| FRIDAY NIGHT JAZZ – SPRING EDITION
$18 Members | $28 Non-Members
6:00 – 7:30 pm
WRTI is a partner for Music at Woodmere.
Friday Night Jazz is offered in partnership with LifeLine Music Coalition.
April 10: Jazz Organ and The Philly Sound
Philadelphia, considered the “Jazz Organ Capital of the World” in the mid 20th century, reshaped jazz into a popular, swinging, danceable contemporary music. Join us as Rich Budesa brings the Hammond B-3 organ to Woodmere for a swinging, finger-snapping evening. Travel the path of “Philly Bop” with the music of Jimmy Smith’s “The Sermon,” Charles Earland’s “More Today Than Yesterday,” and other classic tunes.
April 17: From Blues to Swing: The Voices of Bessie Smith and Billie Holiday
Experience the soul-stirring power of Bessie Smith’s blues and Billie Holiday’s intimate and elegant swing phrasing of swing. Vocalists Sherry Butler and M’cal Beckham will convey the feelings of songs like “God Bless the Child” and “Ain’t Nobody’s Business If I Do,” honoring two iconic voices whose music still resonates today.
April 24: The Dynamic Jazz Trumpet of Lee Morgan
Few musicians could make the trumpet sing like Philadelphia’s own Lee Morgan. His bold sound, soulful phrasing, and unforgettable grooves speak touch the jazz in you. Trumpeter Daud El Bakara brings Morgan’s legacy to life with performances of classics like “The Sidewinder” and “Ceora” and celebrates the emotional depth of Lee Morgan’s music.
May 1: Uptown Theater: Philly’s Soul Music Oasis
Broad and Susquehanna—Philadelphia’s Uptown Theater pulsed with life every weekend as an R&B haven where legends like The Supremes, The Temptations, James Brown and more electrified audiences and defined an era. Join Woodmere for a tribute concert celebrating the unforgettable sound, spirit, and soul of the Uptown with music that continues to inspire, connect, and speak to our lives today.
May 8: Moody’s Mood & Beyond: Celebrating King Pleasure
Emerging in the 1950s, vocalese transformed the human voice into an instrument, mirroring the phrasing and improvisational spirit of the saxophone. Pioneered by artists like King Pleasure, the style brought a fresh, inventive dimension to jazz vocals. TCIII brings this distinctive sound to life with classics such as “Moody’s Mood for Love” and “Red Top.”
May 15: Sassy and Sublime: The Music of Sarah Vaughan
Inspired by the artistry, velvety tone, and sweeping range of Sarah Vaughan this concert moves from the intimate beauty of “Misty” and “Send in the Clowns” to the buoyant swing of favorites like “Lullaby of Birdland” and “It Don’t Mean a Thing,” capturing the full range, elegance, and joy that made her an enduring icon.
May 29: Heartbeat of Rhythm: A Max Roach Tribute
Celebrate the revolutionary drumming and visionary spirit of Max Roach, one of jazz’s greatest innovators. His music ignites the spirit, challenges the mind, and stirs the soul with tunes like “You Don’t Know What Love Is,” “Freedom Now Suite,” and more.
June 5: The Music of James Reese Europe and The Harlem Hell Fighters
Pioneering bandleader James Reese Europe transformed the all-Black 369th Infantry Regiment, known as the legendary Harlem Hellfighters, into a groundbreaking ensemble that brought jazz to Europe and lifted Allied spirits during World War I. Experience the rhythms and historic music that made them legends, from “Castle House Rag” to “Memphis Blues.”
Experience jazz in a whole new way within the inspiring walls of Woodmere. |
