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Click the CD logo at right to order my CD from CD Baby.com. To order by check or MO, please click here click here for address. OR, just drop me an email by clicking on the CONTACT ALAN link. Send your address and I will see that you are sent a CD and invoiced for it. Buy now pay later! Such a deal.

GIGS GIGS GIGS GIGS. Let there be GIGS!

SATURDAY 6/14 - Al Ox with Curt Landes & Mike Neuman At CJ Muggs  9 PM-1 AM

This will be fun and -- are you ready?? INTERESTING! Neither Curt or I have had the chance to play music with the talented Mike Neuman of FAIRCHILD fame-- BUT I have been in a BATTLE OF THE BANDS with the man! If you make it to CJ Muggs in Webster- ask me for the gory details of THE CHOSEN FEW playing 'against' THE AARDVARKS way back in the age of peace and free love ... FYI, I won't start the gig until after 10pm since I am playing earlier at the Millennium (see below). But please make it by if you can- 101 W. Lockwood Webster Groves 314 963 1976. Peace!

Solo piano/ vocals, Al Ox/ Millennium Hotel Downtown (recurring)

I play piano and sing here on Fridays and Sats from 5:30- 9:30. Sundays I play drums with my trio for Sunday brunch. Please see below! As much as locals may be over the novelty of seeing St. Louis from the 28th floor of what USED to be the Stouffer's Riverfront Inn of 1960's fame, cynicism disappears when you take in not only the updated and more modern St. Louis city skyline, but the hypnotic view of the Mississippi River valley. When was the last time your view of St. Louis was so entrancing that you could not look away? And actually you don't have to look away. Your table moves for you. (Don't lose track of your stuffed flounder!) Try to make it down - I mean UP, and experience the sunset glistening off Eero Saarinen's fantastic sculpture. See more below about my trio at Sunday brunch. Reservations suggested for evening dining.

Millenium Hotel Downtown STL/ Stellar Band Sunday Jazz Brunches (recurring)

Our trio is at THE TOP OF THE RIVERFRONT. Literally. You say you want a revolution?? It takes 90 minutes for your table to make it once around. This is the same property that was the talk of the town when it opened in St. Louis in the early 70's as the Stouffer's Riverfront Inn. The hotel has been beautifully refurbished recently and along with looking good, some of the good folks in management there decided to SOUND good too. Enter the Stellar Band! We play from 10:30- 1:30. Brunch is served until 2pm. Please check the hotel for pricing but I have tried the food and they have a grand selection. Yes I said GRAND. It's true. Believe me you. Or you me. And please save some food for us. 200 South 4th Street, St. Louis, MO, USA 63102. The phone is 314 241 9500.

ARCHIVE

FRIDAY 2/22- Al Ox in: "Just Music, Just Hammerman - Just Lucky!"

The Words & Music of Al Hammerman - Benefit Concert and CD Release for The Make-A-Wish Foundation of Missouri will be Friday February 22, 2008, 7:30 pm at The Sheldon Concert Hall. My buddy AL RETURNS TO THE SHELDON with lots of great new songs as well as some of his old favorites. Al's promo states "St. Louis’s finest vocalists will again be on hand" and I think he's including ME in that statement, thanks Big Al! A big part of the sound will be the lush sounds of Phil Loder and his 12 piece orchestra. See Al's site for more details. See you there!

NEW YEAR'S EVE: Millennium Hotel Bash

What are you doing THE REST OF THE YEAR??!!! I am inviting you to join the dining crowd at the TOP OF THE RIVERFRONT Restaurant. We will dance. We will sing. We will not only joice BUT WE WILL REJOICE ! And then we may still JOICE AGAIN. Not your typical New Year's Eve. What else can I say? INFO: 2 seatings. 2nd seating starts at 8pm. My trio with Chip Katz on guitar and Ron Carr on drums will be from 8:30 to 12:30. Dancing, midnight toast and JAM! More info: 314 214 9500.

