From April 18th through 20th, the Greater St. Louis Jazz Festival will bring some of the greatest names in professional jazz to the stage as well as provide training opportunities for some 800 students. In its tenth year, the festival has grown to be one of the most significant festivals in the Midwest. Founded in 2004 by the University of Missouri – St. Louis and the Touhill Performing Arts Center, the festival last year added a partnership with Jazz St. Louis.
This year’s headliner events begin Thursday, April 18 when reed artist Anat Cohn and drummer Matt Wilson will perform at Jazz at the Bistro.
On Friday, April 19, the Monterey Jazz Festival on Tour 55th Anniversary Celebration featuring Grammy award-winning artists bassist and musical director Christian McBride, vocalist Dee Dee Bridgewater, saxophonist Chris Potter, trumpeter Ambrose Akinmusire, pianist Benny Green and drummer Lewis Nash performs at the Touhill.
The festival concludes Saturday, April 20 with Doc Severinsen and His Big Band, again at the Touhill. The University of Missouri – St. Louis Jazz Band under the direction of Jim Widner will open the Friday and Saturday night events at the Touhill.
In addition to the headliners, the festival includes clinics and adjudicated performances by students from schools in Missouri, Illinois, Kansas and Texas. These daytime performances and artist clinics are free and open to the public.
Vocalist DeeDee Bridgewater who is featured on the Friday night concert, UMSL Director of Jazz Studies Jim Widner and Jazz St. Louis Executive Director Gene Dobbs Bradford were Steve Potter’s guests on Cityscape to talk about the festival and Bridgewater’s career.
Related Events
Greater St. Louis Jazz Festival Presents Anat Cohen and Matt Wilson
Thursday, April 18, 2013
7:30 and 9:30 p.m.
Jazz at the Bistro, 3536 Washington Ave.
(314) 289-4030
Jazz St. Louis Website
Greater St. Louis Jazz Festival Presents Monterey Jazz Festival on Tour 55th Anniversary Celebration
Friday, April 19, 2013
7:30 p.m.
UMSL's Touhill Performing Arts Center
(314) 516-4949
Touhill Performing Arts Center Website
Greater St. Louis Jazz Festival Presents Doc Severinsen and His Big Band
Saturday, April 20, 2013
7:30 p.m.
UMSL's Touhill Performing Arts Center
(314) 516-4949
Touhill Performing Arts Center Website
