philly jazz

Tyrone Brown

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 13:10:39 +0000

Philadelphia bassist Tyrone Brown breaks it down. With improv performance footage from the Jazz Bridge Collingswood concert series featuring Tyrone with Doc Gibbs, Germaine Ingram and Randy Sutin.

Minas

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 13:00:59 +0000

Minas performs their song "Strong Black Coffee" at the Jazz Bridge Cheltenham Concert Series, Feb. 2010.

A Mentorship in Jazz

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 12:13:34 +0000

In this excerpt from the documentary "A Philadelphia Education in Jazz," Matt Davis discuss their relationship and educational philosophies. With performances from Matt Davis' Aerial Photograph and Odean Pope's Saxophone Choir.

Larry McKenna

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 07:37:13 +0000

In this excerpt from the documentary "A Philadelphia Education in Jazz," Larry McKenna shares the story of his early encounter with Charlie Parker and relates some of his educational philosophy.

The Antfarm Quartet

Fri, 15 Jan 2010 23:33:00 +0000

The Jazz Bridge 2009-10 Cheltenham concert series (and this video) is brought to you part to a grant from the Pennyslvania Council of the Arts in partnership with the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance.

Don Wilson

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 02:36:03 +0000

A staple on the Philadelphia jazz scene, Don Wilson is a legendary pianist in his own right and here performs a rare original solo piano piece at La Rose in Germantown.

Orrin Evans - Blues @ Chris' Jazz Cafe

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 16:26:44 +0000

Outtake from the Orrin Evans Live All Over the Place DVD production, with Tim Warfield Jr., Justin Faulkner, Mike Boone and dancer Brinae Ali. Buy the disc here.

Erroneous Crunk

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 17:20:44 +0000

Jamming at Ortlieb's, Philly youngsters Erroneous Crunk present some original neo soul avant jazz funk.

Jazz Bridge Collingswood Concert Series with Joanna Pascale

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 17:03:56 +0000

Joanna Pascale filled in for Nina Bundy at a recent first Thursday in Collingswood, NJ to benefit Jazz Bridge. Visit http:/www.jazzbridge.org for more info on the series, running October 2009-May 2010.

A Philadelphia Tribute to Billie Holiday

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 15:53:30 +0000

This "Fine and Mellow" tribute to Lady Day took place in Philadelphia Oct. 5, 2009 at the Church of St. Luke and the Epiphany, coordinated by vocalist Mary Ellen Desmond. Philly's legends were on hand to pay homage to Billie Holiday, born in Philadelphia. With Philly jazz royalty band Bootsie Barnes, Larry McKenna, Tom Lawton, Lee Smith, Byron Landham, and Mike Kennedy. Here are a few highlights, thanks to Dean Myers for his help editing this piece.

The Philly Rhythm Section - Mike Boone, Byron Landham and Sid Simmons

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:34:37 +0000

Ahead of their new CD, this longtime trio staged a live recording at their haunt Ortlieb's, where they have been the Haus Band for 15 years. With Joe Magnarelli, Joe Ford, John Blake, and Clifford Adams, with a cameo from Jeff "Tain" Watts.

Rashied Ali Memorial at the Clef Club

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 14:53:23 +0000

Hundreds of Rashied Ali's friends and family gathered at the Clef Club Oct. 25th 2009 to celebrate the life of of the legendary drummer and Coltrane collaborator. Highlights form the event included Dave Burrell, the Clef Club Youth Ensemble, Cornell Rochester, Pheralyn Dove, Henry Grimes and far too many others to include in this clip.

Joanna Pascale

Sat, 31 Oct 2009 01:31:08 +0000

Joanna Pascale is a jazz vocalist who was schooled in the Philly Jazz scene. Here she performs some classics, relates her story, and tells us why this music matters. This project is partially supported by a grant from Pennsylvania Performing Arts on Tour, a program developed and funded by The Heinz Endowments; the William Penn Foundation; the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, a state agency; and The Pew Charitable Trusts; and administered by Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation.