With Curt Landes Trio at BALABAN'S in the CWE 8:30pm Tues Nov 6th

Well, once again it's Wet T-Shirt Night at Balaban's! Uh, don't hold me to that though - I'd better check into that again (just doesn't sound right). One thing for sure though, I AM scheduled to play drums with Curt and Vince Martin. SO BE THERE OR BE SQUARE, MAN- GAL- what have you. Come to think of it, I guess it IS a bit nippy for wet T-shirts- But then again, all the nippier ! I'll shut up now. This is a fun gig. Come !

Casino Queen, Sat OCT 27th 9-1pm

My first foray into the music side of A CASINO. Maybe I will wear my James Bond tux and order my martini lightly shaken not stirred... Or maybe I will just play the gig and split! I am looking forward to doing this performance with Clancy Newell on drums. This cat can really play and I have not had many opportunities to do this kind of duo where I am on keys. Also see casinoqueen.com for directions etc.

With Curt Landes Trio at REMY'S in Clayton 8:30pm Thurs Sept 27

This place seems to have what it takes to attract diners decade after decade. I have sat in with Curt and Vince Martin on this gig and am pleased to be a part of the trio on this date. Check out REMY'S Kitchen & Wine Bar at 222 S. Bemiston Ave. St. Louis, MO 63105. Maybe we see you there, eh? The show (see below) was quite an experience for me. Thanks to the good people who came and to the great Carolbeth Trio. The turnout was great with a near sellout for the 1st show and a great crowd for the 2nd

Al Ox Salute to Tony Bennett, FINALE Night Club, Clayton SEPT 1st

May I be Frank? Er uh I mean Tony? Wait I don't mean that... There's no way I could become either. But Tony Bennett's music has been a wonderful soundtrack to Amercan life for so many years. And hey I'M AN AMERICAN! What a gas it will be to dedicate a night of music to some of the songs he recorded so beautifully. Also this will be a special treat for me as I will be accompanied by the wonderful sounds of the Carolbeth Trio. With Carolbeth True, Kevin Gianino and Eric Warren behind me, I will be afforded a great opportunity to stretch out vocally while I let these masters back me up and do what they do best; make great music. Make this concert on Saturday the 1st the musical getaway part of your Labor Day Weekend. The smokeless, classy nightclub atmosphere of Clayton's jazz spot, FINALE Music & Dining is a fun venue with FREE parking and easy access. Finale is located just across from the pool at Shaw Park on Brentwood at Bonhomme. See finale-stl.com. (Parking hint, enter the garage and go up to the 2nd level. You will be just a few steps from the club!) Two shows, 7:30 & 9:30. Tickets at the door or by TicketMaster, $16. See you? (thanks! A.O.)

Al Ox w/ Landes & Martin, 'Crossings' - Webster Grvs Sat July 7th, 8pm- 10

Great little American Bistro. (Even with the vibration of passing box cars experienced during ballads!) I will be on DRUMS and vocals with a couple of my good buddies. i.e. CURT ANT VINCE baby. Oh yeah. Crossings has a wide and varied menu. The owners are avid music folk who welcome musicians regularly. They even pay us! Easy directions from Clayton. Take Brentwood Blvd south to about a mile past Manchester Rd. Go left on Gore, up the hill to just past the RR tracks! 314-968-6440.

Stellar Band found in Defiance

Not of a court order, Defiance Missouri that is! (bada-dump- chsh!) We will be appearing at Wine Country Gardens, 7- 10pm on Saturday evening June 16th. I am told this dinner engagement is sold out. Please see winecountrygardens.net for info on future shows here. Featured in "Better Homes and Gardens" this 42 acre nursery and farm provides a country atmosphere surrounded by patios, ponds, waterfalls and garden. The century old home overlooks the Missouri River. The Patio Café & Wine Garden is open daily. About 15 minutes west of Chesterfield MO.

Back to TRUFFLES, Sat May 5th 9pm- 1

It's deja-vu all over again as I return to this lovely little haunt known as Truffles in LADUE. (LADUE all caps intended). I remember this place when they had a real baby grand. THOSE WERE THE DAZE MY FRIEND !! etc... Anyway that piano is gone but with the help of my digital grand the walls of this place will once again ring with the sound of tickled ivories. Return with me once again to that place of yesteryear... and even no-steryear and any other relevant years. (Just please stop by will ya?) Truffles is on Clayton Rd, about 2 minutes west of the Galleria, just west of Price.

