The Philadelphia Clef Club of Jazz & Performing Arts

PCC Student Holiday Recital
2019-12-14 13:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | Philadelphia Clef Club of Jazz & Performing Arts, 736 S. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA, United States
Sharing Successes through Performances
The Music Education Program of the Philadelphia Clef Club will present its student recital on Saturday, December 14, 2019 1:00-3:00 PM.
Our holiday student recital gives students an opportunity to present to their friends and families a piece of music that has been mastered in the lessons. The decision to perform in public is always made between the instructor and the student. This experience enables students to gain feedback from their peers, feel more comfortable with performing, and develop confidence. Since recitals are also great motivators, they help instructors teach students how to develop stage presence, memorization, projection, communication and impact. By listening to others perform; students also broaden their exposure to many styles and instruments. Levels range from first year students to those with years of experience playing advanced repertoire on their experiences, camaraderie is built among attendees.

Jazz Cultural Voices - Jaleel Shaw
2019-11-09 19:30 - 21:30 | Philadelphia Clef Club of Jazz & Performing Arts, 736 S. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA, United States
Alto & Soprano saxophonist and bandleader, Jaleel Shaw, won the 2014 Downbeat Critics Poll’s for Rising Star Alto Saxophonist. He is a longtime member of the Roy Haynes Quartet, Tom Harrell’s “Colors Of A Dream” and has performed with Christian McBride, Jason Moran, the Mingus Big Band, Pat Metheny, Stefon Harris, Roy Hargrove, Chick Corea, Dave Holland, Jimmy Cobb and several others.

Jazz Cultural Voices - Charles Tolliver 4tet
2019-10-12 19:30 - 21:30 | Philadelphia Clef Club of Jazz & Performing Arts, 736 S. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA, United States
PNC Arts Alive is a multi-year, multi-million dollar grant initiative of PNC and the PNC Foundation, which receives its principal funding from The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. Now in its eleventh year, PNC Arts Alive challenges visual and performing arts organizations to put forth their best, most original thinking in expanding audience participation and engagement. A very prestigious grant, just over 30 organizations were selected in 2019 –and this notably includes several first-time grantees, through a newly expanded PNC Arts Alive initiative designed to support smaller, community-based arts and cultural organizations whose programming directly benefits the neighborhoods in which they operate.

The Philadelphia Clef Club of Jazz and Performing Arts (PCC) is excited to announce the second season of the PNC Arts Alive concert series, Jazz Cultural Voices. The first concert in this series features The Charles Tolliver 4tet, Saturday October 12, 2019 from 7:30 PM until 9:30 PM. This concert series is made possible by a grant provided through PNC Arts Alive, a multi-year, multi-million-dollar grant initiative of the PNC Foundation, which receives its principal funding from The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc.

Like the highly successful first season, the second season of PNC Arts Alive “Jazz Cultural Voices” will also feature ethnically diverse nationally recognized and emerging artists. Beginning with the Charles Tolliver 4tet in October, an artist will be presented in concert each month at the Clef Club’s 200 plus seat concert hall located on the Avenue of the Arts (736-38 South Broad Street Philadelphia, PA 19146) through August of 2020.

The Clef Club is delighted to kick off this season with the trumpet of Charles Tolliver. Mr Tolliver is known for his distinct sound, strong sense of tradition and unique approach to improvisation. World acclaimed on his own, he has recorded and performed with numerous jazz greats. Completing the Charles Tolliver 4tet are Buster Williams (bass), Lenny White(drums) and Victor Gould (piano).

Jazz Cultural Voices Finale
2019-08-17 19:30 - 21:30 | Philadelphia Clef Club of Jazz & Performing Arts, 736 S. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA, United States
PNC Arts Alive “Jazz Cultural Voices,” a series of 12 concerts and educational activities presented by the Philadelphia Clef Club of Jazz & Performing Arts during the 2018-2019 season. A year-long, once a month for twelve months, on the third Saturday – Open House style of events utilizing PCC’s 200 seat concert hall, and use of multiple music studios. The new initiative was created with the intent to expose audiences to unique and surprising connections between many musical genre-crossing. Jazz Cultural Voices is designed for patrons to experience different cultures through music and educational activities.

