The Next Set: From Jazz St. Louis

Bernard Terry and Matthew Henry’s Agbara Quintet

Bassist Bernard Terry delivers a robust, swinging set with a performance that illustrates why he is one of the most in-demand bassists around. Double-check your door hinges; this quartet is about to swing ‘em right off!

• Bernard Terry – bass
• Kendrick Smith – saxophone & flute
• Royce Martin – piano
• Demarius Hicks – drums

Master percussionist Matthew Henry debuts his new quintet that embraces the spirit of “agbara” – the West African Yoruba word for vigor, energy, and power.

• Matthew Henry – percussion
• Adam Hucke – trumpet & flugelhorn
• Adaron “Pops” Jackson – piano & keys
• Zeb Briskovich – bass
• Montez Coleman – drums

Regina Carter

Grammy-nominated artist Regina Carter explores the power of music through the voice of the violin in a wide range of genres—including jazz, R&B, Latin, classical, blues, country, pop, and African.

Black, Brown, & Beige

The title Black, Brown and Beige refers to the three movements of this suite. Each one representing a period in black history:

• "black" – that’s the lives of slaves.
• "brown" – the emancipation of slaves and black service in American wars.
• "beige" – there we have Ellington taking on contemporary black America in the 40s.

Allison Miller’s Boom Tic Boom

NYC-based drummer/composer/teacher Allison Miller engages her deep roots in improvisation as a vehicle to explore all music. Described by critics as a Modern Jazz Icon in the Making, Miller has been named “Top 20 Jazz Drummers” in Downbeat Magazine, and her composition “Otis Was a Polar Bear” is on NPR’s list of The 200 Greatest Songs By 21st Century Women. She is also the first recipient of the Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation’s Commissioning Grant.

Happy Talk: Celebrating Nancy Wilson

Pianist and educator Adaron “Pops” Jackson and jazz vocalist Kim Fuller join forces for a very special tribute to legendary R&B singer Nancy Wilson, drawing from an illustrious career that spans over five decades.

Heart Full of Rhythm: The Big Band Years of Louis Armstrong

Featuring never-before-published photographs and stories culled from Armstrong’s personal archives, Ricky Riccardi tells the story of how the man called “Pops” became the first “King of Pop.” The program includes a performance by the Jazz St. Louis Big Band.

Kendrick Smith and Fusebox

Kendrick Smith’s latest project Fusebox reworks classic video game themes from the 1980s and 90s, early 2000s, bringing a whole new vibe to Jazz St. Louis. For those who remember Donkey Kong, Super Mario Brothers, and other classic games, these performances will bring you back to your childhood with a whole new hipness.

• Kendrick Smith – saxophone & EWI
• Zach Radwine – piano & keyboards
• Josiah Joyce – guitar
• Bernard Terry – bass
• Ben Dicke – drums

Miles in May

Join a dynamic quintet featuring some of St. Louis’ finest as they pay homage to Alton-born, East St. Louis-raised trumpeter, composer, and bandleader Miles Davis. Featuring Antonio Foster, Brady Lewis, Kwanae Johnson, Bob DeBoo, & Ben Dicke.

Clark Terry Centennial

Jazz St. Louis celebrates the life and legacy of Clark Terry. The mark he left on both jazz and jazz education is immeasurable. We’ve assembled an all-star group that would surely make Clark smile as the doors will surely be swinging off the Bistro! A fitting tribute to one of St. Louis’s greatest exports to the world and a monumental leader in jazz.

• Sean Jones – trumpet
• Sharel Cassity – saxophone
• Aaron Diehl – piano
• John Clayton – bass
• Sylvia Cuenca – Terry’s longtime drummer

No Tears Project

The No Tears Project is a jazz collective that interprets civil rights history through music—conceived by pianist Christopher Parker and vocalist Kelley Hurt.

Jazz St. Louis has partnered with Oxford American and Gateway Arch National Park to produce and present a concert event in St. Louis that includes songs from the original No Tears Suite composition—performed by a seven-piece jazz ensemble led by Parker and Hurt, alongside brand-new music, poetry, and dance created by and in collaboration with beloved St. Louis artists Oliver Lake, Brian Owens, Treasure Shields Redmond, and Ashley Tate. The jazz ensemble will include Christopher Parker (piano), Kelley Hurt (voice), Rodney Jordan (bass), Chad Anderson (drums), Bobby LaVell (tenor saxophone), Marc Franklin (trumpet), and Chad Fowler (alto saxophone).