Rashied Ali Tribute

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 18:35:07 +0000

Tribute clip that played recently to a packed house at the Clef Club at a memorial in honor of legendary drummer and Coltrane collaborator Rashied Ali. This is a remix of some found footage and images, with some recent interviews shot by Slife Productions.

Orrin Evans, Educator

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 13:32:37 +0000

Orrin Evans is a world-traveling performing pianist, but here explains his take on jazz education.

Victor Bailey

Tue, 22 Sep 2009 04:38:53 +0000

Philadelphian. Bassist. Producer. Weather Report. Michael Brecker. LL Cool J. Mary J Blige. A legend and a great man, hanging on "The Bridge" with J. Michael Harrison at 90.1 WRTI ahead of his show at the Mauch Chunk Opera House in Jim Thorpe, PA Sept 26, 2009. Featuring his solo bass version of Birdland.

West Oak Lane Jazz Fest 2009

Sat, 05 Sep 2009 14:02:00 +0000

The 6th Annual West Oak Lane Jazz and Arts Festival, featuring Mr. C and Trudy Pitts, WAR, Roy Ayers, Average White Band, Tower of Power, Donald Williams, Matrix 12:38 artist Julie Baines and many more. Sponsored by OARC and Brown's Family Shop Rite.

Jazz Bridge - One Note at a Time

Wed, 29 Apr 2009 04:51:56 +0000

Jazz Bridge is a non-profit that helps Delaware Valley musicians in times of crisis. Hear Bob Perkins, Pat Martino and Trudy Pitts relate why you should care. http://www.jazzbridge.org for more info.

Odean Pope Saxophone Choir - episode 47

Tue, 07 Apr 2009 13:13:31 +0000

We've met Odean Pope in episodes 12 and 19, but here we feature his Saxophone Choir, fresh from a recent weeklong stint at the Blue Note in NYC. The Philly comprised band is killin' as usual and this episode features a cameo by Amiri Baraka and a nice solo from Christian McBride's father Lee Smith. Some of the finest jazz anywhere, Philly born and bred.

Matt Davis - episode 46

Tue, 07 Apr 2009 00:51:26 +0000

Odean Pope introduces guitarist Matt Davis, one of the younger generation of musicians coming out of Philly, and here he discusses his original large ensemble Aerial Photograph and what makes the Philly music experience so rewarding. http://www.mattdavisguitar.com

Jerome Hunter - episode 45

Thu, 26 Mar 2009 13:31:46 +0000

Jerome Hunter, yet another Philly bassist in demand, has played with Alfie Pollitt, Betty Carter, Ray Bryant, Sun Ra, and the under-appreciated Dorothy Donegan. He is currently working on a gospel-jazz project and here speaks, plays, and sings.

Lenny Belasco/Khan Jamal episode 44

Mon, 23 Mar 2009 04:08:03 +0000

Lenny Belasco (drums) and Khan Jamal (vibes) have been playing together in Philly for 50 years. Here they chat up their Philly roots, their musical philosophy, and perform Jamal's "Nubian Queen" with bassist Fahir Kendall. Presented by Lucky Old Souls at Moonstone Arts Center, recorded by Slife Productions live on March 13, 2009.

Dave Burrell - episode 43

Mon, 16 Mar 2009 16:45:41 +0000

Dave Burrell is a Philadelphian avant garde pianist who has worked with Leena Conquest, David Murray, Pharoah Sanders and Archie Shepp among others and is a gentleman and a scholar. Here on J. Micheal Harrison's WRTI show "The Bridge" he discusses a recent project he undertook with William Parker and Amiri Baraka: the music of Curtis Mayfield.