Landes & Martin w/Al Ox @Busch's Grove, Fri June 15th 9pm

Not to be confused with Rowan & Martin from the 1968 TV show, LAUGH IN, Curt and Vince are a formidable duo in their own right. (TV show pending!). We are going to have fun and YOU are invited to COME ON DOWN Ginger Veliose from Duluth Minnesota! I will be on my micro drum set. They said it couldn't be done, but with the world's smallest bass drum at 12 x13 inches, I am doing it !! People ask me if I am playing a children's drum set. THE NOIVE! Pictures to follow. Busch's Grove is located in Ladue on Clayton Rd at Price, just 2 minutes west of the Galleria.

Al Ox Stellar Band @Terrene, Sunday Evening MAR 6th 5:30pm until 8

You are in for a treat at Terrene. Some may know the location as what was once, The Ladle restaurant. It is located in the West End area at 33 N. Sarah St. Louis MO 63108. That's about a mile east of Kingshighway off of Forest Park Blvd. The food is scrumdiddilyumpscious. (Yes, it's true, I COULD be a food critic- able to find JUST the right word to describe a delicate flavor....) The place is totally new now with a contemp yet subdued and chic atmosphere and the courtyard is just lovely- and that's BEFORE the music even starts! Weather or NOT, we will be there- possibly indoors if its unfriendly out. The Stellar Band features a couple of my favorite musical pals, Curt Landes on keys and Vince Martin on guitar. I hope to see you there. thanks...

WORDS AND MUSIC BY AL HAMMERMAN, Fri April 27th 7:30 & 9:30pm FINALE

[This show went great! Thanks for inviting me, Al] And once again, IT'S HAMMER TIME! Let's put on a show! Better yet, let my musical compadre Al Hammerman do it and I'll just drop in to sing a few of my favorite tunes of his... Yeah that's the ticket- which by the way is 15 bucks. But I assure you Dr. Al will nary see a penny of it, since proceeds are going elsewhere. TO ME. No, I'm lying. This benefit show in this cool night club setting is for Make A Wish. A REAL event. Singers include Caroline Gallagher and Arvell Keithley and more surprises. Finale is located just across from the high-dive (not ON the high-dive) at the Shaw Park pool on Brentwood at Bonhommmmmme. See finale-stl.com. ALSO see Al's web site at AlHammerman.com.

Landes & Martin Trio, Sat April 7th 9-12pm MIHALLI'S on McCausland Ave

I am the TRIO part of the band name here. I tried to get Curt to call it the Ox/ Martin Trio or even the Landes/ Ox trio but he was unflappable. Not only that, he said NO. Even after I suggested the Landes/ Ox/ Martin trio, he wouldn't budge. Come check us out since I will likely carry this grudge thru the performance RIGHT OVER THE MICROPHONE. Anyway, when its MY GIG this is called the Al Ox STELLAR BAND. But am I angry or resentful? You're G-ddamned right I am! This band is a gas. Please come and have fun with us. HEY HEY we're the Monkeys !!! Well, almost. Mihali's is at 314-333-3301. and Mihalischophouse.com

Al Ox & Curt Landes HWY 61 ROADHOUSE, Tues MAR 13th 7:30 pm

I will be sitting in for buddy Vince Martin who is a bit under the weather this day. Stop by this funky Webster Groves eatery for a bluesy bash. Bring your playing chops with you. This is open mic night. All players welcome.

