All across America, hard times are threatening the survival of the arts. That can't be good news for jazz, which traditionally has struggled to reach mainstream listeners. The St. Louis Jazz and Heritage Festival has been put on hiatus this year partly due to financial issues. But the downturn hasn't stopped the Greater St. Louis Jazz Festival.
The annual event, the sixth of which will be held next weekend at the Blanche M. Touhill Performing Arts Center, has earned a reputation as a showcase not only for professional jazz artists, but also for high school musicians who aspire to be the next Miles Davis or Wynton Marsalis.
This year's entertainment lineup is among the festival's best. On Friday, drummer Peter Erskine (of Weather Report fame) and saxophonist Lou Marini (of the “Blues Brothers" films) will perform.
Saturday's attractions are singer-guitarist John Pizzarelli and trumpeter Jon Faddis. Both concerts will feature the UMSL Jazz Ensemble, directed by bassist Jim Widner.
The goal is to “have something for everyone," Widner said.
“Pizzarelli has a great following in St. Louis," he said. “And Erskine is one of the most in-demand jazz drummers in the country."
The annual event, the sixth of which will be held next weekend at the Blanche M. Touhill Performing Arts Center, has earned a reputation as a showcase not only for professional jazz artists, but also for high school musicians who aspire to be the next Miles Davis or Wynton Marsalis.
This year's entertainment lineup is among the festival's best. On Friday, drummer Peter Erskine (of Weather Report fame) and saxophonist Lou Marini (of the “Blues Brothers" films) will perform.
Saturday's attractions are singer-guitarist John Pizzarelli and trumpeter Jon Faddis. Both concerts will feature the UMSL Jazz Ensemble, directed by bassist Jim Widner.
The goal is to “have something for everyone," Widner said.
“Pizzarelli has a great following in St. Louis," he said. “And Erskine is one of the most in-demand jazz drummers in the country."
For more information contact All About Jazz.