“Jazz Cultural Voices Finale” Featured Musicians:
Sumi Tonooka
Bobby Zankel
Monnette Sudler
Joseph Block/Dylan Band/Philadelphia Clef Club Community Big Band
Alfie Pollitt/George Bussey

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PAPO VÁZQUEZ QUARTET at South- 2 shows 7pm & 9pm
2019-08-17 19:00 - 20:30 | South Kitchen & Jazz Parlor, 600 N Broad St, Philadelphia, PA, 19130, United States
TWO SHOWS 7:00PM & 9:00PM

Monnette Sudler's "Guitars Around the World"
2019-07-20 19:30 - 22:00 | Philadelphia Clef Club of Jazz & Performing Arts, 736 S. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA, United States
Philadelphia Clef Club of Jazz and Performing Arts presents, PNC Arts Alive “Jazz Cultural Voices” concert, Monnette Sudler’s “Guitars Around the World” featuring Sambarta Rakshit on Sitar and Haroon Alam on Tablas. The amazing Jazz Guitarist Mark Whitfield and his Trio; The Electric Lady Land Project featuring extraordinary guitarists Sheryl Bailey and Vic Juris, joined by bassist Jerome Harris with Tommy Campbell on drums; Monnette Sudler “Guitars Around the World Ensemble.
Monnette’s music reflects her diverse exposure and love of varied genres. Her initial CD’s recorded for Steeplechase records within the instrumental jazz genre with straight ahead and funky grooves on guitar and an occasional sultry vocal styling Later CC’s on MSM-records and Discograph reflect a more eclectic blend of traditional and contemporary jazz, soul and poetry. Monnette plays bass as well as lead guitar, drums and various African string and/percussion instruments. She is a prolific composer and songwriter/poet. Ms. Sudler has been commissioned to score and or arrange for various ensemble configurations.
Featuring:
Mark Whitfield and his Trio
The Electric Lady Land Project
Shery Baley and McJuris
Jerome Harris and Tommy Campbell
Sambarta on Silar & Haroon Alam
David Gibson, drums
TNT Jones, bassist
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Philly Beats - the Music and Musicians
2019-06-15 19:30 - 21:30 | Philadelphia Clef Club of Jazz & Performing Arts, 736 S. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA, United States
PNC Arts Alive presents Jazz Cultural Voices. The PNC Arts Alive Initiative has demonstrated a belief in the Philadelphia Clef Club of Jazz & Performing Arts and a commitment to providing us with the funding that makes this event possible.
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“Philly Beats” – the Music and Musicians is a genre of late 1960s–1970s soul music characterized by funk influences and lush instrumental arrangements, often featuring sweeping strings and piercing horns. Celebrating the rich history of Philly’s R&B musical gifts to the world, under the direction of Alfie Pollitt, keyboards and George Bussey, alto saxophonist.
Alfred “Alfie” Pollitt, pianist, composer has written well over one hundred songs. Major jazz influences included John Coltrane, McCoy Tyner, Horace silver, and Jimmy Smith. These and other musical greats helped to shape and formulate Alfie’s diverse playing style. Throughout Alfie’s aspiring musical career he has had the fortunate opportunity to perform with a broad spectrum of prominent jazz and R & B performers, including Donald Byrd, Archie Shepp, Art Blakey, Norman Connors, Sister Sledge, Billy Paul, Stephanie Mills, George Howard and the Four Tops, along with Alfie’s own bands and ensembles.
Featuring:
Alfred “Alfie” Pollitt, keyboard
George Bussey, alto sax
Sam Reed, tenor sax
Harold Watkins, trombone
Charles Washington, trumpet
Paul Giess, trumpet
Robert ” Wa Wa ” Le Grand, guitar
Dennis Harris, guitar
Tony ” TNT ” Jones, bass
Carlos DeVaughn Railey, drums
Greg Moore, percussion
Sherry Wilson Butler,vocalist
Suzanne Burgess, vocalist
Shawn Wilson, vocalist

