Artists Descriptions & Links - Jazz Fest by Night in Media, PA

Featuring in Media's downtown nitespots:

^{Background Artwork Courtesy Drew Arata of Earth & State}

John Swana Quintet @ Iron Hill Brewery (9:30)

John Swana is one of the most exciting trumpeters to arrive for a decade," declares Mark Gardner, co-author of Blackwell's Guide to Recorded Jazz. Born in Norristown, Pennsylvania, a suburb of Philadelphia, Swana took up Trumpet at the age of 11. He was drawn to jazz at the age of 17 after hearing Dizzy Gillespie, and the interest developed into a passion while he was in college. There he began transcribing the solos of Freddie Hubbard, Clifford Brown, Miles Davis, and Tom Harrell.

Swana has performed and toured with the Mingus Big Band. He has also played with well known jazz names such as Don Patterson, Shirley Scott, Mickey Roker, Stanley Turrentine, Harold Mabern, Cecil Payne, Johnny Coles, Ralph Peterson, Charles Fambrough, Bobby Watson, Trudy Pitts, Bootsie Barnes, Craig Handy, Chris Potter, Stephen Scott, Tim Warfield, Eric Alexander, Sam Newsome, Brad Mehldau,Vincent Herring, Uri Caine, Tim Armacost, Peter Leitch, Peter Bernstein, Ravi Coltrane, Ralph Bowen, Terrel Stafford, Seamus Blake, and Robin Eubanks. He has also been heard with Freddie Hubbard, Phil Woods, Ronnie Cuber, Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis, Clark Terry, Frank Foster, John Faddis, Slide Hampton, J.J. Johnson, Bob Minzer, and Charlie Persip.

John Swana can be heard on recordings with: Benny Golson, Grover Washington Jr., Charles Fambrough, Craig Handy, Tito Puente, Bill O'Connell, Lenny White, Ricky Sabastian, Marlon Simon, Ed Simon, Dave Valentin, Cafe', Art Webb, Adam Holtzman, Ralph Bowen, Ron Blake, Peter Bernstein, Carl Allen, Mulgrew Miller, Benny Green, Kenny Barron, Tim Warfield, Lewis Nash, Clarence Penn, Kevin Hays, Chris McBride, Uri Caine, Peter Leitch, Marvin "Smitty" Smith, Ralph Peterson, Bobby Zankel, and Tom Harrell.

'Papa' John DeFrancesco Trio @ West End Saloon (9:00)

By now most organ aficionados know very well where B-3 burner Joey DeFrancesco got his undeniably soulful quality from. It's strictly in the genes and flowing through the bloodlines of the DeFrancesco family. The deep blue statements inherent in his playing come directly from 'Papa' John, the proud patriarch of the DeFrancesco family. "We were just going for some grooves and having a fun time with it," says the elder DeFrancesco about his fifth cd, Jumpin'. That loose, good-spirited attitude permeates the recipe for soul jazz cooked up by 'Papa' John and his crew.

'Papa' John DeFrancesco is a Hammond B-3 player from Philadelphia. That simple declarative tells you a lot. You know his groove will be cooking and funky with strong jazz overtones. You know you will hear echoes of the past organ masters Groove Holmes, Jimmy Smith, etc.

Warren Oree and the Arpeggio Jazz Ensemble @ Joclyn’s (9:00)

Named "without a doubt the most innovative, progressive jazz band in our listening area" by Philadelphia's Temple University Public Radio, Warren Oree & The Arpeggio Jazz Ensemble have performed at many concerts and festivals throughout Philadelphia and the world. They perform a distinctive fusion of jazz, African, Brazilian, rhythm and blues, and hip-hop music, as heard on their most recent CD Behind the Mountain Wall.

Oree began his music career playing the upright acoustic bass, and since 1979 has led The Arpeggio Jazz Ensemble. In addition to performing with Arpeggio, he has toured and/or recorded with Khan Jamal, Donald Byrd, Wynton Marsalis, and Odean Pope, among others. He has toured Europe, South America, the Caribbean, and throughout the U.S. He will be joined by Umar Raheem, tenor and soprano saxophone; Greg "Ju-Ju" Jones, drums; Doug "Pablow" Edwards, congas and percussion; and Frank Butrey, guitar.

Roger Prieto Sextet @ Sligo (9:15)

Hard bop trumpet digs in and sparks wil fly . . .

