Pieces of great: Debby Lennon is all smiles. And why shouldn't she be? This St. Louis native has performed at Sheldon Hall, Carnegie Hall, Avery Fischer Hall and even halls in Switzerland. She is a brassy, jazzy, Bette-meets-Barbra vocalist who has such a handle on perfect pitch that she founded the famous a cappella octet Pieces of 8. On Tuesday, November 8, Lennon will be celebrating the release of her latest recording -- natch, I'm All Smiles -- at lovely local "hall" Finale Music and Dining (8025 Bonhomme Avenue, Clayton; 314-421-4400). With $5 performances at both 7:30 and 9:30 p.m., there's no excuse to miss it. Between the jazz and the consumption of Finale's drool-inducing dessert T-ravs, you'll be all smiles, too.
This is spinal tap: St. Louis-cum-worldwide jazz great "Baby Al" Caldwell was recently diagnosed with spinal stenosis, a narrowing of the spinal canal that places pressure on the spinal cord. But within this dark cloud lies a bluesy lining: All of Caldwell's friends are coming together for a benefit concert on Saturday, November 5, in Blueberry Hill's Duck Room (6504 Delmar Boulevard, University City; 314-727-4444). Among the performers are jazz artists Tim Cunningham, Leonard Hines and Eneazer Moore, all of whom are dedicated to raising money to help cushion the cost of Caldwell's surgery. Come out to see a legend, with proceeds ensuring many more years of great music-making.