Warriors of the Wonderful Sound 4 Presents "Philadelphia Stories Original Music" feat. Ruth Naomi Floyd Ensemble
2019-06-06 19:30 - 21:30 | Philadelphia Clef Club of Jazz & Performing Arts, 736 S. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA, United States
RUTH NAOMI FLOYD is a gifted vocalist-composer who has been at forefront of creating vocal jazz settings that express Christian theology for over 17 years. As a leader, she has released several highly acclaimed recordings. Blessed with a soaring mezzo-soprano voice, critics have praised Ms. Floyd’s music for its distinctive sound of progressive ensemble jazz that is seamlessly blended with explicit Biblical messages of unwavering faith in God.
Ruth Naomi Floyd leads her own multi-faceted ensemble and her recordings consist primarily of original compositions. Her association as the co-founder of Contour Records ® affords her complete artistic freedom to record her own works and collaborate with a diverse range of musicians.
Ms. Floyd has recorded and/or performed with such notable instrumentalists as James Newton, Gary Thomas, James Weidman, Jay Hoggard, Bryan Carrott, Terri Lyne Carrington, Ralph Peterson, Jr., Uri Caine, Charles Fambrough, Julian Joseph, Craig Handy, Reggie Washington, Matthew Parrish, Mark Prince, Ed Howard, Tyrone Brown, John Patitucci, Byron Landrum, T.K. Blue, Bobby Zankel and Greg Tardy.
In 2000, Bobby Zankel, alto saxophonist and founder of the Warriors of the Wonderful Sound established the non-profit organization to be a platform dedicated to creating and promoting innovative and creative jazz. Over the past eighteen years, the organization has been able to present 150 performances that have included collaborations with Steve Coleman, Muhal Richard Abrams, Odean Pope, Dave Liebman, Rudresh Mahanthappa, Rene McLean, Don Byron, Oliver Lake, David Murray, Steve Lehman, Jaleel Shaw, Dave Burrell and others. The Warrior of the Wonderful Sound 4 would like to share resources and to join forces with other Philadelphia composers and performers and to present performances monthly of original music.
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Elio Villafranca
2019-05-18 19:30 | Philadelphia Clef Club of Jazz & Performing Arts, 736 S. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA, United States
PNC Arts Alive presents Jazz Cultural Voices. The PNC Arts Alive initiative has demonstrated a belief in the Philadelphia Clef Club of Jazz & Performing Arts and a commitment to providing us with the funding that makes this event possible.
Elio Villafranca will be the 9th presentation in the Jazz Cultural Voices lineup. Born in the Pinar del Río province of Cuba, Steinway Artist, Grammy Nominated, and 2014 Jalc Millennium Swing Award! recipient pianist and composer Elio Villafranca was classically trained in percussion and composition at the Instituto Superior de Arte in Havana, Cuba.
Since his arrival in the U.S. in mid 1995, Elio Villafranca is at the forefront of the latest generation of remarkable pianists, composers and bandleaders. His concert Letters to Mother Africa was selected by NYC Jazz Record as Best Concerts in 2016. In 2015, Mr. Villafranca was among the 5 pianists hand picked by Chick Corea to perform at the first Chick Corea Jazz Festival, curated by Chick him self at JALC. Elio Villafranca’s new album Caribbean Tinge (Motema), received a 2014 Preis der Deutschen Schallplattenkritik Nomination by the German Records Critics Award, as well has been selected by JazzTimes and DownBeat magazines for a feature on their very competitive section Editor’s Pick. He also received a 2010 Grammy Nomination in the Best Latin Jazz Album of the Year category. In 2008 The Jazz Corner nominated Elio Villafranca as pianist of the year. That year, Mr. Villafranca was also honored by BMI with the BMI Jazz Guaranty Award and received the first NFA/Heineken Green Ribbon Master Artist Music Grant for the creation of his Concerto for Mariachi, for Afro-Cuban Percussion and Symphony Orchestra. Finally, his first album, Incantations/ Encantaciones, featuring Pat Martino, Terell Stafford, and Dafnis Prieto was ranked amongst the 50 best jazz albums of the year by JazzTimes magazine in 2003.
Elio Villafranca- Piano

Featured Artists:
Vincent Herring -alto sax
Peter Slavov- acoustic bass
Charles Goold- drums
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2019 PCC Music Education Program Student Recital
2019-05-11 12:00 - 17:00 | Philadelphia Clef Club of Jazz & Performing Arts, 736 S. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA, United States
Most of the youth programs lead up to major concerts, performances, showcases and features. Recitals and the “showcasing” element of youth programs are essential to budding artists. It strengthens stage presence, promotes self esteem, reinforces improvisational skills, and allows youth a chance to experience praise as a reciprocal measure of their invested time and hard work. In addition, at various times throughout the year, youth ensembles are called on to perform at events.

Annually students participate in student recitals at the end of the school year.

Warriors of the Wonderful Sound 4 Presents "Philadelphia Stories Original Music" feat. the Monnette Sudler Group and the Dave Allen Group
2019-05-02 19:30 - 21:30 | Philadelphia Clef Club of Jazz & Performing Arts, 736 S. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA, United States
The Warriors of the Wonderful Sound will present Philadelphia Stories “guitar heaven.” It features two of the world’s most outstanding guitarists, both of whom are brilliant original composers leading their own groups. Both Monnette Sudler and Dave Allen are native Philadelphians, and past winners of the prestigious Kimmel Center Jazz grant.
Monnette Sudler’s music reflects her diverse exposure and love of varied genres. Her initial CD’s recorded for Steeplechase records, stays within the instrumental jazz genre with straight ahead and funky grooves on guitar and an occasional sultry vocal styling. Later CD’s on MSM-Records and Discograph reflect a more electric blend of traditional and contemporary jazz, soul and poetry. Monnette also plays bass as well as lead guitar, drums and various African string and/percussion instruments. She is a prolific composer and songwriter/poet. Ms. Sudler has been commission to score and or arrange for various ensemble configurations.
Dave Allen is one of a number of spitfire jazz guitarists raising the bar on that ever-popular instrument. But Allen offers more than battle-ready chops—his Untold Stories and Real and imagined are about original music, loftily conceived, with graceful melodic content and subtle rhythmic challenges. He’s got the pull to assemble world-class bands every time out.” -David Adler, Jazz Times Magazine. Dave Allen is one of the more distinctive voices on his instrument today. He has continually sought to forge a unique vision through his playing and writing, one that features lyrical melodies with lilting, complex rhythms and rich, intricate harmonies.
In 2000, Bobby Zankel, alto saxophonist and founder of the Warriors of the Wonderful Sound
established the non-profit organization to be a platform dedicated to creating and promoting innovative and creative jazz. Over the past eighteen years, the organization has been able to present 150 performances that have included collaborations with Steve Coleman, Muhal Richard Abrams, Odean Pope, Dave Liebman, Rudresh Mahanthappa, Rene McLean, Don Byron, Oliver Lake, David Murray, Steve Lehman, Jaleel Shaw, Dave Burrell and others. The Warrior of the Wonderful Sound 4 would like to share resources and to join forces with other Philadelphia composers and performers and to present performances monthly of original music.

