air on 88.7 FM and online.

Sunday night on KWMU/St. Louis Public Radio, Dennis Owsley's "Jazz Unlimited" program will feature music recorded for labels run by the late jazz impresario Norman Granz. Starting in 1957, Granz founded labels including Clef, Norgran, Down Home, Verve and Pablo, and recorded important jazz musicians including Oscar Peterson, Ben Webster, Ella Fitzgerald, Count Basie, Jazz at the Philharmonic, Dizzy Gillespie, Stan Getz, Kenny Barron, Charlie Parker, Charlie Haden’s Liberation Music Orchestra, Clark Terry, and more. 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 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 news items of local interest:

* Jazz St. Louis has planted a Rose outside their box office, as a photo of the late Barbara Rose (pictured) has been hung there for all visitors to JSL's recently renovated headquarters to see.

Rose, who started the "Just Jazz" series at the Majestic Hotel that eventually became Jazz at the Bistro and subsequently led to the incorporation of Jazz St. Louis, was celebrated along with JSL's other founders at a luncheon held Tuesday at the Bistro. You can see more pictures from the "Founder's Day" event on Jazz St. Louis' Facebook page.

* Speaking of Jazz St. Louis, they're looking to hire additional employees, including a new box office manager, events manager, and marketing/public relations intern. To find out more about the available positions, visit the Jazz St. Louis website.

* And speaking of opportunities, the Old Webster Jazz and Blues Festival once again this year will sponsor "Old Webster's Got Talent," a battle of the bands leading to a chance to perform at this year's OWJBF on Saturday, September 19.

In a change from past years, just four acts will be selected to take part in a winner-take-all contest, which will take place on Thursday, September 3 at the Ozark Theater in Webster Groves. To be considered, bands and musicians should send MP3 samples of their music to Terry Perkins at webstersgottalent@gmail.com. The deadline for submissions is Saturday, August 15. 

* Multi-instrumentalist and DJ Lamar Harris was interviewed by Katelyn Mae Petrin of KDHX.

* Saxophonist Eric Person has posted on Facebook a photo album from his performance at last Saturday's Chesterfield Jazz Festival

* Saxophonist Oliver Lake has created another promotional video now posted on YouTube, offering "an up-close and personal look" at his visual artwork.

* St. Louis magazine's annual "A-List Awards" issue came out this week, and among the awards for arts and entertainment, the renovated and renamed Ferring Jazz Bistro won for "New Music Venue," and Alarm Will Sound won in the "Concert" category for their premiere performance of John Luther Adams' Ten Thousand Birds last October at the Public Media Commons.

The award for "Music Accolade" went to the St. Louis Symphony for winning a Grammy for their album City Noir, while the actual "Album" award went to faux-rustic revivalist Pokey Lafarge for Something in the Water.

* St. Louis based sound and lighting contractor Logic Systems has acquired the road-case manufacturers Barry Products, Inc, Barry Cases, and affordable-cases.com. The Barry and Affordable Case lines of instrument and equipment cases will be added to subsidiary company St. Louis Case's existing lines of custom ATA cases and racks.

* Jazz radio update: WSIE (88.1 FM) has launched an IndieGoGo campaign to raise funds for a new transmitter. The station currently is broadcasting from a transmitter that's more than 30 years old and showing signs of wear.

In an email announcing the campaign, station manager Greg Conroy noted that even obtaining replacement parts is getting more difficult and expensive, adding urgency to a fundraising effort which has been ongoing for some time now. (A previous crowd-funding campaign was pulled due to a conflict with Southern Illinois University regulations, but apparently that's been sorted out.)

Listeners who would like to contribute to keep WSIE on the air can find out more about the campaign and donate online here.

Elsewhere on the radio dial, this Saturday on Radio Arts Foundation-St. Louis, Calvin Wilson's program “Somethin’ Else” will be an encore presentation of a 2013 episode paying tribute to Duke Ellington.
The program can be heard at 8:00 p.m. Saturdays on 107.3 FM, 96.3 HD-2, and online at http://www.rafstl.org/listen.

So What: Local News, Notes & Links

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

* The Bosman Twins (pictured) are among the winners of 2016 Arts Awards from the Arts and Education Council of Greater St. Louis.

The awards honor "individuals, organizations and businesses who achieve a legacy of artistic excellence and enrich St. Louis’ arts and cultural community" and will be presented at a ceremony and dinner on Monday, January 25, 2016 at the Chase Park Plaza Hotel.

* Singer, actor, stand-up comic and Belleville native Lea DeLaria has a new album out this week called House of David, offering her jazz interpretations of the music of David Bowie.

You can hear DeLaria's takes on "Fame" and "Modern Love" from the album here. She currently can be seen as part of the cast of the Netflix series Orange Is The New Black.

* And speaking of Belleville, the Wine Dine and Jazz Festival taking place downtown there this weekend was previewed in the Belleville News-Democrat and featured on local NBC affiliate KSDK.

