By Craig Kaminer

There are some other great jazz cities in America like my hometown of New York City, San Francisco, Chicago, and New Orleans, but none can match the range of shows, the intimacy of the Ferring Jazz Bistro, Miles Davis, the number and types of community events, or world-class jazz education like Jazz St. Louis.

Jazz St. Louis advances the uniquely American art of jazz through performance, education, and community engagement. Each year, this non-profit organization presents over 270 performances in its internationally acclaimed concert series. Jazz St. Louis takes a three-pronged approach to its work: presenting jazz, encouraging and educating future audiences, and nurturing budding musicians.

This year, the theme, “Feel the Vibe” promises signature can’t-be-missed concerts for a wide range of jazz tastes with greats like Cécile McLorin Salvant & Sullivan Fortner, Samara Joy, and Arturo O’Farrill & the Afro Latin Jazz Ensemble. The club will be swinging with energetic and boundary-defying musicians like the Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio, Etienne Charles’ Creole Christmas, The Baylor Project, and Sean Jones returns with Dizzy Spellz. Jazz fans will be treated to long-awaited debut performances from artists like Nella, Stacey Kent, Linda May Han Oh, and Joel Ross’ Good Vibes.

There will also be a focus on emerging St. Louis talent from Dave Grelle’s Playadors to Jahmal Nichols’ Black Frequencies, and the new Build A Yes Collective. St. Louis is a city with a soul of jazz.

Students of Jazz Academy, JazzU, and in classrooms across the region can engage directly with professional touring artists. Residency artists like Tia Fuller, Mimi Jones, and Matt Wilson will work directly with kids throughout the week before performing public concerts over the weekend.

JSL’s Creative Advisor, Keyon Harrold, returns for the second of his three-year engagement graciously supported by the Mellon Foundation. Harrold’s impact can be seen in everything from Jazz St. Louis’ Artist Residency education program to the Whitaker Jazz Speaks Series. He also serves as a curatorial partner of the JSL 18-show subscription series. As a thought leader in jazz today, Harrold provides valuable perspective and guidance in creating a Jazz St. Louis Artist Consortium.

The Whitaker Jazz Speaks Lecture and Performance Series is back, presenting programs that take a deep dive into a historical or social aspect of jazz through various mediums led by a subject matter expert. Each includes a live-music performance. The 2022-23 season will include four FREE events with speakers like flutist and lecturer Oliver Nelson Jr. sharing stories about his father in his “Nelson on Nelson” program, and Keyon Harrold presenting “Midwestern Music Matters: Jazz, Blues, and Hip Hop.”

Harrold will take on additional involvement with the St. Louis community as he assumes the role of host for the new season of The Next Set: Live From Jazz St. Louis, heard on Friday and Sunday nights on St. Louis Public Radio.

Co-presented with the Cabaret Project of St. Louis, cabaret fans will have six stunning performers in the Contemporary Cabaret Package subscription including Lillias White, Ali Stroker, Darius de Haas, and perennial favorite Marilyn Maye.

“We look forward to expanding our audience’s palate this season, weaving new and exciting artists into the mix with those they have come to know and love,” said Bob Bennett, artistic director of Jazz St. Louis. “With a plethora of talented St. Louis-based artists in the community, we also hope to shine a brighter light on great musicians who make up the fabric of our society.”

The season kicks off with Eva Noblezada on September 14, 2022. Series and package subscriptions are currently available to the public for purchase including single ticket sales. Subscriptions and single tickets are available online at jazzstl.org, during box office hours via phone at (314) 571-6000 or in person at The Harold & Dorothy Steward Center for Jazz, located at 3536 Washington Avenue in the Grand Center Arts District. Please visit jazzstl.org for more information.

2022-23 Full-Season Concert Calendar

2022 Concerts

Eva Noblezada, September 14 and 15

Red & Black Brass Band, September 16 and 17

Regina Carter, September 21 – 25

Build A Yes Collective, September 28

Adaron “Pops” Jackson, September 29

Nella, September 30 and October 1

Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio, October 5 – 9

Jahmal Nichols’ Black Frequencies, October 12

Stefon Harris & Blackout, October 19 – 23

Antonio Foster, October 26

Back Pocket, October 27

Tia Fuller, Mimi Jones, Matt Wilson, October 28 and 29

John Pizzarell, November 2 – 6

Marilyn Maye – ALL NEW Big Band Show, November 9 and 10

Dave Grelle’s Playadors, November 11 and 12

Cécile McLorin Salvant & Sullivan Fortner, November 16 – 20

Jeremy Davenport, November 25 and 26

Stacey Kent, November 30 – December 4

A Swingin’ Soulful Christmas with Denise Thimes, December 7 and 8

A Very Manley Christmas with Jim Manley’s Mad Brass & Rhythm, December 9 and 10

Etienne Charles Creole Christmas, December 14 – 18

Ellington’s Nutcracker, December 21 – 23

2023 Concerts

The Bad Plus, January 4 – 8, 2023

Sean Jones Dizzy Spellz, February 1 – 5

Jazz at Lincoln Center Group, February 10 and 11

Valentine’s Day with Anita Jackson, February 14

The Baylor Project, February 15 – 19

Bria Skonberg, March 1 – 5

Catherine Russell, March 15 – 19

Lillias White, March 22 and 23

Allison Miller’s Boom Tic Boom, March 29 – April 2

Joel Ross’ Good Vibes, April 12 – 16

Keyon Harrold, April 21 and 22

Darius de Haas – Day Dream: Variations on Strayhorn, April 26 and 27

No Tears Project, April 28 and 29

Storm Large, May 3 and 4

Samara Joy, May 10 – 14

An Evening with Ali Stroker, May 17 and 18

Linda May Han Oh, May 24 – 28

Arturo O’Farrill & the Afro Latin Jazz Ensemble, June 7 – 11

Joey DeFrancesco, June 21 – 25