Philadelphia Ambassador Big Band
2019-04-20 19:30 | Philadelphia Clef Club of Jazz & Performing Arts, 736 S. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA, United States
PNC Arts Alive presents Jazz Cultural Voices. The PNC Arts Alive initiative has demonstrated a belief in the Philadelphia Clef Club of Jazz & Performing Arts and a commitment to providing us with the funding that makes this event possible.
The Philadelphia Ambassador Big Band (PABB) is the 8th presentation in the Jazz Cultural Voices lineup. The band was founded by Dylan Band and Joseph Block. Since its inception in the summer of 2016, the band has taken off dramatically to become one of the top big bands to see in Philadelphia. PABB has performed at esteemed venues such as South Jazz Parlor, Chris’ Jazz Café, the Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival, the Community Unity Festival, the Philadelphia Clef Club of Jazz and Performing Arts, the MANN Music Center, and the Franklin Institute. PABB is rejuvenating the big band scene in Philly, while paying homage to the legendary writers, particularly Duke Ellington, Thad Jones, and Count Basie. In addition to honoring classic big band repertoire, our performances often feature arrangements written by members of the ensemble.
Jaleel Shaw, Guest Artist

Alto & Soprano saxophonist and bandleader, Jaleel Shaw, won the 2014 Downbeat Critics Poll’s for Rising Star Alto Saxophonist. He is a longtime member of the Roy Haynes Quartet, Tom Harrell’s “Colors Of A Dream” and has performed with Christian McBride, Jason Moran, the Mingus Big Band, Pat Metheny, Stefon Harris, Roy Hargrove, Chick Corea, Dave Holland, Jimmy Cobb and several others.
Born and raised in Philadelphia, PA, Shaw picked up the alto saxophone and surrounded himself with music at an early age. Immersing himself in the local jazz scene, he studied and performed with many of the city’s great musicians and educators and, following high school, received a full-tuition scholarship to attend Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA, where he received a dual degree in Music Education and Performance. While at Berklee, Shaw was awarded the Billboard Endowed Scholarship for Outstanding Academic and Musical achievement (1998), Woodwind Department Chair Awards (1998 & 2000), The Boston Jazz Society Award (1999) and The Outstanding Student Teacher Award (2000). He later received a scholarship to Manhattan School of Music in New York, where he obtained a Masters Degree in Jazz Performance.
Shaw’s debut album, Perspective (2005), received rave reviews from The New York Times and Jazzwise Magazine and All About Jazz named the album one of the top five debut albums of 2005; his composition “The Heavyweight Champion” received an ASCAP Young Jazz Composer Award.
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Ornette: Made in America
2019-04-17 18:00 - 20:00 | Philadelphia Clef Club of Jazz & Performing Arts, 736 S. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA, United States
Jam-All Productions is presenting on Wednesday, April 17th at the Philadelphia Clef Club of Jazz, 736-38 S. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19146, with a 6:00 PM screening of Ornette: Made in America, a film by Shirley Clark with a Panel Discussion featuring Denard Coleman and members of Ornette’s Prime Time Band who appear in the film. Admission is free and to RSVP contact the Philadelphia Clef Club at 215-893-9912 or info@clefclubofjazz.org.

Ornette: Made in America is essential for anyone hoping to understand the history of jazz and the fertile creative exchange that highlighted the 60’s and 70’s in America. It is a portrayal of the inner life of an artist-innovator.
The innovative techniques that director Shirley Clarke and producer Kathelin Hoffman Gray employed in this film very closely parallel the music of the man who is its subject. Clarke defied traditional documentary formats to reveal Ornette’s extraordinary vision through her equally extraordinary filmmaking artistry.
Ornette: Made In America captures Ornette Coleman’s evolution over three decades. Ornette came home to Fort Worth, Texas in 1983 as a famed performer and composer. Documentary footage, dramatic scenes and some of the first music video-style segments ever made, chronicle his boyhood in segregated Texas and his subsequent emergence as an American cultural pioneer and world-class icon. Among those who contribute to the film include William Burroughs, Brion Gysin, Buckminster Fuller, Don Cherry, Yoko Ono, Charlie Haden, Robert Palmer, Jayne Cortez and John Rockwell.