Stanley Clarke, PhD. episode 42

Mon, 16 Mar 2009 13:15:34 +0000

Stanley Clarke, yet another Philly bass phenom, one third of fusion fury Return to Forever, and film scorer extraordinaire, receives his honorary doctorate from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia in Spring of 2008. Featuring a classic Miles Davis story and brief clips from his "Night School" DVD. www.stanleyclarke.com

It's Kind of Hard to Believe - Charlie Rice - episode 41

Wed, 18 Feb 2009 18:48:17 +0000

Charlie Rice is a legendary jazz drummer from Philadelphia, having toured the world with Oscar Pettiford, Quincy Jones, Chet Baker and Louis Jordan, and the 89 year-old now finds himself embroiled in a legal morass over allegedly stealing less than $100 worth of gasoline to fuel his personal car while at work for the City of Camden school board. Please donate to his legal defense.

Kevin Eubanks - episode 40

Thu, 29 Jan 2009 19:46:38 +0000

Kevin Eubanks live at the 2008 West Oak Lane jazz and arts festival, with cameo vox from some soulful Philly folks.

TC III - episode 39

Thu, 15 Jan 2009 18:51:14 +0000

TC the Third delivers Trudy Pitts' classic Psalm live at Tindley Temple on the Avenue of the Arts in 2008. TC is the son of Trudy and Bill "Mr. C" Carney. With Lee Smith on Bass and Julian Pressley on Alto sax. See http://www.myspace.com/tc3jazz for more info on this phenomenal singer.

Sherry Wilson Butler - epsiode 38

Thu, 18 Dec 2008 18:48:58 +0000

Vintage Philly Jazz history and commentary from one of Philly's finest jazz divas, Sherry Wilson Butler. Check her out at SherryWilsonButler.com. We plan to feature many more of Philly's finest female performers in 2009, so let us know who you think we should be covering...

Jeff Duperon - episode 37

Tue, 21 Oct 2008 00:54:38 +0000

One of WRTI's jazz champions, Jeff Duperon tells it like it is, explaining the joys of non-commercial jazz radio, the whys and hows of jazz music, artistic integrity, and with a little synchronicity thrown in. This is Philly Jazz. Listen to Jeff streaming live at wrti.org Friday nights from 6-10pm and Saturday nights from 6-9pm.

Donald Williams & To Be Continued Live at Sadikis - episode 36

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 02:00:39 +0000

Donald Williams and his band killin' it on Ogontz Ave, late summer 2008.

Billy Cobham - Episode 35

Sun, 31 Aug 2008 04:55:30 +0000

Billy Cobham is from Panama, but here with J Michael Harrison on WRTI, he shows some respect for Philly, and shares a tale from the Jack Johnson sessions with Miles Davis in 1970. He is currently performing and recording with Philadelphian Victor Bailey, and will be at the Mauch Chunk Opera House in Jim Thorpe, PA on Sept. 1 at 7:30pm. Check in with Billy at BillyCobham.com

Jamaaladeen Tacuma - Episode 34

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 14:04:33 +0000

While he has already appeared in a few episodes of Philly Jazz, here we go a little more in depth with Jamaaladeen Tacuma after a recent preformance at Rutgers U in Camden, NJ. The area's pre-eminent electric bassist, a world traveler and a true gentleman, Jamaal explains how he got started and where his music comes from.

Mandrill Live at West Oak Lane 2008

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 22:06:41 +0000

Philly Jazz presents one of the highlights from the 5th Annual West Oak Lane Jazz and Arts Festival, Mandrill. With cameos from Benny Golson and the One Sun Lion Ra. More to come from WOL...

Andy Aaron's Mean Machine - episode 32

Tue, 17 Jun 2008 04:25:48 +0000

Posting a few clips ahead of the 5th Annual West Oak Lane Jazz and Arts Festival this coming weekend, this one featuring Andy Aaron and his Mean Machine. Legions of famous Philly musicians have passed through trumpeter Andy Aaron's band, which will be one of the closing acts on Saturday night of this year's festival. The festival opens Tuesday evening this year, at Sadiki's on Ogontz Ave., and continues through Sunday with Benny Golson, Kevin Eubanks, War, Mandrill, the O'Jays, and many more. Philly Jazz will be hanging with TC III, Barbara Lester and Sam Dockery, Rented Mule, Orrin Evans, and maybe you? Check the full schedule here. It's FREE!

