Finding a Love for Jazz as a St. Louis Blues Fan: My First KPAC Coffee Concert Experience

I went to my first KPAC Coffee Concert not for the complimentary coffee and not for the world-class jazz… but because I’m a St. Louis Blues fan.

Yes, the hockey team. Not to be confused with the iconic song, or the genre of music itself, both of which are a common trademark of the concert series. My dad, two brothers, and I had long been enthralled any time the national anthem was sung by Charles Glenn, the musical guest in the biweekly series at KPAC.

To be clear, I knew he wasn’t going to sing the national anthem… but I found myself curious about what he would sing, even though I did not consider myself a jazz or blues connoisseur.

“Imagine you’re in a smoky, lively, crowded club in 1940’s San Francisco…” that’s what Glenn requested of the audience, as though they were a fellow musician he needed to collaborate with.

As if on cue, the house band behind him softly sprung to life, with the pluck of a few bass strings, soft cymbals, and rumbling piano chords – transporting the audience to the aforementioned San Francisco jazz club.

From here, Glenn proceeded to put the audience in the shoes of the troubled protagonist in Pal Joey, the 1957 Sinatra film in which jazz music is part of the setting, as well as the voice of the movie musical itself. The scene Glenn set segued not only into the iconic song “The Lady is a Tramp,” but segued into the world outside Kirkwood.

For some patrons in this audience, going out to concerts for live music hasn’t been so enticing the last few years since the pandemic. The Tuesday morning Coffee Concerts, with their intimate audience of 60-100 patrons, have become a peaceful transition back to attending live music again.

Coffee Concert regulars recognize the familiar faces of the trio of musicians on the bass, drums, and piano every other Tuesday, as Bradley, Willem, and James begin to feel like old friends themselves.

To provide a bit of “background” on these anything-but-background musicians, you might know them better as Confluence Jazz, the local group who are no strangers to KPAC’s Strauss Black Box Theatre, having performed there late last summer before the Coffee Concert Series began.

“I’m sorry,” you might be wondering, raising your hand. “But what is a Coffee Concert?”

For one crisp $20 bill, you can get your Tuesday morning fill of, not only local jazz, blues and soul artists, but also Dunkin’ Donuts’ irresistible treats and fresh coffee - perhaps while someone croons Ella Fitzgerald’s “Black Coffee” in the background.

And if you think you’re not a fan of jazz music… chances are, you probably already do enjoy jazz but don’t even realize it.

Because the fact is, jazz is all around you. When you least expect it, you may come to realize it’s already playing in the background of your life, even when you’re not thinking about it as Jazz with a capital “J.” Whether as suspenseful film score or bar background music, its underrated necessity slips in there, meandering like one of the brass horns itself.

Jazz conjures instant atmosphere, one of sophistication and culture before you even notice you’ve been tapping your foot the whole time. It’s a form of nostalgia in the tradition of Sinatra or Breakfast at Tiffany’s. And the cozy interior of The Strauss Black Box Theatre at Kirkwood Performing Arts Center sets the ideal scene of appreciation for the historic art form. You’ll feel transported back in time to a jazz club that felt the original excitement for the sound… all before you’ve finished your morning coffee and started your afternoon.

We’re used to treating ourselves with our morning coffee and pastries, but how often do we enrich that experience with a weekday morning activity…Or as Frank Sinatra calls it, “In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning”? (Maybe not quite so wee since the next installment of six summer concerts kicks off at a leisurely 10:30am).

As I said, I did not go in a diehard fan of the genre, but I thoroughly enjoyed myself listening to Charles Glenn (who will be returning in June) and many more since. The experience gave me chills where jazz did not always give me chills before. While something familiar drew me in, I stayed for something new to me – just with a few simple chords.

The list of upcoming performers includes other local legends, such as Renee Smith, Deborah Sharn, Uvee Hayes, and more.

Reserve your seats today at thekpac.org. Try one Coffee Concert or try them all with a subscription. If you think you’re not a fan of jazz, you might surprise yourself.

And if you think you’re not a fan of coffee… try the complimentary tea instead.