Name: WashU Jazz Series: Maurice Carnes Quartet with Kendrick Smith
Start: 2026-01-20T19:30:00-06:00
Location: The 560 Music Center

WashU Jazz Series: Maurice Carnes Quartet with Kendrick Smith

Throughout the semester, enjoy free live performances by noted local and regional jazz artists at the 560 Music Center!
Musicians
Kasimu Taylor is a compelling jazz trumpet player; he delivers post-bop performances deeply rooted in the legacies of Miles Davis, John Coltrane, and Freddie Hubbard. His powerful sound and intricate improvisations bring a fresh, yet classic, energy to every stage! Taylor is one of the driving forces of the younger generation of jazz musicians in St. Louis.
Drummer Maurice Carnes leads a quartet performing his compositions alongside saxophonist Kendrick Smith. Carnes has performed and toured with numerous blues and jazz artists, including jazz traditionalist, pianist Marcus Roberts. His longtime association with St. Louis greats Willie Akins, Freddie Washington, among others, situates Carnes as a key musician in the St. Louis tradition.
Saxophonist Paul DeMarinis and guitarist William Lenihan, longtime musical associates, perform their newest music with a compelling new ensemble. Over decades, their collaborations have been numerous, with concerts encompassing small groups to big bands. Demarinis has performed with many artists, including Dave Liebman, Ray Charles, Count Basie Orchestra. Lenihan has performed with Ron Carter, Bob Brookmeyer, Gary Husband, and Dave Weckl, among numerous others. Together, they bring a fresh voice to new music in song and improvisation.
William Lenihan is a composer, guitarist, and pianist working in the fields of new music, jazz, classical music, and film music. In the jazz world, he has performed or recorded with Ron Carter, Michael Brecker, Dave Weckl, Marc Copland, John Patitucci, Gary Husband, Bob Brookmeyer, George Lewis, and many others. As well, he works in orchestral and chamber music as a classical guitarist. His work in theatrical music includes that with icons from the Broadway music and Hollywood film worlds.
As a composer, he is regularly commissioned for work in chamber music, his works having been recorded by members of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, as well as soloists and chamber ensembles in Europe. His most recent collaboration includes a large-scale work with Italian flutist, Roberto Fabbriciani. His newest recording, The Reprieve with Weckl/Husband/Patitucci, will be released in spring 2026. His primary teachers include Ralph Towner, Richie Beirach, and Gary Peacock.