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Live From Philadelphia
Geno Thackara reports on the month's best live shows from the City of Brotherly Love.
Orion Tango at Kung Fu Necktie
Orion TangoKung Fu Necktiejny: Philadelphia, PAJune 6, 2017 It's unclear what formal apparel has to do with the martial arts, or what either one has to do with live music for that matter, but nevermind. Adventurous musical acts are always welcome at Kung Fu Necktie as much as open-eared listeners. The wood-paneled corner bar in northeast Philadelphia's Fishtown neighborhood is a cozy space with an inviting local-hangout atmosphere and plenty of character. On this occasion ...
read moreGlenn Zaleski Trio at Chris' Jazz Cafe
Glenn Zaleski TrioChris' Jazz Cafejny: Philadelphia, PAMay 3, 2017 It might not seem all that difficult to get together with friends in your own neighborhood, but sometimes it's more tricky than you'd think. Glenn Zaleski has made his previous two records as a leader in the span of two years, both with the same trio-mates who are also based in jny: New York City with him, and yet they almost never seem to make it ...
read moreSittin' In with the Odean Pope Trio at the Kimmel Center
Odean Pope TrioSEI Innovation Studio @ The Kimmel Centerjny: Philadelphia, PAApril 12, 2017 The Kimmel Center's informal Sittin' In program is always about direct connections and communion, but April's exceptional event raised the bar up to the ceiling. Not everyone was even able to sit since the basement theater was packed enough to require some standing along the walls. The enthusiastic crowd came out to acknowledge Jazz Appreciation Month, to honor some local icons and ...
read moreKurt Rosenwinkel Trio at Germantown Settlement School
Kurt Rosenwinkel Trio Settlement Music School jny: Philadelphia, PA December 23, 2016 He's come a long way since first starting lessons at Philadelphia's Settlement Music School, but city native Kurt Rosenwinkel has never forgotten those roots. On a night when they could have been squeezing in a little last-minute shopping or relaxing beside the tree with some good eggnog, he and a pair of good friends were happy to come out to ...
read moreTord Gustavsen with Simin Tander and Jarle Vespestad at Fringe Arts
Tord Gustavsen (with Simin Tander and Jarle Vespestad) Fringe Arts jny: Philadelphia, PA June 20, 2016 The music of this trio project is “a mystical and spiritual journey," Tord Gustavsen declared early in the set during his first-ever appearance in Philadelphia, an endeavor about “finding the divine light within ourselves instead of looking somewhere outside." He's self-effacingly quiet and unassuming at the microphone, which is no surprise to anyone familiar with his ...
read moreCenter City Jazz Fest: Five Years Strong
Center City Jazz Festival Philadelphia, PA April 30, 2016 “The Fifth Annual Center City Jazz Festival is officially sold out!" Thus tweeted a spokesperson from @ccjazzfest two days before the start of jny:Philadelphia's annual celebration (most likely its founder, local trombonist Ernest Stuart). I'm not sure if there was any backup plan for late stragglers; clearly the familiar crowd knew they didn't want to wait too long to get in on the festivities. The timing had ...
read moreBrad Mehldau Trio / GoGo Penguin at World Cafe Live
If there's one thing about music that keeps us all going, it has to be endless adaptability. There's no instrument or genre that doesn't have some fresh possibilities still to discover (except maybe hair metal, I suppose). jny:Philadelphia's World Cafe Live offered yet another illustration of the idea by hosting two exceptional piano trios within the space of a week. The basic setup may be the same, but the results could have hardly been more different. Brad Mehldau ...
read moreHiromi: The Trio Project at the Annenberg Center Live
Hiromi: The Trio Project Annenberg Center Live jny: Philadelphia, PA April 1, 2016 She walks onstage without a word, makes sure to gesture towards the other players for their share of applause, and gives the cheering a minute to subside before getting down to business. The first song starts with a light cascade of high piano notes, the kind of slow intro that could usher in a classic acoustic set from any era. The crowd ...
read moreSittin' In with Korey Riker at the Kimmel Center
Korey Riker SEI Innovation Studio @ The Kimmel Center Sittin' In jny: Philadelphia, PA March 9, 2016 It's what jazz is all about: sharing the experience, connecting face-to-face and not knowing exactly what's coming. Philadelphia's Kimmel Center supports the tradition with an almost-monthly free showcase called Sittin' In--an unpredictable combination of concert and informal open jam. For the March installment, the center's 2016 jazz-composer-in-residence Korey Riker and an exuberant group of local figures offered ...
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