For years, Roger was a fixture at every jam session in Philly, whatever the neighborhood. Natalie's, Ortlieb's, 23rd Street, Barb and Barbara's (and other clubs I wouldn't go near) have all been witness to his steady growth. If you don't get out much, you might remember him as a young, eager kid standing respectfully next to Bootsie Barnes, taking a tenuous chorus or two, and modestly dismissing any praise you might offer him.

Well, Roger is still a humble guy, but he's finally coming into his own as a leader and sideman on the Philly scene. Headlining at Ortlieb's and Brett's, Mr. Prieto has joined the ranks of Philly's serious players. Bootsie says his new band is doing a lot of the old Blakey charts. That's something you don't hear a lot around here these days. Let's just hope that now that he's making some bread, he'll still make a session or two. Roger is a serious trumpet player, and has worked hard to get where he is. Check him out !!

"Miss Justine" Quartet @ Brodeur’s on State Street (9:30)

Miss Justine leads a low-key life in a suburb of Philadelphia and performs at various clubs and other venues in the area. She came up with the likes of John Coltrane, McCoy Tyner, and other musicians who visited her family and jammed with them. Ultimately, she chose to pursue her career locally, which makes her singing startling: when you hear it, you feel you are listening to an all-time great vocalist. And you are. - Victor L. Schermer, allaboutjazz.com

Miss Justine has worked with Shirley Scott, Ray Charles, Keter Betts, Al Grey, Butch Ballard, Bootsie Barnes, Don Patterson, Billy Eckstine, Kenny Barron, McCoy Tyner, Lionel Hampton, Johnny Hartman and her musical mentor for over fifteen years, the late pianist Gerald Price. On "Tasty" and her latest, "The Many Moods of Miss Justine," discover why lyricist and jazz historian Gene Lees dubbed her "the lady with the amazing pipes."

Joanna Pascale Trio @ Stephen’s Prime (9:00)

“When I started going to jam sessions, vocalists would always do the same couple of songs,” states Pascale, “it would amaze me that gems like 'Serenade in Blue' or 'Once in a While', for example, would fall through the cracks. I made it my mission to learn these under performed standards, and to search for other songs that need to be remembered.”

What really sets Joanna apart from other vocalists, though, is not her repertoire, but her musicianship. Despite her young age, Joanna brings a depth of artistry to her music that rivals that of many singers who have been in the business for decades. The Philadelphia Metro raved, “Don't let her age fool you, Joanna Pascale is a highly sophisticated singer.”

Joanna has also gained the admiration of Philadelphia's most prominent musicians. “Joanna has her own style,” stated legendary saxophonist Robert “Bootsie” Barnes, “She has been influenced as have all young 'song birds', but once you hear Joanna you'll know it's her. Copycats don't last, but Joanna will be around for a long time.” University of the Arts jazz faculty member Chris Farr stated, “Joanna is a great storyteller. Along with her excellent musicianship, she shows great respect for the lyrics. She swings like crazy, and it's a pleasure to listen her.”

Beau Django @ Picasso (9:00)

In 1932 an urbane French violinist named Stephane Grappelli noticed a gypsy guitarist replacing a broken guitar string. That Gypsy was Django Reinhardt and he is forever the hero of our story. Django and Steph would be the tour de force along with two rhythm guitarists and an upright bass fueling Parisian nightlife throughout the 1930s and '40s blending American jazz improvisation with gypsy roots calling themselves The Hot Club of France.

Forward to 2005 . . . the birth of the Philadelphia based Hot Club of France inspired ensemble, Beau Django.

A recent arrival to the Philadelphia area 27-year-old Croatian guitar virtuoso, Kruno Spisic and Philadelphia born violinist extraordinary Arty Artymiw are joined by guitarist Jon Dichter and bassist Scott Churchman playing an extensive repertoire focusing on the music of Django Reinhardt, Stephane Grappelli and The Hot Club of France. Their music is sweet upbeat Gypsy heat.

From their first performance at Philadelphia's Kimmel Center in February, 2005, Beau Django is making heads turn attracting attention at local Philadelphia hot spots.

Chuck Anderson Trio @ “Quotations” Restaurant and Bar (8:30)

As a professional guitarist, Chuck was staff guitarist for the Latin Casino at the age of 21. He was featured with many legendary performers such as Peggy Lee, Bobby Darin, Michel LeGrand, Nancy Wilson and Billy Eckstein to name a few. At age 24, Chuck formed the Chuck Andeson Trio and recorded his first jazz album Mirror Within a Mirror. Noted as a composer as well as a concert guitarist, Chuck has recorded 7 CDs:

"Passages from the End of Autumn", "Kaleidophon", "The Art of the Neo-Classical Guitar", "Christmas Wishes", "The International Collection", "Angel Blue", "Music from the Light", and "The Vintage Tracks".

