Wednesday, August 30, 2006
Monday, August 28, 2006
Umar Raheem & "NY Connection"

Composer & saxophonist Umar A. Raheem and 'New York Connection' featuring Alan 'The Emporer' Nelson on drums; Billy 'Sir William' Thorpe on reeds; and Alex 'The Frenchman' Hiele on bass appear at the Woodland Avenue Reunion...Saturday, Sept. 9, from 12:15 until 12:45 at Clarke's Park, 43rd and Kingsessing Avenue in Southwest Philly.
Also Saturday, Sept. 16 at The Diamond Club, Temple University from 6 until 10 pm with special guest Alfie Pollitt at the piano.
Saturday, August 26, 2006
"Blind Man's Band" Auction on Ebay
Artist's Bio
A naturally talented artist, who began painting at the age of 7, Lucien Crump’s own art “... can be found in the collections of Bill Cosby and Harry Belafonte, and other private collections”. Crump was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, and attended Morehouse College and Southern University. He received a Master of Art degree in 1982 from New York University, and taught art in four different states for a total of 27 years. In 1979, Crump founded his art gallery of the same name, which he proudly declares, “Is the first privately owned black art gallery in Philadelphia”. And in 1983, a business relationship with October Gallery turned into a dealer’s collaboration. Crump’s gallery showcases various forms of art from the African diaspora. Although he retired from teaching in 1991, he passed on artistic traditions by creating and selling various forms of artistic expression to those that had sought these mediums and found them difficult to find. Crump’s artistic creations have appeared in several galleries and museums.
Mr. Crump's estate is planning a tribute and auction where, presumably, this original work would return a significantly higher premium! Check it out for yourself! (215-843-8788)
The "Dobson" Gets Jazzed by "Organ Lady"
Ms. Trudy PittsJazz on the "Dobson" PIPE ORGAN
This will be a "FIRST".... Come See & Hear!
Time: 8:00 P.M.
Location: Broad & Spruce Streets
Thursday, August 24, 2006
Thelonius Monk International Jazz Piano Competition
As part of its 20th Anniversary Celebration weekend, the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz will present the 2006 Thelonious Monk International Jazz Piano Competition and 20th Anniversary Gala Concert in Washington, DC on September 16-17, 2006. The Competition will showcase the talents of 10 of the world’s most gifted, young jazz pianists.
The Semifinals will be held on Saturday, September 16th at 1:00 p.m. at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History, Baird Auditorium (10th Street & Constitution Avenue NW).
The Finals will be held on Sunday, September 17th at 7:00 p.m. in the Kennedy Center’s Eisenhower Theater. This year's young aspiring jazz pianists will perform for an illustrious panel of judges, including renowned jazz pianists Kenny Barron, Institute Chairman Herbie Hancock, Andrew Hill, Hank Jones, Danilo Perez, Renee Rosnes, and Billy Taylor. Bassist Ben Wolfe and drummer Carl Allen will accompany the finalists.
Following the three finalists, the audience will be treated to a special performance of the winning composition of the 2006 Thelonious Monk International Jazz Composers Competition, sponsored by BMI.
The second half of the Competition finals will feature performances by some of the greatest jazz artists on the scene today, including Patti Austin, Terence Blanchard, Ron Carter, Jimmy Heath, T.S. Monk, John Patitucci, Danilo Perez, Arturo Sandoval, and Wayne Shorter, as well as past Competition winners saxophonist Joshua Redman and vocalist Jane Monheit. Keyboardist and producer George Duke will serve as the Musical Director.
Tickets for the September 16th Semifinals are free of charge and will be distributed at Baird Auditorium by the Smithsonian Associates (202.357.3030) on a first-come, first-served basis beginning 90 minutes prior to the 1:00 p.m. starting time. Tickets for the September 17th Finals at the Kennedy Center Eisenhower Theater may be purchased at the Kennedy Center box office, by calling Instant Charge at 202.467.4600 or online at www.kennedy-center.org. For information about Gala tickets, which include a VIP post-performance dinner and cast party, please call the Institute at 202.364.7272.
