Jazz

Kendrick Smith wants to support active jazz musicians. His Build a Yes effort could help them gain more chances to perform — and record their music.

The HEAL Center for the Arts, a nonprofit in Grand Center focused on music education, won a $75,000 grant from the Lewis Music Prize. The organization’s leader plans to hire more visiting artists and serve more students.

Jazz vocalist Denise Thimes will perform Christmas songs and other favorites when she plays Jazz St. Louis on Wednesday and Thursday.

Tenor sax player Kamasi Washington and his band are in St. Louis this weekend for Music at the Intersection. For Washington, who has worked with rap and R&B artists and scored a former first lady’s documentary, it’s a chance to bring his artistic vision to life.

Victor Goines, a longtime member of the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra and distinguished educator, will lead Jazz at St. Louis.

Native son Keyon Harrold is the new host of St. Louis Public Radio and Jazz St. Louis’ live weekly jazz show, The Next Set: Live From Jazz St. Louis.

Club Riviera rivaled the Cotton Club in Harlem and attracted the biggest jazz acts of the day, including Nat King Cole and Duke Ellington. A new play hopes to resurrect the club’s history before it’s lost.

After her longest-ever break from touring, Dianne Reeves has a renewed desire to collaborate. She’ll bring her repertoire of jazz standards, pop hits and Brazilian music to the Sheldon on Thursday.

The Music at the Intersection festival returns for a second year, with national headliners like Erykah Badu, Gary Clark Jr. and plenty of room for local acts. Festival organizers aim to make this year’s event even bigger with vendors and indoor and outdoor stages.

Jazz St. Louis President and CEO Gene Dobbs Bradford will step down after more than 20 years of leading the organization. Bradford, who leaves this week to head the Savannah Music Festival in Georgia, said he’s excited about the future of jazz in St. Louis.