* Saxophonist Oliver Lake's most recent album To Roy, a duo with bassist William Parker paying tribute to to trumpeter Roy Campbell, was reviewed by Stefan Wood  of the Free Jazz blog.

* The results of the annual Riverfront Times music poll are are in, and singer-guitarist Tommy Halloran has won readers' approval in the "Best Jazz" category again this year, with the Funky Butt Brass Band once again triumphing in the "Best Soul/Funk" category. You can see the complete list of winners here.

* Jazz radio update: This Saturday on Radio Arts Foundation-St. Louis, Calvin Wilson's program “Somethin’ Else” will feature new music from contemporary trumpeters Terence Blanchard, Dave Douglas and Jeremy Pelt.

After that on "The Jazz Collective," host Jason Church will feature music from Grover Washington, Jr., Brother Strut, Chieli Minucci & Special EFX, Marc Antoine, Sonny Rollins, Amp Fiddler, Euge Groove, Sarah Jane & The Blue Notes, Feyza Eren, Hugh "Peanuts" Whalum, and mor.

Wilson's program can be heard at 8:00 p.m. Saturdays, followed by Church at 9:00 p.m., on 107.3 FM, 96.3 HD-2, and online at http://www.rafstl.org/listen.

So What: Local News, Notes & Links

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

* Lew Prince, half of the partnership that has run the local indie record store Vintage Vinyl (pictured) for the last 35 years, has sold his stake in the business to co-proprietor Tom "Papa" Ray.

Prince told the Riverfront Times' Jaime Lees that after a break, he'll be looking for a new job or project. Ray will continue to operate VV as sole owner.

* Also in the RFT, contributor Bob McMahon looks at the current state of the recording studio business in St. Louis, and finds it to be "thriving."

* The application period is now open for the Regional Arts Commission's 2015 Artist Fellowships. RAC will award $20,000 each to ten St. Louis artists "in varied disciplines" to provide "funds to allow for more time and space to study, reflect, experiment, explore, practice, and create." Applications must be submitted by Friday, August 7; for more information or to apply, visit RAC's website.

* An essay at New England Public Radio suggests that the late Clark Terry's musical versatility qualified him as an unexpected postmodernist.

* Jim Dolan of The Presenters Dolan will be hosting a group trip in October to NYC's Cabaret Convention. The package includes opportunities to take in cabaret and Broadway shows, as well as special events and parties specifically for the tour group. To find out more, visit The Presenters Dolan website.

* Saxophonist Oliver Lake has put together a short video introducing himself and his work that's now posted on Youtube.

* To promote his Whitaker Music Festival show this past Wednesday - unfortunately, postponed until next year due to wet conditions at Missouri Botanical Garden - singer Joe Mancuso did a brief interview with St. Louis magazine and appeared on KSDK's Show Me St. Louis.

* The Funky Butt Brass Band has posted to Facebook photo albums from saxophonist Ben Reece's farewell show last week at Broadway Oyster Bar, and new saxophonist Aaron Cebulske's official debut at a concert for the St. Louis Jazz Club.

* Jazz radio update: This Saturday on Radio Arts Foundation-St. Louis, Calvin Wilson's program “Somethin’ Else” will greet the solstice with summer-themed music from Keith Jarrett, Pat Metheny, Abbey Lincoln, and others. "Somethin' Else" airs at 8:00 p.m. Saturdays on 107.3 FM, 96.3 HD-2, and online at http://www.rafstl.org/listen.

So What: Local News, Notes & Links

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

* Guitarist and singer John Pizzarelli chatted with KMOX's Charlie Brennan about the concert next month paying tribute to and raising money for the family of the late St. Louis pianist Ray Kennedy.

* While in town to perform at Jazz at the Bistro, trumpeter Terence Blanchard on Thursday also visited bassist Jim Widner's jazz camp at UMSL to teach and perform for the students there.

* In Denmark, a 2-CD set issued last year featuring the late saxophonist and former St. Louisan Luther Thomas (pictured) performing with various Danish musicians, was reviewed by AllAboutJazz.com's Jakob Baekgaard.

* Multi-instrumentalist and St. Louis expat J.D. Parran recently played on a new recording with Marshall Allen and Danny Thompson of the Sun Ra Arkestra, celebrating the 50th anniversary of Sun Ra's Heliocentric Worlds, Volume 2 using same instrumentation, and even the exact same bass marimba, and recording at the same studio used at Ra's session a half-century ago.

* The Friends of Scott Joplin now have a YouTube channel, featuring clips of ragtime performances from a variety of pianists.

* The latest episode of HEC-TV's I Love Jazz features singer Feyza Eren and her quartet, plus a segment on host Don Wolff's recent "Jazz Hero" award from the Jazz Journalists Association, and more. Unfortunately, the newly redesigned HEC website makes it very difficult to find out when the show airs, so you'll have to consult your TV provider's program guide for airdates and times, or just watch online here.

* LaVerne Holliday, a former on-air personality for radio station WSIE in the 1990s and early 2000s, has died of complications from breast cancer. She was 60.

