The Jazz Scene: Big band isn’t a dinosaur in Philly

Those who maintain that the big band is a jazz dinosaur should take note that Philadelphia is home to a surprisingly large number of big bands, some old and some new. Among them are bands led by Phil Giordano, Larry McKenna, and Brian Pastor; the Monday Blues Jazz Orchestra; the Clef Club’s large ensemble; the Fresh Cut Orchestra under the leadership of Josh Lawrence, Anwar Marshall, and Jason Fraticelli; and a bunch of collegiate ensembles from Temple, University of the Arts, and Rowan. Relatively new — and one of the most impressive on the scene — is the Jazz Orchestra of Philadelphia, led by trumpeter/educator Terell Stafford. JOP checks in to the Kimmel Center on May 9 with a salute to composer Billy Strayhorn and special guest, Philadelphia’s own legendary saxophonist/composer Benny Golson. This should be one heck of a swinging show.

A first album and a great finale

Congratulations are in order to the Fresh Cut Orchestra. FCO’s first album, From the Vine, received four stars in DownBeat magazine. Also new on the regional recording front is Drive, from the always-in-demand vocalist, Michelle Lordi. Drive is a beautiful collection of ballads (plus a nifty Latin take on “True Love”), some rarely sung. Lordi has an individual, touching yet subtle expressiveness — joined on three tracks by famed pianist Orrin Evans — that doesn’t hit you over the head with technique. Rounding out Lordi’s group are Philly’s finest: saxophonist Larry McKenna, bassist Madison Rast, drummer Dan Monaghan, and pianist Tom Lawton.

Also coming to town in the vocal arena are two of the world’s finest jazz vocal groups — Manhattan Transfer and Take 6 — who will appear on a rare double bill for an 8pm show at the Keswick Theatre in Glenside on May 16. If they team up for a grand finale, that will be something to hear.

Jazz in Manayunk and Longwood Gardens

New for the Philadelphia Jazz Project is the “7 X 7” concert series, which will take place through September within Manayunk’s new Venice Island Performing Arts and Recreation Center. Appearing on May 6 at 8pm is Latin percussion master Pablo Batista. Tickets ($15) are available in advance or at the door.

The annual Longwood Gardens Wine and Jazz Festival is a delightful daylong fest (2pm-9pm) featuring both national and regional attractions. On June 6, this year’s stars are guitarist/vocalist John Pizzarelli and vocalist René Marie, the latter performing a tribute to Eartha Kitt. According to the Longwood website, the event is already sold out.

The next generation and a big good-bye

Parents of young would-be jazzers take note: Each summer, the Greater Delaware Valley hosts several jazz/big band summer camps/workshops. Though these don’t run until July, spaces do fill up quickly, so plan ahead. On July 13 to August 1, University of the Arts hosts their “Pre-College Summer Institute Music Program,” geared specifically to high school students. For the younger set, there’s the Kimmel Center’s July 20 to July 31 “Jazz Camp,” open to those 13 to 20, and the Settlement School’s “Summer Jazz Camp” for kids 12 to 18, running from July 27 to July 31.

At 25 years and counting, the 23rd Street Café’s Tuesday night jam session has to be one of the longest-running events of its kind in the world. Sadly, word is that the venue is in the process of being sold and there is already talk of demolishing the club, as it’s long been in a state of disrepair. Unfortunately, those Tuesday nights were just not the same after the death of beloved house pianist “Father” John D’Amico almost two years ago. Though the 23rd Street will be missed, there is no shortage of other swinging sessions in town.