Al Ox Stellar Band @COPIA, Fri MAR 9th 10pm

I am quite pleased to be playing this cool venue with a couple of my favorite musical pals, Curt Landes on keys and Vince Martin on guitar. If you haven't traversed Kingshighway of late (from the county), this is a perfect excuse. This contemporary restaurant and yes, WINERY (they DO make their own wines in the annex market) is located in the loft district on the 1100 block of Washington Avenue and is just a great space and place. I can vouch for the food. Quiz me and I'll give you the scoop. We hope to get some regular nights booked here. So saunter on in, why doncha? The music mix will be rather eclectic, if I do say so me-self ! Copia Urban Winery, 1122 Washington, Downtown STL 63101. From the county take Hwy 40 to the 11th St Exit and shoot up north to Washington- make a left there. Valet if needed. Also see Copiawine.com. See ya soon!

XANADU Sat MAR 3rd, 7:30pm

This duo gig worked out well. Dave True did a fab job on drums. This first time actually that I played with only a drummer, so it was a bit of a new experience but one I will likely repeat. XANADU Restaurant & Bar is located in Chesterfield on Long Road past Chesterfield Commons.

Video, Al Ox

What the world needs now is some new silver-haired tap dancer :~) dontcha know. This vid shot by my long time friend Mark Silverman is me attempting to fill that gap. This LINK was from the JUNE 06 Senior Olympic showcase. Helping me make the choreography work is the lady seen, instructor Marcene Tockman. As of this performance, I had been tapping less than 2 years. The original recording is my buddy, bassist Dave Troncosso. (Dave plays on my SOMETHING'S GOTTA GIVE cd).

Tribute to Chet Baker @ FINALE, Sat DEC 23rd (7:30pm Show & 9:30 Show)

(NEAR SELLOUT ON BOTH SHOWS) Cool, mellow and sensuous, Chet Baker was not your usual crooner or jazz musician. A solid trumpet player, he could have left it at that. But this guy could turn a tune on a dime with his soft, thin, high tenor vocal style, then pick up his trumpet and blow a sound to contrast and compliment the tune. To my thinking, a great disc to add to any collection would be THE BEST OF CHET BAKER SINGS. The laser on my cd player has been burning a hole in that one over the last few months. Glad to write here that I have been asked to join up with the talents of some of the best players around this town for this a tribute to Chet, with Randy Holmes on trumpet and his HARD BOP HERITAGE band. With arrangements inspired from the albums of Chet Baker, musicians Carol Beth True, Eric Warren, Wayne Coniglio, Larry Smith and Kevin Giannino will make this evening at Finale a special night. $10 cover. Finale is located just across from the high-dive at the Shaw Park pool on Brentwood. See finale-stl.com, and see U there!

NEW YEAR'S EVE/ Copia Winery 1122 Washington Ave, 10PM !

(WE HAD FUN) Join the Al Ox Trio in the contemporary yet warm surroundings of Copia Urban Winery, downtown STL. I will be playing music with my good friends, Chip Katz and Curt Landes for, as they say, A FEW HOURS OF ROLLICKING FUN! No cover charge on this NY eve gig. Please stop by! See CopiaWine.com or call them at 314 621 7275 for more info. Look for us in the back area called the Wine Garden.

My Other Life as a CIA Agent...

Okay, not an agent. Would you believe Venetian blind wholesaler and lamp shade repairman? OR how about this one: Inventor-guy who designed and markets a special tool made for drummers called RoboKey? Robokey, what's THAT? Check out the link to the right to find out. If you still can't figure it out, you probably don't need one (though every drummer does, I assure you!) I have to do SOMETHING to supplement my tap dancing/ drumming/ piano-playing/ singing habit. I'm an inventor-guy and have had a few products over the decades. The difference is that RoboKey is actually selling. Viva la Difference.

Various past gigs and projects:

The Crossings in Webster Groves, Al Ox Trio Sat NOV 18th (8:00pm- 10:15)

A good gig. (Even with the vibration of passing box cars experienced during ballads!) I will be on keyboard and vocals with David True on drums and Chip Katz on guitar. Crossings has a wide selection of American Bistro foods. The owners are avid music folk who welcome musicians regularly. They even pay us! Easy directions from Clayton. Take Brentwood Blvd south to about a mile past Manchester Rd. Go left on Gore, up the hill to just past the RR tracks!