* Jazz radio update: This Saturday on Radio Arts Foundation-St. Louis, Calvin Wilson's program “Somethin’ Else” features the jazz-influenced works of composer and conductor Leonard Bernstein, as interpreted by Linda Oh, Jason Moran, Paula West, and more.

Immediately following on "The Jazz Collective," host Jason Church will spin tracks from George Benson, Junior Walker and the All Stars, Simply Red, Nathan East, Soul Ballet, John Coltrane, Common Time, the Bosman Twins, Jesse Gannon, Beth Bombara, and more.

"Somethin' Else" airs at 8:00 p.m. Saturdays, followed by "The Jazz Collective" at 9:00 p.m., on 107.3 FM, 96.3 HD-2, and online at http://www.rafstl.org/listen.

Then on Sunday, Dennis Owsley's "Jazz Unlimited" program on St. Louis Public Radio will present the second part of a special devoted to the "cool school" of West Coast jazz. Tune in from 9:00 pm to midnight Sundays on KWMU (90.7 FM) or listen online at http://www.news.stlpublicradio.org.

So What: Local News, Notes & Links

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

* Jazz St. Louis' observance of today's "National Donut Day" holiday was the subject of a feature story on Fox 2/KTVI's morning newscast.

* Multi-instrumentalist Adam Maness and guitarist Tim Fischer have formed the First Tuesday Composers Club "to give an outlet for professional and amateur musicians and composers to experiment and share new music".

The "informal, open" group will meet monthly at The Dark Room in Grand Center, with the first session scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 7.

* The soundtrack from the Clark Terry documentary Keep On Keepin' On will be released as as a double vinyl album on June 23. Promo materials for the two-LP set call it "basically a Best Of collection from legendary trumpet player Clark Terry (that) features many of his most iconic recordings, including his performances with some of the all-time jazz greats: Duke Ellington, Oscar Peterson, Count Basie, and Quincy Jones."

* East St. Louis' own Terreon Gully (pictured) drums and gets a co-producer credit on vibraphonist Joe Locke's latest album Love Is A Pendulum, released last week by Motéma Music. The recording features all original compositions by Locke, performed with help from Gully, Robert Rodriguez (piano), and Ricky Rodriguez (bass), plus special guests Rosario Giuliani (alto/soprano sax), Donny McCaslin (tenor sax), Victor Provost (steel pan), Theo Bleckmann (voice), and Paul Bollenback (guitar).

* The recently formed STL Free Jazz Collective has set up a BandCamp page with a free-to-download live album recorded at Tavern of Fine Arts. The group also has posted on YouTube a short promotional video with some live footage from ToFA.

* In a new blog post, saxophonist and St. Louis native Greg Osby shares some responses to a post from last fall about how jazz critics might benefit from a greater knowledge of the day-to-day life of working musicians.

* The Route 66 Jazz Orchestra has posted on Facebook a photo album from their performance Wednesday night at Jazz at the Bistro. Also on Facebook, photo albums from the North County Big Band on Sunday at the Sheldon Concert Hall, and a recent Sound Unlimited show at Candicci's

* First Capitol News offered some impressions of singer Tony Viviano's recent Bobby Darin tribute show at Patrick's in Westport.

* Jazz radio update: This Saturday on Radio Arts Foundation-St. Louis, Calvin Wilson's program “Somethin’ Else” will celebrate 80 years since the birth of soulful guitarist and St. Louis native Grant Green by showcasing some of Green's finest recordings, including tracks from his quartet with pianist Sonny Clark.

After that, "The Jazz Collective" and host Jason Church return with a new program featuring tunes from Craig Sharmat, Freddie Hubbard, Donald Fagen, Joshua Redman, Bob James, Maxwell, Down To The Bone, Big Brother Thunder & The MasterBlasters, The Brian Vaccaro Trio, Dawn Weber and Feyza Eren.

"Somethin' Else" airs at 8:00 p.m. Saturdays, followed by "The Jazz Collective" at 9:00 p.m., on 107.3 FM, 96.3 HD-2, and online at http://www.rafstl.org/listen.

Then on Sunday, Dennis Owsley's "Jazz Unlimited" program on St. Louis Public Radio will present “West Coast Jazz-Part 1,” with music from Dave Brubeck, Wardell Gray, Hampton Hawes, Stan Kenton Orchestra, Gerry Mulligan, Chet Baker, Shelly Manne, Shorty Rogers, Bud Shank, Laurindo Almeida, Russ Freeman, Milt Bernhart, Jack Montrose, Clifford Brown & Max Roach, Teddy Edwards, Carl Perkins, Russ Freeman, Jack Sheldon, Bob Cooper, Claude Williamson, Dexter Gordon, John Graas, Bill Perkins, Marty Paich, Andre Previn, Art Pepper, and more.

You can listen in from 9:00 pm to midnight Sundays on KWMU (90.7 FM) and online at http://www.news.stlpublicradio.org.

So What: Local News, Notes & Links

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

* Bassist Nathan Pence, a senior at Bishop DuBourg High School in St. Louis, received the inaugural Rich McDonnell Scholarship in a presentation last Sunday during the concert at Jazz at the Bistro dedicated to McDonnell's memory.

