The women of jazz in Philadelphia can fill a book with the historic likes of Monette Sudler, Billie Holiday, Shirley Scott, Nina Simone, Suzanne Cloud, Sonia Sanchez, and more, making this city beloved in the annals of America’s classical music. To show off the progress and talent of Philly’s new and next best when it comes to female jazz players, Chris’ Jazz Café is dedicating a week’s worth of shows and programming to Women Instrumentalists in Jazz: The New Generation at Chris’ Jazz Café’s Sisterhood of Jazz from July 24 to July 27, with an afternoon’s workshop event run by one of the Philly scene’s best known and loved names with a Women in Music Workshop run by the aforementioned Suzanne Cloud PhD and focusing on how relationships and success are built from the bottom up.
Music festivals may be a dime a dozen at this point, but a fest dedicated to (mostly) Philly jazz women is cool, correct, and right on time.
“My appreciation for Philadelphia jazz is indefinitely embedded in its history and the importance of learning about all the Philly jazz greats,” is what local trombonist Laura Orzehoski told the Jazz Philadelphia website about her life and Temple University studies in jazz. Saturday’s Chris’ headliner should know about progress as she is currently part of Temple University’s Jazz Band under the direction and tutelage of Philly trumpeter and composer Terell Stafford. “The Philadelphia jazz scene is a great way for young musicians like myself to get started and learn from the great musicians that live and play here currently.”
Chris’ Jazz Café’s Women Instrumentalists in Jazz: The New Generation actually starts on Wednesday, July 24, with a New Yorker, saxophonist Sarah Hanahan, and her Quartet. But don’t hold that against her – she’s pursuing her Master’s Degree in Jazz Performance at The Juilliard School, and Hanahan has sold out Chris’ Jazz Café in the past, so Philly loves her tenor roar.
Next, for two shows on Thursday, July 25, is West Philadelphia-bred-and-based vibraphonist Hudson River. Who, at 25 years old, has a youth playing mallet and auxiliary percussion in Upper Darby High School’s drumline before going on to becoming a much-loved street performer? That’s heart.
Friday, July 26 hosts a double dose of Philly as trombonist-singer-educator Hailey Brinnel’s Quintet welcomes special guest local trumpeter Summer Carmargo. Brinnel was a finalist in the 2021 Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition, was featured on Spotify’s “Best Vocal Jazz of 2022” editorial playlist, and was named one of GRAMMY.com‘s “10 Emerging Jazz Artists to Watch,” so if you like credits, Friday is the show to attend.
Earlier in the afternoon of trombonist Laura Orzehoski Quartet’s Chris’ set, get to the Samson Street café at 2 p.m. for a free Sisterhood of Jazz Series: Women in Music Workshop on July 27 with Suzanne Cloud PhD. Here, the heroic local jazz musician, writer, researcher, and Project Director of the Philadelphia Jazz Legacy Project will host a workshop “focusing on building success through relationships and developing a tool kit as a young artist,” goes its legend.
The free workshop from Cloud is very cool, and anyone who cares about jazz and music-making in general should be there. Still, I suggest you grab some cash and pay it forward for the four nights of Women Instrumentalists in Jazz: The New Generation at Chris’ Jazz Café’s Sisterhood of Jazz.
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