Picnics on the Plaza: Kendrick Smith

Join us for these casual, outdoor concerts on The Sheldon’s elegant Steward Family Plaza! Enjoy live music by some of St. Louis’ best musicians, while enjoying a boxed picnic dinner and drinks at socially-distanced tables of 2-4 people.

Tables will be sold for up to 2 or 4 guests from the same party and capacity is limited. An optional picnic dinner and bottles of wine may be purchased along with your concert ticket. Picnics must be ordered by 11am on Wednesday, June 1. Place picnic orders here.

Drinks may also be purchased on-site. No outside food or beverages, please. Advance registration is required. No tables will be sold on the night of the event.

Saxophonist, composer and educator Kendrick Smith was born and raised in East St. Louis, IL. Smith began playing in grade school, developing his skills much earlier than many musicians. His talents would be further shaped in high school by studying with legendary baritone saxophonist and founding member of the World Saxophone Quartet, Hamiet Bluiett. Following his study at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville under the tutelage of pianist Reggie Thomas, Smith would secure a residency at St. Louis’s Premier Lounge.

As his star began to climb, The St. Louis American billed him as “Baby Bird,” a reference to iconic saxophonist Charlie Parker and a New York Times review stated, “Kendrick Smith was playing the alto saxophone like his life depended on it!” One of the emerging pillars of the St. Louis music scene, Smith puts it best in that his vision is to “strive for excellence, show forth professionalism on and off the bandstand, to touch people, and to keep jazz music alive and moving forward.”