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About Billy Krechmer

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Musician

Wilhelm Frederick "Billy" Krechmer, 92, a clarinetist whose name once was synonymous with jazz in Philadelphia, died of heart failure at Sunrise Assisted Living in Paoli. Born in Millville, Cumberland County, Mr. Krechmer had long resided in Longport, N.J. He also had lived in West Philadelphia. Mr. Krechmer recorded with Herb Gordon's band and toured with the Ted Lewis Orchestra during the big-band era, but in Philadelphia he was known for the jazz club he owned, operated, and served as band leader for nearly 30 years. The club, on Ranstead Street in Center City, was known simply as Billy Krechmer's. The idea for the club came to Mr

Article: Album Review

Jake Hertzog: The Ozark Concerto

Read "The Ozark Concerto" reviewed by Richard J Salvucci

by Richard J Salvucci
September 20, 2025

As Terry Teachout very accurately wrote, “The relationship between jazz and classical music has often been close...but is ultimately equivocal" ("Jazz and Classical Music: To the Third Stream and Beyond," in Bill Kirchner, editor, The Oxford Companion to Jazz, Oxford University Press, 2000). Equivocal is a tough word. It can mean suspicious, doubtful or uncertain. Spend ...

Article: History of Jazz

Harvey Husten Presents "Jazz in Jersey": The Red Hill Inn

by Richard J Salvucci
June 24, 2020

On October 13, 1957, there was a concert at the Red Hill Inn in Pennsauken, New Jersey. According to Downbeat, 3,000 fans wanted in, but there wasn't room for more than 1,000. Leonard Feather was there. Erroll Garner too. And Cannonball Adderley, Gerry Mulligan, and Oscar Pettiford. The occasion was the first annual memorial concert for ...

Article: Profile

Billy Krechmer: A Philadelphia Story

by Richard J Salvucci
March 15, 2017

There is a story told of the last night of an iconic jazz club in Philadelphia in 1966. The bandleader-owner, it was said, had been called away prior to closing. He was unable to return before the end of the last set. Walking back, he watched the crowd filing out. Some, I am told, had tears ...