Jazz at the Bistro’s 20th Anniversary offers the very best of national and international jazz, including a mix of icons, local favorites and rising stars
ST. LOUIS — Jazz St. Louis’ 2015-2016 announcement marks their second full season in the new Harold & Dorothy Steward Center for Jazz. The newly designed Ferring Jazz Bistro’s state of the art acoustics and modern classic design makes St. Louis home to one of the best jazz venues in the country and a perfect fit for the world-class talent the Bistro will be hosting. The subscription series kicks off with “Jazz St. Louis @ 20” featuring a super group of six Jazz at the Bistro favorites from the past 20 years: Christian McBride, Cyrus Chestnut, Gregory Hutchinson, Russell Malone, Terell Stafford and Tim Warfield.
Other highlights of the 21st season include St. Louis’ own David Sanborn, the Yellowjackets, Dave Holland Prism Trio featuring Kevin Eubanks and Eric Harland, Poncho Sanchez & His Latin Jazz Band, and Dee Dee Bridgewater & Irvin Mayfield with the New Orleans 7. The 18 performances in the full subscription series include the very best of national and international artists celebrating jazz in all its forms: straight-ahead, soul, fusion, modern and contemporary. The entire season offers inventive pairings, rising talents, established icons and St. Louis favorites for a total of 47 not-to-be-missed opportunities. With a 55% increase in subscription ticket sales over the past year, some sets will sell out before single tickets go on sale.
“We’re hearing from artists and patrons alike that our new listening room, with its incredible sightlines and acoustics, is among the best in the world. We are grateful for the amazing support of the community, which allows us to bring world-class talent right here to St. Louis. In turn, these artists continue to rave about St. Louis audiences. We fully expect that the incredible growth we saw with the opening of the Steward Center for Jazz will continue into this new season, further affirming St. Louis’ legacy in the jazz world.” Jazz St. Louis’ President & CEO, Gene Dobbs Bradford.
Jazz St. Louis’ 21st season is presented by Wells Fargo Advisors and offers a little something for everyone from the jazz neophyte to the romantic, traditionalist, adventurous, and purist. With the flexibility to choose from 4, 8, 10 or 18 shows, subscribers get first access to tickets and seating choices plus exclusive benefits such as complimentary valet parking, package discounts and subscriber-only events. Subscription packages are on sale now at jazzstl.org or 314.571.6000 and individual tickets go on sale beginning August 19, 2015.
As an internationally recognized jazz presenter, Jazz St. Louis has been responsible for nearly 300 performances a year, with plans for over 100 more this season. The upcoming season offers Grammy and Tony Award-winners, live album recordings, holiday shows (including Duke Ellington’s version of The Nutcracker and Valentine’s Day shows with local favorite Erin Bode), Top 40 hits with a jazz twist, salsa, Jazz at the Bistro founder Barbara Rose’s favorites, a tribute to St. Louis’ own Clark Terry, one-night only performances of modern masters at the Touhill, a local spotlight series, and free community events that even includes baseball!
Jazz St. Louis held its grand re-opening this past October debuting their new state-of-the art live performance venue with livestreaming capabilities, education center, jazz lounge and staff headquarters. The re-designed Ferring Jazz Bistro, home to the Jazz at the Bistro concert series, is a fully accessible facility with ground level entrance and elevator. Amenities include intimate seating for 200 and unobstructed views of the entire stage in a classic modern style. Nancy’s Jazz Lounge is adjacent to the Bistro and seats up to 50 with a large video wall that simulcasts the Bistro’s live performances.
The new Centene Jazz Education Center is the most advanced and comprehensive facility in the country, which will augment Jazz St. Louis’ educational programming, which has already reached more than 150,000 students since 2000 through in-school performances and master classes, youth concerts, student ensembles, and more. Jazz St. Louis’ Artist Residency bands are brought together for the specific purpose of securing the future of jazz through outreach and in-school performances.
“After an incredibly successful first season in our new home, you can be sure we won’t be resting on our laurels. We’re going to continue to push forward to bring St. Louis the very best.” – Bob Bennett, Artistic & Operations Director
