Kasimu Taylor can play just about anything. The veteran St. Louis trumpeter got his first paying gig at age 12, thanks to the Gethsemane Lutheran Church on Hampton Avenue. He performed regularly with alto saxophonist Chad Evans; founded salsa band El Caribe Tropicale; spent years with dance party icons Dr. Zhivegas; and currently leads both soul group Howard Street and his own post-bop jazz ensemble.
On Monday, Sept. 8, the Kasimu Taylor Quartet, whose music is rooted in the legacies of Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Freddie Hubbard and St. Louis native Clark Terry, will launch the WashU Jazz Series with a performance at the 560 Music Center’s Pillsbury Theatre.
“Kasimu Taylor is one of St. Louis’ leading trumpeters, well-noted for his interpretive skills and for his personal, lyrical style of improvisation,” said William Lenihan, director of jazz and a teaching professor in the Department of Music in Arts & Sciences at Washington University in St. Louis. “This academic year, we are thrilled to present Mr. Taylor and other musicians who demonstrate WashU’s commitment to jazz and improvised music.”
Other fall events will include the WashU Jazz Band (Oct. 15) and WashU Cabaret (Nov. 4). The Bridge 2.8, which describes itself as a “French-Chicago musical exchange,” will perform Nov. 12. Rounding out the series will be WashU Jazz Combos (Nov. 18); and the WashU holiday concert (Dec. 6).
Performances are free and open to the public. The Bridge 2.8 concert will take place in Holmes Lounge. All other events take place in the Pillsbury Theatre. The 560 Music Center is a short walk from the Danforth Campus, at 560 Trinity Ave. in University City. For more information, visit the music department website.
