The Next Set: Live From Jazz St. Louis

Anita Jackson

Anita Jackson leads an all-star band through a robust set ranging from jazz classics and soul favorites to down-home blues and original compositions.

• Anita Jackson – vocals
• Kendrick Smith – saxophone & flute
• Phillip Graves – piano & Fender Rhodes
• Teddy Brookins – bass
• Joshua Crump – drums

Scooter Brown Quintet

Soulful, vibrant, and creative are just a few words that describe saxophonist, vocalist, producer, composer, and educator Scooter Brown.

• Scooter Brown – alto saxophone, vocals, samples
• Antonio Foster – piano & keys
• Jordan Brewer – bass
• Dorian Sims – drums

Denise Thimes

One of the most cherished voices of modern jazz, Denise Thimes has drawn comparisons to Sarah Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald, and all those who came before her – but with a voice uniquely her own.

• Adaron “Pops” Jackson – piano & Fender Rhodes
• Eric Slaughter – guitar
• John King – bass
• Demarius Hicks- drums

Ben Reece’s Unity Quartet

Ben Reece’s dynamic quartet delivers a soulful, swinging set through outstanding original compositions as well as killer arrangements of standards and modern classics.

• Ben Reece – tenor saxophone & flute
• Rob Nugent – alto saxophone
• Cody Henry – sousaphone
• Ron Sikes – drums

Montez Coleman

East St. Louis native Montez Coleman has toured and shared the stage with a host of jazz luminaries, including the Roy Hargrove Quintet, McCoy Tyner, Wynton Marsalis, Houston Person, Freddy Cole, Bruce Barth, Rufus Reid, & Russell Malone.

• Montez Coleman – drums
• Bob DeBoo – bass
• Adam Maness – piano
• Eric Slaughter – guitar
• Jason Swagler – saxophones

Adam Maness Trio

The Adam Maness Trio has become a standard-bearer for what a “working” jazz group is — functioning as a singular unit with all members feeding off each other to create something extraordinary.

• Adam Maness – piano & Rhodes
• Bob DeBoo – bass
• Montez Coleman – drums

Good 4 the Soul

This explosive four-piece outfit draws upon jazz, funk, fusion, gospel, and R&B repertoires to deliver a powerful and unapologetic sound that excites and thrills audiences.

• Adaron “Pops” Jackson – piano & keys
• Shaun Robinson – guitar
• John King – bass & vocals
• James Jackson – drums
• Jason Swagler – alto saxophone

Matt Villinger’s All Night Trio

A trio of native St. Louisans return to debut the All Night Trio on the Jazz St. Louis stage. The trio’s compositions are heavily influenced by different types of groove music, including Herbie Hancock, Thundercat, Drake, and Frank LoCrasto.

• Matt Villinger – keyboards & vocals
• Peter Schlamb – keyboards
• Zach Morrow – drums

Kara Baldus-Mehrmann

Kara Baldus-Mehrmann is a pianist, vocalist, and full-time jazz piano instructor at Washington University in St. Louis, making her debut as a leader on the JSL stage with a dynamic and swinging set featuring her quartet.

• Kara Baldus-Mehrmann – piano & Fender Rhodes
• Bennett Wood – saxophones
• Ben Wheeler – bass
• Jerry Mazzuca – drums

Dhoruba Collective

The Dhoruba Collective is a fresh, innovative band mixing jazz and hip hop elements to create a unique, signature sound full of colorful harmonies and deep rhythms!

• Jeffery Dhoruba Hill – drums
• David Gomez – tenor saxophone
• Josiah Joyce – guitar
• Teddy Brookins – bass

Kendrick Smith

The Kendrick Smith Trio lights up the Jazz St. Louis stage with an incredible performance featuring classic jazz standards and original compositions.

• Kendrick Smith – saxophones, flute, & bass clarinet
• Bernard Terry – acoustic bass
• Micah Walker – drums

Kaleb Kirby

Drummer and educator Kaleb Kirby has become a respected voice among the current landscape of St. Louis jazz composers, with his original compositions taking center stage in this performance.

• Kaleb Kirby – drums
• Josiah Joyce – guitar
• Aaron O’Neill – bass
• Steven Johnson – saxophone

Janet Evra

Vocalist, bassist, and composer Janet Evra performs an intimate set of standards from American, French, and Latin jazz while blending bossa nova, samba, and pop influences to create an engaging and uplifting performance.

• Janet Evra – bass, guitar, and vocals
• Will Buchanan – guitar
• Ryan Marquez – piano
• Demarius Hicks – drums

Brady Lewis Quintet

Trumpeter and composer Brady Lewis melds blues, hip-hop, Motown-era soul, indie rock, and even bluegrass into his style as a jazz artist.