Jazz St. Louis 25th Anniversary Band

JSL celebrates our 25th anniversary with a group that celebrates the history of the organization while looking towards the future at the same time. Longtime JSL staples Terell Stafford (trumpet) and Cyrus Chestnut (piano) are joined by saxophonist and vocalist Grace Kelly, drummer Allison Miller and bassist Nathan Pence (a former JazzU standout). This group can be experienced nowhere else in the world and will end the season on a definite high note!

Bria Skonberg

New York-based Canadian-born singer, trumpeter, and songwriter Bria Skonberg has stormed onto the jazz scene with her smoky vocals, blistering trumpet, and compelling compositions and arrangements. The Juno Award winner has sung the music of Aretha Franklin alongside Michelle Williams of Destiny’s Child, played with U2 at the iconic Apollo Theater, sat in with the Dave Matthews Band, was a featured guest with Jon Batiste, performed as part of The Monterey Jazz Festival on Tour, and sang the National Anthem at Madison Square Garden for a NY Rangers game.

Weather Forever

Celebrate fusion at its finest with Weather Forever! Zeb Briskovich (bass), Miles Vandiver (drums), Adaron “Pops” Jackson (keys), Eric Slaughter (guitar), and Jason Swagler (sax), make up this all-star band created to pay tribute to legendary fusion groups Weather Report and Return to Forever

Jazz St. Louis Big Band Plays Count Basie, directed by Victor Goines

Enjoy the Jazz St. Louis Big Band, under the direction of Victor Goines, as they swing the summer away in salute to the iconic Count Basie Orchestra, performing selections from his expansive catalogue.

Cécile McLorin Salvant & Sullivan Fortner

Vocalist Cécile McLorin Salvant & pianist Sullivan Fortner join forces for a very special collaboration that has Jazz St. Louis audiences buzzing.

Regina Carter

Grammy-nominated artist Regina Carter explores the power of music through the voice of the violin in a wide range of genres—including jazz, R&B, Latin, classical, blues, country, pop, and African.

Janet Evra - Meet Me in Paris

Janet Evra, an international jazz vocalist, bassist, and bandleader from England, brings Jazz St. Louis Meet Me in Paris, featuring fresh interpretations of French jazz classics by Edith Piaf, Charles Trenet, and Henri Betti, and newer hits by Pink Martini and Cyrille Aimee, along with original compositions.

Linda May Han Oh

Born in Malaysia, raised in Western Australia, and now living in New York City, bassist Linda May Han Oh brings her dynamic live show to the Bistro stage for this unforgettable performance!

Jahmal Nichols’ Black Frequencies

Bassist, composer, and producer Jahmal Nichols says his newest album, Black Frequencies, is about a vibe or experience. Revisit the experience on the Jazz St. Louis stage with this special broadcast.

Jeremy Davenport

Jeremy Davenport infuses a unique style of storytelling with original lyrics and music, creating not only a modern edge but also a feeling reminiscent of the time when jazz was at its peak of popularity. Davenport, a St. Louis native, studied and played with members and guests of the St. Louis Symphony which included an early introduction to Wynton Marsalis. A member of Harry Connick, Jr.’s big band for six years, Davenport now tours the world, plays regularly in New Orleans, and returns home annually for his tradition at Jazz St. Louis.

Bob DeBoo’s 1959 Project

Bassist Bob DeBoo assembles an all-star cast of St. Louis musicians for a celebration of four iconic albums from 1959, arguably the most creative and influential year that jazz has seen.

Samara Joy

Vocalist Samara Joy was the winner of the 2019 Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition and brought home the GRAMMY awards for "Best New Artist" and "Best Jazz Vocal Album" of 2023. Relive the voice as smooth as velvet in the intimacy of the Bistro!

Dave Grelle’s Playadors

Veteran pianist, organist, keyboard player and composer Dave Grelle returns to Jazz St. Louis as the leader of his all-star Playadors project. The Playadors are made up of some of the most in-demand players and vocalists in the city.

Joining them tonight is special guest: vocalist and singer Neil Salsich.

