Metrotix, Fox Theatre offering online pre-sale of tickets for Harry Connick, Jr.

Attention, fans of Harry Connick Jr.: From 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. tomorrow, Thursday August 22, Metrotix will be offering an online-only pre-sale of tickets for Connick Jr.'s concert on Sunday, October 27 at the Fox Theatre in St. Louis.

The New Orleans-born pianist and singer (pictured) will be touring this fall in support of Every Man Should Know, his latest album that was released in June by Columbia Records and features 12 of Connick's original songs.

Tickets for Harry Connick Jr. at the Fox Theatre go on sale to the general public at 10:00 a.m. this Friday, August 23. To access the pre-sale, go to the Metrotix site and when prompted, enter the promo code EVERYMAN.

The Wee Trio to release Live at the Bistro on Tuesday, September 17; tour to include three St. Louis dates

The Wee Trio, featuring St. Louis native Dan Loomis on bass, will release their new album Live at the Bistro on Tuesday, September 17.

Recorded on February 8 and 9 of this year at Jazz at the Bistro in St. Louis, the album is the fourth for the group, which also includes vibraphonist James Westfall and drummer Jared Schonig.

In conjunction with the release of Live at the Bistro,  The Wee Trio will embark on a fall tour that will include three performances in the St. Louis area -  on Monday, September 23 at The Principia (Loomis' alma mater); Tuesday, September 24 at Jefferson College; and Wednesday, September 25 at Chaminade High School.

"This record is really about us wanting to 'bottle' the live experience of The Wee Trio and share it with our fans,." said Loomis in a news release. The bassist expressed similar sentiments when he talked with StLJN earlier this year about the recording of the album; you can read that interview here.

Described as "the most musically complete Wee Trio recording to date," Live at the Bistro is on the group's own Bionic Records label, and includes original arrangements of the standards "Cherokee" and "There Is No Greater Love"; compositions from each of their previous three recordings; and brand-new originals "Sabotage" (written by Schonig), "White Trash Blues" and "New Earth" (Westfall) and "Ranthem" (Loomis).

No details have been released yet about tickets for The Wee Trio's St. Louis shows, but as soon as the information becomes available, StLJN will have it for you right here.

UPDATE - 8/26/13, 6:45 a.m.: Turns out that The Wee Trio's performance at Principia is a private event, but ticket information for the other two dates is as follows:

The Jefferson College show will take place at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, September 24 at the college's Fine Arts Theatre, 1000 Viking Dr. on the campus in Hillsboro. Tickets are
$5 for general admission, $2 for students and seniors, and are available at http://www.jeffco.edu/pace.

The concert at Chaminade College Prep begins at 7:30 p.m. in the school's Skip Viragh Center for the Arts, 425 S. Lindbergh Blvd. The Wee Trio also will give a pre-concert talk starting at 6:45 p.m.. Tickets are $10 for general admission, $5 for students, and will be available starting in September at http://www.chaminade-stl.org/.

Webster University announces 2013-14 jazz concert schedule

The music department at Webster University has announced their schedule of Monday night jazz concerts for 2013-14.

The series will kick off with a tribute to Cannonball Adderly at 7:00 p.m. Monday, September 9 in Winifred Moore Auditorium on the Webster campus, 470 E. Lockwood Ave.

The performance will feature songs associated with Adderly such as “Unit Seven,” “Jive Samba,” “Mercy, Mercy, Mercy” and “Sack O’ Woe,” performed by an ensemble including Paul DeMarinis (pictured, saxophones), Keith Moyer (trumpet), Steve Schenkel (guitar), Kim Portnoy (piano), Willem von Hombracht (bass), Kevin Gianino (drums) and Debby Lennon (vocals).

Here's the complete schedule for the year:

Monday, September 9: A Tribute to Cannonball Adderley
Monday, September 16: Four in One: The Thelonious Monk Project
Monday, September 23: Paul DeMarinis & Friends with DeMarinis (saxophones), Dave Black (guitar), Ben Wheeler (bass) and Kyle Honeycutt (drums).
Monday, October 28: TKT Scholarship Benefit Concert
Monday, November 18: Webster Jazz Collective

Monday, January 27: TBA
Monday, February 3: Black History Month Concert
Monday, February 10: Kim Portnoy Ensemble
Monday, February 24: Webster Jazz Collective
Monday, March 17: Shepard/Davis Scholarship Benefit Concert

All Monday night faculty concerts begin at 7:00 p.m. and take place in Moore Auditorium. Tickets for most concerts are $5 for general admission; $3 for seniors; free for students.

