Results for "Philadelphia"

Jim Miller

Born: June 13, 1954

I've been involved in the professional music business since 1970, but incredibly, still enjoy playing the drums anyway. I consider it very fortunate that my Indianapolis grade school had a full band program and indoor plumbing as well. At age 12 the "music nun" yanked me from piano lessons to play drums in the orchestra because no one else had exhibited any natural proclivity toward becoming the scapegoat in the school's traditional losses at district band contests. Falling in love with the drums immediately, I demonstrated my interest and gratitude by ripping off drumsticks from the school, using them at home to break the heads on a pair of Emenee bongos.

In order to protect the windowsills and tabletops, a drumset was soon provided and in no time, I was auditioning for my first band ("Do you know the beat to 'Wipe Out'?" "Yeah." "OK, you're in.")

Barbara Montgomery

Born: June 30

Barbara Montgomery has been making a life and a living in the entertainment field as a jazz vocalist, music industry executive, music producer and publisher, as well as working in production for film and television as a director/producer, film editor, camera operator, lighting director, property master and stage manager. She began performing as a jazz vocalist but took a detour in her music career by joining the NBC/Westinghouse television station that produced the “Mike Douglas Show”, working for that program and others. During this time she also freelanced, working on the seminal PBS series, “The Constitution: That Delicate Balance”, as well as touring as a lighting designer for international popular music groups

Wendy Simon

Born: October 5

A Jazz singer is truly a unique combination of talents - the abilities to bend a melody, improvise on a harmony,and at the same time, keep a rhythmical sense that makes you want to pat your foot.  One such singer is Wendy Simon, originally a member of the recorded group, "52nd Street."  Their album on Inner City Records, "Scrapple To The Apple,"  earned them international recognition for their be-bop takes and advanced harmonic explorations.  ​Wendy Simon has re-invented herself in the modern Jazz world, creating and investigating newer sounds in Jazz, while still paying homage to the Jazz classics of yesterday.  Her adventurous, innovative and exciting approach is a sure crowd-pleaser.  Wendy Simon's musical background includes studies at Arcadia University, Chestnut Hill College and independent studies with musicians, Al Stauffer and Owen Brown, Jr.  Her search for musical excellence has given her an exciting new approach to stimulate Jazz audiences.   With a soon-to-be-released title, "Time Of Silver Rain," Wendy Simon stands poised to take her place among Jazz divas of the current Jazz scene - check her out!

Sandy Eldred

Born: August 14, 1990

Sandy Eldred is an internationally acclaimed bassist, composer, producer, and music educator residing in Philadelphia, PA. He is known for his inventiveness and command across music genres. Eldred is the founder of record label, Each and Only, and is a recording artist for Ukrainian record label, LabelWhoAble.

​Eldred is the leader of U.S.E. Trio and the Sandy Eldred Trio. He is an active member of Multi Mansions, the Bogdan Gumenyuk Quartet, the Nick Lombardelli Quintet, the Michael Hudson-Casanova Sextet, Playlist, Combo Theory, and Norman David & The Eleventet.

Eldred has held the bass chair for various large ensembles including, Ian O’Beirne’s Slowbern, Jamal Jones’ Bureau of Sonic Wonderland, Matt Gallagher’s Philly Big Band, and the Earl Phillips Big Band. He has performed with the Lars Halle Jazz Orchestra, the South Philly Big Band, and Bobby Zankel and the Warriors of the Wonderful Sound, alongside the late, Muhal Richard Abrams.

Dylan Taylor

Born: March 29

My first instrument was cello, then electric bass. When I found Jazz the upright bass found me. I have spent most of my life in Philadelphia except for a few years studying with John Patittucci in New York. Also studied with Buster Williams, Dennis Sandole and Al Stauffer. Played for many years and recorded with Ken Ulansey and Heath Allen, also with the Tom Lawton trio at the four seasons Hotel and Tony Williams Quartet at the Ritz Carlton. Was a long time member of Bobby Zankel's big band, made two records with them and a trio record with Edgar Bateman. I have also recorded with Larry Coryell and Mike Clark, Butch Ballard and Sam Dockery, Khan Jamal, and Kelly Meashey among others.

2019: The Year in Jazz

by Ken Franckling
January 2, 2020

The year 2019 was robust in many ways. International Jazz Day brought its biggest stage to Australia. An important but long-shuttered jazz mecca was revived in a coast-to-coast move. ECM Records celebrated a golden year. The music and its makers figured prominently on the big screen. The National Endowment for the Arts welcomed four new NEA ...

Sephardic Treasures Jazz / Flamenco At Jamey's House of Music (Landsdowne, PA) on January 11

December 29, 2019

Live at Jamey's House of Music in Landsdowne, just outside Philadelphia on January 11, 2020, Soprano Meets Bass will preview their soon-to-be-released album Sephardic Treasures for all to enjoy. Soprano Meets Bass, led by Alan Lewine and Ana María Ruimonte, presents these medieval tunes set in a modern jazz/flamenco world music fusion style with middle eastern ...

Travel To Cuba for the 35th Havana Jazz Plaza Festival

January 7, 2020

Philadelphia bassist Alan Lewine will bring his original compositions to one of the premiere jazz festivals in the Caribbean-Havana Cuba's 35th Jazz Plaza the week of January 14-20, 2020. American citizens can travel legally to Cuba and explore the culture and meet the wonderful people. Alan Lewine's Owlsong Productions in partnership with Cultural Island Travel has ...

Mary Ellen Desmond: Comfort and Joy 2019 at the Church of St. Luke and the Epiphany

by Victor L. Schermer
December 26, 2019

Mary Ellen Desmond Comfort and Joy Church of St. Luke and the Epiphany Philadelphia, PA December 10, 2019 In the course of my years as a jazz reviewer in Philadelphia, it has always been a pleasure to hear Mary Ellen Desmond sing, and for the ...

Pianist Helen Sung with Vocalist Charenee Wade at South Jazz Kitchen

by Victor L. Schermer
December 23, 2019

Pianist Helen Sung with Vocalist Charenee Wade South Jazz Kitchen Philadelphia, PA December 14, 2019 On this occasion at the South Jazz Kitchen in the Fairmount section of Philadelphia, Helen Sung, a pianist who is an established contributor to the New York and international jazz scenes, brought ...