Pence (pictured, with Jazz St. Louis executive director Gene Dobbs Bradford) will attend the University of Missouri-Kansas City in the fall, majoring in jazz performance.

"Rich was always extremely supportive of our JazzU students, so a scholarship in his name was a perfect fit," said Jazz St. Louis' Devin Rodino in an email to StLJN. "We haven’t finalized all of the guidelines for the scholarship, but do plan to continue to put dollars in and grow it into a sizable fund that can really make an impact each year for one or more students. We will be hashing out full details before next year’s award is given."

* In other news from Jazz St. Louis, Rodino and his pastry-loving colleagues at JSL will host a public celebration of "National Donut Day" from 7:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. next Friday, June 5 at the organization's HQ in Grand Center. The event is free and open to all, and participants can enjoy a sampling of donuts from 15 local bakeries, plus milk and/or coffee.

Students from the Jazz U program will provide live music, and there will be various activities including a donut taste-test competition "with celebrity judges," a donut-themed photo booth, a raffle for tickets to Jazz at the Bistro, and more.

* And in today's last bit of news from Jazz St. Louis, their 2015-16 season brochure now can be viewed online at http://issuu.com/jazzstl/docs/jsl_2015-16_season.

* Grand Center has announced "Music at The Intersection,"  a free concert series that will bring live music to eight venues within the arts district on three Friday evenings this summer.  The first event on Friday, July 17 will spotlight jazz and blues performers including Marquise Knox, Mo Egeston, Dave Black, Bob DeBoo Trio, Lamar Harris, Big Mike Aguirre, Tom "Papa" Ray, Jesse Gannon, Phil Dunlap Quintet, The People's Key, and the Bottlesnakes.

Venues for the series, which will continue on August 14 and September 11 with events featuring other musical genres, include Strauss Park, The Dark Room, Vito's Sicilian Pizzeria & Ristorante, Lucha, Dooley's Beef N Brew House, Jazz at the Bistro, Kranzberg Arts Center, and The Stage at KDHX.

* As part of his effort to establish the St. Louis Black Radio Hall of Fame, veteran broadcaster and author Bernie Hayes has launched a GoFundMe campaign with a goal of raising $15,000. The money will used to finance a benefit concert in August, rent temporary space for a physical museum, and develop a "virtual" radio and media hall of fame.You can read more about the campaign and donate here.

* Jazz radio update:  This Saturday on Radio Arts Foundation-St. Louis, Calvin Willson's program “Somethin’ Else,” will focus on the music of composer Harry Warren ("Lullaby of Broadway, "At Last," "That's Amore") as performed by musicians including Sonny Rollins, Paul Motian, Diana Krall, and more. You can listen in at 8:00 p.m. Saturdays on 107.3 FM, 96.3 HD-2, and online at http://www.rafstl.org/listen.  

A few clicks to the left on your radio dial, Dennis Owsley's "Jazz Unlimited" program on St. Louis Public Radio this Sunday will present music from "jazz giants" including Bix Beiderbecke, Frank Trumbauer, Joe “King” Oliver, Fats Waller, Benny Goodman, Miles Davis, Shelly Manne, Freddie Redd, Betty Carter, Woody Herman, Eric Dolphy, Chick Corea, Bud Shank, Bill Holman, Betty Carter, and Sun Ra.  The program can be heard from 9:00 pm to midnight Sundays on KWMU (90.7 FM) and online at http://www.news.stlpublicradio.org.

So What: Local News, Notes & Links

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

* If you missed last Saturday's concert by drummer Gerald Cleaver (pictured) and his band Black Host (or just want to revisit it), you can see photo sets from the show on the KDHX website and on the Facebook page of presenters New Music Circle.

* One of last week's performances by the Robert Glasper Experience at Jazz at the Bistro was reviewed by Kenya Vaughn of the St. Louis American.

* After two years purveying smooth jazz, R&B and pop to local listeners, HD radio station Hip 96.3 finally has an official website of its own.

* Jazz St. Louis education director Phil Dunlap and student bassist Nathan Pence were interviewed about JSL's JazzU program on St. Louis Public Radio's "CityScape."

* Don Wolff talked about his work as a jazz broadcaster and his recent "Jazz Hero" award from the Jazz Journalists Association in an interview this week with KTRS' John Carney.

* Saxophonist and St. Louis native Eric Person's big band will be back in action this weekend in NYC, with a concert on Sunday, May 3 for First Presbyterian Church's ArtsWestchester series.

* Jazz radio update: On this Saturday's episode of his Radio Arts Foundation - St. Louis program  “Somethin’ Else,” Calvin Wilson will highlight the compositions of Burt Bacharach as interpreted by musicians such as Wallace ROney, Nellie McKay, and Mulgrew Miller.

Immediately following on "The Jazz Collective,"  Jason Church will feature new music from Boney James, Sun Soul Orchestra, and Rhonda Thomas, along with tracks from Ronnie Laws, Joe Sample, Pieces Of A Dream, Ramsey Lewis, Clave Sol, Tim Cunningham, The Bosman Twins, and Groovethang.