Tickets for the TKT concert will be $20 $10 general admission; free for Webster faculty, staff, & students, and for the Shepard/Davis concert, $10 general admission; $5 seniors; free for Webster faculty, staff, and students. The two Webster Jazz Collective concerts are priced at $3 general admission; free for faculty, staff and students. For more information, call 314-647-1415.

In addition to the concert series featuring Webster's faculty members, the University also will present a seminar by famed alto saxophonist Lou Donaldson at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, October 10 in the recital hall on campus. Donaldson will be in town that week to perform with his quartet at Jazz at the Bistro.

Lastly, Webster also has released the schedule of student jazz performances for the year. The student jazz combos will present performances for the fall semester on November 4 and 11, and in the spring on March 31 and April 7. The free concerts start at 7:00 p.m. in Room #10 of Webster's Community Music School, 535 Garden Ave.

The university's student jazz singers will present their fall performance on December 8 and their spring concert on April 21. Both concerts take place at 7:00 p.m. in Moore Auditorium, with admission at $3 for the general public, free for students, faculty and staff.

Edited 10/11/13 to correct the ticket price of the TKT Scholaship concert.

StLJN Saturday Video Showcase: The Mars explorer

Today, let's look at some videos featuring saxophonist Mars Williams, who's coming to St. Louis to team with bassist Darin Gray and drummer Tyler Damon for a concert at 7:00 p.m. Friday, August 23 at the St. Louis Art Museum. The event is sponsored by SLAM and New Music Circle.

Williams, who grew up in the Chicago area and studied with Roscoe Mitchell and Anthony Braxton, is a versatile player who first became known to rock fans as a member of the early 1980s "new wave" band the Waitresses. He's kept a foot in the rock world as a longtime member of the Psychedelic Furs, but spends much of his time performing with a variety of jazz and creative music ensembles, ranging from the funk-jazz band Liquid Soul to the free jazz and improvised music of Hal Russell's NRG Ensemble, Ken Vandermark, Peter Brotzmann, and his own groups.

Given the nature of free improv, there's obviously no way to offer a preview of any specific pieces that Williams, Gray and Damon will play next week. But one certainly can get some insight into a player's sound and tendencies, favorite strategies, pet licks, and so on from similar performances, and so today, we present a half-dozen videos that show Williams improvising with small ensembles.

First up, there are a couple of clips from 2011 showing Williams leading a trio at the Project Lodge in Madison, WI, with fellow Chicagoan Kent Kessler on bass and the Norwegian percussionist Paal Nilssen-Love.

The third video shows Williams with what then was called the Scorch Trio, now known simply as Scorch, and consisting of Williams, guitarist Raoul Björkenheim, bassist Ingebrigt H. Flaten and percussionist Frank Rosaly.

The fourth clip shows Williams, Brotzmann, and trumpeter Peter Evans, in an excerpt from a performance with drummer Michael Wertmuller's Wertmuller Project in 2008 at the Berlin Jazz Fest. The fifth clip is another excerpt from same show, shot from a different position with a bit of camera shake, but with good audio quality.

The final video is an excerpt from the debut performance of Williams' quartet Switchback, recorded in March of this year at a show in Belgium. In addition to Williams, the group includes Waclaw Zimpel on alto and soprano clarinet, Hilliard Greene on bass and Klaus Kugel on percussion.

So What: Local News, Notes & Links

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

* KDHX has posted on their site some photos shot by Joanna Kleine of last Friday's Snarky Puppy show at the Old Rock House.

* Speaking of photo sets, the Route 66 Jazz Orchestra has posted one to their Facebook page featuring pix from their concert last week at Kirkwood Park.

* Former St. Louisan Reggie Thomas, now teaching jazz at Michigan State University, will be the pianist in the band backing contestants in the 2013 Thelonious Monk International Jazz Saxophone Competition, which will be held on September 15 and 16 in Washington DC.

* Drummer Rob Silverman and keyboardist Mike Silverman of Bach to the Future, Silverman Productions and Autumn Hill Records have released a new digital single on iTunes, a version of Paul Desmond's "Take Five," that features performances from famous friends Eric Marienthal on sax, John Patittucci on bass and Randy Brecker on trumpet.