Warriors of the Wonderful Sound 4 Presents - Philadelphia Stories Original Music
2019-04-04 19:30 - 22:00 | Philadelphia Ambassadors Big Band, 1423 Sansom Street, Philadelphia, PA, United States
Freedom Cadre – Joe Borsellino, Pete Dennis, Joe Sullivan, Special Guest: David Murray
Wonder Sound 4 – Bobby Zankel, Sumi Tonooka, Richard Hill, Nazir Ebo
The first of the concert series presented will be David Murray who plays tenor saxophone and bass clarinet mainly. He has recorded prolifically for many record labels since the mid-1970. Murray was a founding member of the World Saxophone Quartet with Oliver Lake, Julius Hemphill and Hamiett Bluiett. He has recorded or performed with musicians such as Henry Threadgill, James Blood Ulmer, Olu Dara, Tani Tabbal, Butch Morris, Donald Fox, McCoy Tyner, Elvin Jones, Ed Blackwell, Jonny Dyani, Fred Hopkins and Steve McCall. David Murray’s use of the circular breathing technique has enabled him to play astonishingly long phrases.
The project is a partnership between the Philadelphia Clef Club and Warriors of the Wonderful Sound designed to stimulate Philadelphia’s creative music community to compose and perform original compositions and establish bands with consistent personnel.
In 2000, Bobby Zankel, alto saxophonist and founder of the Warriors of the Wonderful Sound established the non-profit organization to be a platform dedicated to creating and promoting innovative and creative jazz. Over the past eighteen years, the organization has been able to present 150 performances that have included collaborations with Steve Coleman, Muhal Richard Abrams, Odean Pope, Dave Liebman, Rudresh Mahanthappa, Rene McLean, Don Byron, Oliver Lake, David Murray, Steve Lehman, Jaleel Shaw, Dave Burrell and others. The Warrior of the Wonderful Sound 4 would like to share resources and to join forces with other Philadelphia composers and performers and to present performances monthly of original music.

Nabate Isles' Eclectic Excursions
2019-03-16 19:30 - 22:00 | Philadelphia Clef Club of Jazz & Performing Arts, 736 S. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA, United States
The Nabate Isles concert is made possible by a grant award from PNC Foundation, under the initiative PNC Arts Alive, “Jazz Cultural Voices” performance series.
Nabate Isles, Grammy Award winning Trumpeter and composer was born and raised in New York City. He received his BM from the Eastman School and MA from New York University. Since then he has made quite the name for himself performing, recording and touring with a plethora of artists including Mos Def, James Newton, Christian McBride, Dionne Reeves, Philip Bailey, Jeffrey Osborne, Steve Coleman, Rave Coltrane, the Migus Big Band, Rochester Pops Orchestra and the Jose Limon Dance Company. He was part of the Christian McBride Big Band’s Grammy winning album, “The Good Feeling” and performed with them at the White House for President Barack Obama.
Nabaté Isles’ varied career has taken him from the halls of the Eastman School of Music to the sports arena and back. As a trumpet soloist with Christian McBride, Nabaté is coming off a recent Grammy win – the band’s second win. As trumpeter and composer, in 2018, he released his first solo album, Eclectic Excursions – where he is joined by a “who’s who” of the jazz world. Nabate Isles formerly being a producer for SiriusXM NBA Radio, also hosts his own weekly television show called So Much to Talk About on MNN (Manhattan cable).
Nabaté Isles, Trumpet and Flügelhorn

Mark Whitfield, Guitar

Adam Klipple, Piano and Keyboards

Matt Penman, Acoustic and Electric Basses

Rudy Royston, Drums

Badia Farha, Guest Vocalist

“Vibing for Spring” | Warren Wolf & the Wolfpack | and the Divanation Singers (2 shows 7PM & 9:30PM) Discounts Available for Seniors and Students
2019-03-09 21:30 - 23:00 | Philadelphia Clef Club of Jazz & Performing Arts, 736 S. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA, United States
2 Shows 7PM and 9:30PM – get Tickets Now!
Discounts Available for Seniors and Students
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"Vibing for Spring" | Warren Wolf & the Wolfpack | and the Divanation Singers (2 shows 7PM & 9:30PM) Discounts Available for Seniors and Students
2019-03-09 19:00 - 21:00 | Philadelphia Clef Club of Jazz & Performing Arts, 736 S. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA, United States