Duke Ellington’s Nutcracker Suite

Celebrate the Holidays with a special showcase of Duke Ellington’s Nutcracker Suite performed by the Jazz St. Louis Big Band. These jazz interpretations of Tchaikovsky’s classic ballet, arranged by Ellington and Billy Strayhorn, are all played from the original charts!

Etienne Charles’ Creole Christmas

Jazz trumpeter Etienne Charles adds a new twist to the holidays with his dynamic Creole Christmas band. Charles and his ensemble celebrate the Christmas season with unique interpretations of pieces from Charles’ diverse musical roots, featuring classic selections from the Caribbean, American, and European holiday songbooks.

Cody Henry’s Christmas

Get in the holiday spirit with good vibes and great music as trombonist, sousaphonist, composer, and all-around virtuoso Cody Henry brings the holiday cheer that is perfect for your season.

• Cody Henry – sousaphone & trombone
• Ben Reece – saxophones & bass
• Adam Hucke – trumpet
• Adaron “Pops” Jackson – piano & Fender Rhodes
• Joe Meyer – drums

Peter Martin & Generation S

Acclaimed jazz pianist, educator, founder of Open Studio, and St. Louis native Peter Martin and his fantastic Generation S brought their exhilarating show to the Jazz St. Louis stage! Generation S features Rueben Rogers on bass, Gregory Hutchinson on drums, and Sarah Hanahan on saxophone!

Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday (from Season of Stream)

Jazz St. Louis celebrates two of the most talented, interesting, and influential women of jazz, Billie Holiday and Ella Fitzgerald! Adaron "Pops" Jackson leads an all-star ensemble featuring Anita Jackson, Erika Johnson, Ben Reece, Bob DeBoo, and Montez Coleman through some of the most impactful selections from these iconic careers.

Whitaker Jazz Speaks: Midwestern Music Matters

Jazz St. Louis Creative Advisor Keyon Harrold discusses samples from jazz classics that have gone on to have new life in a new genre. Harrold will explore how jazz songs have been interpolated into new works. The program includes a concert showcasing original jazz songs and how the samples were transformed into hip-hop.

Sean Jones

Artists Sean Jones (trumpeter/musical director) and Brinae Ali (choreographer/tap dancer/vocalist) have teamed up to create a piece that fuses jazz, tap, Hip Hop, and Bebop to articulate the social vernacular language of the African American experience. Dizzy Spellz offers an Afro-futuristic lens into a deeper look at the intersecting cultural and spiritual dilemmas within the African Diaspora through the music of Dizzy Gillespie.

Summer Sax Summit featuring Kendrick Smith, Bennett Wood, & Joel Vanderheyden

Because one saxophone is never enough, we bring three of the premiere saxophonists in St. Louis for a collaboration you’ll hear nowhere else. Backed by pianist Daniel Herrera, bassist Bernard Terry, and drummer Ben Dicke, saxophonists and composers Kendrick Smith, Bennett Wood, and Joel Vanderheyden are gonna blow the roof off the joint…literally!

Wycliffe Gordon

American jazz trombonist, arranger, composer, band leader, and music educator Wycliffe Gordon will light up the Bistro stage! The Georgia-born trombonist also sings and plays didgeridoo, trumpet, soprano trombone, tuba, and piano. Wycliffe will be joined by Ehud Asherie on piano, Corcoran Holt on bass, Alvin Atkinson, Jr. on drums and vocals, and Adrian Cunningham on saxophone, flute, clarinet, and vocals. Make sure to catch these spirited performances that are sure to be bad to the bone!

Jazz Speaks: Jazz as a Protest Music

An internationally renowned musician, Victor Goines — the President & CEO of Jazz St. Louis — leads the performance of classic protest songs by legends of jazz in "Jazz & Justice." Goines also provides commentary on the movement.

Happy Talk: Celebrating Nancy Wilson

Pianist and educator Adaron “Pops” Jackson and jazz vocalist Kim Fuller join forces for a very special tribute to legendary R&B singer Nancy Wilson, drawing from an illustrious career that spans over five decades.

Allison Miller’s Boom Tic Boom

NYC-based drummer/composer/teacher Allison Miller engages her deep roots in improvisation as a vehicle to explore all music. Described by critics as a Modern Jazz Icon in the Making, Miller has been named “Top 20 Jazz Drummers” in Downbeat Magazine, and her composition “Otis Was a Polar Bear” is on NPR’s list of The 200 Greatest Songs By 21st Century Women. She is also the first recipient of the Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation’s Commissioning Grant.

