Wednesday, September 20th, 2017 – 7pm

Tenor Madness: Featuring Sam Reed

Philadelphia Clef Club Of Jazz And The Performing Arts

738 S Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19146

RSVP HERE

 

Tenor Madness is a musical ensemble formed through the instigation of the Philadelphia Jazz project for a Pop Up concert at the Reading Terminal Market in 2014. Since then the ensemble has performed several times including at last year’s Coltrane At 90 Celebration. The group has been led by veteran saxophonist and bandleader, Sam Reed and has featured a who's’ who of Philadelphia area saxophonists, including Charles Cunningham, Tim Price, Elliott Levin, Carl Grubbs, Korey Riker, Yesseh Ali, Michael Pedicin, Larry McKenna, Gilberto Cruz, Pete Chavez, and Julian Pressley. The name Tenor Madness is a tribute to the 1956 Sonny Rollins recording of the same name that is most notable as being the only known recording featuring both saxophone giants, Sonny Rollins and John Coltrane.

 

This concert will feature: Sam Reed, Charles Cunningham, George Barron, Tim Price, Terry Lawson, Pete Chavez, Julian Pressley, Dylan Band, Josh Lee - saxophones,  Kenny Davis - bass,  Jeff Johnson - drums. With special guest vocalist, Kevin Valentine and Greg Snyder - guitar.

 

Saxophonist Sam Reed has been a leading member of the Philadelphia jazz and music scene for over 60 years. Sam attended the legendary Mastbaum Vocational and Technical School, which boasted a great music program and includes Lee Morgan, Ted Curson and Buddy DeFranco among its alums and was inspired to play music through his friendship with Albert "Tootie" Heath, the youngest of the Heath Brothers.

 

Sam also did studio work with Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff, who later built Philadelphia International Records. This led to an opportunity for Sam to work as music director for Teddy Pendergrass for many years. Currently, Sam fronts his own group and also works with Odean Pope's "Saxophone Choir". Mr. Reed's musical gift has taken him from the Philadelphia area to the international music scene, and he continues to give back through his work and dedication to the art.

 

PJP spoke with saxophonist, Sam Reed about the upcoming Tenor Madness concert.

 

PJP: Is this Tenor Madness project important?

 

Sam Reed: Of course it is. It represents two of the greatest saxophonists of this modern era: John Coltrane and Sonny Rollins.

 

PJP: You gentlemen have gotten together a couple of times to perform as Tenor Madness, what's it like to work with such a magnificent team?

 

Sam Reed: It helps each one of us to express ourselves, as we celebrate these two giants. The members of the group change, but the spirit of tribute, celebration and fun carries on. We really try to enjoy ourselves and that's what music is about. We hope that the audiences have enjoyed our presentations too.

 

We are happy to have special guest vocalist, Kevin Valentine with us this time. He's joined by guitarist, Greg Snyder. So, we will have some crooning in the house as well.

 

PJP: What should the audience be expecting?

 

Sam Reed: The audience should be ready to witness a some rarities: A saxophone dominant group, a crooner backed by a big sax section, as well as a fun-loving, high-spirited, get-down-and-boogie show. It's not everyday that we get those kinda things. As [Philly saxophonist] Jimmy Oliver used to say, "Some may come and some may go, but Jazz is here for "ever mo".

 

Check out Tenor Madness at Reading Terminal Market

 

Kevin Valentine is a Philadelphia-based Jazz singer, who was born and bred in New York City. He was an early member of the Boys Choir of Harlem where, he first met Philly’s ubiquitous bass player, Mike Boone. Kevin has done “Amateur Night at the Apollo” and performed at New York City clubs such as Smoke, The West End and Somethin’ Jazz Café. Since coming to Philly to attend law school, Kevin has  soaked up the city’s rich jazz culture. He has performed at Zanzibar Blue, Pyramid Club, Rembrandt’s, Philadelphia Museum of Art, Ortlieb’s Jazzhaus, La Rose, Calabash, and Chris’s Jazz Cafe. Kevin was nominated Best Male Jazz Vocalist of 2013 by the Clef Club of Philadelphia and his CD, JazzVox provides insight into his approach to the music.

 

Check out Kevin Valentine performing Strayhorn/Ellington's classic, "Pretty Girl."

Wednesday, September 20th, 2017 – 7pm

Tenor Madness: Featuring Sam Reed

Philadelphia Clef Club Of Jazz And The Performing Arts

738 S Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19146

RSVP HERE

 

PARTNERS:

This celebration is presented by the Philadelphia Jazz Project, in collaboration with WRTI, PhillyCAM, Free Library of Philadelphia, Philadelphia Clef Club of Jazz & Performing Arts, South Jazz Cafe, Rittenhouse Soundworks, Jazz Near You, City of Philadelphia, Office of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, Fairmount Park Conservancy, East Fairmount Park Coalition, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation.

 

                                      

         

 

 

Follow PJP, like us, or just check us out at our pages on these social media platforms...

 

 

    

Celebrating Coltrane 2017 was made possible by support from the The Wyncote Foundation / Philadelphia Jazz Project is a sponsored project of CultureTrust Greater Philadelphia, with funding provided by The Wyncote Foundation.