Philadelphia is often hailed as one of the greatest music cities in the country. Genres such as R&B, soul, rock, funk, disco, and hip-hop can all trace their roots to Philly. When it comes to jazz, Philadelphia has been incredibly influential in the development of the genre. Since its embryonic stage, Philly has been the launching pad of some of the most celebrated artists in jazz.
Dr. Diane Turner, curator of the Charles L. Blockson Afro-American Collection at Temple University and author of Philadelphia Jazz (Images of America) shared her insight about the history of Philadelphia jazz
“The city of Philadelphia is a cradle of jazz. It has a rich and significant jazz history that can be traced back to Black musical organizations in the nineteenth century,” Turner told Billy Penn.
On the current scene, standard-bearers of jazz include the likes of Arnetta Johnson, Deborah Smith, Jonathan Blake, Jaleel Shaw, Justin Faulkner, Daud El-Bakara, Nazir Ebo, Chris Lewis, and more who are keeping jazz alive as innovative musicians.
The city pays tribute to its musical legacy with a series of performances throughout the month of April as part of Jazz Appreciation Month.
While not an all-encompassing list, to pay homage to some of the legends of the genre and to commemorate Jazz Appreciation Month, here are ten legendary jazz musicians from Philadelphia you need to know.
1. John Coltrane – Saxophonist
A creative mastermind of the highest order, John Coltrane’s name is etched in the annals of history as one the greatest musicians of all time. While born in North Carolina, Coltrane moved to Philadelphia where he studied music following a stint in the U.S. Navy. In 1952, Coltrane purchased a home at 1511 North 33rd Street in the Strawberry Mansion section of Philadelphia which is now a National Historic Landmark.
He would go on to collaborate with other greats such as Miles Davis, Thelonious Monk, and Duke Ellington. As a band leader, he recorded pioneering projects such as “In a Sentimental Mood,” “A Love Supreme,” and “Giant Steps.” Although he died at 40 years old, his legacy still looms large throughout the city in murals bearing his likeness.
2. Billie Holiday – Vocalist
Before becoming the incomparable Billie Holiday, “Lady Day” was born Eleanora Fagan in Philadelphia in 1915. Eventually, she relocated to Harlem where she was discovered by producer John Hammond and would make her first recording with a group led by clarinetist star-in-the-making Benny Goodman.
When she broke out on her own, she would change jazz forever. She recorded “Strange Fruit,” which detailed the lynching of Black people across the country. With Arthur Herzog, Jr., she penned “God Bless The Child,” which would become a standard in the American songbook. She died at the age of 44, but her music continued to live on. Proving her lasting legacy, the film “The United States vs. Billie Holiday,” starring Andra Day as “Lady Day,” was released in 2021.
3. The Heath Brothers
Without question, The Heath Brothers are a musical institution in Philadelphia. Comprised of brothers Jimmy (tenor saxophone), Percy (bass), and Albert “Tootie” Heath (drums); and pianist Stanley Cowell. Grammy Award-winning songwriter and producer Mtume (percussion), the son of Jimmy, also played with the group.
The group would release many LPs including “Marchin’ On” (1975), “Paris ’76” (1976), “Passin’ Thru” (1978), “Live at the Public Theatre” (1979), “In Motion” (1979), “Expressions of Life” (1980), “Brotherly Love” (1981), and many more. While Percy, Jimmy, Albert, and Mtume have all passed away, their contributions to the Philadelphia Jazz scene will never be forgotten.
4. Stanley Clarke – Bassist
A trailblazing virtuoso on the bass, Stanley Clarke is a legendary figure in jazz and pop music. He broke boundaries by proving that a bassist could be a bandleader and star as he played to sold-out crowds across the globe with commercially successful albums.
A Philadelphia native, Clake came to prominence after graduating from the University of the Arts and launched his career when relocated to New York City. He formed Return to Forever with Chick Corea which is hailed as one of the first jazz fusion bands and established The Stanley Clarke Band. A decorated musician, Clarke is a five-time Grammy winner and has written scores for films including “Pee-wee’s Playhouse,” “Boyz n the Hood,” “Passenger 57,” and “What’s Love Got to Do with It.”
5. Christian McBride – Bassist
While the term “genius” can be used lightly today, Christian McBride lives up to the description. An eight-time Grammy winner and Newport Jazz Festival Artistic Director is one of the most versatile musicians on the scene today playing pizzicato, with the bow on the upright bass or the electric bass with equal dexterity.
