Introducing: the Jazz Composers Series

It’s an idea whose time is ripe: local jazz composers splitting sets between their own compositions and those of a master.

This is the striking concept behind The Nu-Art Series’ "Jazz Composers Series: re-arrangements & nu-compositions."

Each week of Black History Month and into mid-April, the Nu-Art Series will present a different local composer playing their own music and selections by a master.

The schedule:

* Sat. Feb. 6: The Darrell Mixon Quartet (the work of Charles Mingus)
* Sat. Feb. 13: The Charles "Bobo" Shaw Art Ensemble (the work of Eric Dolphy)
* Sat. Feb. 20: The Ptah Williams Trio (the work of Bud Powell)
* Sat. Feb. 27: The Chad Evans Ensemble (the work of Charlie Parker)
* Sat. March 6: The Chris Burchett Quartet (the work of Thelonius Monk)
* Sat. March 13: The Anthony Wiggins Quintet (the work of Freddie Hubbard)
* Sun. March 21: The Willie Akins Quartet (the work of Sonny Rollins)
* Sat. March 27: The Jerome "Scrooge" Harris Ensemble (the work of Miles Davis/Wayne Shorter)
* Sat. April 3: JD Parran (the work of John Coltrane)
* Sat. April 17: The Stan Coleman Youth Jazz Band (the work of Duke Ellington).

All performances will be held at the Nu-Art Series’ Metropolitan Gallery, 2936 Locust St. from 3-6 p.m. Admission is $10.

For more information, contact George Sams at 314-535-6500, nu-artseries@charter.net or www.thenu-artseries.org.

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Pic of Mingus.