* And speaking of getting famous, Mark Colenburg's national profile continues to rise, the most recent evidence being a promotional video in which the drummer and St. Louis native (pictured) talks about his endorsement deal with Yamaha.

* Would you like $50 worth of free stuff from Saxquest? Well, all you have to do is enter and win this month's saxophone trivia contest on their website.

* The Sheldon Concert Hall still is accepting entries in the songwriting contest they're sponsoring in conjunction with the STL250 celebration. The winning composer of a St. Louis inspired song gets a cash prize, a performance at First Night in Grand Center, Inc and more. Get the details at http://www.thesheldon.org/songcontest.asp

* Saint Louis University is sponsoring the first annual Kwame Foundation Jazz Composition Competition for high school seniors and college students. The top three scores in each division get a performance and recording of their composition at a concert next year. The high school winner also will receive a $2,000 scholarship to SLU, and the college division winner gets a $500 cash prize.

The competition is open to all students and is not limited to music majors. Submissions must be received before September 1, and can be made online as Finale or PDF files at http://slu.edu/jazzcompetition. For more details, visit the site or email jazz-competition@slu.edu.

* The Miles Davis Memorial Project will have a booth at the Alton Block Party this Saturday, August 17. Volunteers will be sharing information about the statue of Miles Davis planned for downtown Alton, and selling commemorative bricks to pay for it. In addition, actor Joshua Young will be on hand to portray Davis.

The Project will operate a similar booth at the Alton Farmers' & Artisans' Market from 8:00 a. m. to noon on Saturday, August 31. The commemorative bricks, which will be installed in the area surrounding the statue, also can be purchased via the website of Pride, Inc and in person or by mail from the organization's offices at 5800 Godfrey Road, Godfrey, IL 62035.

* Jazz radio update: Over at the Radio Arts Foundation - St. Louis, Saturday's edition of Calvin Wilson's “Somethin’ Else” highlights jazz interpretations of popular music, with artists including pianist Vijay Iyer, drummer Jeff “Tain” Watts and guitarist Charlie Hunter offering their takes on tunes from Pink Floyd to Radiohead.

That same evening, Jason Church's "The Jazz Collective" will offer a tribute to George Duke, plus music from Jeff Lorber Fusion, The Brand New Heavies, Dizzy Gillespie, Miles Davis, the Brian Vaccaro Trio, Jim Manley, Tim Cunningham and Hugh 'Peanuts' Whalum.

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

Jazz this week: Fumee Gypsy Project, T.J. Borden, Tuesday Night Swing Dance, and more

This week's jazz and creative music visitors to St. Louis include a gypsy jazz band from Chicago and an experimental cello player from New York.

Add in a busy lineup of gigs from local musicians, and the calendar for the next few days includes plenty of options for the discerning listener. Let's go to the highlights:

Today, if you're downtown during the lunch hour, you can catch a free performance of funky soul-jazz from the Jim Stevens Group as they play outside the Old Post Office and 8th & Olive.

Then tonight, Dizzy Atmosphere plays gypsy jazz and swing at The Shaved Duck, and singer Feyza Eren performs at Joe's Cafe, the "house concert" venue at 6010 Kingsbury Ave in the Central West End.

Tomorrow night, Wack-A-Doo will swing the Boathouse in Forest Park, while the Jazz Co-Laboratory, with trombonist John Covelli, bassist Ben Wheeler and drummer Joe Pastor, will be playing the music of Wayne Shorter at the Tavern of Fine Arts.

Also on Friday, drummer Kaleb Kirby brings a quartet to Robbie's House of Jazz; Second Generation Swing plays for dancers at the Casa Loma Ballroom; Sarah Jane and the Blue Notes will perform at Thurman Grill; and saxophonist Austin Cebulski leads a trio with Matt Villinger on organ and Micah Walker on drums at Cigar Inn.

On Saturday, the Fumee Gypsy Project (pictured), a young Chicago-based group fronted by singer Christy Bennett, will make their St. Louis debut at Robbie's House of Jazz. Also on Saturday, Miss Jubilee performs at Grappa Grill in St. Charles, and singer Danita Mumphard returns to Jazz on Broadway in Alton.