"Somethin' Else" can be heard at 8:00 p.m. Saturdays, followed by "The Jazz Collective" at 9:00 p.m. on 107.3 FM, 96.3 HD-2, and online at http://www.rafstl.org/listen.

So What: Local News, Notes & Links

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

* Don Wolff will receive his 2015 “Jazz Hero” award from the Jazz Journalists Association in a ceremony at 5:30 p.m., Thursday, April 30 at Jazz at the Bistro. The event is free and open to the public, and will feature live music, complimentary Brother Thelonious Ale, and a cash bar.

Wolff is one of 24 "Jazz Heroes" around the country who are being recognized by JJA this year for their behind-the-scenes contributions to preserving and promoting jazz music.

* The late Clark Terry is remembered by his longtime sideman, bassist Marcus McLaurine, in an essay on the website NewMusicBox.

* In related news, Keep On Keepin' On, the award-winning documentary from last year about the friendship between Terry and young jazz pianist Justin Kauflin, has been released for streaming on Netflix as of today.

* Saxophonist's David Sanborn's recent performance in London was reviewed by London Jazz News and the UK magazine Jazz Journal, while his new album Time and the River was reviewed by The Jazz Breakfast.

* For some "party pix" taken at the Bosman Twins' performances last weekend at Jazz at the Bistro, check out this photo album posted online at STLtoday.com.

* Singer Gina Otto's show last week for the Gaslight Cabaret Festival was reviewed by Chuck Lavazzi of KDHX.

* Pianist Robert Glasper, who's playing next Wednesday and Thursday at Jazz at the Bistro, spoke with Calvin Wilson of the Post-Dispatch for a preview story.

* Also in the P-D this week, Wilson reviewed new albums released by pianist Vijay Iyer and saxophonist Rudresh Mahanthappa.

* Meanwhile, trumpeter and St. Louis native Keyon Harrold, who will be with Glasper as a special guest for next week's gigs, had a brief chat with Wilson's P-D colleague Kevin Johnson.

* Jazz radio update:  On this Saturday's episode of his program  “Somethin’ Else” on Radio Arts Foundation - St. Louis, Calvin Wilson will spotlight the music of songwriter Victor Young ("Stella by Starlight," "My Foolish Heart") as interpreted by musicians including Keith Jarrett, Joe Henderson, and Shirley Horn.

After that on "The Jazz Collective," host Jason Church will mark two years on the air with playlist featuring vocal tunes from Billie Holiday, The Manhattan Transfer, Al Jarreau, George Benson, Albert King, Tower of Power, Sade, Morgan James, Smoove and Turrell, Labi Siffre, Jazz Crusaders, Tommy Halloran, Erin Bode, Kim Massie, and the Funky Butt Brass Band.

"Somethin' Else" can be heard at 8:00 p.m. Saturdays, followed by "The Jazz Collective" at 9:00 p.m. on 107.3 FM, 96.3 HD-2, and online at http://www.rafstl.org/listen.

So What: Local News, Notes & Links

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

* St. Louis native Lawrence Fields (pictured) can be heard playing piano on the upcoming release Live at Monterey Jazz Festival by SoundPrints, the Wayne Shorter-inspired band led by saxophonist Joe Lovano and trumpeter Dave Douglas. The album goes on sale everywhere Tuesday, April 7.

* Jazz St. Louis has posted on Facebook a photo album from Kneebody's opening night this week at Jazz at the Bistro. The group performs there through Saturday, with two sets per night plus a FREE lunchtime set open to the general public at 12:00 p.m. today (Friday, March 21).

* Did the late pianist Johnnie Johnson get a fair shake from the courts fifteen years ago when he sued rock 'n roll legend Chuck Berry claiming joint authorship of some of Berry's most famous songs? In an article published this week in St. Louis magazine, Byron Kerman talked to attorney Tim McFarlin, who after all these years has a new take on the case's implications.

* In a related development, McFarlin will give a "Business Edge" presentation for St. Louis Volunteer Lawyers and Accountants for the Arts on Monday, March 30 titled "The Case of Johnnie Johnson v. Chuck Berry and What Artists Should Do Before They Collaborate."

* Now that City of Music, Nine Network's special about the history of St. Louis music, has had its broadcast premiere, you can watch both parts of the program online at Nine's website. The special, which was filmed last October at the Sheldon and features performances from Alarm Will Sound, Denise Thimes, Peter Martin, Billy Peek, Illphonics, Carolbeth True and more, also will get a repeat broadcast airing at 7:00 p.m. this coming Tuesday, March 25.

* The 2015 St. Louis Cabaret Conference has added two-time Tony-winning composer Jason Robert Brown as a guest faculty member and festival performer. Deadline for performers wishing to attend this year's conference to submit their audition materials is Monday, April 13.

* Last week's funeral services for singer and nightclub owner Gene Lynn were covered by local Fox affiliate KTVI (Channel 2)

* A post this week on the Riverfront Times' music blog spotlights New Music Circle's sliding scale ticket prices for "struggling artists."