Swing Dance Party

Jazz St. Louis opened its doors for our first ever Swing Dance Night! The band was led by Dawn Weber on trumpet and vocals., Jason Swagler on saxophone, Travis Mattison on guitar, Antonio Foster on piano, Bernard Terry on bass, and Bernard Long on drums! In its origin, jazz music developed symbiotically with Black vernacular dance styles like the Charleston, Tap, Lindy Hop, Shag, Bop. Move that couch and move that end table and swing dance the night away with us!

Melissa Aldana

Grammy-nominated saxophonist and composer Melissa Aldana joined the "Blue Note Records" family with her debut album, "12 Stars."

At 33, the Brooklyn-based tenor saxophone player from Santiago, Chile, has received international recognition for her visionary work as a band leader – as well as her deeply meditative interpretation of language and vocabulary.

• Lage Lund - Guitar
• Pablo Menares - Bass
• Kush Abadey - Drums

Grace Kelly

An unequivocal musical prodigy, singer-saxophonist-songwriter-composer and bandleader Grace Kelly has rocked the jazz world with sold-out concerts, 14 acclaimed albums and a resume that includes performing at the Hollywood Bowl as well as being part of the house band for The Late Show with Stephen Colbert – all before reaching her mid-twenties. Revisit this amazing performance as we listen to Kelly’s dynamic saxophone stylings and captivating vocal tones.

Kandace Springs

Kandace Spring’s latest album, “The Women Who Raised Me,” is her loving tribute to the great female singers who inspired her to begin her journey towards becoming one of the premier jazz/soul vocalists of our time. Featuring her unique interpretations of songs influential to her while growing up in Tennessee, Springs covers such classic icons as Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, and Carmen McRae, through 60’s legends Nina Simone and Dusty Springfield, and up to modern masters such as Sade and Lauryn Hill.

• Kandace Springs – piano, Fender Rhodes, & vocals
• Caylen Bryant - bass
• Taylor Moore - drums

Scooter Brown

Saxophonist Carlos “Scooter” Brown Hails from East St. Louis, Illinois. He’s also a D.J. and vocalist. This show also features Antonio Foster on Piano, Keys, and Rhodes; Nathan Pence on Bass; and Rob Reavling on Drums.

Jazz U with Sharel Cassity

Join the top two groups from Jazz St. Louis’ acclaimed JazzU program as they perform alongside saxophone great Sharel Cassity. JazzU is a weekly program for talented middle and high school musicians that focuses on improvisation, combo playing, jazz repertoire, and music theory. The students taking the stage for these performances are some of the finest young musicians in the region, including many who participated in the Missouri All-State Jazz Band and other prestigious auditioned groups.

Saxophonist, Woodwindist, Composer & Educator Sharel Cassity is a musician on the New York, Chicago and international jazz scenes. Listed as “Rising Star Alto Saxophone” in Downbeat Magazine for the past 9 consecutive years, Sharel has appeared on the Today Show, earned her MA from The Juilliard School under full scholarship, won the 2007 ASCAP Young Jazz Composers Award & has been inducted into the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame. Cassity has shared the stage with jazz luminaries including Herbie Hancock, Wynton Marsalis & the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra; as well as mainstream artists Aretha Franklin, Natalie Merchant, Vanessa Williams & Trisha Yearwood. She has released four albums as a bandleader and appeared on over 30 as a sideman, toured 24 countries and performed at leading venues like the Newport Jazz Festival, Monterey Jazz Festival & the North Sea Jazz Festival.

Stefon Harris and Blackout

Stefon Harris’ passionate artistry and astonishing virtuosity have propelled him to the forefront of the jazz scene. He is heralded as “one of the most important artists in jazz” by The Los Angeles Times and has been named Best Mallet Player eight times by the Jazz Journalist Association.