Update: 4:00 a.m., 8/16/13: A post on Miss Jubilee's Facebook page says Saturday's gig at Grappa Grill is cancelled, as the place has closed (rather abruptly, it would seem).  

If you can't catch them on Saturday night, the Fumee Gypsy Project also will be playing for Sunday brunch at the Rustic Goat. Also on Sunday, saxophonist Readus Miller has begun a recurring brunch gig at Patrick's at Westport Plaza (now back to its original name after several years as the namesake restaurant of departed St. Louis Cardinal Albert Pujols).

Then on Sunday evening, Tim Cunningham will be at Troy's Jazz Gallery, while the Lemp Neighborhood Arts Center will present a program of experimental music headlined by cellist T. J. Borden, plus "Pitiful Statement" feat John Beabout, NNN Cook, and John Cage: One.

Looking beyond the weekend, on Monday trumpeter Keith Moyer brings his group back to BB's Jazz, Blues & Soups, and on Tuesday, Lindy Hop St. Louis presents their monthly Tuesday Night Swing Dance, this time featuring music from Coco Rico, at the Grandel Theatre.

For more jazz-related events in and around St. Louis, please visit the St. Louis Jazz Notes Calendar, which can be found on the left sidebar of the site or by clicking here. You also can keep up with all the latest news by following St. Louis Jazz Notes on Twitter at http://twitter.com/StLJazzNotes or clicking the "Like" icon on the StLJN Facebook page.

(If you have calendar items, band schedule information, news tips, links, or anything else you think may be of interest to StLJN's readers, please email the information to stljazznotes (at) yahoo (dot) com. If you have photos, MP3s or other digital files, please send links, not attachments.)

Tom Kennedy releases new album Just Play

Bassist and St. Louis native Tom Kennedy has released a new CD titled Just Play on the Colorado-based indie label Capri Records.

The album (pictured) is Kennedy's fourth release as a leader, and features him on acoustic bass, along with fellow St. Louis native Dave Weckl on drums.

The rest of the cast includes the stellar guitarists Mike Stern and Lee Ritenour, as well as pianist Renee Rosnes, saxophonists George Garzone and Steve Wirts, trumpeter Tim Hagans, and trombonist John Allred.

They take on a program of eight standards, including "Airegin," "The Night Has A Thousand Eyes," "In A Sentimental Mood" and "What Is This Thing Called Love," plus Stern's original "One Liners."

The album is dedicated to Kennedy's brother Ray, a pianist and composer best known for his work with singer-guitarist John Pizzarelli. The Kennedy brothers also performed and recorded together from childhood until 2008, when Ray was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.

Just Play is available now in CD format, with digital release to follow. You can read a review of the album by Edward Blanco of AllAboutJazz.com here.

Copland, Peacock & Baron to perform Friday, December 6 at 560 Music Center

The trio of pianist Marc Copland, bassist Gary Peacock and drummer Joey Baron will perform at 8:00 p.m. Friday, December 6 at the 560 Music Center.

The performance will take place in the center's E. Desmond Lee Concert Hall and is presented by the Washington University Music Department.

Copland and Peacock (pictured, top left) played here in St. Louis with drummer Bill Stewart in February 2009 at the same venue. The pianist, inspired early in his career by the legacy of Bill Evans, has gone on to tour and record with a variety of top musicians including John Abercrombie, Randy Brecker, Bob Berg, Hank Crawford, Art Farmer, Curtis Fuller, Tom Harrell, Eddie Harris, Harold Land and Blue Mitchell, Dave Liebman, Bob Mintzer, and Sonny Stitt.

Peacock originally was associated with the avant garde, thanks to his early work in the 1960s with saxophonist Albert Ayler and pianist Paul Bley, but he's also led his own groups and been part of pianist Keith Jarrett's long-running "standards" trio that also includes drummer Jack DeJohnette.

Baron (pictured, below left) is best known for his work with John Zorn and Bill Frisell, but also has played with Stan Getz, John Scofield, John Abercrombie, Jim Hall, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, David Bowie, Tony Bennett, Laurie Anderson, Al Jarreau, and others.

Tickets for the the Copland/Peacock/Baron trio are $25 general admission, $15 for seniors and Washington University faculty/staff, $5 for students, and are on sale now via the Edison Theater's box office.