OCT 28th MAKE A WISH Benefit Dinner and Auction/ Ritz Hotel Ballroom

As I have been naughty in keeping this site up to date, (somebody spank me!) this little paragraph can only serve to look back at this event I had the pleasure to be a part of in late October. Like a previous event I did with him, Al Hammerman's music once again took center stage- when he wasn't UP-staged that is by the singing of the MUNY KIDS (yes, that's about 40 kids!) doing his music. Thank you to Al and the great Phil Loder orchestra that backed me up on Al's tunes, ALL NEW SONGS and NOTHIN' BUT TIME. I even got to do a little hoofin'. The event raised some serious funds for a good cause and now I can say I performed with the MUNY Kids!

NAJS Summer Jazz Series, Aug 11th Fayetteville Arkansas

What a gas it was to perform this concert, the last in the N. AR Jazz Society's Summer Series and my first in this cool college community. Covering my backside was the NAJS 'House Rhythm Section' including long time friend, Jim Greeson on bass, Claudia Burson on piano, and Darren Novotny, drums. With just around 2 hours to rehearse the night before, this troop really pulled it off well, learning new tunes and challenging arrangements. And the performance itself was so very musical! It was sponsored by 91.3 FM KUAF Radio & the U of ARK Music Dept. and took place in the STELLA BOYLE SMITH FINE ARTS CONCERT HALL. Thanks to my new friends in Fayetteville. - Alan

Busch's Grove in Ladue Wed Night, July 5th 7:30- 11:30

This is a late posting, but I just recently received an invite that I just couldn't refuse. Busch's Grove is that restaurant that's been at Clayton Road and Price since the 1890's. Why I wasn't even a twinkle in great grand dad's eye back then. I wasn't even knee high to a ... oh you get the idea. You are cordially invited to come out and buy your favorite piano player a drink. And if he isn't around, well you can buy me one dawgonnit! Busch's Grove is a beautiful place and music is an important part of their presentation, being featured at least 5 nights a week. I will be playing solo on their baby grand. Please stop in!

Archive

ALL NEW SONGS Benefit Concert - A Success!

Check out the links here to Al Hammerman's recent CD Release/ Benefit Concert. The CD, which features all original tunes of Al's sung by St. Louis artists (including moi!) was released as musicians took to the stage of the Sheldon Concert Hall as a benefit for the MAKE A WISH foundation. Along with other musicians including Arvell Keithley and myself was Phil Loder and Al's big band and New York singer Caroline Gallagher. I sang several of the cuts on Hammerman's CD, and this bash was a great kickoff for Hammerman's music - as well as being for a great cause. Hammerman's cut, ALL NEW SONGS may also be heard on my CD, SOMETHING'S GOTTA GIVE. (Check out the tracks on this site under Soung Bytes) For more info, see: http://www. alhammerman.com. Thanks for being there!

Cafe de France, Fri Apr 1st, (no joke!) 7th, 14th, Sat 22nd & Fri 28th

A great spot for a piano bar. Located where once patrons of the Leather Bottle would wine and dine. Well you can still dine here, but no whining allowed. Bada-dump! I will be playing for a couple hours till about 10, maybe later. Located just across from the Ritz on Forsyth on the street level of the old Famous Barr parking garage. For the bon vivant! (jovial chaps, translation by Monique!) Starting around 8:30 on Fridays and 8:00 on Saturdays.

Ritz Hotel NEW YEAR'S EVE '05 - Went Great!

Just added. More details HERE. I will be playing an early cocktail hour set in the Lobby Lounge on piano, then I move to play with the Stellar Studio Band to the Top of the Grand Staircase on the Ritz Mezzanine. This was part of a package deal at the Ritz. 9pm to about 1am. It was a blast. I was playing drums with Curt Landes on keys, Vince Martin on guitar and bass and Willie Aikens on sax. We had a couple hundred people with a splendid time had by all. No really! (see the postcard)

Review SOMETHING'S GOTTA GIVE on CD Baby.com

I could use some additional feedback on my album to share on the CD Baby website, cdbaby.com as well as Amazon. Thanks to PATTY ANN and MOM OF TWO! Check on my album page and look for the link WRITE A REVIEW on the far bottom left. Thanks and here's my page on the site. Please note the CD is on Amazon also

