Local Motion: Peter Martin

As music director for Grammy-winning vocalist Dianne Reeves and for last December's Big River Hurricane, jazz pianist Peter Martin has spent lots of time recently helping others. Now it's the University City native's turn in the spotlight, as Martin brings his trio to the Missouri Botanical Garden to kick off the annual Whitaker Music Festival series of free concerts. His playing behind Reeves reveals a sophisticated harmonic palette and a tasteful use of space, ideal for backing a jazz singer, while Martin's work as a leader also demonstrates a more extroverted side, with Latin and New Orleans rhythms in the mix. For this show, expect a big helping of that Crescent City sound.