• Brady Lewis – trumpet
• Kendrick Smith – alto saxophone
• Phillip Graves – piano & Fender Rhodes
• Bernard Terry – bass
• Demarius Hicks – drums

Matt Henry’s Agbara Quintet

Master percussionist Matt Henry debuts his new quintet that embraces the spirit of “agbara” – the West African Yoruba word for vigor, energy, and power.

• Matt Henry – percussion
• Adam Hucke – trumpet & flugelhorn
• Adaron “Pops” Jackson – piano & keys
• Zeb Briskovich – bass
• Montez Coleman – drums

Bernard Terry

Bassist Bernard Terry delivers a robust, swinging set with a performance that illustrates why he is one of the most in-demand bassists around. Double-check your door hinges; this quartet is about to swing ‘em right off!

• Bernard Terry – bass
• Kendrick Smith – saxophone & flute
• Royce Martin – piano
• Demarius Hicks – drums

Emily Wallace with the Adam Maness Trio

With her breathtaking voice, genuine demeanor, and trademark sense of humor, Emily Wallace join forces with one of today’s premier piano trios led by pianist, composer, and arranger Adam Maness to bring new life to classic rock and pop tunes and a few of originals.

• Emily Wallace – vocals
• Adam Hucke – vocals & trumpet
• Adam Maness – piano & Fender Rhodes
• Bob DeBoo – bass
• Montez Coleman – drums

The Service

The Service is guitar-led jazz-funk, featuring original compositions by hollow body electric guitarist Pete Lombardo, with complimentary leads from Hammond B3 organist Nathan Hershey. The rhythm section is all pocket, with funk phenom Nick Savage on the drums and the smooth Fender Electric Bass tone of Andy Coco.

• Pete Lombardo – guitar
• Nathan Hershey – organ
• Andy Coco – bass
• Nick Savage – drums
• Special guest Matt McKeever – saxophones

Jahmal Nichols

Black Frequencies

Jahmal Nichols’ says his newest album, Black Frequencies is about a vibe or experience. Nichols says, “The title track says black is not a color, it’s a frequency — something Black people have been through all our lives with food, sounds, how we wear our hair. That’s what I mean when I say the vibe. The vibe just draws you in.”

• Jahmal Nichols – acoustic & electric basses
• Scooter Brown – alto saxophone
• Antonio Foster – piano & Fender Rhodes
• Montez Coleman – drums

Dave Brubeck Centennial

Take five and join us for a 100th birthday celebration of one of the most defining figures in jazz –the legendary pianist and composer Dave Brubeck.

• Jason Swagler – Saxophone
• Matt Villinger – Piano
• Bob DeBoo – Bass
• Marty Morrison – Drums

Clark Terry Centennial

Nobody talks about jazz in St. Louis without talking about one of the most influential musicians in jazz history, Clark Terry. An incredible wealth of St. Louis’s finest gathered for a swinging salute for Clark!

• Danny Campbell & Brady Lewis – trumpets
• Kendrick Smith – saxophone
• Scooter Brown – saxophone & vocals
• Adaron “Pops” Jackson – piano
• Jahmal Nichols – bass
• Montez Coleman – drums

Erika Johnson

Vocalist Erika Johnson runs the gamut from classic jazz standards to Prince and The Rolling Stones in this thrilling set full of groove and good times!

• Erika Johnson – vocals
• Pete Ruthenburg – piano & Fender Rhodes
• Eric Slaughter – guitar
• Jahmal Nichols – bass
• Demarius Hicks – drums

Hip Grease

Hip Grease brings the vibe of the late 1960s and 70s soul-jazz grooves to the bandstand as an all-star gathering of St. Louis’ premier boogaloo jazz and funk musicians.

• Ben Reece – saxophones
• Adam Hucke – trumpet & flugelhorn
• Dave Grelle – organ & keys
• Andy Coco – bass
• Joe Meyer – drums

Antonio Foster & Friends

Foster is one of the top call jazz pianists and keyboardists in St. Louis. His wealth of knowledge across genres allows him to bring gospel, blues, and R&B influences into his jazz groove.

• Antonio Foster – piano & keys
• Scooter Brown – alto saxophone
• Bernard Terry – bass
• Josiah Joyce – guitar
• Dorian Simms – drums

Cody Henry’s Christmas

Get in the holiday spirit with good vibes and great music as trombonist, sousaphonist, composer, and all-around virtuoso Cody Henry brings the holiday cheer that is perfect for your season.

• Cody Henry – sousaphone & trombone
• Ben Reece – saxophones & bass
• Adam Hucke – trumpet
• Adaron “Pops” Jackson – piano & Fender Rhodes
• Joe Meyer – drums