Ellington Strayhorn Nutcracker
Dec 20–21
In this special collaboration, Jazz St Louis and Saint Louis Dance Theatre join forces to present an innovative spin on a beloved holiday tradition! In 1960, equal billing of The Nutcracker by Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn marked a milestone for the longtime collaborators. A brilliant musician, arranger, and active member of the LGBTQ+ community, Strayhorn lived in authenticity at a time where most worked to keep their identities hidden. Drawing inspiration from Strayhorn’s extraordinary life, choreographer Kirven Douthit-Boyd tells a magical story of a composer who dreams of writing a song for a legendary performer. After traveling to attend her one-night-only engagement, he finds himself emersed in a vibrant social scene, and entangled in an unexpected romance. The choice to set the work in St Louis’ popular entertainment quarter, Gaslight District, pays tribute to the prominent individuals and landmarks that gave rise to a vibrant time in the city’s cultural history. This work speaks to the power of community, the gift of love, and the importance of self-acceptance.
Subscribe to Our ’24/25 Season!
Enjoy your own seats at one of the top listening rooms in the world! When picking a curated Series Subscriptions or Choose Your Own package, you are selecting a day and time that works for you with the benefits of having the same seats at each performance, discounted tickets, subscription parties, and access to discounted parking.
Thank you, NEA!
We are grateful to be included in this year’s list of grants from the National Endowment for the Arts. This support helps Jazz St. Louis to continue advancing the uniquely American art of jazz through performance, education, and community engagement. Thank you Missouri Arts Council for helping make this possible!
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Jazz for Our Schools
Our Jazz for Our Schools program provides students from local area schools the chance to hang with world-class musicians and experience an incredible live show in one of the world’s top listening rooms, the Ferring Jazz Bistro!
The Next Set: From Jazz St. Louis
Enjoy this unique partnership with our Grand Center neighbor every weekend! Press play with the St. Louis Public Radio app or glide your dial to 90.7 FM every Friday and Sunday at 8 pm as we bring listeners exciting jazz performances recorded live from the Ferring Jazz Bistro.
Make Your Gift
Jazz St. Louis is more than just a celebrated concert venue. We are an education center to thousands of students each year! To live up to our mission, we rely on the generous charitable support of patrons just like you. Your online gift is 100% secure and 100% tax-deductible.
Artist Residency with Reggie Thomas, Tanya Darby, and Chris McBride
Nov 1–2
Jazz St. Louis’s Artist Residency bands are one-of-a-kind groupings brought together for the specific purpose of securing the future of jazz through community engagement and in-school performances. Jazz St. Louis engages these artists for an entire week, during which they visit area schools and conduct masterclasses and clinics for middle and high school students. This week we are proud to host Reggie Thomas, Tanya Darby, and Chris McBride!
Matt Wilson’s Good Trouble
Nov 6–10
Few musicians embody the spontaneous energy of jazz like Matt Wilson. The New York-based drummer combines buoyant zeal, idiosyncratic style, infectious humor, joyous swing and an indomitable spirit of surprise! Experience this group of all-stars for some of the most anticipated performances of the season. These performances will feature Ben Allison on bass, Dawn Clement on piano, Tia Fuller on saxophone, and Jeff Lederer on reeds.
Jazz St. Louis Book Club: The Battle of the Five Spot: Ornette Coleman and the New York Jazz Field by David Lee
Nov 11
The Battle of the Five Spot is an engaging look at a milestone of jazz history. When California saxophonist Ornette Coleman brought his quartet to New York’s Five Spot Café, the music ignited a storm of controversy, and spurred a struggle between old and new styles of jazz that has never quite subsided. David Lee explores the debate around Coleman’s innovation in terms of its relationships to social change and issues of power within arts communities.
Katherine Dunham Dance and African Drumming: “A Cultural Awakening on the East Side”
Nov 13
Dive into the compelling legacy of Katherine Dunham’s dance school in East St. Louis and its connections to jazz, dance, and African drumming. This event will explore how Dunham’s cultural movement shaped the region and influenced generations of musicians and artists. Through interviews and personal stories, we’ll hear from those directly touched by this “cultural awakening on the East Side,” offering rare insights into how African drumming and jazz traditions were interwoven into their artistic journeys. Grammy award-winning drummer Terreon Gully, an East St. Louis native, will be joined by special guests as they highlight how Dunham’s legacy continues to resonate today, inspiring and connecting new generations to the roots of jazz. Celebrate the enduring impact of Dunham’s work and the vital role of African drumming in the evolution of jazz at this special event.
Series Sponsored by Whitaker Foundation
Anthony Wiggins & Friends
Nov 14–16
Anthony Wiggins brings a wealth of history and swing to the bandstand! The trumpeter and educator has been a mainstay in the jazz scene for decades, coming through Ronald Carter’s historic program at East St. Louis Lincoln Senior High School. Wiggins has also served as a teaching artist in JazzU.
Youth & Family Concert
Nov 17
Discover the joy of jazz together with Jazz St. Louis’ Youth & Family Concerts! We believe in making music accessible to everyone. That’s why our Youth & Family Concerts are offered free of charge during special matinee performances. Join us during the day for a musical adventure that promises to be as educational as it is entertaining. At Jazz St. Louis, we’re more than just a venue; we’re a community. Our Youth & Family Concerts are the perfect way to spend quality time together, create lasting memories, and foster a lifelong love of jazz.
Emmet Cohen Trio
Nov 20–24
The leader of his eponymous trio, Emmet Cohen has become one of his generation’s pivotal musicians. The New York Times calls Cohen “an obvious heir apparent to the neo-traditional jazz mantle.” Backed by his rhythm section, the young jazz piano phenom will deliver magical sets that must be experienced live.
With Support from Cortland Associates
Jeremy Davenport
Nov 29–30
Jeremy Davenport delivers a unique style of storytelling with original lyrics and music, infusing a modern edge with a time reminiscent of the jazz age. The St. Louis native, now a pillar of the New Orleans jazz community, returns home for this Thanksgiving tradition!