Ronnie Burrage and Holographic Principle
2019-02-16 19:30 - 22:00 | Philadelphia Clef Club of Jazz & Performing Arts, 736 S. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA, United States
The Ronnie Burrage and Holographic Principle concert is made possible by a grant award from PNC Foundation, under the initiative PNC Arts Alive, “Jazz Cultural Voices” performance series.
Ronnie Burrage is considered one of the best jazz musicians on the world scene today. He is featured on more than 100 recordings; and has toured on all four continents from Siberia to South Africa to Japan. Ronnie’s latest productions, “Heal”, “Spirit Guides / Truth and Love Music” & “Blue Noise”, may be some of his greatest works. Ronnie’s musical biography is dynamic and vibrant. He has played with Wayne Shorter, Sonny Rollins, Pat Metheny, Jaco Pastorius. He has also worked with the great names in the music, Frank Morgan, Wallace Roney, Jackie & Rene McLean, James Moody, Gary Bartz, Archie Shepp, Reggie Workman, Joe Zawinul, Cedar Walton, Woody Shaw, McCoy Tyner, Pepper Adams, Michael Brecker. It is a catalog of jazz greats! In addition, Ronnie Burrage is an influential teacher, both privately and in significant institutions. He has served as an Adjunct Professor at The Pennsylvania State University and currently at State University of New York – Old Westbury, where he leads one of the most dynamic programs that incorporates History of Jazz and Music of World Cultures.
Prof Burrage is known not only for his virtuoso ability with all forms of percussion, but as an innovative composer and program designer who can put together dramatic musical programs which are deeply educational and altogether entertaining.

PCC Jazz Ensemble Performs for Martin Luther King Day Event
2019-01-21 15:00 - 16:00 | African American Museum in Philadelphia, 701 Arch Street , Philadelphia, PA, 19106
The Philadelphia Clef Club Music Education Program’s Jazz Ensemble will perform and honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
The Philadelphia Clef Club of Jazz & Performing Arts, which recently celebrated its 53rd anniversary, continues to be among the most successful and innovative music programs in history, which is not surprising considering the standard of excellence set by the programs Artistic Director, Lovett Hines and his dedicated staff. The number of successful, innovative, and dedicated young musicians who have attained their foundations at the Clef Club are prolific.

The Philadelphia Clef Club Music Education Program Presents the PCC Jazz Ensemble
2019-01-20 16:00 - 18:30 | Jazz Vespers, 2110 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA, United States
The Philadelphia Clef Club of Jazz & Performing Arts, which recently celebrated its 53rd anniversary, continues to be among the most successful and innovative music programs in history, which is not surprising considering the standard of excellence set by the programs Artistic Director, Lovett Hines and his dedicated staff. The number of successful, innovative, and dedicated young musicians who have attained their foundations at the Clef Club are prolific.

Philly Bloco
2019-01-19 19:30 - 22:00 | Philadelphia Clef Club of Jazz & Performing Arts, 736 S. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA, United States
The Philly Bloco concert is made possible by a grant award from PNC Foundation, under the initiative PNC Arts Alive, “Jazz Cultural Voices” performance series.
Philly Bloco is modeled after the blocos of Rio de Janeiro, with their large percussion sections and harmonic/vocal accompaniment. The group is comprised of twelve drummers, electric guitar, bass guitar, vocals, horn section, accordion, and Brazilian dancers. The group performs a raucous mash-up of samba, funk, reggae, and more made popular by both Brazilian and non-Brazilian artists including: Olodum, Timbalada, Monobloco, Bob Marley and Stevie Wonder. The one constant in the music is a heavy percussive element (12 drummers!) that is used to explore the tremendous range of Brazilian rhythms, applying the artists own unique creativity and energy to each arrangement.
The music is extremely high energy, full of passion and feeling. Philly Bloco wants to make people dance, feel good, and give them something to celebrate every time they perform.

Clef Club Student Recital
2018-12-22 13:00 - 16:00 | Philadelphia Clef Club of Jazz & Performing Arts, 736 S. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA, United States
Sharing Successes through Performances
The Music Education Program of the Philadelphia Clef Club will present its student recital on Saturday, December 22nd, at 1:00-4:00 PM.
Our semi-annual student recitals give students an opportunity to present to their friends and families a piece of music that has been mastered in the lessons. The decision to perform in public is always made between the instructor and the student. This experience enables students to gain feedback from their peers, feel more comfortable with performing, and develop confidence. Since recitals are also great motivators, they help instructors teach students how to develop stage presence, memorization, projection, communication and impact. By listening to others perform; students also broaden their exposure to many styles and instruments. Levels range from first year students to those with years of experience playing advanced repertoire on their experiences, camaraderie is built among attendees.

