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The Awbury Community Concert Series
May 26, 2021 @ 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
The Awbury Community Concert Series
Summer and Fall 2021 | 6:30 – 8:30 PM
Hosted by Barry Wahrhaftig of the Hot Club of Philadelphia, these shows are a continuation of the Community Relief Concert Series, which was created to help musicians impacted by the Covid shutdown and to raise the community’s spirits by hosting live shows. A portion of the proceeds was donated to local charities like Philabundance, which will be the case for a number of this year’s concerts as well.
Cost: $10-30, see details below
Location: the tented patio at the Cope House, 1 Awbury Rd, Philadelphia, PA 19138. Outdoors, and safely distanced.
Please plan to arrive at least 1/2 hour before show time to park and be seated.
In case of heavy rain or thunderstorms concerts may be postponed. Please check the website on the day of the concert for updates about any cancellations.
Sunday, July 25th
Black Pearl Chamber Orchestra
Tickets: $10
Based in Philadelphia, the Black Pearl Chamber Orchestra was established as a model for the 21st-century American orchestra. Described by the Philadelphia Inquirer as “first-class on every level,” Black Pearl’s musicians have been trained at leading music conservatories around the globe including the Curtis Institute, the Juilliard School, and the Peabody Institute among others. Founded by award-winning Artistic Director Jeri Lynne Johnson, Black Pearl’s mission is to take the audience beyond spectatorship to participation in the musical experience by combining artistic excellence with cultural diversity and innovative community engagement. Black Pearl’s concert programming connects countries, cultures and communities in exciting ways. In recognition of its world-class performance quality, Black Pearl has received numerous grants from the National Endowment for the Arts. And Maestro Johnson’s innovative projects have made Black Pearl the only organization in the country to have been awarded three prestigious Knight Arts Challenge grants from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.
Through its groundbreaking engagement programs and collaborative partnerships with the city’s most prominent education and cultural institutions, Black Pearl has become a nationally recognized leader in building audiences for classical music by enchanting newcomers and
aficionados alike. Black Pearl is proof that when the arts deeply engage a community, that community will enthusiastically participate in the arts!
There will be performances by two groups: The Lyric Brass Quintet & Elegance String Quartet
They will perform a mix of musical styles including classical, jazz and pop electronica.
This performance is part of the City of Philadelphia’s Arts in Action initiative managed by the Office of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy.
Sunday, August 29th
Ensemble Novo
Tickets: $25
(Postponed from original date of 6/30)
$25 cash (exact change, please) for tickets at the door.
Ensemble Novo explores samba and the music of Brazil through the lens of jazz improvisation. Featuring the exuberant, uplifting melodies that are seemingly everywhere in Brazil; including classics and little-known songs by Antonio Carlos Jobim, Baden Powell, Edu Lobo and others. Where some jazz is about displays of technical mastery, Ensemble Novo’s soloists involve listeners in soaring, remarkably accessible journeys.
“A trait of music from Brazil is its lightness,” says Tom Moon, who plays flute and tenor saxophone. “It doesn’t need the proverbial wall of sound, it’s far more compelling on a human scale.” www.ensemblenovo.com
Photo credit: Lisa Schafer
Questions? Contact Barry Wahrhaftig at HotClubPhilly@gmail.com.
Sponsored by Weavers Way Co-op
Past shows:
Wednesday, June 2nd – Rev Chris
Chris & company will be doing NOLA flavored originals & cover songs. Christopher Marsceill (aka Rev Chris) was born in Boston and raised in Philly. He made his way to New Orleans where he learned how to play authentic boogie-woogie and ‘Prof. Longhair’ styles from the likes of Ellis Marsalis. His credits include tours with Russel Batiste, (the funky Meters), Ian Neville (Dumpstafunk). The band will feature Gusten Rudolph on drums, Rich Curtis on bass, Thomas B. Razler on saxophone and his longest current collaborator, Bart Miltenburger on trumpet/flugelhorn. Click here to learn more.
Wednesday, June 9th – Stephane Wrembel Trio
Wrembel is one of the most highly regarded guitarists in the world specializing in the style of legendary composer/guitarist Django Reinhardt; he learned his craft among the Gypsies at campsites in the French countryside. He has had a remarkable career, releasing 16 albums under his name and the nom de plume, The Django Experiment, and touring around the world. Stephane Wrembel’s band includes long-time collaborators Thor Jensen (guitar), Ari Folman-Cohen (bass), and Nick Anderson (drums). Click here to learn more. (Photo credit: Casey Ryan Vock)
Wednesday, June 23rd – Marty Grosz & Vince Giordano
Area favorite guitarist/singer & raconteur Marty Grosz has been featured on shows like the Prairie Home Companion, WHYY’S ‘Fresh Air,’ Riverwalk Jazz. This was his 1st public performance since his sold out ‘Marty Party’ at the World Cafe in March of 2020. He’ll was joined by Vince Giordano on bass and bass sax. Giordano is the leader of the famous Nighthawks, whose 20’s & 30’s jazz has been featured in films like Scorsese’s ‘The Aviator,’ and the HBO series Boardwalk Empire. With Danny Tobias (cornet) an Jack St Claire (reeds). Click here to listen. (Photo credit: Lynn Redmile)
Sunday, July 11th – The Hot Club of Philadelphia w/ Phyllis Chapell
The Hot Club of Philadelphia was started in 2001 by guitarist Barry Wahrhaftig [War-hof-tig]. They are an acoustic ensemble, dedicated to playing ‘Gypsy Jazz.’ That’s the term used to describe the music pioneered by the legendary original ‘Hot Club of France Quintet,’ which was led by guitarist Django Reinhardt and violinist Stephane Grappelli. Django and Grappelli were attempting to do their own version of American ‘Hot Jazz,’ as played by artists like Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington. They used acoustic guitars, bass and violin, rather than horns and drums. Grappelli and Django added some French and Gypsy flavor and created a blend of music that is quite popular and accessible. The HCPhilly mixes the original style of the HCOF, along with their own modern influences. Violin virtuoso Joseph Arnold is an integral part of their sound. Click here to learn more. Multi-lingual Phyllis Chapell is a frequent collaborator with the HCPhilly and is featured on their recordings. (Pictured Right: Joseph Arnold, Barry Wahrhaftig, Phyllis Chapell, Zack Devine & Jim Stager)