Archives:

Ritz Hotel: Lobby Lounge CD Release Party, Thurs June 23rd

Thank you to those who came out to the Ritz last month for my release party. It was a success in many ways. First, the turnout was great with a party atmosphere. This seemed to coincide well with the upcoming weekend of jazz in Shaw Park. The CDs arrived just in time despite printing problems with thanks to Cindy over at Music Master Studios. And the music felt great. Here are the musicians that helped me pull this off: Dave Venn, Curt Landes, Phil Loder, Larry Johnson, Dave Troncoso, Herman Semiday, Sandy Weltman, Paul DeMareth, my son Evan, Curt Silver, and Joe Weber. Thanks gents! Also thanks for the support and talents of songwriter Al Hammerman who was on hand with his entourage! The CD will be on sale on the web this week online here and at several St. Louis Border's Books locales and Webster and Euclid Record stores.

Al's Stellar Studio Trio on KTVI Morning Show

Three musicians managed to get outta bed and make it to a TV studio before 8am. Smashing to smitherines long held beliefs of musician sleeping habits. This is news in itself! But the fact that we were promoting the aforementioned CD bash made it even more news worthy. On time and cue were Curt Landes on keys and Dave Troncoso on base. Twas fun. We all went back to bed afterwards!

Al And Ron Wilkinson With Don Wolff on KMOX Radio

I had the opportunity to plug my new CD and a couple of events this past Saturday night on Don Wolff's jazz radio show, I LOVE JAZZ. Also on board was singer Ron Wilkinson, host of this Father's Day's jazz show at Club Seven, SONGS FOR MY FATHER'S DAY. Don played cuts from both of our CD's as he let us go on about our events.

BTW, Ron's live-music jazz show starts at 3:30 pm on Father's Day and runs to 8pm. This is at 3221 Olive Boulevard St. Louis, MO 63103- just east of Grand (314) 535-3134. I will be stopping in to do a song or two. Proceeds benefit prostate research. Admission is $30.

Vocal CD Update

NEW. Check out the SOUND BYTES link on the left for an 'mp3view' of some of the cuts. The whole CD has of some of my favorite tunes and an original or two featuring great St. Louis musicians as well as myself as vocalist.

April 18 session with the entire troop of Wild, Cool & Swingin was a gas. Along with some fixes in the mixes I attended to, these chaps blew some beautiful notes on the tunes, I Can Take A Hint and All Or Nothing At All. How great to sing when being backed up by one of the greatest horn sections on the planet. (Not to forget the great drumming by Joe Weber, the strumming of Dave Fowler or the man on keys and bass, Mark Frederich).

March 14th Session: Assisting with the tunes on this session were Dave Venn on keys, Matt Kimmick on drums and the talented Dave Troncoso on acoustic bass, (see SOUND BYTES above). These guys performed just great. Also, on muted trumpet Jim Manley stopped in to lay down a great solo on James Taylor's I Don't Want to be Lonely and 'harmonicist' Sandy Weltman did a beautiful track on Quiet Nights. We have also laid down the following with the help of studio guru Greg Trampe: Here There and Everywhere, It's All Right With Me, Under My Skin, The Best is Yet to Come, Taking a Chance on Love, my own I Can Take a Hint and others. This was a live session. The ensemble played together with little overdubbing.

Vocal Session with St. Louis Artist

St. Louis composer and lyricist Al Hammerman and I have allot in common. You can call us both Al, we went to primary school together, we were both at his 8th birthday party and we both have an appreciation for big band music. This is to say WE GO WAY BACK! Lucky for me too. Al invited me in as a guest vocalist on part of his upcoming music project. Thanks in no small part to the arranging talents of Phil Loder, the tunes lend themselves well to the big band sound that they are wrapped in, and evoke well the era of those guys known as the Rat Pack. Maybe Al will let me post a bit of those cuts when they become available. The session I sang on went quite well.

-Alan