Chuck composes the majority of his jazz repertoire for concerts and recordings. His compositional work is a major factor in differentiating Chuck’s style from other concert jazz guitarists.

Zan Gardner Trio @ Plumstead Inn (8:15)

Zan Gardner is a professional Jazz and Blues vocalist who is emerging as one of the most unique talents in the Philadelphia tri-state area. She enjoyed a performance schedule at the internationally known Jazz Club "Zanzibar Blue" every week for over 6 years as well as performances at "Ortliebs Jazzhaus" with Fahreed Baron and Mickey Roker, Chris's Jazz Cafe with pianist Sam Dockery (formerly with Betty Carter and Art Blakey), the "Hotel Atop The Bellevue", "River Blues", the Penn Jazz Festival opening for Branford Marsalis and many other venues and festivals.

She is most recognized for her highly original musical interpretations and almost baritone vocal techniques which capture her audiences and convey to them the rich emotions of song lyrics and meaning.

Her style has been described by one media source as "having the true presence of a performer who lives through her music from a wail to a tender hush"

Steve Green and the Elevators @ John’s Grille (8:00)

Bassist Steve Green has performed on over 90 albums. His powerful spirit –filled bass sound can be heard with such artists as Patti Labelle , Phylis Hyman, Lou Rawls, the late Grover Washington, Jr., The Stylistics, Eddie Murphy, Judy Mowit, The Jones Girls, and Monnette Sudler.

He now has his own inspirational Neo-Funk-Jazz “Elevators”, a six-piece rhythm powerhouse. This amazing recipe of top-line seasoned musicians blend jazz, funk, rock and Afro-Cuban sounds into a magical brew designed to “Elevate” the soul of all who hear it. The Elevators line-up includes Spider Bichaylo, Adam Guth, Squirrel and Darren Daltry.

Stephen Russo Duo @ Towne House Stag Bar (8:00)

Guitarist Stephen Russo returns to the Towne House with bassist Wilbo Wright. Russo covers the world of bop to straight-ahead jazz – with a distinct R&B edge.

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All Ages Stages (under 21 free):

STS Project @ Pinocchio’s (8:00)

The STS Project is an up-and-coming young trio based in West Chester, PA, dividing time between playing standards and arranging classical/avant-garde repertoire for the group. Members of the band have studied and/or played with such figures as Paul Rostock, Phil Woods, Rufus Reid, Peter Paulson, Ari Hoenig, Ralph Peterson, and George Russell, Jr., and have toured parts of Europe and recorded for NFL enterprises.

Drummer Robert Stimpson can be found playing at Vincent's Jazz Club; Bassist Daniel Turkos, at Molly's Pub (Lancaster), Delaware Water Gap Country Club; Pianist Daniel Shapiro, at The Log Cabin Restaurant (Lancaster), Dilworthtown Inn.

Tonino Montella @ Margaret Kuo’s Media (dinner seating only 7:30)

From Rome, Montella has developed an individual musical style which combines Traditional American folk, blues, and bluegrass into his focus on Jazz.

Part of the Italian music scene for years, Montella has performed with numerous groups ranging from Italian Jazz players like Francesco Forti, Marcello Rosa, Roberto Trillo, Luigi Totht to American folk and bluegrass artists such as Mike Seeger, Guy Carawan, and Hazel Dickens.

In addition to his participation in an array of Jazz and Bluegrass festivals, Montella also teaches a variety of guitar styles both at home and in music schools and held several seminars on Popular American music.

Call Me Crazy @ Seven Stones Café on Plum Street Mall (7:30)

Six Piece Combo with sound of Squirrel Nut Zippers crossed with Ella and a dash of Max Weinberg: Christopher Tolomeo, Liz Deal, Jesse Deal, Jamey Robichaud, Bill Bussone & Dave Rogel do the deed.

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Dance - (free to ages 60 and over):

John Breslin Dixieland/Jazz Band @ Media Community Center, 3rd & Jackson Sts. (7pm to 10pm)

(Co-sponsored by Media Recreation Commission)

Fixture of the Philly Jazz Scene for decades, John returns to Jazz by Night with line-up and repertoire for the 60+ hipsters. Kudos & Thanks to Media Rec and Monica Simpson for concept!