June 2002

Philly Jazz
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By Donald True Van Deusen

Philadelphia's 2002 Mellon Jazz Festival, June 20-23, is something of a mixed bag in terms of performers. Its most interesting note is that for the first time in its 17 year history it is honoring, not a musician or performer, but a disc jockey-journalist, Bob Perkins, with the Mellon Jazz Community Award.

This is Perkins 38th year as a broadcaster, some 25 in Philadelphia, first at WHYY and now at WRTI, where he has kept jazz alive in the cultural chaos of today¹s commercial radio. Perkins, nicknamed Mr. Mellifluous by one reviewer, e.g., me, said he was honored with the recognition and "just thankful for the little bit of jazz we have on radio today." Much of it in Philadelphia, of course, has been made possible by his programs.

The Mellon music menu this year runs the proverbial gamut with such varied artists as: John Scofield, Charlie Hunter, Louis Hayes, Wallace Roney, Arturo Sandoval, Natalie Cole and Joe Lovano. An interesting pre-festival event at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, on June 19, offers a first class jazz aggregation of Tony Miceli, John Swana, Vic Juris, Bruce Cox and Tony Marino along with the film, Devil in A Blue Dress starring Denzel Washington and some of the world¹s greatest art.

The centerpiece event June 22 (on two stages) at the Mann Center for the Performing Arts starting at 5 p.m. features Natalie Cole, Chuck Mangione, Eddie Palmieri and Kenny Garrett. The all evening celebration there includes Philadelphia based jazz people such as Gerald Veasley, Bobby Zankel, Barbara Walker, et al in the "Philly Jazz Tent." The concert starts with the Mellon Jazz Ensemble for Unity made up of 21 area high school students and the Villanova University Jazz Ensemble.

Louis Hayes and The Cannonball Legacy Band kicks off the festival on June 20 with two free concerts at the Philadelphia Clef Club at 8 and 10 p.m. .The hard bop drummer worked with Horace Silver, McCoy Tyner and Oscar Peterson.

The John Scofield Band and Hunter will be at Keswick Theater on June 21 at 8 p.m. in Glenside and tickets may be purchased by calling 215.572.7650. Scofield has commented that "someone is always trying to categorize my music...my guitar style is a true combination of jazz and rock techniques." He is widely admired for his diverse influences and is considered one of the finest jazz guitarists today. Hunter, who opens the show, is an acknowledge master of the eight string guitar.

Sax star Joe Lovano with his Street Band will perform a tribute to Enrico Caruso at the Painted Bride Art Center at 7 and 9 p.m. Zanzibar Blue will host three nights of jazz by trumpeters Wallace Roney on June 20 at 7 and 9:30 p.m. and by Arturo Sandoval on June 21 and 22 at 9 and ll:30 p.m.. This year's Mellon Jazz Festival may well not be the choice crop it used to be. There is more good jazz going on in local clubs every week than this festival is featuring this year. A Jazz Festival Hot Line is available at 610.667.3559.