PHOTOS: Cherokee St. Jazz Crawl 2024

Ms. Jubilee at Yaquis on Cherokee – Photo by Jarred Gastreich

For the past dozen years, the annual Cherokee St. Jazz Crawl has brought jazz performers and fans from across the region to the commercial strip in south St. Louis. This year’s event featured performances and activities at venues and spaces along both Jefferson Ave. and Cherokee St. For those who want a more interactive experience, the festival also has dancing lessons on offer. This is a great way to get introduced to the styles of dance common to ragtime, swing, and more. Over the years, the event has grown in size and attendance, with thanks going to both the Regional Arts Commission and the Cherokee Street Foundation for supporting the event.

When talking to local business owners about the importance of the event, Beckie Lewis, owner of Yaquis on Cherokee said, “We at Yaquis strive to have live music 7 days a week, and we feel like the growing Jazz Crawl gives the musicians and dancers a day where the whole region can appreciate them and the music scene we’re hosting at Yaquis.” Lewis added, “It has become our largest ring of the year, and the musicians earn more on the day too. We hope people not only enjoy themselves but come back to see live music on the street every night.“

Festival organizer Christian Frommelt reflected on the event’s growing popularity and diversity. “For a mini festival that started so small, the 12th annual Cherokee Street Jazz Crawl reached a new pinnacle of culture centered on hyper-local music and dance traditions and innovations. Each year is a moment of communal pride on our plucky beloved thoroughfare, and this year was no exception as instructors shared their dances in free classes at the new-and-improved Love Bank Park; Saint Boogie and a horde of parade-goers of all ages filled the street; bands shredded in unassuming pockets, stages, and aisles; competitors from an array of dance styles battled it out for a cash prize; and the phenomenal Marquise Knox and the Funky Butt horns reminded us that St. Louis is, and always will be, a blues town,” said Frommelt.

Mound City Messenger was fortunate to have local photographer Jarred Gastreich roaming the street, capturing fans and performers alike. Enjoy these pictures from the day and make plans to attend Jazz Crawl 2025!