Monday, August 21, 2006
"Sounds Of Liberation" Headlines In Paris
Post Office Box 38726
Philadelphia, PA 19104
(215) 681-3867
“SOUNDS OF LIBERATION” HEADLINES IN PARIS
FEATURING KHAN JAMAL, BYARD LANCASTER, MONNETTE SUDLER
(215) 681-3867
innovativeprconcepts@yahoo.com
(Philadelphia, PA - USA) . . . A cadre of virtuoso Philadelphia musicians will perform a reunion concert at the internationally renowned Jazz a la Villette Festival in Paris, France on September 7, 2006. Featured are: vibraphonist Khan Jamal; alto saxophonist/flutist Byard Lancaster; guitarist/vocalist Monnette Sudler; bassist Charles Beasley; percussionist Omar Hill; drummer Dwight James and special guest, poet/spoken word artist Pheralyn Dove.
Abbey Lincoln, Jack DeJohnette, Ornette Coleman, Charlie Haden, the World Saxophone Quartet, Archie Shepp and Carla Bley are also among the artists appearing at Jazz a la Villette, touted as Paris’s most prestigious annual jazz festival, scheduled to run from August 30 – September 10, 2006.
“I’m looking forward to going to France and representing Philadelphia jazz,” said Jamal, who was at the helm of establishing and advancing the “Sounds of Liberation.”
Founded in 1971, the individual members of “Sounds of Liberation” are all leaders in their own right. From the very start, the group built their reputation as innovative artists, playing gigs everywhere throughout Philadelphia, especially in Germantown’s Vernon Park. They recorded their first album in 1972, the self-titled “Sounds of Liberation,” on the Dog Town label. As their touring schedule expanded, “Sounds of Liberation” appeared at the Miss Black America Pageant, the New York City Arts Festival, Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Hall and numerous colleges and universities throughout the United States. The original members included Jamal, Lancaster, Sudler, Hill and James, in addition to the late percussionist Rashid Salime and bassist Billy Mills who has since changed his instrument to the piano.
Through the decades, all of the members have continued to consistently front their own bands and recordings, compose and publish their original music, and conduct workshops, seminars, master classes and lecture demonstrations for students ranging from pre-kindergarten through the undergraduate and graduate levels at universities. Individually and collectively their artistry has become known worldwide, particularly in Europe, Japan and the Philippines. Since their inception the “Sounds of Liberation” have defied classification, choosing instead to create a menagerie of original music that is fresh, free, lyrical, percussive, highly cultivated and spiritually elevated.
This Parisian sojourn is not the band’s first reunion: they recorded a live DVD during a 2004 concert at Philadelphia’s Sedgwick Cultural Arts Center, that is currently in the process of being released. While Dove has performed with Jamal and Lancaster on numerous recordings and concert dates, this will be her first appearance with the “Sounds of Liberation.”
“It is indeed a tremendous honor to be given the privilege to work alongside this stellar line-up of highly esteemed musicians,” said Dove.
In 2005, Jamal, Lancaster, Sudler and the late jazz bagpipist Rufus Harley recorded a series of CD’s produced by Antoine Rajon called “Philly Jazz,” for the Paris-based Isma’a label. Poets Dove and the internationally acclaimed Sonia Sanchez made guest appearances on Jamal and Sudler’s recordings, respectively. The Jazz a la Villette engagement has been booked under the auspices of Pierre Biancarelli, at Zao, also a Paris-based organization. For additional information and to schedule interviews, please contact publicist Shenneth Dove-Morse at: (215) 681-3867; innovativeprconcepts@yahoo.com. Photos, press kits, CD’s and DVD’s are available upon request. The following websites are also recommended: monnettesudlermusic.com; http://www.zao.fr/; http://www.parisjazzcorner.com/; http://www.jazzalavillette.com/.
