Uwishunu.com

Tweet

 

 

Jazz and more… Where I’ll be and where you should be…

MONDAY 12/15/08

Mike Lorenz Quartet w/ Skip Wilkins
Chris’ Jazz Cafe, 1421 Sansom St.
Anyone who gets gigs at both Sci Fi Philly and Chris’ is alright in my book. Guitarist Mike Lorenz will be joined for this show by Skip Wilkins on piano, Ian O’Beirne on alto, Ryan Kuhns on bass, and Anwar Marshall on drums. I’ve been eager to hear Marshall again ever since hearing his sensitive drumming with bassist Leon Boykins’s group at Chris’ in June.
8 p.m., $10 ($5 for students)

TUESDAY 12/16/08

Lucky Thompson & the Budesa Brothers’ Blue Tuesday Open Mic & Jam Session
Leroy’s Showcase Lounge, 4912 Baltimore Ave.
Veteran drummer Lucky Thompson has played with greats like Nina Simone and Patti LaBelle during his long career and led jam sessions all over the city (including at Natalie’s Lounge, where he was the music director for more than 10 years). Lucky and brothers Rich Budesa on keys and Rob Budesa on guitar are single-handedly keeping Philly’s great organ trio tradition alive. If you haven’t heard them play at the Showcase, a neighborhood bar with a friendly staff and a welcoming vibe, then you’re missing out on an essential part of Philly’s jazz scene. Last week Curtis Brooks was blowing on tenor all night, Denise King sang some blues, and 17-year-old drumming sensation Justin Faulkner tore the house down.
8 p.m., FREE

WEDNESDAY 12/17/08

Avant Ascension: Agent Moosehead & ShredFest II
Tritone , 1508 South St.
Avant Ascension, co-led by trombonist Larry Toft and saxophonist Dan Peterson , is Tritone’s monthly showcase for bands that are pushing the envelope of any style of avant-garde music. Agent Moosehead is Chris Dippolito on guitar, John Briley on keys, Peterson on reeds, Tom Madeja on trumpet, Pete Dippolito on bass, and Jon McNally on drums. They play groove-laden music with intricate horn lines and odd meters. ShredFest II is guitarist Nick Millevoi’s second shredding avant punk jam. He’ll be joined by a group of musicians who have never played together before, including Bryan Rogers of Shot x Shot. Stick around for what may be Philly’s only regular free-jazz jam session, as members of the 2 groups and whoever else stops by (maybe Elliott Levin ?) shed until the bar closes.
10 p.m., $5

THURSDAY 12/18/08
There are at least 4 shows I’d like to be at tonight. These are the 2 I’m choosing:

The MLMs Album Release w/ Cortez! Cortez!! & Toy Soldiers
Guitarist Ben O’Neill makes his living playing hip hop, R&B, and gospel (he’s currently in Common’s touring band), but what he really wants to do is play rock & roll. The MLMs, the band he co-founded with childhood friend Chris Gibbons , play energetic rock music with sweet melodies and catchy hooks. Joining Ben and Chris for this show are Joann Schmidt (of Ike) on bass and Tony Catastrophe on drums. Go to this show, and get the MLMs’ new CD for only $5.
The Khyber , 56 S. 2nd St.
9 p.m., $8

Matt Davis’s Aerial Photograph : Philadelphia 2008
Tritone , 1508 South St.
The final installment of guitarist/composer Matt Davis’s Philadelphia 2008 is a must-see. Each month for the past year, Matt has interviewed a different group of Philadelphians, composed original music based on their stories, and recorded & performed that music with a large, rotating cast of musicians. This month’s suite focuses, appropriately, on members of Philadelphia’s art and music communities. Among the 16 musicians expected to join Matt for this performance are vocalist Alex Day, violinist Carlos Santiago, bassist Leon Boykins , trumpeter Bart Miltenberger, and saxophonists Bryan Rogers & Jon Thompson.
10 p.m., $10

FRIDAY 12/19/08

Ben Schachter’s re:Trio
Time , 1315 Sansom St.
After three months without a gig, the brilliant tenor saxophonist Ben Schachter is finally making his return. Schachter’s playing will touch you and astound you, and he should be able to play wherever and whenever he wants. Those of us who were lucky enough to hear re:Trio, with Leon Boykins on bass and Matt Scarano on drums, during their tenure at Doc Watson’s know that they play together with a sensitivity that is all too rare. Go out and support these guys and maybe this will become a steady gig.
10:30 P.M., FREE

SATURDAY 12/20/08

Sid Simmons Quartet
Ortlieb’s , 847 N. 3rd St.
Pianist Sid Simmons has been playing in Philadelphia and elsewhere for a few decades and plays at Ortlieb’s regularly. If you haven’t heard him before, why not check him out tonight?
8 P.M., call club for cover charge

SUNDAY 12/21/08

Sci Fi Philly : Bobby Zankel & Edgar Bateman , OK|OK
Gojjo Ethiopian Restaurant & Bar , 4540 Baltimore Ave.
The Brooklyn-based trio OK|OK returns to Sci Fi Philly to debut a new composition by saxophonist/composer Bobby Zankel. Zankel will then play a duo set with legendary drummer Edgar Bateman, who’s approaching 80. Need I say more?

Lucky Old Souls is my weekly web radio show”¦ 2 hours of jazz, blues, pop standards, early rock & roll, soul, and more, plus occasional guests from Philly’s music scene. I don’t get too hung up on genre distinctions on the show, and my music picks reflect the same spirit. Listen live every Tuesday from 2-4 P.M. on gtownradio.com, or visit myspace.com/luckyoldsouls for free downloads of past shows.