Saxophonist Jason Swagler will perform with his group for Washington University’s Jazz at Holmes Series at 8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 4.
Jason Swagler
The series, which was launched in 1996, features professional jazz musicians from around St. Louis and abroad performing in Holmes Lounge — a casual, coffeehouse-style setting — most Thursday evenings throughout the fall and spring semesters.
Swagler, who teaches music at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, has been a force on the St. Louis music scene for more than a decade. His previous groups include Vargas Swing, the popular jump-swing outfit, and CommonWealth, which fused contemporary sounds with R&B, jazz, funk and soul.
Jazz at Holmes will continue Feb. 11 with saxophonist Dave Stone and trumpeter Randy Holmes, followed on Feb. 18 by pianist Curt Landes and his quartet.
On Feb. 27, Jazz at Holmes will present a special Saturday concert by pianist Jay Oliver and his quartet. Oliver, a St. Louis native who now lives and records in Los Angeles, has released three solo albums while also producing and recording with a variety of artists. These range from legendary jazz musicians such as Chick Corea and trumpeter Maynard Ferguson to popular artists such as Jimmy Buffet, Bonnie Raitt and Glen Frey and The Eagles.
Jay Oliver
While running a production studio in St. Louis, Oliver was approached by a young schoolteacher named Sheryl Crow, whom he soon began using for session work. Later, the pair wrote and collaborated on many of the songs that ultimately became Crow’s first album for A&M Records. Some of the songs Oliver and Crow wrote together also were recorded by the likes of Celine Dion and Wynonna Judd.
Next up on March 4 will be tenor saxophonist Paul DeMarinis, followed on March 18 by drummer Ben Thigpen and on March 25 by pianist Kara Baldus. Guitarist Vince Varvel will perform with his group April 1, while vocalist Jan Shapiro will perform April 8.
The Jazz at Holmes Series will conclude April 15 with saxophonist Larry Johnson and Two Times True performing music from Johnson’s debut CD, “Circles” (2009).
All performances are free and open to the public. Holmes Lounge is located in Ridgley Hall, on the west side of Brookings Quadrangle, near the intersection of Brookings and Hoyt drives.
For more information, call Sue Taylor at (314) 862-0874; e-mail staylor@wustl.edu; or visit Jazz at Holmes on Facebook.
Jazz at Holmes sponsors include the College of Arts & Sciences, Student Union, University College and Summer School in Arts & Sciences, Congress of the South 40, Office of Student Activities, Department of Music in Arts & Sciences and Michael Cannon, executive vice chancellor and general counsel.
Jazz at Holmes Spring 2010 schedule:
Feb. 4: Saxophonist Jason Swagler and his group
Feb. 11: Saxophonist Dave Stone and trumpeter Randy Holmes
Feb. 18: Pianist Curt Landes and his quartet
Saturday, Feb. 27: Pianist Jay Oliver and his quartet
March 4: Tenor saxophonist Paul DeMarinis and his group
March 18: Drummer Ben Thigpen and his group
March 25: Pianist Kara Baldus and her group
April 1: Guitarist Vince Varvel and his group
April 8: Vocalist Jan Shapiro
April 15: Saxophonist Larry Johnson and Two Times True