* Drummer and St. Charles native Dave Weckl will be one of the instructors at a "Drum Fantasy Camp" to be held this summer from August 7 - 11 in Chicago at Vic's Drum Shop/Music Garage.

* Saxophonist Oliver Lake will reunite with bassist Reggie Workman and drummer Andrew Cyrille as Trio 3 for a week-long gig starting this coming Tuesday, March 24 at NYC's Village Vanguard.

* The latest remastered vinyl reissue of Miles Davis' Kind of Blue gets an "extended analysis" from AllAboutJazz.com's Nenad Georgievski.

* Jazz radio update: On this Saturday's episode of Radio Arts Foundation-St. Louis' “Somethin’ Else,” host Calvin Wilson will be spinning contemporary pop tunes given jazz interpretations by musicians including Joshua Redman, Brad Mehldau, and Jason Moran. "Somethin' Else" can be heard at 8:00 p.m. Saturdays on 107.3 FM, 96.3 HD-2, and online at http://www.rafstl.org/listen.

So What: Local News, Notes & Links

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

* Jazz St. Louis has scheduled auditions for their 2015-16 JazzU program for June 1 through June 4 at the JSL HQ on Washington Ave.

High school musicians who are interested in trying out will find an application form and audition information on the the JSL website.

* Fact magazine published a feature story highlighting "20 essential records from the 1970s underground," and the list includes three albums with a St. Louis connection: Julius Hemphill's Dogon A.D., Luther Thomas Human Arts Ensemble's Funky Donkey Vol. 1, and the Black Artists Group's In Paris, Aries 1973.

* Saxophonist David Sanborn has set Tuesday, April 7 as the release date for his new album Time and the River. If you didn't buy a copy of the recording (pictured) through Sanborn's crowdfunding campaign, you can pre-order it now via Amazon and iTunes.

* Saxophonist Greg Osby answered 10 questions from the music website Textura.

* The recently opened vinyl shop Rich's Record Emporium in Collinsville was the subject of a feature story in the Belleville News-Democrat.

* And speaking of record stores, the list of special and limited edition releases for Record Store Day 2015, which falls on Saturday, April 18, was announced this week. (Though most of the special releases are various flavors of rock and pop music, there are some items of interest to jazz listeners, too.)

* Neal Richardson's show last week for the Gaslight Cabaret Festival was reviewed by Chuck Lavazzi of KDHX.

* Jazz radio update: This Saturday on Radio Arts Foundation-St. Louis, Calvin Wilson's “Somethin’ Else” program will delve into music recorded for the Columbia label during the 1980s by trumpeter Woody Shaw and saxophonist Arthur Blythe.

"Somethin' Else" can be heard at 8:00 p.m. Saturdays on 107.3 FM, 96.3 HD-2, and online at http://www.rafstl.org/listen.

So What: Local News, Notes & Links

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

* The Miles Davis Memorial Project has extended the deadline to Thursday, March 19 to purchase commemorative brick and blocks for paving the plaza around the statue of the trumpeter going up later this year in downtown Alton, IL.

Etched memorial bricks are available for $75, and there also are 23 remaining 12" x 12" granite blocks at $400 each. To order a brick or block, call Pride, Incorporated at 618-467-2375 or visit their website. Orders must be received no later than March 19 so that etching can be completed in time for site construction.

* The Miles Electric Band, assembled by Miles Davis' nephew Vince Wilburn, remembered the iconic trumpeter with a performance last week at Poland's Lotos Jazz Festival.

In addition to Wilburn on drums, the all-star ensemble (pictured) includes Davis alumnus Badal Roy on tabla, John Beasley and Robert Irving III on keyboards, guitarist Blackbyrd McKnight, percussionists Munyungo Jackson and Mino Cinelu, saxophonist Antoine Roney, bassist Richard Patterson, turntablist DJ Logic, trumpeter Christian Scott, and programmer/re-mixer Jeremy Ellis of The Roots. You can see photos from the gig here, along a synopsis of a review from the Polish newspaper Rzeczpospolita, which found in its entirety (in Polish) here.

* Saxophonist Oliver Lake's new duet album with bassist William Parker, To Roy, was reviewed by AllAboutJazz.com's Glenn Astarita. To Roy, which pays tribute to the late trumpeter Roy Campbell, and Lake's recent organ quartet release What I Heard also were reviewed by Russ Musto in this month's New York City Jazz Record.

* The Nine Network will present City of Music, a two-hour special broadcast exploring St. Louis' musical history and contributions to American music heritage, in two parts at 7:00 p.m on Monday, March 16 and Tuesday, March 17.  The program features performances by Peter Martin, Denise Thimes, Carolbeth True, Kim Massie, Billy Peek, and the St. Louis Ragtimers, as well as new music ensemble Alarm Will Sound playing three new works commissioned for the occasion by the Sinquefield Charitable Foundation, all recorded live last October at the Sheldon Concert Hall.

