Scheduled Performers Include: Byron Landham (drums), George Colligan (piano), Diode Elvarkian (trumpet).

Saxophonist Robert "Bootsie" Barnes has been proclaimed a Philadelphia treasure. His celebrity should rank along with TastyKakes and Philly Cheese Steaks. "Bootsie" began his musical career at age 6 on piano and switched to drums at 10. His grandmother gave him a saxophone at age 16 and he never looked back. In school, classmates included drummers Lex Humphries, Bill Cosby, Al "Tootie" Heath; bassist "Spanky" DeBreast; trumpeter Lee Morgan, and a host of Philadelphia giants who went on to help shape the maturing face of Jazz music. He was among Philadelphia's most called upon saxophonists. During the 60's and 70's he was playing with such legends as Don Patterson, Philly Joe Jones, and the late Al Grey. He has led touring ensembles for his childhood buddy, Bill Cosby, and made a guest appearance on television's The Cosby Show (playing himself).

Bootsie has also worked the entire "Organ Circuit" with Shirley Scott, Jimmy McGriff, Charles Earland, Jack McDuff, Poppa John & Joey DeFrancesco, and the undisputed champion of the organ, Jimmy Smith. Although Mister Barnes toured the U.S., Europe and Canada, he makes his home in Philadelphia. At home, the new "Young Lions" of Jazz regard him as their "Mentor Emeritus". He is also held in high esteem by his "elder statesmen of Jazz" in Philly and around the world. Now in his sixties, Mr. Barnes plays an average of 4 nights a week in the city where he was born, and where his fans are fiercely loyal. He also spends a great deal of time in the neighborhood school systems spreading the of hard practice and teamwork to youngsters via Jazz workshops. In conjunction with the John Coltrane Cultural Society and the Clef Club, he has brought summer workshops to Philadelphia Housing Projects community centers (such as Raymond Rosen, Blumberg and Martin Luther King), as well as to disadvantaged neighborhoods in Philadelphia and neighboring South Jersey. - from: 23rd Street Cafe

Scheduled Performers Include: Duane Eubanks (trumpet), Lucas Brown (organ), Chris Beck (drums).

Don Gardner - From Jazz to R&B to Soul, music legend Don Gardner has done it all. A '60s/"Northern" soul legend thanks to such songs as "I Need Your Lovin'", "My Baby Likes to Boogaloo" and "Cheating Kind", Don continues to promote the virtues of music in his current role as president of the Philadelphia Clef Club of Jazz and Performing Arts.

Interest in Don's music--especially his much sought-after '60s recordings--has seen him playing to appreciative audiences in Britain, Europe and in his native Philadelphia over the past five years.

Born May 9, 1931 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Don has been "keeping the faith" with his music for nearly 60 years. He released his first record--a 78 rpm platter entitled "Dearest Darling"--in 1949! Throughout the 1950s, Don's Sonotones toured up and down the East Coast and released record after record of Jazz-fueled R&B... quite understandable when you consider that organ virtuosos Jimmy Smith and Richard "Groove" Holmes both had tenures with the band.

After Holmes' departure in 1960, Don hooked up with one of the most talented organists in the business at the time--the classy Miss Dee Dee Ford (ne Wrecia Holloway). Ford's great musical ear proved the perfect fit for Don. "We worked well together. If we heard a record on the air in the morning and we both liked it, that night we played it," says Don. "She was just that good. She knew my key, she knew whatever, that was it." (Ford also wrote Betty Lavette's 1965 classic "Let Me Down Easy"!). The duo of Don Gardner and Dee Dee Ford had a #4 R&B hit in 1962 with "I Need Your Lovin'". In 1964, they traveled to Sweden where they played to SRO crowds and recorded a live album. Sweden so embraced Don and Dee Dee that they returned for extended tours in both 1965 and 1966. "I was even thinking of moving to Sweden but the pace of life was too slow for me at the time," says Don.

When Ford left music in 1967 (due to ill health) Don continued on, releasing many of the floor-filling singles that still get 'em dancing today. 1966's mighty "My Baby Likes to Boogaloo" and 1967's propulsive "Cheatin' Kind" were released during this time. Don became road manager for good friend Curtis Mayfield during Curtis' "Superfly" 1970s period, in addition to doing promotions for Mayfield's Curtom Records. After reaching #30 on the R&B charts in 1974--with a cover of the Marvelette's "Forever" recorded as a duet with Baby Washington, another good friend--Don left music. Ever resourceful, he moved to Atlanta and started his own construction company!

