Big Mike Aguirre and The Blu City All Stars have become one of the premier soul and blues bands in St. Louis. They are known for playing music of the Mississippi River: St. Louis Blues, Memphis Soul, New Orleans Funk, and everything in between. Big Mike is not only an incredible blues guitarist, but has a soothing and expressive voice with  a charismatic stage presence to go along with it.

The Blu City All Stars consist of Andy Coco on bass, guitar, and vocals, Nathan Hershey on organ, clavinet, Rhodes, keys, and vocals, and Kevin Bowers on drums and percussion. This group is made up of musicians of the highest ranking and talent in St. Louis.

Dave Black has worked with many artists from a wide range of musical genres that includes Jazz, Blues, Rock, Country, Bluegrass and Folk. He has worked with various notables including Richard 'Groove' Holmes, Bucky Pizzerelli, David Liebman, Fareed Haque, Little Anthony & The Imperials and The Drifters. Plus, Dave keeps himself busy working as a freelancer in the St. Louis area, performing and recording with many local artists.

In 1997 St. Louis' all-original jazz quartet, Brilliant Corners released their CD 'Two Road' (MaxJazz) featuring compositions by Dave and other fellow band members including Paul DeMarinis, Dan Eubanks and Kevin Gianino. Then, in 2000 Dave released his own CD 'Alone & Together' (Wildstone Audio) which showcases his advanced skill as a solo guitarist.

Dave's latest release, 'Departures' (Wildstone Audio) released in 2006 features his own group that includes bassist Marc Torlina and drummer Matt Kimmick. It contains all original material with styles ranging from Jazz, Funk, Fusion to Samba, Tango and even Celtic.

Dave is an adjunct professor at Webster University where he teaches Jazz Guitar, Jazz Ensemble and various music history courses.

The Funky Butt Brass Band was formed in 2008 by six musicians who revere and respect the New Orleans brass band tradition. Made up of members of Gumbohead, The Feed, Musica Slesa, Bob Kuban's Everyday People and other St. Louis musical groups, the FBBB takes traditional New Orleans brass tunes and gives them a funky new flavor, in the style of the Dirty Dozen or Rebirth Brass Band. Don't be surprised if you also hear a little Motown, Southern rock, blues and some straight-ahead Chicago blues to go along with the second line "street beat" groove. The Funky Butt Brass Band is guaranteed to get your toes tapping, your feet marching and kick any party into overdrive.

The New Orleans brass band tradition has its roots in that city's jazz funeral processions. Once the dearly departed was buried, the brass band would "cut the body loose" by playing uptempo, joyous music. As they marched, they would be joined by revelers who formed a line alongside and behind the band. This was known as the "second line."

Press and Performance Highlights

• Home Opener for the Stanley Cup Winning Blues
• Listed among St. Louis’ best by the Riverfront Times in STL’s 77
• Performed at the Mayor's Ball for Mardis Gras 2019

The Jim Stevens Group is the heart and soul of St. Louis. Smoldering, funky grooves performed by the finest musicians our town has to offer. With its unique instrumentation and undeniable musicianship, The Jim Stevens Group is a one of a kind experience you will never forget.

In the hands of a master musician such as Jim Stevens, the saxophone can shout the blues… touch the soul… and pack a dance floor with enthusiastic fans grooving to an irresistible, funky rhythm that just won’t quit.

Jim Stevens has built a reputation as one of the most in-demand, exciting artists in the Midwest. Driven by Jim’s virtuoso and aggressive saxophone playing, his set features a crowd-pleasing mix of music by some of the greatest soul, blues, rock and jazz musicians – from B.B. King, Al Green, Steely Dan, David Sanborn, The Temptations and Stevie Wonder… as well as original music from the Jim Stevens’ latest CD, The Answer.

Jim Steven’s ability to connect with audiences through his music is the result of a combination of technical virtuosity and practical experience learned through years of performances at clubs, festivals and concert halls.

