October Jazz Harvest

By the time you read this on the AAJ website, the Count Basie Band (Oct. 1) and the Pat Metheny Trio plus saxman David Sanchez (Oct. 2) will have already performed at the Touhill Performing Arts Center at the University of Missouri St. Louis. But there's plenty more on the agenda. Let's get to it...

Jazz at the Bistro continues its 10th anniversary season with the return of Joshua Redman and his Elastic Band October 5-8. Joining Redman will be keyboardist extraordinaire Sa,m Yahel and drummer Greg Hutchinson. Marsalis Music recording artist Doug Wamble brings his to the Bistro Friday and Saturday, Oct. 12 and 13. And don't miss the extraordinary combination of organ great Joey DeFrancesco, legendary saxman Houston Person and soulful vocalist Marlena Shaw at the club Oct. 19-22. This show isn't happening anywhere else in the country! Check out the full Jazz at the Bistro schedule.

Finale, the intimate Clayton club that debuted in 2004, presents a wide array of entertainment that always includes some jazz during the month. But October's schedule should bring jazz fans back several times during the month. Al Di Meola plays a one- nighter on Oct. 6, followed by the incredible McCoy Tyner with his trio on Oct. 7 and 8. Up-and-coming jazz vocalist Sara Gazarek is featured Oct. 13, and local favorites the Bosman Twins follow on Oct. 14 and 15. St. Louis' own Erin Bode returns to Finale Oct. 28 and 29, giving fans a preview of her new CD on the MAXJAZZ label, set for a January release. For the complete Finale schedule.

The October highlight at the Sheldon is the appearance of Mark O'Connor's Hot Swing on Oct. 8. Ace violinist O'Connor ?" the company of guitarists Howard Alden and Bryan Sutton, bassist Jon Burr and vocalist Roberta Gambarini will pay tribute to the music of Stephane Grappelli and Django Reinhardt. New Orleans' own Banu Gibson takes the stage at 10. a.m. Oct. 11 and 12 as part of the Sheldon's "Coffee Concert series. Gibson—along with her excellent pianist David Boedding Finally, one of St. Louis' finest guitarists, Dave Black, plays a "Notes From Home concert at the Sheldon at 7:30 on the evening of Oct. 11.

RIFFS:

On the collegiate scene, the Webster University Jazz Series goes off campus on Oct. 8 with a performance scheduled at Cookies Jazz & More in Webster Groves on Oct. 8 starting at 7:30 p.m. The concert is billed as a jam session featuring members of the Jazz Studies faculty as well as returning alums. Oct. 8 $10 admission charge. Proceeds from the concert will benefit New Orleans musicians through efforts coordinated by the International Association of jazz Education.

Washington University's Jazz at Holmes concert series continues with a performance by local saxophonist Dave Stone from 8-10 p.m. on Oct. 6. And on Oct. 27, guitarist Vince Varvel will be featured. Series concerts are free, and are held in Holmes Lounge in Ridley Hall on the Washington University campus. For more info, call 314-935-4841.

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