Matt Henry’s Agbara Sextet

Agbara is the West African Yoruba word for vigor, energy, and power. The Yoruba people and their musical aesthetics are a source of many of the aspects of “Latin Jazz." In this performance, Master percussionist Matt Henry debuts his new sextet. It embraces the Agbara spirit and features Matt and five more incredible jazz musicians from St. Louis, including: Aadron (Uh-dare-run) “Pops” Jackson on piano, Bernard Terry on bass, Kwane Johnson on saxophone, Duston Shrum playing trumpet and flugel Horn, and Desire “Des” Jones on drums with Matt Henry playing congas, bongos, and percussion.

Billy Childs with Sean Jones

Born in Los Angeles in 1957, Childs was already proficient at the piano by age 6; he was accepted in USC’s Community School For The Performing Arts at age 16, studying music theory and piano with some of the world’s most renowned musical scholars. He graduated from USC in 1979 with a degree in composition. Among Childs’ early influences: Herbie Hancock, Keith Emerson, Chick Corea and others. He credits classical composers such as Paul Hindemith, Maurice Ravel, and Igor Stravinsky for also influencing his love of composition. Childs’ performing career was also enriched with early-career apprenticeships with legendary jazz trombonist J.J. Johnson, and trumpet great Freddie Hubbard, in the late ‘70s and early ‘80s. Since then, Mr. Childs has received a number of orchestral and chamber commissions from, among others: Esa-Pekka Salonen and the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Leonard Slatkin, the Los Angeles Master Chorale, The Kronos Quartet, the Dorian Wind Quintet, the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, the American Brass Quintet, the Ying Quartet, the Lyris Quartet, Anne Akiko Meyers, Rachel Barton Pine, and Inna Faliks. Thus far, in his career, Childs has garnered sixteen Grammy nominations and five Grammy awards. Childs has also served as president of Chamber Music America from 2016 to 2022.

Music and spirituality have always been fully intertwined in the artistic vision of trumpeter, bandleader, composer, educator and activist Sean Jones. Singing and performing as a child with the church choir in his hometown of Warren, Ohio, Sean switched from the drums to the trumpet at the age of 10. Sean is a musical chameleon and is comfortable in any musical setting no matter what the role or the genre. He is equally adept in being a member of an ensemble as he is at being a bandleader. Sean turned a 6-month stint with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra into an offer from Wynton Marsalis for a permanent position as lead trumpeter, a post he held from 2004 until 2010. In 2015 Jones was tapped to become a member of the SFJAZZ Collective. During this time, Sean has managed to keep a core group of talented musicians together under his leadership forming the foundation for his groups that have produced and released eight recordings on the Mack Avenue Records, the latest is his 2017 release Sean Jones: Live from Jazz at the Bistro.

Praised in The New York Times as “a singer with a strong and luscious tone,” vocalist, composer and arranger Alicia Olatuja (A-LEE-see-ah Oh-la-TU-ja) combines the earthy with the sublime, bringing a grounded relatability to genres as lofty as classical, as venerated as jazz, and as gritty as R&B. On her stunning Resilience Music Alliance debut, Intuition: Songs From The Minds Of Women, Olatuja lends her distinctive approach to celebrating the artistic output of noted female composers. Olatuja’s vocal excellence stunned a global audience of millions during the second inauguration ceremony for President Barack Obama in 2013 with a soaring featured solo during the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir’s rendition of “The Battle Hymn of the Republic.” Her pristine voice and poise made a visible impact on the dignitaries in attendance, with reporters and social media lavishing her with praise. “

Miles in May

Join a dynamic quintet featuring some of St. Louis’ finest as they pay homage to Alton-born, East St. Louis-raised trumpeter, composer, and bandleader Miles Davis. Featuring Antonio Foster, Brady Lewis, Kwanae Johnson, Bob DeBoo, & Ben Dicke.

Alfredo Rodriguez & Pedrito Martinez

Alfredo Rodriguez and Pedrito Martinez both started life in Havana, discovered their gifts and passions for music and headed to the States, where they melded the music of their homeland with a wide variety of influences, each in his own deeply personal way. Rodriguez and Martinez share a natural chemistry that makes for a galvanizing musical experience when they come together. The pair explores a range of moods and influences, from Cuban classics to collaborative original compositions to a number of unexpected favorites.