Pat Martino Interview - episode 31

Sat, 26 Apr 2008 01:43:27 +0000

Pat Martino allows a glimpse into his life and offers up sage wisdom on life and music.

Pat Martino Live - Episode 30

Wed, 09 Apr 2008 18:26:31 +0000

Pat Martino rips it up at Chris Jazz Cafe on Sansom St. in Philadelphia late in 2007. Our next episode features an interview with Pat...

Rented Mule -episode 29

Tue, 18 Mar 2008 19:12:31 +0000

D.A. Jones (drummer with Sun Ra, Pharoah Sanders, Sonny Stitt, Gloria Gaynor and many more) and his band Rented Mule hit North by Northwest in Philadelphia's Mt. Airy. D.A. chats about his background, Philly then and now, the future of music, and he offers us a taste of the band live.

Byard Lancaster - episode 28

Thu, 07 Feb 2008 20:39:41 +0000

In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Black History month, this episode, filmed on MLK day, January 21, 2008, follows a day in the life of Byard Lancaster, a political activist, Pennsylvania jazz lobbyist, and phenomenal multi-instrumentalist. He is a key contributor to Philly Jazz, as both host and performer. Here Byard leads the processional into the Zion Baptist Church in North Philly, speaks and plays to the SRO crowd at the annual Martin Luther King Day service, then heads across town to play the National Anthem at the Sixers game. With cameos from Gov. Ed Rendell, Mayor Michael Nutter, and police commissioner Sylvester Johnson.

Byard has several upcoming releases including several reissues from Porter Records and the new Philadelphia Blues Messengers disc, with free downloads available here.

Mike Boone - episode 27

Tue, 15 Jan 2008 03:22:25 +0000

Starting the year off right with Philly's champion of the low end, the foundation, rock of the scene, the bassist in demand, Mike Boone. If you've ever been to Ortliebs, you've heard him, and he has already made appearances in episodes 9, 10, 13 and 25. He is a father, an educator at Temple University, and performs regularly with a tremendous variety of musicians, young and old,in all styles from latin to swing to fusion. Mike Boone is Philly Jazz.

Latest News

Wed, 19 Dec 2007 20:13:29 +0000

Local non-profit Jazz Bridge has been accepted as one the first partners in the youtube non-profit program, and will be collaborating with Philly Jazz. (update - youtube is a little hard to deal with...check out Jazz Bridge at www.jazzbridge.org - fundraiser April 25th at the Clef Club)

Joey DeFrancesco is scheduled for an interview in late January. (update - still waiting on this one!)

Upcoming episodes of Philly Jazz to include interviews and performances with:

Pat Martino (interview coming up!)

Sherry Wilson Butler

Sam Reed

The Hot Club of Philadelphia

Andy Aaron and the Mean Machine

Stanley Clarke

In the Studio with Bj Jansen and Conjura, featuring TC IIIÂ

plus classic Philly venues La Rose and Lakey's

Check out the excellent cover story and multimedia piece Stenton Avenue Reprise. Orrin has contracted with Philly Jazz to produce a concert DVD in early 2008... and the Philly Weekly cover story featured the local jazz scene and didn't fail to mention us!

episode 26 - Strange Loop

Wed, 21 Nov 2007 03:05:26 +0000

Jazz Diffraction performs the 5th movement of Strange Loop: The Dilemma of Sustainability with live video improvisation from Sherman Finch, Phillip Ie and Fred Freeman. Recorded live at Philadelphia University, 10.20.07.

episode 25 - Conjura @ Ortliebs

Tue, 20 Nov 2007 01:11:01 +0000

BJ Jansen (bari) plays the original "A Rose for Noriko" with his quintet Conjura, live at Ortliebs Jazzhaus in Philadelphia, 8.2.07. With Daud el Bakara on trumpet, Mike Boone on bass, George Burton on Piano and Wayne Smith on drums.