After graduating from high school, Jim attended North Texas State University, where he played with the famed 3 O'Clock Jazz Big Band. After returning to St. Louis, he started a band called "The Bottom Line" that appeared in the movie "White Palace." Jim added to his impressive resume by playing with the Four Tops and Temptations as well appearing with Peter Mayer (guitarist with Jimmy Buffett) at the Superdome in New Orleans. There, the Peter Mayer Group played to crowds in excess of 38,000. Recently, Jim concluded a tour with Alex Ligertwood (former lead vocalist with Santana and the Average White Band) and David Garfield (keyboardist with George Benson).}

Jim has also performed in Nashville, Indianapolis, Cleveland, New Orleans, Memphis and many other cities around the United States and has added his dynamic saxophone sound to recordings by R. Scott Bryan (formerly of Sheryl Crow’s band), Peter Mayer, Javier Mendoza, John Patti and Pat Liston (Mama's Pride), among many others.

For Jim Stevens, it comes down to the music – always!

Joe Mancuso is a classically trained vocalist turned jazz singer.

​​He began ​his love affair with music as a child while Elvis, Sinatra, The Beatles, and the sounds of many other top recording artists of the day where wafting through the air from the record player on a daily basis. Joe was named the Best Vocalist of 2012 by the Riverfront Times Readers' Choice Poll. In 2014, Joe received 2 RFT awards for Best Musical Act and Best Album "Cut To The Chase." 

He sings with an abundance of passion and intensity; whether singing a ballad, bossa nova, blues or swing tune, Joe takes his audience on a dynamic, emotional ride every time.

Marquise Knox was born in 1991 in St. Louis while his mother was visiting family. They returned to Granada, Mississippi, but moved to St. Louis for good a couple of years later. Marquise still resides in St. Louis, Missouri, but also spends a lot of time in Grenada, where he loves to fish and visit friends and family.

Marquise hails from a musical family deeply entrenched in the Blues. He learned how to play guitar from his grandmother whose family were sharecroppers and whose great, great grandparents were slaves. He also played with his uncle Clifford, who was a major influence in Marquise's life.

For Marquise, Blues is his heritage and a way of life. He spent his early teenage years in St. Louis mentoring under the late great Blues legend, N.E.A. Heritage Fellowship recipient and Grammy Award winner Henry James Townsend. Marquise's talents have earned him performing rights with some of America's most notable blues performers such as blues legend and Grammy Award winners B.B. King, Pinetop Perkins and David "Honeyboy" Edwards (the latter two also NEA Heritage Fellows). He has also performed at dozens of festivals, and has toured Germany and played the Baden Blues Festival in Switzerland.

Marquise met Sam Lay during a visit to Clarksdale, Mississippi. Like other statesmen of the Blues, Sam took an immediate liking to Marquise and took it upon himself to help give Marquise's career a boost by insisting that Chad Kassem bring Marquise to the celebrated Blues series "Bluesmasters at the Crossroads", which has showcased a virtual who-who of the Blues at Blue Heaven Studios in Salina, Kansas. Marquise was an immediate crowd favorite, and was adopted by all of the elders of the Blues in attendance that year. His obvious talent along with his deep knowledge of the Blues and vast respect for his elders made it clear Marquise had something special, and Kassem signed him to a three album deal.

Knox's debut album MANCHILD was nominated for a Blues Music Award for Best New Artist Debut. The album was recorded when he was 16, in two nights, during an ice storm in a church with the world renowned Michael Burks and his band. There is even a song called Ice Storm on the album. The release received worldwide acclaim, including Living Blues' Best Debut Artist Award and a Blues Music Award nomination for Best Debut Artist. Marquise then recorded a direct-to-disc album while in town for the next year's Crossroads.
Marquise recently released his third album, Here I Am, once again recorded at the legendary Blue Heaven Studios in Salina, Kansas. It features Marquise and his band, with a little help from Wayne Sharp of Michael Burk's band sitting in on B-3 and piano. Nine originals, and three reverent covers of Marquise's favorite Muddy Waters tunes.