Charles Lloyd
2018-12-18 19:30 - 21:30 | Philadelphia Clef Club of Jazz & Performing Arts, 736 S. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA, United States
Feat. Charles Lloyd with Marcus Gilmore, Reuben Rogers on bass along with Julian Lage & Marvin Sewell on guitar
Charles Lloyd, saxophonist, flutist, composer, arranger and 2015 NEA Jazz Master; was born on March 15, 1938, in Memphis, TN. Lloyd’s fierce improvisational skills and interest in fusing jazz with non-Western musical styles established him as one of the key figures in the expansion and furthering of the art form. Whether playing standards, avant-garde, or world music, Lloyd’s emotional, elegant playing spurs on his fellow musicians.
Lloyd began playing saxophone at the age of nine, mentored by pianist Phineas Newborn. He also took saxophone lessons from Irvin Reason and composition studies with Willie Mitchell. His interest in jazz was cultivated by listening to the radio broadcasts featuring Charlie Parker, Coleman Hawkins, Billie Holiday, and Duke Ellington. As a teenager, he immersed himself in the local Memphis music scene, playing with George Coleman, Booker Little, Harold Mabern, and Frank Strozier, and as a sideman for Johnny Ace, Bobby “Blue” Bland, Howlin’ Wolf, and B.B. King (NEA National Heritage Fellow).
“This is a music of freedom and wonder. It uplifts, it inspires, it touches the heart, and it heals. It is transformational. Jazz is our indigenous art form and is constantly evolving while remaining deeply rooted in tradition and nourished by the American terroir. I have been drunk with the pursuit of ‘the sound’ all my life—and have been blessed to stand on the shoulders of those who came before me and gave encouragement—this is also part of the tradition.”

This show is now sold out and there are no further tickets available.

Philadelphia Clef Club Community Big Band
2018-12-15 19:30 - 21:30 | Philadelphia Clef Club of Jazz & Performing Arts, 736 S. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA, United States

Jamaaladeen Tacuma and The Gnawa Soul Experience Band
2018-11-17 19:30 | Philadelphia Clef Club of Jazz & Performing Arts, 736 S. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA, United States
PNC Arts Alive presents Jazz Cultural Voices. The PNC Arts Alive initiative has demonstrated a belief in the Philadelphia Clef Club of Jazz & Performing Arts and a commitment to providing us with the funding that makes this event possible.
In 2016 Jamaaladeen Tacuma was invited to perform in Morocco by Gnaou World Music Festival in Essaouira . The festival features and highlights Gnawa Fusion. Jamaaladeen brought together musicians from The USA, France and Austria to join him in his band Jamaaladeen Tacuma’s Baba Oud and he was paired with a Moroccan musician Maalem Haasan Bousso.
This experience sparked and inspiration and awakened memories of musical experiences early in his life as a musician.
This combination of ancient African Gnawa traditional instrumentation and musical themes along with Jamaaladeen’s sense of production in Funk, Jazz and groove mashes together a completely new sound fresh to the global listening audience. The music is powerful with emotion and intensity and for sure will bring the audience to their dancing feet.
For the special performance at the Philadelphia Clef Club of Jazz and Performing Arts, PNC Arts Alive Jazz Cultural Voices series, Jamaaladeen brings together Philadelphia musicians along with Moroccan musicians living in the USA to complete his band Jamaaladeen Tacuma and The Gnawa Soul Experience .
“The fusion with Gnawa music marks a milestone in my musical career carrying on the idea of bridging the musical gap culturally along with preserving and celebrating Jazz and Gnawa music and their rich repertoire of ancient African song, rhythm and dance. Long live America’s classical music-Jazz and long live Gnawa.”- Jamaaladeen Tacuma

Bobby Zankel and Warriors of the Wonderful Sound
2018-10-20 19:30 | Philadelphia Clef Club of Jazz & Performing Arts, 736 S. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA, United States
PNC Arts Alive presents Jazz Cultural Voices. The PNC Arts Alive initiative has demonstrated a belief in the Philadelphia Clef Club of Jazz & Performing Arts and a commitment to providing us with the funding that makes this event possible.
Zankel’s alto saxophone playing has been called “a unique amalgam of the rhythm and intricacy of bebop, with the soul and drive of hard bop, and the spirituality, creativity, and intensity of the avant-garde.”
Bobby’s concert composition is a four-part suite that musically depicts and expresses the musical mentor-disciple relationship between four major Jewish American jazz masters and their mentor inspirations, Stan Getz and Lester Young, Steve Lacy and Thelonious Monk, Lee Konitz and Charles Parker, Bobby Zankel and Ornette Coleman. These artistic relationships embody the best spirit of jazz and America.
Bobby states, “We will clearly depict and identify the true source.” In addition to the concert, the artists will present a panel discussion.
Zankel’s tenure in Philadelphia has been marked by a series of acclaimed commissions and collaborations with choreographers, visual artists, writers, Network for New Music, and Relâche funded by a variety of grants and awards. In 1995, he was awarded the prestigious Pew Fellowship.
Zankel’s compositions are characterized by a stunning blend of rhythmic layers, a highly personal complex chromatic harmonic language, and a hauntingly beautiful melodic lyricism. The seven CDs he has recorded, as a leader, have received outstanding reviews and five have been on the CD of the Year lists. Those seven CDs have featured such magnificent musicians as Johnny Coles, Odean Pope, Uri Caine, Ralph Peterrson Jr., Marilyn Crispell, Tyrone Brown, John Blake, and Sumi Tonooka.