In 1985 Don moved back to Philadelphia to help care for ailing parents. Ever the musician at heart, he became involved with the non-profit Philadelphia Clef Club of Jazz and Performing Arts upon his return. He was named president of the organization in 1995. Sometime around 2002, word filtered through to Don that some of his '60s records were actually quite popular among soulies worldwide. This prompted Don to resume performing. In 2002 and 2003 he did shows at the Clef Club with soul legends Maxine Brown and Baby Washington. 2005 saw him play to appreciative crowds at the Prestatyn Soul Weekender in Wales. And he "schooled" the younger, alternative rock crowd in 2006 at Philadelphia's IMMEDIATE! mod/soul/funk event.

With: Damon Levine (guitar).

Pope is an exceptionally compelling and original musician. As listeners heard when he performed at the Sydney Jazz Festival In 1998, with the great drummer Max Roach, he possesses a very powerful sound, and a quite awesome control of his instrument, including the use of multiphonic and circular breathing techniques.

Odean was born in the town in the town of Ninety Six, South Carolina, but grew up in Philadelphia. Philadelphia had a thriving Jazz scene in the post war era and produced such notable Jazz artists as John Coltrane, Lee Morgan, Clifford Brown, Benny Golson, McCoy Tyner, the Heath Brothers, Ray Bryant, Kenny Barron, Bill Barron, Archie Shepp, Jymie Merritt, Jimmy Garrison and Philly Joe Jones.

Odean played his share of R&B gigs (at the Uptown Theater, he played in the house band behind such. names as James Brown and Marvin Gaye). He studied with Ray Bryant, and was especially influenced by the pianist Hasaan lbn Ali (a brilliant but obscure figure who made just one record, 'The Max Roach Trio Featuring The Legendary Hasaan'. He was clearly aware of and deeply impressed by the music of John Coltrane. But unlike so many other tenor saxophonists, he managed to absorb Coltrane's message while developing a recognizable sound of his own.

Scheduled Performers Include: Charles Beasley (bass), Harold E. Smith (percussion/didgeridoo).

One day a shy girl from Philadelphia, PA, was sweeping her front stoop and sweetly singing "Summertime" when a guitarist/writer from Philadelphia International Records walked by and heard her singing. He was so impressed by what he heard that he auditioned her, hired her and the rest is history. That was the beginning of a singing career that would WOW people in Brazil, France, Africa, Japan, Turkey, and other places around the world.

Scheduled Performers Include: Aaron Graves (piano), Lee Smith (bass), Craig McIver (drums).

The musicians performing with SoulFuego are experienced professionals of diverse backgrounds who perform locally, nationally, and internationally. They are: Mateo Gloistein (piano), Rene Ginett (vocals, percussion), Kimbal Sol Brown (trumpet), Tim Thompson (trumpet), Rob Hagopian (bass), Francois Zayas (drums, percussion), Dominique Thomas (congas, percussion), Josh Robinson (congas, percussion).

The Quartet was signed by Dreamscape Records. It was involved recently in a nationwide radio airplay promotion undertaken by the renowned Mike Carlson of MC promotion from Seattle, WA, and has received significant radio airplay by some 25-30 leading Jazz stations across the United States. The Quartet is #5 in the Dallas/Fort Worth area! And has just released a brand new CD entitled "My Time", (featuring: Dave Wilson-Tenor and Soprano Saxophone; Matt Hochmiller-Piano; Steve Meashey-Acoustic Bass; Tony Deangelis-Drums), which is out now on Dreambox Media, and this CD has started receiving airplay on WRTI-FM Jazz Radio in Philadelphia, and which was just reviewed favorably in the Feb. 26th issue of the Philadelphia Inquirer. Recently Dave was interviewed on local radio station 92.7 Smooth Jazz where he talked about his career, recordings, and upcoming musical events.

