By Donald True Van Deusen
Philadelphia jazz legends, young and old, were featured at local jazz
clubs this weekend. Joey DeFrancesco, Philadelphia's prodigiously productive
(still-young) master of the Hammond B-3 organ was with his trio featuring
Craig Ebner on guitar and Byron Landham on drums tonight at Chris Jazz Cafe
(215-568-3131) at 1421 Sansom Street, Philadelphia. Sets are at 9 p.m. and
1 a.m. for a $15 admission.
The Philadelphia Legends of Jazz Orchestra featuring seasoned stars
(some playing horns older than Joey) was in concert at the renowned
Philadelphia Cleff Club (215-763-2819), Broad Fitzwater Streets, Sunday at
5 p.m. Tickets are just $25 purchased in advance and $30 at the door. A
bountiful buffet is included.
Joey, approaching 30, has passed his wunderkind status first achieved
playing jazz organ on Philadelphia street corners as a 10-year-old child and
later working with the mighty Miles Davis when he was still a teenager. His
more than a dozen CDs gave ample demonstration of his foot-stomping playing
that has captured audiences worldwide. He comes from a family of exciting
jazz people, we christened the DeFrancecesco Dynasty. His father, "Papa"
John plays a fine organ and brother Johnny plays passionate blues guitar.
Friday night Joey was sure to be singing as well as playing as featured
on his new all-star CD, "Singin' And Swinging" with songs ranging from "Mack
The Knife" to "In The Wee Small Hours" reflecting his unabashed admiration
for Sinatra and with a bouncing bit of Bobby Darin. Unfortunately, he did
not have a mike with him for vocals so the patrons will have to buy the CD
to hear what has turned into a first class ballad and jazz singer.
The Philadelphia Legends of Jazz Orchestra led by Leon Mitchell, will
feature top-flight vocalist Ella Gahnt and some 17 players who have been
playing jazz nearly as long as itÃÂÃÂÃÂùs been around for a total of more than a
thousand years collectively. The incomparable Sam Dockery on piano and Butch
Ballard on drums will be sitting in.
The orchestra evolved out of the Philadelphia Elders of Jazz. It gave
its premiere performance at Penns Landing on September 1, 1991 that had the
audience literally dancing in the aisles. It has been spreading the joy of
jazz throughout the region ever since.
