Why St. Louis' Music at the Intersection is a soul and jazz lover's paradise
For at least two days in September, St. Louis will form the beating heart of the soul-music universe. In just its second year, the Music at the Intersection festival gathers a who's who of artists in R&B and jazz as well as talented rockers and more.
The fest, held Sept. 10-11 in the Grand Center Arts District, is designed to celebrate "the city’s imprint on the American songbook, the relationship St. Louis has with its Mississippi River sister cities, and the musical genres that have been birthed and fostered locally," according to its website.
Columbians in tune with that mission should strongly consider the two-hour drive east to catch terrific sets as well as pre- and afterparty concerts and the Intersessions "micro-conference" Sept. 9.
Here are just a literal few of the acts on approach.
Soul and blues royalty: Erykah Badu, Buddy Guy and more
One of the true draws is R&B queen Erykah Badu, who plays on festival Saturday. Roots N Blues festival veteran Gary Clark (Sunday) bends blues, rock and soul together in dynamic ways.
Two more Roots N Blues alums, Booker T. Jones and Buddy Guy (both playing Sunday sets) draw on decades-deep catalogs to dazzle audiences with their instrumental prowess and dedication to the groove.
More: Roots N Blues fest to induct Jeff Tweedy into its Missouri Roots Songbook
Up-and-coming bands: Hiatus Kaiyote, Seratones
Several hot, hot bands will show off both the present and future tenses of soul music at this year's fest.
Australian act Hiatus Kaiyote (playing Saturday) is a force of nature, thriving on its crackerjack arrangements and the dynamic vocal presence of singer-guitarist Nai Palm. Another potential revelation for audiences comes in the form of Seratones (Sunday), a Louisiana outfit which boasts another brilliant bandleader in AJ Haynes.
Jazz giants: Kamasi, Glasper, John Scofield
Jazz is well-represented at Music at the Intersection, with a wealth of national and regional talent. Saxophone titan Kamasi Washington (Saturday) plays cinematic, genre-stretching fare while guitar great John Scofield (Sunday) always rewards an audience's faith.
One of the most promising sets at this year's fest comes Sunday with the pairing of radiant keyboardist-composer Robert Glasper and an unsung hero of jazz, hip-hop and soul, the saxophonist, producer and jack of all trades Terrace Martin.
More: New Missouri rock from Tidal Volume, Dark Below, The Many Colored Death
Homegrown St. Louis talent: Foxing, Lydia Caesar and more
St. Louis will make its presence felt beyond hosting with local — but, in many cases, nationally-regarded — talent including Foxing (Saturday), one of the true rock bands on the bill; soul light Lydia Caesar (Sunday); remarkable trumpeter Keyon Harrold (Saturday); jazz pianist Peter Martin (Sunday); and a Jazz St. Louis tribute to the late area drummer Montez Coleman (Saturday).
For more information, including a full lineup and ticket options, visit https://musicattheintersection.org/.
Aarik Danielsen is the features and culture editor for the Tribune. Contact him at adanielsen@columbiatribune.com or by calling 573-815-1731. Find him on Twitter @aarikdanielsen.
This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: St. Louis' Music at the Intersection is soul and jazz lover's paradise