Wednesday, August 16, 2006
Ella Gahnt - Jazz Diva on the Rise
| An interview conducted at The Philadelphia Clef Club of Jazz & Performing Arts by Philly Jazz Blog Moderator, Lorenzo Hough. NEWS FLASH Thursday, August 24 and Every Thursday in July & August at 7:00pm Sharp The Chicken Bone Beach Historical Foundation, Inc. proudly presents its 7th Annual "Jazz On The Beach" Concert Series This week features Vocalist ELLA GAHNT & Her Quartet plus opening artist BRIAN BETZ @ Kennedy Plaza On The Beach Across from Boardwalk Hall between Mississippi & Georgia Avenues at The Boardwalk in Atlantic City, NJ Admission is FREE - - Arrive early to get a good seat! For more information call 609-441-9064 or 609-841-6897 | |
Tuesday, August 15, 2006
"Philadelphia Jazz Fabric" at Daffy's

The collection is exclusively framed by Mosaic Design Group.
"Fibers" not presented in this viewing include "Cousin" Mary, Leon Mitchell, McCoy Tyner, "Bootsie" Barnes, Byard Lancaster, Thelma Anderson, Dottie Smith, Valray, Denise Montana, Ken Shepherd and "Miss BeBop", Carol Harris (above).
There are many other "fibers" in Philly's jazz fabric.
I hope to get to them, too!
Sunday, August 13, 2006
NYT's Obituary for Rufus Harley
Rufus Harley, 70, Dies; Adapted Bagpipes to Jazz
By DENNIS HEVESI
Rufus Harley, who was billed as “the world’s first jazz bagpiper” and emitted his haunting sounds alongside some of the greats of jazz, died on Aug. 1 in Philadelphia, his hometown. He was 70.
The cause was prostate cancer, his son Messiah Patton Harley said.
Although Mr. Harley fully acknowledged that “everybody thought I was crazy” when he turned to bagpipes in the early 1960’s, he became a frequent sideman on records and in concerts with saxophonists like Sonny Rollins, John Coltrane, Dexter Gordon and Sonny Stitt, with the trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie and with the flutist Herbie Mann.
He adapted the bagpipes to jazz, blues, funk and other typically African-American styles, while also acknowledging the instrument’s Scottish roots,” said David Badagnani, an instructor at the Center for the Study of World Musics at Kent State University.
Mr. Harley, who was 6-foot-2, was of African-American and Cherokee descent; he sometimes performed in Scottish kilts, sometimes in a dashiki and a Nigerian kufi, or skull cap.
In 1967 a New York Times review of a concert given by Mr. Mann, with Mr. Harley by his side, said that the bagpipe’s tones “sounded far more Middle Eastern than Scottish,” and that when combined with the flute, “the two wind instruments blended into an eerily swinging ensemble.
”Rufus Harley Jr. was born on May 20, 1936, outside of Raleigh, N.C. His family moved to a poor neighborhood in North Philadelphia when he was 2. He is survived by 16 children and 15 grandchildren. He and his wife, Barbara Jean Jones, separated many years ago.
As a teenager, Mr. Harley sold newspapers to buy a saxophone so he could play in his high school band. At 16 he dropped out of school and worked at odd jobs to help support his family. But he never lost interest in music. For 10 years he took lessons on the saxophone, oboe, trumpet and flute and played in local jazz clubs.
The turning point came in November 1963, as Mr. Harley watched the funeral procession for President John F. Kennedy on television and was taken by the wailing sound of the Black Watch bagpipe band. He tried, unsuccessfully, to reproduce the sound on his saxophone.
“My dad was playing a lot of tenor sax then,” his son Messiah said, “but because Coltrane and Rollins were smoking the sax, that’s why he turned to the bagpipes.”
