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Philly Jazz Clubs & Homegrown Stars

By AAJ Staff
September 27, 2004
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Philadelphia jazz clubs are loaded with talent, much of it homegrown. Two key people selecting these stars told us why. They are: Al McMahon, talent manager, Chris' Jazz Cafe and Pete Souders, owner, Ortlieb's Jazz Haus. Chris' is featuring Philly tenor sax stars Bootsie Barnes and Larry McKenna along with trumpet man John Swana and guitarist Pete Smyser. Ortlieb's has Bootsie every Wednesday with alto sax man, Andrew Beals and sax man Souders, the club owner, this week:

Al McMahon: Bootsie is the premiere bop, and Larry, premiere swing player. All are thrilled to be working with Bootsie and Swana. John can play and excel in any style of jazz swing, bop, free style, probably the most diverse trumpet player in the world. Larry and Smyser are both great swing players. Bootsie has bop with Blue Note experience. They're all great, wearing different hats in jazz and John can wear them all.

Pete Souders: Bootsie is close to being the most authentic b-bopper still alive. He is like a hard bopper with a lot of Jackie McClean influence. Between him and Larry, well, we are just very fortunate to have these two guys around . Beals is not only a really great alto player, but a real nice guy, like a breath of fresh air. The more progress (playing) I make, the more I suspect, I don't deserve it. I have been studying again with McKenna and realize what I need to learn. Larry and Bootsie can do it all.

CHRIS' JAZZ CAFE, 1421 Sansom St., 215.568.3131, Friday,Sept. 24, Bootsie & Swana with Tony DiSantis & Saturday, Sept. 25, McKenna & Smyser, with Swana, both shows, 9 p.m.-1 a.m., $10

ORTLIEB'S JAZZ HAUS, 847 N. Third St., 215.275.1122, Friday, Sept. 24, Andrew Beals & Mickey Roker Quartet; 8:45 p.m.-1:30 a.m., $8. Saturday, Sept. 25, Joanna Pascal, one of the most exciting young singers to grace Philadelphia stages will be featured. Same times and prices.

PAINTED BRIDE ARTS CENTER, 230 Vine St., 215.925.7402, 7&9 p.m.,Saturday, Sept. 25, , $35 with student/member discounts, features exciting Latin jazz and salsa with Manny Oquendo and the Libre All Stars . This foot stomping music gets support from bassist Andy Gonzalez and flutists Dave Valentin celebrating the Bride's 30th anniversary.

ZANZIBAR BLUE, Broad & Walnut Streets, 215.732.4500, Friday& Saturday, Sept. 24&25, 8& 10 p.m., for $30 has fusion guitarist Mike Stern with his band. Stern toured with David Sanborn and The Brecker Brothers Band. He with Miles Davis and has recorded three albums with him. His 1993 album earned Best Jazz Guitarist from Guitar Player Magazine. he has several Grammy nominations. Philly native bass man Victor Bailey who worked with Sonny Rollins, et al, is featured on this tour. Friday & Saturday, Oct. 1-2, $25, has more fusion jazz with Luv Park featuring pianist, Orin Evans, with his wife-singer, Dawn Warren and top local players such as Mike Boone, bass and Ralph Bowen, sax.

SLOUGHT FOUNDATION, 4017 WALNUT ST., 215.222.9050, Friday, Oct. 1, 8 p.m., $12, features Assif Tsahar, sax/clarinet; Tatsuya Nakatani, percussion, two internationally acclaimed artists.

Click here to view a complete list of Philadelphia area jazz venues.

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