April is Jazz Appreciation Month, and we’re celebrating by sharing some exclusive video footage from the 2023 Center City Jazz Festival. The series will feature vocalist Joanna Pascale, drummer Willie Jones III, a trio of Philadelphians collectively known as BLN, and drummer Chris Beck with his quartet. They’ll be featured on our front page as WRTI Video of Week, every week this month.
Pascale gets the party started on April 8, performing a song selection synonymous with the great Eddie Jefferson, which always seems to get the audience going. Joined by bassist Lee Smith and pianist Joshua Richman, Pascale captivates the room with her alluring voice and engaging personality.
On April 15, we’ll feature drummer and bandleader Willie Jones III. His extended set at Franky Bradley’s begins with a solo that pays homage to his fellow drummer Leon “Ndugu” Chancler. The band takes form as bassist and Philadelphia favorite Nathan Pence teams with acclaimed saxophonist Justin Robinson to complete the trio. Together all three provide 30 minutes of musical magic.
The celebration continues on April 22, and it’s all about Bacon, Lettuce and North! Saxophonist Victor North fronts The BLN Organ Trio. Veteran organist Lucas Brown and celebrated drummer Byron Landham each add a lot of flavors to this group. I can assure you that this performance will supply plenty of sustenance to help satisfy your musical appetite.
We’ll conclude the week of April 28 with yet another gifted drummer. To help us put a bow on Jazz Appreciation Month, we enlist the help of Chris Beck, a graduate of the Boyer College of Music and Dance at Temple University. Beck is joined by a fellow Philadelphian, Jordan Williams, on piano; Israeli bassist Elam Friedlander; and New York-based trumpeter Andrew Wagner.
For more live music during Jazz Appreciation Month, sign up for Moment's Notice, our curated weekly listings email. It's free!