Barry Harris Master Classes
2018-10-13 12:00 - 19:00 | Philadelphia Clef Club of Jazz & Performing Arts, 736 S. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA, United States
Barry Harris is an Internationally renowned Jazz Pianist, Composer and Teacher. Dr. Harris is the recipient of an Honorary Doctorate from Northwestern University. He has received the Living Jazz Legacy award from the Mid-Atlantic Arts Association, and an American Jazz Masters Fellowshipfrom the National Endowment for the Arts. In addition, Dr. Harris received the Manhattan Borough President Award for Excellence. This award was given for recognition of his devoted public service and in honor of excellence in the field of music. He received the 1999 Mentoraward for his work with youngsters at the Manhattan Country School in NYC.
Dr. Harris has devoted his life to the advancement of Jazz and in the 1980’s founded the Jazz Cultural Theatre. For the past several decades Dr. Harris has been an exponent of the classic Jazz style that was developed by Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Bud Powell, Thelonious Monk and Coleman Hawkins
Dr. Barry Harris receives frequent request to appear as a guest lecturer by Universities and various musical venues all over the world. His lectures and interactive instrument and vocal workshops focus on the complete aspects of music including improvisation, harmonic movement and theory. His schedule includes lectures in the United States, Holland, Italy, Spain, Switzerland and Japan. When he is not travelling, Dr. Harris holds weekly music workshop sessions in New York City for vocalists, students of piano other instruments.

Don Gardner Celebration of Life
2018-10-12 18:30 - 21:30, 2018-10-11 18:30 - 21:30 | Philadelphia Clef Club of Jazz & Performing Arts, 736 S. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA, United States

Sumi Tonooka Trio
2018-09-15 19:30 | Philadelphia Clef Club of Jazz & Performing Arts, 736 S. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA, United States
PNC Arts Alive presents Jazz Cultural Voices. The PNC Arts Alive initiative has demonstrated a belief in the Philadelphia Clef Club of Jazz & Performing Arts and a commitment to providing us with the funding that makes this event possible.
Sumi Tonooka (pronounced To-NO-ka) is the first artist to be presented in the Jazz Cultural Voices lineup. She has been called a “fierce and fascinating composer and pianist” (Jazz Times), “provocative and compelling” (New York Times), and “continually inventive, original, surprising, and a total delight,” (Cuadranos de Jazz, Madrid).
During a career spanning more than 30 years that has taken her from bases in Philadelphia & Boston, to New York & Seattle, Tonooka has been developing a body of work that surprises and delights audiences – quietly piling up accolades from jazz writers and fellow musicians.
Her recent activity as a composer includes receiving the Music Alive: New Partnerships
residency with The South Dakota Symphony Orchestra through New Music USA to take place in November 2015. The residency will culminate with a premier of her symphonic work Full Circle and a new work for woodwind quintet.
Tonooka is also a recent recipient of the 2105 Artist Trust award and received the Carl & Jini Dellaccio GAP title to compose a new jazz chamber work Driftwood.
In addition to her symphonic and chamber works, jazz recordings and performances, Tonooka has composed over a dozen film scores, including the Academy Award-nominated Family Gathering by Lise Yasui and Daring To Resist by Martha Lubell, aired on PBS. She is also featured in A Note of Hope, released in 2011, a full-length documentary from Citygate Films on the youngest victiims of HIV/AIDS in Africa. She toured West Africa as part of a sextet featuring her musical compadre of two decades, jazz violinist John Blake, Jr. Their recorded output includes A New Beginning: Live at The Village Gate, Kindred Spirits (as a duo), and the Traveler featuring Boris Koslov on bass and Johnathan Blake on drums. As a member of the Rufus Reid Quintent, Tonooka appears on the CD and DVD The Rufus Reid Quintent: Live at the Kennedy Center (Motema). The group appeared at Dizzy’s Club Cocoa Cola at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York in 2007 for the release performance.
Tonooka’s career has been chronicled on several highly regarded jazz books, including Living the Jazz Life by Royal Stokes, ln The Moment by Francis Davis, and Madame Jazz by Leslie Gourse (all on Oxford University Press). As a professional response to an inherent void within the music industry, Tonooka, along with alto saxophonist Chris Burnett and tenor saxophonist Erica Lindsay, co-founded the Artists Recording Collective (ARC), an internationally recognized brand and professional recording label. She now divides her time between her responsibilities as the Chief, Public Relations Officer for ARC, composing and performing for an increasingly widespread audience of jazz aficionados. In his liner notes to pianist, composer and educator Sumi Tonooka’s fifth CD, Long Ago Today, journalist Russ Musto restated his praise from thirty years ago:”…it has been a pleasure to hear her blossom into one of the most talented musicians of her generation.”