I think this excerpt from Here I Am's liner notes says it best. "When you listen to Marquise - 19 years old when he recorded this title - you get the sense that this is what those masters must have sounded like as young men. Marquise's blues are so transparent and bare. It's so easy to feel his music as totally legitimate. That's above all what makes it so appealing. That's what makes Marquise Knox special. He's the whole package. A throwback blues master on the rise. Anybody believe in reincarnation?"

With a repertoire that encompasses blues, R&B, jazz, pop classics and the great American songbook, vocalist Marsha Evans has earned her place among the most in-demand entertainers in the Midwest as well as her title, the River City Show Stopper.

Marsha has headlined major events such as the Big Muddy Blues & Heritage Festival and BluesWeek, and shared the stage with nationally known artists such as Michael McDonald, Fontella Bass, the Temptations, Clark Terry and many others.

Marsha's musical career began at an early age, inspired by her mother, one of the first black females to perform on the stage of the Muny Opera, and her father, lead trumpet player for the famed George Hudson orchestra for many years. After working as the featured vocalist with Hudson's orchestra, Marsha went on to become the featured vocalist with legendary pianist and member of the Rock and Roll hall of fame, Johnnie Johnson.

Backed by the talented musicians in her band, The Coalition, has established herself as one of the most in-demand entertainers in the region. With her incredible combination of vocal talent and the rare ability to immediately connect with an audience, Marsha Evans creates the perfect musical accompaniment for any occasion.

Miss Jubilee and the Humdingers has been entertaining audiences around St.Louis and beyond since the beginning of 2008 with their exciting blend of authentic Hot Jazz, Swing, Rhythm & Blues and R'n'R spanning the 1920's-1950's. Fronted by a high energy female vocalist and backed up by a horn fueled swinging' rhythm section, Miss Jubilee is a favorite among Swing Dancers and fans of all ages who enjoy uplifting and energetic roots music!

From the start of his performing career in the mid 90s Maurice "Mo" Egeston has made a mark in the St. Louis region as a leader of innovative and popular bands. His early study of classical piano brought him to graduate work at SIU-E. It was while completing his Master's that Mo began exploring styles of music beyond the classical tradition. Since then, all of his projects, including Vargas Swing, the Soul Alliance featuring CocoSoul, Urban Jazz Naturals and Mo & Dawn have seen Mo combine his musical talent and formal training with an ability to lead and run successful groups.

In 2010 Mo Egeston is returning to his roots as a pianist fronting his own group, the Mo E Trio. The Trio combines influences from all the projects Mo currently performs in (UG Project, the Soul Alliance, and Brothers Lazaroff) with his own interest in soul, jazz and electronic influences. The resulting sound is a groove based experience that seeks to redefine traditional expectations.

Drummer, Grover Stewart and bassist, Teddy Brookins join Mo on this journey. Styles referenced include soul, jazz, bossa, r & b, organic house grooves and drum and bass; however no genre is considered off limits! Originals, jazz standards, pop music and neo-soul melodies will all be a part of the Mo E Trio sound. A sound which easily slides from deep lounge ambiance to center stage funk grooves.

At times guest artists join the experience complimenting the sounds of Mo, Grover and Ted. Mo E Trio is always diverse and improvisational with a definite focus on the tap of the toe and the nod of the head.

Mo E Trio- A Journey in Sound, Soul and Groove.

Mo Egeston- Keyboards, Programming

Grover Stewart- Drums

Ted Brookins- Bass

The Second Line is a long standing tradition in New Orleans, or should we say N'Orleans. Groups of partiers, spectators, and dancers follow the musicians in the brass band parades around the streets celebrating life. The Funky Butt Brass Band was formed in 2008 by six talented musicians who respect and revere the New Orleans brass band tradition. The FBBB takes classic New Orleans brass tunes and gives them a twist, in the style of Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Rebirth and Bonerama. But don’t be surprised if you also hear some Motown, Southern rock, Memphis soul, Chicago blues and St. Louis R&B in the mix.