Results for "Philadelphia"

Hot Club of Philadelphia

Active since: 2001

The Hot Club of Philadelphia was started in 2001 by guitarist Barry Wahrhaftig. They are an acoustic ensemble, dedicated to playing 'Gypsy Jazz.' That's the term used to describe the music pioneered by the legendary original 'Hot Club of France Quintet,' which was led by guitarist Django Reinhardt and Violinist Stephane Grappelli. Django and Grappelli were attempting to do their own version of American 'Hot Jazz,' as played by stars like Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington. They used acoustic guitars, bass and violin, rather than horns and drums. Grappelli and Django added some French and Gypsy flavor and created a blend of music that is quite popular and accessible. The HCPhilly mixes the original style of the HCOF, along with their own modern influences.

Mary Ellen Desmond

Born: May 20

A classically trained vocalist, Mary Ellen made her professional debut in 1988 by performing operatic arias at Philadelphia art openings. Simultaneously she was pursuing an interest in Country & Western music by singing with local bands of this genre for five years, until she settled in her niche within the jazz repertoire. Her father played guitar and banjo in society orchestras featuring popular and jazz standards during the 1940s and 1950s and as a child she grew up listening to this music around the house. She has been performing professionally as a jazz vocalist for over twenty years and considers herself very fortunate to be working with accomplished Philadelphia-based jazz musicians such as pianist Tom Lawton, bassist Lee Smith, tenor sax men Larry McKenna & Robert "Bootsie" Barnes, guitarist Michael Kennedy, and trumpeter John Swana. Originally from Westfield, NJ, Philadelphia has been her home for nearly thirty years

Derrick Hodge

Born: July 5, 1979

Derrick Hodge began studying electric guitar at the age of 7, inspired by the playing of West Philadelphia’s Beulah Baptist Church choir’s bassist, Joel Ruffiin. A year later, Hodge switched to electric bass guitar and began playing in the elementary school concert band and orchestra. In junior high, he was introduced to the upright contrabass. At the time, there were no bass instructors so Hodge learned the instrument by using his electric bass technique and by watching the 1st and 2nd violins sitting across from him. And for jazz band, he just played the upright bass as if it were an electric bass, disallowing the lack of instructional resources to be his hindrance. He considers himself a product of a hotbed of talent from the greater Philadelphia region which had a thriving Gospel, Jazz, Classical, R&B and emerging Hip Hop scene

Katie Eagleson

Born: August 4, 1953

Katie Eagleson has been singing in the Philadelphia area for over 25 years. Her varied performance experiences have led to a diverse repertoire, but it is in her interpretation of the Great American Songbook where she truly shines. She has the ability to sing with great attention to detail coupled with emotional depth. Fellow musicians, as well as listeners, comment on Katie’s great pitch, diction, and ability to swing. At the same time, her voice has been described as “soulful” and “as though she truly means every word.” As one reviewer put it, “She displays a stunning vibrato that she uses for touching emotional impact.” When Katie sings, it is clear that she has great respect and appreciation for the composer

Ben Paterson

Born: June 23, 1982

Originally from Philadelphia, Ben spent his younger years studying both classical and jazz music before moving to the great city of Chicago. There he spent years performing and working with the best musicians in town, absorbing the unique blend of Jazz and Blues that can only be found in the Windy City. Now, moving to New York, Ben is poised to bring his unique talents and style to a wider audience, combining hard-swinging grooves and melodic improvisation with an impeccable touch.

Starting in 2005, Ben was honored to work as pianist for NEA jazz master Von Freeman, performing with him regularly until Von’s passing in August 2012. In addition to regular club dates around town, Ben’s work with Von included performances at the Chicago Jazz Fest, Symphony Center, Millenium Park, The Jazz Showcase, and The Green Mill.

The Hoppin' John Orchestra

Established in 1996 as the Black Eyed Peas Brass Band, the current Hoppin' John Orchestra has seen our name, our music and our musicians evolve and change in many ways over the years. For the uninitiated, Hoppin' John is a tasty, tasty dish, one of whose main ingredients is black-eyed peas. One look at a current radio chart and one can see why the change occurred. Still and all, we find it a fitting moniker for our efforts. Five of the original eight members remain: Matt, Tony, Mike, Lou, and Darren. Our very first singer, Wayne Harvey now performs in the Media area as a solo singer songwriter and with area bands

Warren Oree

Born: September 14

Warren Oree started the Arpeggio Jazz Ensemble in 1979 and has been touring the world and performing with the group at jazz festivals in Europe, the Caribbean and South America ever since. His command and demand of his upright acoustic bass mesmerizes audiences, unaccustomed to hearing the wide, colorful array of sounds that he can extract - from frenetically bowing and knocking on the base, to delicately lifting it through the air in an ecstatic dance of digital delay. He has recorded and produced nine (9) albums, of mostly all original compositions. See Discography below” . He has also recorded with Hamiett Bluiette, Khan Jamal, Jamaaladeen Tacuma, Gerald Veasley, Elliott Levin and other notable jazz artists

Byron Landham

Born: November 16, 1969

Byron Christopher Landham (aka) "Wookie" was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on November 16th, 1969. He is the youngest of six children (four girls and two boys). His older brother Robert began studying clarinet and saxophone at the age of 12. Byron, being influenced by his brother and naturally being around all genres of music, took an interest in the drums at the of 7. At the age of 10 he enrolled at Settlement Music School where he studied classical percussion and jazz drumming. The freedom of creative expression in jazz was appealing to Byron, and became his main focus. By the time he graduated from high school, he was a top call on the Philly jazz scene

Brian Betz

Born: November 18, 1977

Brian Betz is a guitarist, composer and educator that resides in the Philadelphia Metro Area. He performs throughout the east coast with all different musical artists. Brian has 4 CD releases: Up and Running (2001) with Denis DiBlasio, Jim Ridl, Steve Varner, and Jim Miller; Without a Doubt (2003) with Denis DiBlasio, Jim Ridl, Steve Varner and Jim Miller on the Dreambox Media Label; Dichotomy (2005) with Jim Ridl, Steve Varner and Jim Miller on the Dreambox Media Label; Muted Bebop (2006) with George Rabbai and Steve Varner on the Dreambox Media Label. Brian holds two degrees from Rowan University (BM,MM) and is endorsed by GHS Strings

Denis DiBlasio

After receiving his Master's Degree from The University of Miami, Denis DiBlasio joined the big band of legendary trumpeter Maynard Ferguson, serving as Maynard’s Musical Director for five years. During this time he honed his virtuosity on the baritone saxophone and flute as well as a prodigious scat-vocal technique, and developed estimable composing / arranging skills. His scores have been published by Kendor, William Allen, Kjos, Doug Beach, Hal Leonard. Houston, Jamey Aebersold and Roncorp Publications. He is currently Director of the Jazz Program at Rowan University, conducts Rowan’s Lab Band and holds the seat as the Executive Director of The Maynard Ferguson Institute of Jazz Studies at Rowan. As a clinician for the Yamaha Musical Corporation, DiBlasio has taught, performed and conducted all over the United States; his“education as entertainment”style has also taken him to Canada, Mexico, Spain, France, Italy, Switzerland, Denmark, Japan and Thailand