Camille Thurman with the Darrell Green Quartet

As a composer, multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, and unique interpreter of the jazz tradition, she is quickly becoming one of the standard bearers for the form, making a considerable and dynamic contribution to the legacy of jazz while paying tribute to its heroes. Fluid and powerful on the tenor saxophone and highly inventive as a vocalist, she also plays bass clarinet, flute, and piccolo. Her rich sax sound has been compared to Joe Henderson and Dexter Gordon, while her vocal approach—including an impressive scatting ability—has been classified alongside those of Ella Fitzgerald and Betty Carter.

In a few short years, Thurman has shared stages with Janelle Monáe, Alicia Keys, Lalah Hathaway, Jill Scott, Erykah Badu, Roy Haynes, Dianne Reeves, Kenny Barron, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Terri Lyne Carrington, Jon Batiste, Diana Krall, Patti LaBelle, Gladys Knight, Chaka Khan, Nicholas Payton, The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra (JALCO) featuring Wynton Marsalis, and Buster Williams, among many others.

The New York City native has already amassed several distinctive honors for her musicianship: runner up in the 2013 Sarah Vaughan International Vocal Competition, two-time winner of the ASCAP Herb Alpert Young Jazz Composers Award and a winner of the Fulbright Scholars Cultural Ambassador Grant, The Chamber Music of America Performance Plus Grant (Sponsored by the Dorris Duke Charitable Foundation) and the Jazz Coalition Composers Grant among others. Thurman also has four full-length recordings as a leader to her credit.

Her compositions were featured and performed by her quartet in the ASCAP/The Kennedy Center Songwriters: The Next Generation showcase as well as the Greenwich School of Music’s Uncharted Series. Camille has appeared on BET’s Black Girls Rock as the saxophonist and flutist in the All-Star Band. Equally adept as a player and a singer, and recognized for her compositional abilities as well, Thurman has also earned accolades from the media, from JazzTimes to Downbeat, All About Jazz to the New York Times, NPR to Sirius XM Satellite Radio, BET to Jazz Night In America.

Thurman was chosen by the State Department under the Fulbright Scholarship grant to perform in Paraguay and Nicaragua with her band. She and Darrell Green were selected by American Music Aboard to travel and perform in various African nations including Cameroon, Mozambique, Nigeria, Senegal, and Mauritania.

The best way to experience the full scope of Thurman’s artistry is to catch one of her performances as bandleader, such as during these performances with her regular working band, the outstanding Darrell Green Trio!

Keyon Harrold "Foreverland"

Trumpeter, composer, arranger, and producer Keyon Harrold returns home to present his new album, Foreverland, the place where all is possible. Join us as Keyon brings us an experience that the Jazz St. Louis Creative Advisor describes as “Peace Beyond Understanding.”

Harrold brings with him adept skills that have found him working across various genres from acoustic post-bop to hip-hop and R&B. Born in 1980 in Ferguson, Missouri, Harrold grew up in a musical family along with nine siblings. Initially, he learned to play trumpet as a member of the Memorial Lancers Drum & Bugle Corps, a band founded by his grandfather, who was a police officer. A disciplined musician from an early age, Harrold would practice regularly, sometimes during his school lunch hour, and by the time he finished high school, he was an accomplished performer. From there, he honed his skills by studying at the Mannes Jazz Program at New York’s New School.

Since graduating, he has balanced his time between recording and touring with jazz artists like trumpeter (and longtime mentor) Charles Tolliver, saxophonist James Carter, and veteran organ giant Dr. Lonnie Smith, as well as R&B and hip-hop artists like Common, Jay-Z, Erykah Badu, and others. As a solo artist, he debuted in 2009 with Introducing Keyon Harrold on Criss Cross, which featured contributions from Tolliver, pianist Danny Grissett, and others. He then appeared on albums by Gregory Porter, Marcus Strickland, and Otis Brown III, and toured as a member of Cirque du Soleil’s Michael Jackson: The Immortal World Tour. He also supplied all of the trumpet work for the Grammy-winning soundtrack to director Don Cheadle’s 2015 biopic Miles Ahead.

In 2017, Harrold returned to his solo work with his sophomore album, The Mugician, on Legacy Recordings. An ambitious mix of orchestral arrangements, funk, jazz, and hip-hop, the album featured guest appearances by Robert Glasper, Bilal, Big K.R.I.T., Pharoahe Monch, Gary Clark, Jr., and others. Also that year, he headlined his own dates with guitarist Nir Felder and joined DJ Logic’s Project Logic ensemble at the Newport Jazz Festival.