* The Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) will present a five-hour retrospective of the music of John Zorn on Saturday, May 2. The program features ten different ensembles performing works composed by Zorn (who attended Webster University here in the mid-1970s).

* Jazz radio update:  This Saturday on Radio Arts Foundation-St. Louis, Calvin Wilson will devote the episode of his program “Somethin’ Else” to the music of Rodgers and Hammerstein, as interpreted by Miles Davis, Cassandra Wilson, Paul Motian, and others.

Then on "The Jazz Collective,"  Jason Church will spin tracks from Nathan East, Cindy Bradley, Lack of Afro, Brother Strut, Eddie Henderson, Bobby Caldwell, Bill Evans, Hugh Masekela, Traffic, Sarah Jane and the Blue Notes, Jesse Gannon, Jim Manley and Vincent Varvel.

"Somethin' Else" can be heard at 8:00 p.m. Saturdays, followed by "The Jazz Collective" at 9:00 p.m., on 107.3 FM, 96.3 HD-2, and online at http://www.rafstl.org/listen.

So What: Local News, Notes & Links

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

* The soundtrack album to Keep On Keepin’ On, the 2014 documentary about the friendship between the late Clark Terry and up-and-coming pianist Justin Kauflin, was released this week on the Varèse Sarabande label.

The soundtrack (pictured) features performances by Terry and Kauflin, with an original score by Kauflin and Dave Grusin. Kauflin also was interviewed this week about Terry and the film by Peter Hum of the Ottawa Citizen.

* KDHX has posted online a photo set from last Saturday's New Music Circle concert by Okkyung Lee and Lotte Anker.

* The Route 66 Jazz Orchestra has posted to Facebook a photo album from their most recent gig at Kirkwood Station Brewing Company.

* According to a story published yesterday by the Riverfront Times, smooth jazz guitarist Olufunsho Adeshina has been charged and now is wanted by federal authorities in a scheme involving tax fraud and identity theft. The Nigerian-born Adeshina hasn't performed much here locally, but reportedly has lived in St. Louis for the last several years, and has an active online presence.

* Saxophonist David Sanborn's upcoming album, which reunites him in the studio with bassist/producer Marcus Miller for the first time in many years, now has a title: Time and the River. The crowd-funded project has been mixed and mastered and is ready for pressing, with release date TBA.

* Saxophonist and St. Louis native Eric Person's quintet will be featured in a free "jazz vespers" concert on Saturday, March 7 at St. Albans Congregational Church in Queens, NYC.

* The Friends of Scott Joplin are holding their annual membership drive. Contributions to the all-volunteer organization are tax-deductible, and help support a concert series, monthly open-piano events, and a quarterly magazine, the Euphony Review.

Membership levels are $25 for Individual, $35 Couple, $50 Supporter, $100 Sponsor, and $200 Legacy. For more information or to pledge your support, visit the Friends of Scott Joplin website.

* The continuing effort to rescue and restore the historic Goldenrod Showboat is the subject of a feature story from St. Louis Public Radio. Supporters from the Historic Riverboat Preservation Association will hold a fundraiser on Saturday, March 21 at the Left Loft, 1817 Cherokee St.

* Jazz radio update: On this Saturday's edition of Radio Arts Foundation-St. Louis' “Somethin’ Else,” host Calvin Wilson will be showcasing live tracks from the career of trumpeter Wynton Marsalis.

The program can be heard at 8:00 p.m. Saturdays on 107.3 FM, 96.3 HD-2, and online at http://www.rafstl.org/listen.

So What: Local News, Notes & Links

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

* Wanda Kennedy Kuntz, author of Kennedy Music, will read from her book and sign copies at an event from 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. this Saturday, February 21 at City Music, 9299 Watson Rd. in Crestwood.

Kennedy Kuntz, a pianist and music teacher, is the sister of jazz bassist Tom Kennedy and pianist Ray Kennedy. Her book (pictured), described as "an historical novel based on the Kennedy family," tells a fictionalized version of how her mother and father met and started the family's music store and school in Maplewood.

UPDATE - 4:25 p.m. Friday, 2/20: Just received an email from City Music saying that Wanda Kennedy Kuntz's book signing event has been postponed until Saturday, March 14.

* Euclid Records' head honcho Joe Schwab was featured on this week's episode of the A&E network's program Shipping Wars.

* Saxophonist and St. Louis native Greg Osby sat down with trumpeter Jason Palmer for a "bootleg blindfold test," listening to and commenting on unreleased recordings (hence the "bootleg" part), and Palmer blogged about it here.

* Saxophonist (and former Webster University student) John Zorn's recent run of shows at NYC's Village Vanguard was reviewed by Ben Ratliff of the New York Times.

* The National Center for Arts Research at Southern Methodist University in Dallas has ranked St. Louis as #17 among cities evaluated for their first-ever "Arts Vibrancy Index."

* Jazz radio update: This Saturday on Radio Arts Foundation-St. Louis, Calvin Wilson's program “Somethin’ Else” will feature the music of songwriter Jule Styne as interpreted by Joshua Redman, Abbey Lincoln, Wallace Roney, and others.

