Concerts in Saint Louis

Experience Saint Louis

Saint Louis boasts a remarkably rich musical heritage, particularly renowned for its pivotal role in the development of jazz and a surprisingly robust classical music presence. The city served as a crucial incubator for early ragtime – a direct precursor to jazz – in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with Scott Joplin residing and composing there. This influence directly fed into the burgeoning jazz scene along Delmar Boulevard and in The Ville neighborhood during the 1920s-40s, producing influential figures like Clark Terry and Miles Davis (born in nearby East St. Louis, but deeply connected to the city’s musical fabric).

Beyond jazz, Saint Louis has a long-standing commitment to classical music. The Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra (SLSO), founded in 1880, is consistently ranked among the nation’s top orchestras, known for its innovative programming and recordings. Powell Hall, its home, is an architectural landmark. Furthermore, Washington University in St. Louis maintains a highly respected music department fostering contemporary classical composition and performance. The city also supports numerous smaller chamber ensembles and opera companies contributing to a diverse sophisticated musical landscape, reflecting a history of patronage and artistic cultivation.