Kendrick Smith: Mo Better Blues

Saxophonist, composer, and educator Kendrick Smith was born and raised in East St. Louis and studied at SIUE under pianist Reggie Thomas. Kendrick’s quintet will perform music from Spike Lee’s Mo’ Better Blues, a stylish, erotic drama about a jazz trumpeter.

Matthew Whitaker

Matthew Whitaker’s love for playing music began at age 3 after his grandfather gave him a small Yamaha keyboard. At 9, Matthew began teaching himself how to play the Hammond B3 organ. Four years later, he became the youngest artist to be endorsed by Hammond—in its 80+ year history. He was also named a Yamaha Artist at 15, becoming the youngest musician to join the stellar group of jazz pianists.

• Matthew Whitaker – piano, organ, & keyboards
• Karim Hutton - bass
• Marcos Robinson - guitar
• Ivan Montejo - percussion
• John Steele - drums

Antonio Foster: Standards

Antonio Foster, a versatile pianist, bandleader, and jazz musician began his musical journey at the age of 9 under the guidance of Charles R. Asbury. Foster drew inspiration from his grandmother, who was the church pianist, and later delved into jazz piano at 13. Over the years, Foster has showcased his talents in various realms, playing for churches, jazz groups, and even producing an album. Currently, he imparts his knowledge as a piano teacher at the Youth Technology Arts Center. Foster’s passion for jazz led him to Central Visual and Performing Arts and Jazz St. Louis’ JazzU Program. Under the mentorship of East St. Louis native Reggie Thomas, Foster honed his skills, emerging as one of St. Louis’ top jazz pianists and keyboardists. Today, he stands as a leading voice among a dynamic group of young musicians shaping the future of jazz.

Weather Forever

Celebrate fusion at its finest with Weather Forever! Zeb Briskovich (bass), Miles Vandiver (drums), Adaron “Pops” Jackson (keys), Eric Slaughter (guitar), and Jason Swagler (sax), make up this all-star band created to pay tribute to legendary fusion groups Weather Report and Return to Forever

Jazz St. Louis Big Band Plays Count Basie, directed by Victor Goines

Enjoy the Jazz St. Louis Big Band, under the direction of Victor Goines, as they swing the summer away in salute to the iconic Count Basie Orchestra, performing selections from his expansive catalogue.

Bria Skonberg

New York-based Canadian-born singer, trumpeter, and songwriter Bria Skonberg has stormed onto the jazz scene with her smoky vocals, blistering trumpet, and compelling compositions and arrangements. The Juno Award winner has sung the music of Aretha Franklin alongside Michelle Williams of Destiny’s Child, played with U2 at the iconic Apollo Theater, sat in with the Dave Matthews Band, was a featured guest with Jon Batiste, performed as part of The Monterey Jazz Festival on Tour, and sang the National Anthem at Madison Square Garden for a NY Rangers game.

The Adam Maness Trio & Montez Coleman

The Adam Maness Trio has become a standard-bearer for what a “working” jazz group is — functioning as a singular unit with all members feeding off each other to create something extraordinary.

• Adam Maness – piano & Rhodes
• Bob DeBoo – bass
• Montez Coleman – drums

East St. Louis native Montez Coleman has toured and shared the stage with a host of jazz luminaries, including the Roy Hargrove Quintet, McCoy Tyner, Wynton Marsalis, Houston Person, Freddy Cole, Bruce Barth, Rufus Reid, & Russell Malone.

• Montez Coleman – drums
• Bob DeBoo – bass
• Adam Maness – piano
• Eric Slaughter – guitar
• Jason Swagler – saxophones

Young, Gifted, & Black: Celebrating Nina Simone featuring Malena Smith

Malena Smith uses her powerful, angelic vocals to inspire unity. The St. Louis singer and songwriter made the move to pursue her solo career after years of singing with the groups Vaughans and the Adam Maness Trio, with bob DeBoo and the late, great Montez Coleman. Make sure to experience Malena as she celebrates the iconic singer, songwriter, pianist, composer, arranger, and civil rights activist, Nina Simone! Joining Malena will be Adaron “Pops” Jackson on piano, Emanuel Harrold on drums, Jahmal Nichols on bass, and Carlos “Scooter” Brown Jr. On saxophone.

