The Philadelphia Clef Club’s Tribute to Jazz Trumpeter Lou Cioci, who died Thursday, Jan. 7 at age 78.
Lou Cioci was a great person, a talented musician, a caring music teacher, and mentor to young musicians. Lou was also a cherished friend. We lost one of the kindest and gentlest people I have ever had the privilege to know.
Lou’s brainchild — the Philadelphia Clef Club’s Community Big Band — presented spectacular concerts on a regular basis, presenting amazing Big Band performances featuring area Jazz icons, Ella Ghant, Buddy Cifone, Larry McKenna, and Brian Pastor, just to name a few. I will never forget the wonderful time we spent together providing the gift of Big Band music to more than a thousand school children provided, in part, by a grant from Susan Bloom in the name of her husband, Jazz composer Murray Bloom.
The Clef Club is the House that Jazz built — and Lou Cioic was certainly one of the architects. Those we love don’t go away; they walk beside us every day unseen, unheard, but always near, still loved, still missed and very dear. The song has ended but the melody lingers on.
Memorial donations in Mr. Cioci’s name can be made to the Philadelphia Clef Club of Jazz & Performing Arts, 736 S. Broad St., Philadelphia, PA 19146.
We Remember Ben Branch
Dr. Martin Luther King and the Civil Rights Movement were saturated with music, primarily for its inspirational and motivational powers. In this capacity Ben Branch emerged as one of the major musical voices of the movement. The Crusader’s, “Way Back Home, “was considered one of the anthems of the movement, and who could not forget Cannonball Adderley’s hip and insightful introduction to Joe Zawinul’s Country Preacher at the Chicago chapter meeting of the Southern Christian Leadership conference’s Operation Breadbasket.
Ben Branch, a soulful Memphis saxophonist was at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis on April 4, 1968, to play at a rally. Dr. King asked Branch to play Precious Lord take My Hand. This gospel song was one of MLK’s favorite, especially Ben’s Branch’s rendition of the song. Dr. King requested that Ben play that song tonight, “I want you to play it like you’ve never played it before in your life. Shortly after this request, an assassin bullet would take Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King’s life on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel.
As we celebrate the legacy of Dr. King, let’s celebrate those musicians whose music inspired a movement for civil and restorative justice. Every generation up to the present has had its pursuit of Civil Rights and political justice. Each generation has also had its songs of sorrow, anger, and celebration. Where gospel guided the early marches, Jazz, R&B and hip-hop have taken it upon themselves to score the continuation of the movement. From Mingus, Coltrane, Nina, to Public Enemy, and Kendrick Lamar, the music still resonates with its restorative powers in the pursuit of positive change.
Thank you, Ben Branch, for being there for Dr. Martin Luther King!
The Philly Jazz community mourns the loss of vibraphonist Richard Adderley, who died this past fall at age 71 in the comfort of family in Atlanta, GA.
Adderley, who played with Miles Davis, among other legends, hailed from a family of musicians including cornetist Nat Adderley and saxophonist Cannonball Adderley and grandson, rapper Rome Fortune. As a proud and supportive grandfather, Adderley co-produced Rome’s EP Beautiful Pimp II, played the vibraphone on the EP’s track, “OneDay” and also appeared in the music video.
Friends, family, and fans took to social media to express their grievances following Adderley’s passing.
“He took me under his wing when I was 17 and called me his little brother,” recalled Harold Watson. “I learned so much from him and we had lots of laughs, he was quite a comedian. Dickie had plenty of funny stories that would have you in stitches and was a good instructor, he was excellent in breaking rhythms down for his students. For those who remember the Heem group, he was a great leader. I am really going to miss him. Bless his spirit and my deepest condolences to his family.”
“What a wonderful musician and fun-loving spirit! Got a chance to see him often at the Philadelphia Clef Club,” shared Ella Gahnt. Lucky Thompson concurred, offering: “Dicky was a great musician and a beautiful human being…God bless him!”
Trumpeter James “J-Zone” Dennis, whose musical acumen was heralded by fans and fellow musicians, died on October 31. He was 60.
He was known in the music community as the owner/manager of J-Zone Entertainment and spent many years at the Philadelphia Clef Club instructing countless local musicians to hone in their sound, and more importantly, land paid gigs.
“JD always had five or six trumpet players in his section was shaping them up,” said longtime friend and fellow Philadelphia Clef Club educator, Harold Watkins. “We taught until 4 o’clock, and after we finished teaching at 7:30 we would have an impromptu jam session. Then, about eight years ago, he got this hankering for doing some promotions and he started J-Zone and was working with some other artists while promoting shows with live music.”
JD has no problem tooting his own horn on social media, actively gathering nearly 5,000 Facebook followers. He often posted performance video clips that drew appreciative comments from music lovers.
Upon hearing the sad news of his passing, local artists took to social media to share their memories about JD. With the performance industry disrupted by the coronavirus pandemic, musicians, songwriters, friends, and fans adhered to social distancing guidelines, with only about four dozen guests, including 15 musicians, attended his homegoing service at Terry Funeral Home Memorial Chapel.
UGO leader Henri McMillian served as musical director and thanked “friends for playing JD out with style & respect. You will always remain in my heart, little brother.” Mark Edmonds wrote: “I’m glad I attended to pay my respect. I’m also honored to have played my trumpet today in JD’s honor. RIP”
JD is survived by one sister and his mother, Helen Hughes, who was by his side when he died on Halloween. “He closed his eyes and looked at peace as if he was saying, ‘I’m home,’” she said of his final moments. The beloved horn man was interred at a family plot at SS. Peter and Paul Cemetery in Springfield, PA.
“JD left his mark on the music scene in Philly,” recalled Watkins. “His legacy is secure.”