Bode and Martin have worked together before several times, most recently at Martin's performance in December at the Sheldon Concert Hall. Bassist Chris Thomas, like Martin a native of University City, was part of that concert and also will join Bode and Martin at the Roberts Orpheum.
Tickets for the Design Week performance by Erin Bode and Peter Martin are $100 for VIP seats, $25 for general admission, and can be purchased online via Ticketmaster.
Holiday hustle-and-bustle may be going into full effect, but over the next few days there are a number of events in St. Louis that you may want to stop and check out if you're a fan of jazz and creative music.
Tonight, singer Erin Bode opens a two-night run at Jazz at the Bistro. If my understanding is correct, this will be a holiday themed show, which means Bode likely will be performing music from her CD A Cold December Night, which was released last year at this time. Word is that Bode and band also have been recording a new CD for release next year, so it's possible that some of those new songs may find their way into her sets as well.
Also this evening, just around the corner from the Bistro, pianist Bill Charlap and singer Sandy Stewart will open a four-night stand of performances presented by Cabaret St. Louis at the Kranzberg Art Center. Charlap was here with the Blue Note 7 in February at the Sheldon, and often is ranked among the top piano players in jazz by critics and various jazz polls. For her part, Stewart, who is Charlap's mother, had a thriving career in musical theater, cabaret and jazz before retiring in the 1960s to raise her family; her comeback in the 1990s prompted renewed interest in both her older work and her present day performances, as described in this feature story from the New York Times.
On Thursday, guitarist Matthew Von Doran performs a free show with his trio at Broadway Bean, a new coffee house, art gallery and music venue at 7619 South Broadway in the Carondelet neighborhood. Moving on to the weekend, on Friday the smooth jazz saxophonist Najee will headline a "Jazz Explosion" show, also featuring unspecified "special guests," at the Ambassador Events Center, 9800 Halls Ferry Rd. Continuing in that contemporary, electrified vein, the quartet Good 4 The Soul, featuring pianist Adaron "Pops" Jackson, bassist John King, guitarist Shaun Robinson and drummer James Jackson, will bring their mix of jazz, funk, soul and gospel back to the Bistro on Friday and Saturday nights.
On Sunday afternoon, the St. Louis Jazz Club presents Cornet Chop Suey in a concert of traditional New Orleans style jazz and swing at the Doubletree Hotel in Chesterfield. For information on more jazz and creative music events this weekend and beyond, please visit the St. Louis Jazz Notes Calendar, available for viewing on the left sidebar, or by clicking here. Also, you can follow St. Louis Jazz Notes on Twitter at http://twitter.com/ / StLJazzNotes and become a "fan" by signing up on the StLJN Facebook page. http://stljazznotes.blogspot.com/2009/12/police-investigating-shooting-robbery.html
How or when did you first “discover” jazz? It was a natural process for me. I grew up with a wide range of music in the house; Classical, Bluegrass and Folk, plus we watched a lot of musicals. It wasn't till I was in high school in my rebellious years that I got into jazz. I picked up a recording of Nancy Wilson with George Shearing and Oscar Peterson's Night Train. I also loved the Big bands like Glenn Miller and Les Brown. I was hooked from then on. Do you remember the first recording you ever purchased (jazz or otherwise)? Nancy Wilson with George Shearing. Next was Nancy with Cannonball Adderley.
Name one of your greatest creative influences and why? It is Eva Cassidy. She was the most sincere singer I've ever heard. She sang all different styles but no matter what style she did it was always from her heart. She wasn't doing it for the fame or the recognition, she just loved music and I am always comforted by that. If I'm ever feeling down on myself and I feel like I'm not very good, I listen to Eva. She reminds me why I sing.
What made you decide to become a musician? I've always wanted to perform. I have never truly wanted to do anything else.
Tell us about your recording DON'T TAKE YOUR TIME. It is a collection of songs that I love. What better way to get started and introduce yourself to people than tell them what you love? I grew up listening to some of the songs like 'Count Your Blessings' and 'Here There and Everywhere.' Others I came across later on like Dylan's 'Tonight I'll Be Staying Here With You' and Stevie Wonder's 'If It's Magic.' I am very proud to have an original on the cd. Adam Maness and I have been busy writing for the past several months and 'Don't Take Your Time' was one of our first efforts together.
Name one recording that you cannot live without. My desert island cd would be Graceland or Rhythm of the Saints (Paul Simon) or Never Die Young (James Taylor) or Thriller (Michael Jackson). I might also go back into the fire for Ten Summoners Tales (Sting), Mingus Mingus Mingus Mingus Mingus (Charlie Mingus) and Emmy Lou Harris' Wrecking Ball and maybe some Steely Dan.
What is the best thing about playing jazz? Getting to be myself.
What is in your CD player right now? Peer Gynt
What is the last movie you saw? "Anchorman"
What is the last book you read? Cold Sassy Tree by Olive Ann Burnes
What is your favorite escape? My family has a cabin on Lake Superior. There is no where I'd rather be.
Name a few of your musical guilty pleasures. Eminem and Enya
JAZZofilo is a cultural Blog. Our intention is not to commercialize music, but to share with friends the pleasure of listening jazz music and the world of jazz.
The site does not keep music files, but through widgets. You're welcome to submit posts, photos, etc. of jazz related topics.
If for some reason you feel offended by the content of a particular post here that was not our intention. Please let us know and we'll remove it.
Any questions and suggestions, send me to the link: cavalcanticlaudio@yahoo.com