philly jazz episode 24 - Todd Horton

Tue, 02 Oct 2007 13:28:45 +0000

Todd Horton jams with his quintet at Ortlieb's Jazz Haus, the first clip in a series on the historic jazz club. Todd, a NYC transplant and champion of Philly, is known for his work with Ani Difranco, Aaron and Ivan Neville, Buddy Miles, Maceo Parker, Winston Grennan, The Spin Doctors, Joan Osborne, Blues Traveler, and he recently received critical acclaim for producing Pianadelphia, a CD documenting great Philly pianists. This original composition "You Gots" is a Philly inspired soul-jazz groove, and his latest work, the score for the Katrina documentary The Axe in the Attic, debuts this weekend at the New York Film Festival.

philly jazz episode 23 - Blues Messengers

Tue, 11 Sep 2007 16:50:22 +0000

Blues Messengers Byard Lancaster and Reverend Joe testify at the 2007 West Oak Lane Jazz and Arts festival. The Messengers are the quintessential Philadelphia blues band, and their live shows are not to be missed, featuring lap-steel guitar, harmonica, percussion and didgeridoo. They drew a crowd of thousands at this show. Also see Philly Jazz Episode 19, which offers a sampling of the other local performers at the largest free outdoor jazz and arts festival in the world.

philly jazz episode 22 - Mandrill

Wed, 22 Aug 2007 22:57:14 +0000

Kanye West, Public Enemy, Black Eyed Peas, Nas, Ice Cube, Cypress Hill, EPMD, Jungle Brothers. Some of the greatest names in hip-hop have all built hits from sampling seminal Brooklyn funk masters Mandrill, the "Beast from the East," performing this Saturday, August 25 at the Mann Center with 70's funk compatriots WAR. Here we feature clips from their new DVD, and Mandrill vocalist and saxophonist Dr. Ric Wilson (he's also a heart surgeon) chats with J.Michael Harrison on "The Bridge" at 90.1 WRTI. Philly Jazz will be live in the WRTI studio with the Wilson Brothers this Friday night at 10:30 pm. Tune in locally in HD, or catch the stream at wrti.org

philly jazz episode 21 - David Joel

Tue, 14 Aug 2007 15:19:13 +0000

David Joel meets up on The Bridge with J. Michael Harrison at WRTI for an in studio discussion and solo performance. Featuring music from his new CD Spiral Sky. www.davidjoel.net

Catch his quartet live in Philadelphia at Chris' Jazz Cafe Thursday August 16th at 9pm.

philly jazz episode 20 - Christian McBride

Mon, 23 Jul 2007 21:11:35 +0000

Christian McBride, backstage at BB Kings in Manhattan, relates his story and explains why Philadelphia is such a great jazz city. Includes some of his pre-show rehearsal/soundcheck with Jack DeJohnette and Bruce Hornsby.

philly jazz episode 19 - West Oak Lane

Tue, 26 Jun 2007 21:25:30 +0000

4th Annual West Oak Lane Jazz and Arts Festival with Warren Oree, Jamaaladeen Tacuma, Odean Pope, Sun Ra Arkestra, and many more.

philly jazz episode 18 - Fred Yonnet

Wed, 20 Jun 2007 16:55:19 +0000

Paris born D.C. jazz harmonica player Frederic Yonnet joins J. Michael Harrison for an on air broadcast on WRTI, May 25, 2007.

philly jazz trailer

Thu, 14 Jun 2007 12:25:01 +0000

In the town that brought you cheesesteaks, democracy, and the
iconography of the underdog, Americas only indigenous art form jazz went to school and then put on a suit, and is still carving on desks, piling up wood in the shed, and getting out there in clubs, bars, salons and large venues throughout the city and the world.