He is a prolific recording artist, composer-arranger-producer, and educator. Trained at the Philadelphia High School for Creative and Performing Arts and Juilliard School, he went on to play with jazz greats such as Joe Henderson, Freddie Hubbard, Herbie Hancock, Roy Haynes, Pat Metheny, and Chick Corea. He would go on to form the Christian McBride Band and The Philadelphia Experiment with drummer Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson and with Uri Caine.
Currently, he’s the host and producer of “The Lowdown: Conversations With Christian” on SiriusXM satellite radio and National Public Radio’s “Jazz Night in America,” a weekly radio show and multimedia collaboration between WBGO, NPR and Jazz at Lincoln Center.
6. Stan Getz – Tenor Saxophonist
Stan Getz was an acclaimed, Grammy Award-winning tenor saxophonist who was nicknamed “The Sound,” for his beautiful tone. He made a name for himself in the genre playing in bebop and cool jazz following the influence of his hero Lestery Young.
With his unique style, he helped take Bossa Nova to the mainstream with his hit song “The Girl from Ipanema” in 1964. Over the course of his illustrious career, Getz would explore styles of jazz and play with other legendary artists.
In 1972, Getz recorded the jazz fusion album “Captain Marvel” with Chick Corea, Stanley Clarke, and Tony Williams. Although he passed away in 1991, Getz’s wide-ranging career in jazz had left an indelible imprint on the genre.
7. Bootsie Barnes – Tenor Saxophonist
A giant of Philadelphia jazz, Robert “Bootsie” Barnes was a celebrated tenor saxophonist and advocate of the genre throughout his career. Coming to prominence in the1950s, Barnes played with Lee Morgan, Spanky DeBreast, Philly Joe Jones, Al “Tootie” Heath, Lex Humphries, and Bill Cosby (yes, the comedian) who was his good friend and a drummer.
He also holds the distinction of playing with noted organists Shirley Scott, Jimmy Smith, Don Patterson, Jimmy McGriff, Joey DeFrancesco, and more. From 1971-1974, he served as the youngest-ever assistant secretary of Philadelphia’s only Black Local #274 American Federation of Musicians.
His talents took him across the world as an ambassador of Philly jazz. After years of being “the consummate Philadelphia musician,” Barnes passed away in 2020.
8. McCoy Turner (Pianist)
Alfred McCoy Tyner was regarded as one the most influential pianists and composers of his era. The five-time Grammy Award winner was one of the first pianists to incorporate electric keyboards or synthesizers in his world.
Tyner began piano lessons at age 13 at Granoff School of Music, where he had also studied music theory and was influenced by the stylings of Bud Powell and Thelonious Monk. Launching his career, he joined the quartet of John Coltrane and composed many songs. He played on Coltrane’s “My Favorite Things” (1961), “A Love Supreme” (1964), and many more. Known for an energetic style, Tyner embraced influence from African, Latin, Eastern, and bebop rhythms. Tyner was named a 2002 NEA Jazz Master by the National Endowment for the Arts and was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Music from Berklee College of Music.
9. Shirley Scott (Organist)
One of the underrated sheroes of Philly jazz, Shirley Scott is an amazing pianist and organist who broke barriers in the jazz world. Known as “Queen of the Organ,” Scott mastered the Hammond B-3 organ and was a progenitor of small-group jazz.
Melding gospel and blues for a fresh new jazz sound, Scott launched her solo career in the mid-1950s where she played with a young John Coltrane and Eddie “Lockjaw” Davis. She began her solo career in 1958 where she went on to record an extensive discography of 23 albums.
By the 1990s, Scott suffered from heart damage from the diet drug fen-phen which caused her health to deteriorate. In 2000, she won $8 million dollars in a lawsuit against the manufacturers of the drug. She died from heart failure in Philadelphia in 2002.
10. Benny Golson (saxophonist)
Born in Philadelphia, Benny Golson, at 95 years old, stands as the sole living jazz artist credited with composing eight standards for the jazz repertoire.
Among his iconic compositions are “Killer Joe,” “Along Came Betty,” “Stablemates,” “Whisper Not,” “Blues March,” “Five Spot After Dark,” “Are You Real?,” and “I Remember Clifford,” a heartfelt homage to the renowned trumpeter Clifford Brown, who hailed from Wilmington.
Golson’s timeless jazz classics have transcended borders, gracing countless recordings worldwide and continuing to inspire musicians to this day. Golson’s unparalleled contributions to jazz not only establish him as an innovator but also redefine the essence of the genre itself.
His legendary status was enshrined in the Philadelphia Music Alliance’s Walk of Fame in 2016.