Then on The Jazz Collective, host Jason Church's playlist will include music from Down To The Bone, U-Nam, Nathan East, Melissa Manchester, Lack of Afro, Wes Montgomery, Grover Washington, Jr., Young-Holt Unlimited, Bobby Womack, Tim Cunningham, Funky Butt Brass Band, and more.

Wilson's program can be heard at 8:00 p.m. Saturdays, followed by Church at 9:00 p.m., on 107.3 FM, 96.3 HD-2, and online at http://www.rafstl.org/listen.

So What: Local News, Notes & Links

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

* In case you missed it, St. Louisans who were part of Sunday night's Grammy Awards included drummer Mark Colenburg (pictured), who played on pianist Robert Glasper's Grammy winning Black Radio 2; Peter Martin, pianist and bandleader for Dianne Reeves, who won "Best Jazz Vocal Album" for Beautiful Life; and the St. Louis Symphony, who won the Grammy for Best Orchestral Recording for their album featuring composer John Adams' City Noir.

You can see a list of all the jazz Grammy winners here, and read more about the Symphony's win in this article from Sarah Bryan Miller of the Post-Dispatch.

* The Dave Dickey Big Band has posted to Facebook an album of photos from their gig this past Sunday at Jazz at the Bistro.

* Local luthier Tritone Guitars is organizing a "Gear Expo" of St. Louis guitar makers to be held from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Saturday, March 21 in the common room of the Metropolitan Art Lofts, across Grand Ave from The Fox Theater. Participants will include K-Line Guitars, Landry Amps, ESB Guitars, Stage Craft Cabs, Rein Guitars, Hollow Tree Guitars, Don Lennon St. Louis Slides, Firebrand Studios, Certain Bass, Locomotive Audio, Bearfoot FX, WoC Guitars, Rock Road Custom Guitars, and Vintage Amp Restoration, plus artwork from local artists, beer from 4Hands Brewery, and more. The event is free and open to the public.

* Lindy Hop St. Louis is encouraging local swing dancers to sign up for a local screening of the new film Ctrl+Alt+Dance, billed as "a cinematic celebration of swing dancing." However, the event only will happen if enough people reserve tickets by February 15, which can be done online here.

* Jazz radio update: The jazz programming this weekend on Radio Arts Foundation is all about the love, as on Saturday's edition of “Somethin’ Else,” host Calvin Wilson will present his second annual Valentine's Day-themed show, featuring recordings by musicians including including Keith Jarrett, Norah Jones, Joe Lovano, and more.

After that on The Jazz Collective, host Jason Church continues the Valentine's Day theme with tracks from David Benoit, Herbie Hancock, Acoustic Alchemy, Paul Hardcastle, Tommy Halloran, Swing Out Sister, Michael Franks, Fourplay, Candy Dulfer, Al Jarreau, Chris Botti, Diana Krall, and more.

Wilson's program can be heard at 8:00 p.m. Saturdays, followed by Church at 9:00 p.m., on 107.3 FM, 96.3 HD-2, and online at http://www.rafstl.org/listen.

(Edited after posting.)

So What: Local News, Notes & Links

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

* Keep On Keepin' On, the documentary about trumpeter and St. Louis native Clark Terry, has won the Cinema Eye Honors' 2015 Audience Choice Award. The awards were presented this past Wednesday at a ceremony in Queens, NYC.

* Speaking of awards, singer Denise Thimes will be honored with an "Excellence in the Arts" award at the annual St. Louis Arts Awards dinner and ceremony, to be held Monday, January 19 at the Chase Park Plaza Hotel.

* St. Louis magazine's dining section has named the winners of their "Thumbnail Awards" for 2014, and the newly renovated Jazz at the Bistro was cited as the "Best Place to Brag About (on several levels)."

* Drummer and St. Charles native Dave Weckl (pictured) has posted on Facebook a video about "Circle of Rhythm," a piece of artwork from his new "rhythm-on-canvas" collection.

* What keeps you from going out to hear live music? St. Louis Public Radio's Public Insight Network is surveying local listeners, and you can respond here.

* StLJN offers our condolences to multi-instrumentalist and former St. Louisan Don Cunningham on the loss of his wife, singer and pianist Alicia Cunningham, who died December 23 in Las Vegas after a battle with cancer.

* Jazz radio update: This Saturday on Radio Arts Foundation - St. Louis' “Somethin’ Else,”  host , Calvin Wilson will feature the music of songwriter Hoagy Carmichael as interpreted by musicians such as Louis Armstrong, Jason Moran, Branford Marsalis, and more. The program can be heard at 8:00 p.m. Saturdays on 107.3 FM, 96.3 HD-2, and online at http://www.rafstl.org/listen.

Then Sunday on KWMU's "Jazz Unlimited,"  host Dennis Owsley will present the second part of a four-part special on the music of George Gershwin, this week featuring "show, film and some classical music.” Listen in from 9:00 pm to midnight on 90.7 FM or online at http://www.news.stlpublicradio.org.