October 18 & 23, 2007

Sponsored by Lodging Hospitality Management and the Norman J. Stupp Foundation

Each year Jazz St. Louis presents its annual “What is Jazz?” concerts. These concerts incorporate lessons in history and American culture into an exciting and energetic concert experience. The concerts are FREE and open to any school interested in attending.

To go along with these concerts, Jazz St. Louis, in conjunction with local educators, has developed a series of lesson plans and preparatory materials for teachers. These materials help prepare students of all ages for their concert experience. Lessons cover everything from the roles of specific instruments within a jazz ensemble to lessons on writing a music review.

For more information regarding these events, contact Phil Dunlap, Director of Education, at (314) 289-4033 or email phil@jazzstl.org.

The 2007 "What is Jazz?" concerts will be held on October 18 and 23, 2007. Concerts are at 9:30am and 11am both days and will take place at the Steger 6th Grade Center, located at 701 N. Rock Hill Road, St. Louis, MO 63119. This year's concerts feature:

United States Air Force Airmen of Note

Thursday, October 18 | 9:30am & 11am

The Airmen of Note is the premier jazz ensemble of the United States Air Force. Created in 1950, it remains on an innovative musical course to continually challenge the frontiers of contemporary big band jazz. The 'Note flourishes today from it's 50+ year history of having strong leaders, distinguished writers and arrangers, and 18 of the finest jazz musicians in the country.

Esperanza Spalding Trio

Tuesday, October 23 | 9:30am & 11am

Widely hailed as a child prodigy on the double bass, the Portland, Oregon native enjoys the status as the youngest faculty member in the history of Boston's prestigious Berklee College of Music. Esperanza's music encompasses a wide variety of styles, including hip-hop, blues, funk, pop fusion, Brazilian, Afro-Cuban, and, of course, jazz.