Jazz

While Ish Ensemble can be tough to define, the spirit of jazz comes through from the wide array of collaborators to improvising a band name on the spot.

Since 1975, the Focal Point has played a critical role in promoting and shaping St. Louis’ folk, roots, jazz, blues and world music scene.

Check out these new tracks from St. Louis-area musicians in February’s new music roundup.

A jazzy, dance-filled take on “The Nutcracker” follows Duke Ellington, Billy Strayhorn and Josephine Baker.

A quintet of jazz players assembled for Music at the Intersection will pay tribute to the indelible contribution of jazz musicians and educators from the east side of the river.

Headliners at Music at the Intersection include genre-busting jazz phenom Esperanza Spalding. The festival will take over Grand Center this weekend.

The adult contemporary star, who became a reluctant giant of smooth jazz in the 1980s, died on Sunday after a six-year battle with prostate cancer. He said the St. Louis scene he grew up in shaped his style.

Jazz great David Sanborn, a Kirkwood native, got his start playing teen hangouts and clubs around St. Louis. Jazz St. Louis will honor him with its first lifetime achievement award on Thursday.

Keyon Harrold mixes jazz, hip-hop and R&B on this third solo album. The Ferguson-born trumpeter’s new songs reflect his quest for inner peace.

St. Louis’ music scene is flourishing. Here’s how you can find which show to check out next.