A friend who knew of Mr. Harley’s interest spotted a used bagpipe in a pawnshop and, after a quick phone call, covered its $120 price. After months of practice, Mr. Harley was working in local clubs, and his unusual talent gained wider attention.
From 1965 to 1970, Mr. Harley was the lead artist on four albums on the Atlantic label. He began making appearances on television shows, including “To Tell the Truth,” “What’s My Line?” “I’ve Got a Secret, ” Johnny Carson’s “Tonight Show” and Bill Cosby’s “Cosby Show.” He accompanied the singer Laurie Anderson on her 1982 album “Big Science.” And in 1995 he worked with the hip-hop band the Roots on its album “Do You Want More?!!!??!”
All the while, Mr. Harley insisted that the bagpipe had African roots and that his chosen instrument had helped him “discover my identity by making me aware of my cultural heritage.
”In fact, Mr. Badagnani at Kent State noted, “there are double-pipe instruments in the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities in Cairo that resemble a bagpipe.”
Copyright 2006 The New York Times Company
Saturday, August 12, 2006
Jazz Workshop at Cliveden
Dear Friends of Jazz,
Please join us on Wednesday, August 23, 2006 at Cliveden of theNational Trust, (in the carriage house) 6401 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia, PA (entrance is on Cliveden) as we welcome guest speaker, Dennis Fortune. This is the third part of a memorial tribute celebrating our beloved, Susan B. Ford, a Philadelphia Jazz Legend. Dennis will speak on the "Business of Music," which encompasses the many facets of the business. This is your time to learn how to get your foot in the door, how to have alternative careers in the business, and more. This informative workshop will run from 7:30 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. with time for questions and answers. The cost is a mere $5.00. Doors will open at 7:15 p.m. Seating is limited so please reserve your space at (215)848-1777. DENNIS FORTUNE began playing piano at the age of six, was greatly influenced by his mother who was the local piano teacher. In fourth grade he became one of the original members of the All Philadelphia Boys Choir. He earned a Bachelor's of Arts degree in both Music andSociology from Dickenson College, in Carlisle, PA. Dennis has pursued careers in banking and mental health, but it is his love of the music that has been his main career. His first employment with a major recording artist was with The Delfonics. From that point on he performed with such recording acts as Esther Satterfield, Jean Carne, George Howard, Johnny Coles, Rachelle Farrell , Charles Fambrough and Billy Paul. For 5 years he was Billy Paul's musical director, and toured extensively throughout Europe and South America.
He has created several musical educational programs that involve the jazz experience; co-authored "Roots of Music" (a history of jazz); "Afro-American Ladies of Song" (a look into the lives of Bessie Smith, Billy Holiday, Marion Anderson, Nina Simone, and Aretha Franklin); "TheKey"( the importance of education) and the music for "That's Me" a musical of African ancient history. He has recorded four CDs: "FollowYour Heart," "Fortune, Vinson, Cruse," "Fortune Vinson Cruse Live featuring Brenda Smith", and "Sunny Nights." Dennis can be found performing regularly at Philadelphia's #1 jazz club, Zanzibar Blue and two nights a week at Hotel Dupont in Wilmington DE. An educator Dennis teaches piano at the Christina Cultural Arts Center in WilmingtonDelaware.
He has also composed and produced the music for "Four Presidents, TheGreat American Clean-up" for WHYY-TV, Philadelphia... co-wrote and produced the CD titled "Let's Celebrate Kwanzaa" an original musical presentation of the seven principals. He was awarded an Individual Artist Fellowship for jazz composition from the Delaware Division of the Arts in 1997 and composed and produced the original music for theDelaware production of the play, "The Four Poster" staring Keith David and Jasmine Guy.
With Music Always,
Kim Tucker (Sue Ford's Daughter)
Wednesday, August 09, 2006
Jimi Odell - 55 Years of Guitar
| One of Philly's "best kept secrets" shares his musical history and some insights into the politics and current state of jazz in Philadelphia. | |