Philly Jazz episode 17 - Trudy Pitts Live

Wed, 13 Jun 2007 16:54:36 +0000

Trudy Pitts plays some blues with Greg Osby at the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

Philly Jazz episode 16 - Bret Gustafson

Wed, 13 Jun 2007 16:41:19 +0000

Byard Lancaster talks with Bret Gustafson about his reasons for leaving Philly at his now defunct brass and woodwind repair shop in Roxborough.

philly jazz episode 15 - Leon Mitchell Pt 2

Thu, 10 May 2007 23:26:42 +0000

Leon Mitchell continues his discussion of Philly jazz with a Charlie Parker anecdote and more.

philly jazz episode 14 - Leon Mitchell

Thu, 10 May 2007 23:03:59 +0000

Leon Mitchell relates some Philadelphia jazz history at the Clef Club of Jazz and the Performing Arts.

philly jazz episode 13 - BJ Jansen and Conjura

Thu, 10 May 2007 19:20:08 +0000

BJ Jansen (baritone sax) jams at the Clef Club with his band Conjura, featuring Mike Boone (bass) Chris Beck (drums) Farid Barron (piano) and Daud El Baraka (trumpet). BJ then sits down with Chris and Daud to talk up the younger perspective on the Philly jazz scene.

philly jazz episode 12 - Odean Pope

Sat, 05 May 2007 15:30:28 +0000

ChrisAnne Smith interviews Odean Pope, who talks about his history, education, and plays solo. Featuring music from his saxophone choir live at the Blue Note CD "Locked and Loaded."

philly jazz episode 11 - Cape May Jazz Festival

Mon, 23 Apr 2007 11:58:25 +0000

Featuring the Eleazar Shaffer Quintet, co-founder Carol Stone, vocal workshop with Sherry Wilson Butler, and jams from Edgar Cintron and Victor Sila and the Afrofunk Experience. Almost live from the Cape May jazz fest, 4.21.07.

philly jazz episode 10 - Orrin Evans Pt 2

Wed, 28 Mar 2007 05:30:07 +0000

Omar Hill speaking the truth while Orrin Evans jams with Justin Faulkner and Mike Boone at Rueben's Marc in Philadelphia. To book Orrin please email: jazzbooking@slifepros.com

philly jazz episode 9 - Orrin Evans

Wed, 28 Mar 2007 04:59:47 +0000

Omar Hill talks sense and Orrin Evans jams at Rueben's Marc with Justin Faulkner, Mike Boone, and Jafar Barron. To book Orrin please email: jazzbooking@slifepros.com

philly jazz episode 8 - Calvin Weston pt 2

Wed, 28 Mar 2007 03:06:37 +0000

Calvin Weston on drums, Jamaaladeen Tacuma on bass, and Vernon Reid on guitar, Tritone, Philadelphia PA 3.17.07. Special thanks to Bear for the audio.

philly jazz episode 7 - Calvin Weston

Wed, 28 Mar 2007 02:16:34 +0000

Calvin Weston, Jamaaladeen Tacuma and Vernon Reid, Freeformfunkififilth, live at the Tritone in Philadelphia, 3.17.07. Special thanks to Bear for the audio

philly jazz episode 6 - Elliott Levin

Mon, 19 Mar 2007 04:51:24 +0000

Elliott Levin plays Eric Dolphy at Rutgers University in Camden, NJ 3.10.07

philly jazz episode 5 - Elliott Levin

Mon, 12 Mar 2007 06:37:52 +0000

Chat and performance with Elliott Levin and his trio (Jason Fraticelli and Edward Watkins) www.myspace.com/elliottlevin for more info

philly jazz episode 4 - Trudy Pitts pt II

Mon, 12 Mar 2007 06:08:45 +0000

Trudy Pitts talks about music and education. www.trudypitts.com for more info

philly jazz episode 3 - Trudy Pitts

Mon, 12 Mar 2007 05:49:39 +0000

Trudy Pitts discusses the realities of being a musician in Philadelphia, her life and philosophy. www.trudypitts.com for more info

philly jazz episode 2: Mr. C pt II

Sun, 25 Feb 2007 19:58:45 +0000

More Mr. C on Philly jazz greats

philly jazz Episode 1: Mr.C

Sun, 25 Feb 2007 17:57:15 +0000

Byard Lancaster and Mr.C chat up jazz in Philadelphia in this series intro