The Quartet is a top-notch exciting Jazz group featuring a steady lineup of some of the best players in South Central Pennsylvania. As a quartet, trio or even duo, the members are active playing such local venues as (in Lancaster) The Belvedere, Alois, El Serrano, Boscov's and the Eden Resort (with the Keith Mohler trio), Café Fresco (since its inception) and the Pep Grill, as well as the Hilton, where the CD release party in November was held (all in Harrisburg), The Clubhouse (Reading), The Studio At The Strand, Sidney's, and Emerson's (York). Some of the concert venues played include Long's Park Sunday series, Long's Park Arts and Crafts festival, Lancaster Summer Arts Festival, Lancaster Street Fair, Lancaster Jazz Festival ("Jazz Brews and Blues") 2005, First Night Lancaster, First Night York, York's Street Fair, York Riverwalk, York Cherry Lane Concert series, York's Valencia Ballroom, Harrisburg July 4th American Music festival, Harrisburg Kapona festival, Harrisburg Italian Lake Concert Series, Elizabethtown Music in the Park, Twin Brook Winery, and 92.7 FM Smooth Jazz Concert of the month.

Scheduled Performers Include: Matt Hochmiller (piano), Steve Varner (acoustic bass), Gary Rissmuller (drums).

Somewhere up in heaven, right this very moment, there's an incredible jam session taking place. The group assembled represents some of the most talented and creative individuals ever to inhabit the planet. Though most would find it impossible to fathom, Jazz legend Charlie Parker is weaving his intricate horn lines amidst the soulful vocal of Country superstar Patsy Cline. The rhythm section, led by the late drummer, Philly Joe Jones, is swingin' in a manner only possible among those who have been freed from all physical constraints. Every now and again, Elvis himself (who never did have such constraints) appears at the microphone for a little hubba-hubba. And for those of you still wondering what ever happened to Glenn Miller that fateful night his plane disappeared, the truth is now revealed -- he got offered the job as bandleader for this unlikely melange of musical talent and had to fly off in a hurry for the first gig!

What exactly is going on here? That joyful noise you hear is called Texas Swing - an eclectic blend of Jazz, Swing, Country, Bluegrass, Blues and Boogie-Woogie that'll have you smiling so wide your cheeks will hurt. Invented "way down Texas way" in the 1930's by a cigar-chompin' part-time barber named Bob Wills, Texas Swing blends the sounds of traditional big-band Jazz with the Western style influences of fiddle and steel guitar. Almost all major Country acts today include a Swing tune or two in their repertoires. But the sound is so refreshing, so infectious, and so damn much fun, that you can't help but wonder why they don't just play it all the time.

Fortunately, there's now a new group on the scene that specializes in this unique musical form and has been delighting audiences throughout Philadelphia since early 1994. The band, appropriately known as Beats Walkin', consists of some of Philly's finest musicians. Starting with punchy Big Band arrangements and tight vocal harmonies, they cook up a musical jambalaya that just won't quit. Bassist Bob Lewis and drummer Chuck Lindsay keep the pot well-stirred while vocalist/guitarist Wendi Bourne adds just the right amount of spice. Bandleader Jim Cohen blends in the special sauce: he's one of the few musicians in Philly who knows what to do with a pedal steel guitar and can make it cry or dance with just the flick of a wrist.

Obviously, this is no ordinary band. This is an adventure in good taste. From their jazzed up version of the Bob Wills classic "San Antonio Rose" to the rousing chorus of "Miles and Miles of Texas" this is good time music that's guaranteed to have you grinnin' all the way from Austin to Boston. For Heaven's sake, don't fight the feelin'. Come on down and have a helluva time!  - O. Dewey Lovett

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.

"Do not miss an opportunity to see one of the greatest guitar players I've ever seen . . . and I don't say that lightly."  - Josh Baron, Relix Magazine

"A John Coltrane-ish search for a moment of musical nirvana . . . "  - Phil Gallo, Variety

"Don't miss this opportunity to see a truly astonishing talent in action"  - All about Jazz

From the time she bought her first guitar at the age of 13, Barbara Martin has never been afraid to explore and experiment. She moved from the folk coffeehouse circuit in her native Iowa to the new wave rock scene in Boston, to discovering her true love, blues and jazz, in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. From her decision in 1990 to give up her job as a social worker and embark on a career as a full time musician she has never looked back. Her journey has taken her to festivals and concert venues throughout the United States and Europe, five recordings and critical acclaim from presenters and reviewers alike.

There's no telling who he will show up with tonight!

