At the Center of it All is a Passion for Jazz
For nearly three decades, Jazz St. Louis has been the foremost jazz presenter in St. Louis and throughout the region. We are dedicated to preserving the legacy of this musical genre. Hundreds of local and nationally renowned musicians, such as Wynton Marsalis, Diana Krall, Harry Connick, Jr., and Al Jarreau have graced our stage. Our state-of-the-art Ferring Jazz Bistro has earned praise from artists and patrons alike as one of the best listening rooms in the country. Year after year, Jazz St. Louis strives to be the leader in showcasing unique and diverse jazz performers and preserves the shared cultural heritage embodied in jazz music through our educational programs.
History
Jazz St. Louis was born in August 1995 when the late Barbara Rose (pictured) and Peter Bunce of Grand Center began presenting jazz musicians of national and international fame in a small, intimate atmosphere. The new music series was called Jazz at the Bistro. Following her death in 1998, Gene Dobbs Bradford was chosen to lead the organization. He began expanding the musical styles presented and building the education and community programs that are now an integral part of the organization. In 2006, the organization’s name was changed from Jazz at the Bistro to Jazz St. Louis to better reflect our focus on performance, education and community engagement. In October 2014 following an $8 million capital campaign, the Bistro and the adjacent building were renovated as the Harold & Dorothy Steward Center for Jazz.
Our Staff
Victor Goines
President & CEO
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Bob Bennett
Artistic Director / Director of Operations
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Nick Garcia
Director of Marketing
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Stephanie L. Hemphill
Finance & Accounting Manager / Notary
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Paul Hennerich
Technical Director / Audio Producer
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Barbara Hirschfeld
Grants Manager
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Adaron “Pops” Jackson
Director of Education and Community Engagement
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Dr. Travis Lewis
Education Manager
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Blake Mickens
Education Associate
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Keith Murray
Director of Development
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Abby Nahlik
Box Office Associate
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Bridget Polach
Development Manager
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Cassidy Rose
Marketing Engagement Associate
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Patrick Skinner
Audio / Video Engineer
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Adam Stefo
Associate Director of Patron Services
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Jack Zimmerman
Patron Services Coordinator
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Board of Directors
Arvan Chan
Dr. Gerald Early*
John Ferring*
Dr. David Gutmann
William Higley
Nancy Kranzberg*
Jim Nowicke
Claudia Ochoa-Espejo
Glen Schuster
Robert Steward, Interim Chairman
Milton Wilkins
Richard Winter
*Emeritus Board Member
JSL Press Releases
August 11, 2023
Jazz St. Louis Appoints Adaron “Pops” Jackson as Director of Education and Community Engagement
The educator, musician, composer, and clinician brings a wealth of experience to a position paramount to fulfilling the organization’s mission of advancing the uniquely American art of jazz through performance, education, and community engagement.
June 21, 2023
Jazz St. Louis Announces Its 28th Season, Featuring Celebrated Artists And Programming
The season includes legends of Jazz, St. Louis favorites, special events, holiday performances, and renowned educational outreach programs.
June 6, 2023
Jazz St. Louis Announces Return of Summer Spotlight STL Series featuring St. Louis-based Musicians
These concerts are open to the public at absolutely no cost, thanks to the generous underwriting of long-time friends of Jazz St. Louis and the St. Louis arts community, Steward Family Foundation & World Wide Technology.
April 17, 2023
Jazz St. Louis Welcomes Keith Murray as Director of Development
Murray brings with him a breadth of experience in all phases of funding and sustaining high-quality activities across arts and education.
March 15, 2023
Jazz St. Louis Selects Nick Garcia as New Director of Marketing
In his new role, Garcia will emphasize inclusiveness, the organization’s world-class educational programming, and increasing attendance in the 200-capacity club.
August 23, 2022
Jazz St. Louis Names Victor Goines as New President & CEO
Jazz St. Louis is pleased to announce the appointment of distinguished musician, composer, and educator, Victor Goines as its new President & Chief Executive Officer after an extensive national search and interview process.
June 3, 2022
Jazz St. Louis Announces Its 27th Season, Featuring More Than 40 Esteemed Performers, From September 2022 – June 2023
The season includes jazz greats, St. Louis-based favorites, special holiday performances, the Whitaker Jazz Speaks performance and lecture series return, and educational outreach programs.
May 31, 2022
Jazz St. Louis Announced Free Six-Week Summer Concert Series with Eight Popular St. Louis-based Artists and Bands
Made possible by Steward Family Foundation and World Wide Technology, the JSL Summer Spotlight STL Series provides an opportunity for all to experience live jazz
February 16, 2022
Local Jazz Organizations Jazz Cruises and Jazz St. Louis Join Forces for
Concert Series, Creating Largest Jazz-Promoting Partnership in Midwest
Grammy®-winning guitarist/vocalist George Benson will kick off the series
with a special concert at The Factory on May 12, 2022
January 10, 2022
Jazz St. Louis Receives $60,000 Grant from Bayer Fund
Donation to help support JazzU and Jazz Academy jazz education programs
January 27, 2022
Jazz St. Louis Retains Phillips Oppenheim for Executive Search
Celia L. Hosler will lead during the transition as Interim President & CEO
For accessibility accommodations and questions, please contact [email protected] or call 314.881.3083.