Yellowjackets

Throughout their storied 40-plus year history, Yellowjackets have consistently forged ahead in their evolving artistic statements. The band has recorded dozens of albums, been nominated for a vast array of GRAMMY® Awards, and has adventurously amplified the eclectic, electro-acoustic soundscape, creating a unique jazz sound since its fusion beginnings. Now the band returns to bring brilliance to the Bistro stage!

Heart Full of Rhythm: The Big Band Years of Louis Armstrong

Featuring never-before-published photographs and stories culled from Armstrong’s personal archives, Ricky Riccardi tells the story of how the man called “Pops” became the first “King of Pop.” The program includes a performance by the Jazz St. Louis Big Band.

Reggie Thomas Celebrates the King Cole Trio

Pianist Reggie Thomas pays tribute to one of America’s favorite pianists and vocalists and his unique King Cole Trio. Join us in celebrating the legacy of a man that has influenced generations of musicians and broke down racial barriers as the first black man to host an American television series. This evening will explore the music of the King Cole Trio, originally King Cole and His Swingsters, which featured guitarist Oscar Moore (later replaced by Irving Ashby) and bassist Wesley Prince (later replaced by Johnny Miller). This trio specialized in swing music with a delicate touch in that they did not employ a drummer.

René Marie

In a span of two decades, 11 recordings, and countless stage performances, vocalist René Marie has cemented her reputation as not only a singer but also a composer, arranger, theatrical performer and teacher. Guided and tempered by powerful life lessons and rooted in jazz traditions laid down by Ella Fitzgerald, Dinah Washington and other leading ladies of past generations, she borrows various elements of folk, R&B, classical, and country to create a captivating hybrid style. Her body of work is musical, but it’s more than just music. It’s an exploration of all corners of the human experience, an affirmation of the power of the human spirit. René understands music’s capacity to heal and inspire. Not only has she herself been the beneficiary of it, but she has made every effort along the way to extend those same benefits to others.

Baylor Project

The Baylor Project, featuring Jean Baylor and St. Louis native Marcus Baylor. is a highly anticipated collaboration steeped in the heart and soul of jazz. As the children of pastors, Marcus and Jean’s musical roots were planted deep within the church, and it was there that the road was paved for the influence of gospel, blues, soul, and jazz to make its mark.

Carlos Henriquez Nonet: Dizzy Con Clave & The South Bronx Story

Born in South Bronx, New York in 1979, bassist Carlos Henriquez is set to thrill Jazz St. Louis audiences with his captivating style! He studied music at a young age, played guitar through junior high school, and took up the bass while enrolled in the Juilliard School’s Music Advancement program. Henriquez is no stranger to the musical afro dialect in jazz and Latin styles. He continues to flourish as a great bassist with three great projects as a leader. The Bronx Pyramid, Dizzy Con Clave, and the latest the South Bronx Story, which is a bold multi-movement work of the social history of the South Bronx, draws from Henriquez’s personal Puerto Rican heritage.

Terri Lyne Carrington’s New Standards

Inter-disciplinary artist, NEA Jazz Master, multiple Grammy Award winner, activist, and educator, Terri Lyne Carrington has worked tirelessly over the last decade to advocate for inclusivity and raise the voice of women, trans and non-binary people in jazz. New Standards, her ambitious new endeavor, was created to shine a light on women composers in historic new ways. The project arrives in the form of a groundbreaking lead sheet book of jazz compositions dedicated entirely to women composers, a newly recorded album of 11 selections from the songbook featuring an all-star band and superb line-up of special guests, and a dynamic multi-media exhibition.

Jazz St. Louis 25th Anniversary Band

JSL celebrates our 25th anniversary with a group that celebrates the history of the organization while looking towards the future at the same time. Longtime JSL staples Terell Stafford (trumpet) and Cyrus Chestnut (piano) are joined by saxophonist and vocalist Grace Kelly, drummer Allison Miller and bassist Nathan Pence (a former JazzU standout). This group can be experienced nowhere else in the world and will end the season on a definite high note!

Black, Brown, & Beige

The title Black, Brown and Beige refers to the three movements of this suite. Each one representing a period in black history:

• "black" – that’s the lives of slaves.
• "brown" – the emancipation of slaves and black service in American wars.
• "beige" – there we have Ellington taking on contemporary black America in the 40s.