Hip hop and punk rock are as opposite as haiku and opera to the untrained ear. Although the two genres differ sonically, take a closer listen to the lyrics of politically charged hip hop and punk groups, and there you'll find overlapping themes of societal disregard, poor living conditions, and corrupt government practices. As early as the 1970s, cats like Afrika Bambaataa sparked a union between these two rebellious sub-cultures, welcoming the punks from Lower East Side Manhattan to the Zulu Nation gatherings in the Bronx. Although alliances such as these have dwindled over time, there are still artists fighting to preserve this unique culture mix today. In Philly, The Mighty Paradocs have been holdin' it down for the punks and the hip hop heads (and any other music lovers for that matter) for over six years. Fronted by the onslaught of lyrical jabs delivered by female emcees, Dirty Focus and Supercam, the Paradocs bring to the table a funky, punk-inspired hip hop sound that defies traditional music standards. Verses with postmodern ideals set the tone against the uptempo, yet rough backdrop created by guitarist Dr. Ell Train, bassist Prof. Jazz, and drummer Kung Fu Joe. - Chris Anderson

Joseph Nocella studied composition with Romeo Cascarino and received his Master of Music degree at Temple University. He studied piano with Temple Painter, Tom Lawton, Jazz improvisation with Al Stauffer. His music has been performed by the Concerto Soloists, The National Association of Composers USA, The Penn Alliance for American Music, Composer Services Inc. and the Crissey Concerts for Philadelphia Composers at the Settlement School.

Mike has had the opportunity to perform with such renowned Philadelphia jazz musicians as Larry McKenna and John Swana and has also has performed with commercially known international pop artists such as Lou Rawls, Michael Feinstein, Bernadette Peters, and Elton John. Throughout his education and career, Mike has performed and created compositions in various musical genres from jazz to rock and R&B, but over the past decade, he has focused almost exclusively on jazz. Mike identified with the rhythmic complexity of jazz music, the wit and perception of improvisation and the dichotomy between the spontaneity of the individual and the communication within a group.

With a sound based in the bebop tradition, yet with a definite modern presence, Mike collected a series of ten tunes for his first self-produced jazz CD, Quartet No. 1, which was released in late 2002. The album received exceptional reviews that praise both the compositions and the musicians. The CD has had airplay in the Philadelphia area, as well as overseas. Mike is presently in the process of releasing his new album, Idle Afternoon, consisting of 8 original tunes.

For the past few years, Paul has been writing/performing with his jazz ensemble, The Antfarm Quartet, bringing their special mix of melody, swing and improvisation to audiences throughout the New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware area. Band members, Tim Lekan (acoustic bass), Paul Jost (vocals and harmonica), Jim Ridl (piano), and Bob Shomo (drums) share a love of making music together that has inspired the recording of their debut CD, Dialogues Pt. 2.

Jim Ridl (piano) originally from North Dakota, now resides in New Jersey and is much sought after as a creative and innovative pianist/composer/arranger. In addition to The Antfarm Quartet, Jim performs live and in the studio with the Jim Ridl Trio and Quintet, the Dave Liebman Big Band, in duet with Diane Monroe, the Denis DiBlasio Quintet, the JD Walter Quartet, and the Manhattan Bones. Jim has recorded 5 critically acclaimed cds, the latest "Your Cheatin' Heart and other works" recently released on the Dreambox Media label. Jim has been recognized by Downbeat and Jazz Times, and was featured in Piano and Keyboard Magazine, "a fresh, individual voice in jazz piano...sure to make among the first indelible marks in the jazz millennium."

While attending South Philadelphia High School, he joined the jazz band and played with the likes of Frankie Avalon, Lew Tabackin and Charles Earland just to name a few. These folks went on to become well known entertainers from the Philadelphia area.

Tucci played with many local bands around Philadelphia and the surrounding areas including Atlantic City before the casinos came to town. He finally landed in Las Vegas when he was 20 years old and played at the Fremont Hotel. The twist was just becoming popular and the group was called the "Twisters". The Twisters played opposite Wayne Newton and his brother when they were just starting out.

After Las Vegas Frank had many of his own groups, singers and players (from 2 to 7 members) and played Penns Landing, The South Street Scene, The JFK Plaza Lunch Time Concert Series along with club engagements in and around the Philadelphia Area. Seashore resort engagements continued including, Caesar's in Atlantic City. Frank has owned and operated 3 music stores and a recording studio as well as a booking agency called Independent Artists.