This post serves as a notice to anyone reading that this will be my last post to Surround Sound, for now.
I created this blog as part of a college journalism class and have reached the final required post for the semester. At this time, I plan to take a break from writing on this site but I can promise that I will be back with more content.
For those of you who have happened across this blog and took a minute to browse — thank you. It means a great deal to me to know that others showed interest in this topic.
I have always loved music and, for much of my life, played music, so writing with a focus on the places that promote musicians like myself has been a treat.
My hope for this blog is to continue to highlight venues in the tri-state area as my work has only begun. However, like I said in my initial introductory post to Surround Sound, I do not want to limit the reach of how far this blog could eventually branch out.
And now, before I sign off, here are five of, in my opinion, the most successful posts that I’ve made over the past few months.
Trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie performing on July 20, 1991. Gillespie, who began his career in Philadelphia, was a trumpet extraordinaire and helped build the bebop style. -Photo from Wikipedia
Many notable jazz figures have come through the City of Brotherly Love at one point or another in their respective careers. The list includes, but is not limited to, names such as Bessie Smith (known as The Empress of the Blues), John Coltrane (saxophonist), Dizzy Gillespie (trumpeter), Philly Joe Jones (drummer) and Sun Ra (composer/bandleader).
At the dawn of the Philadelphia jazz movement in the early 20th century, the Standard Theatre on 12th and South Street and the Dunbar Theatre on South and Broad Street were two venues that provided a performance outlet for jazz musicians.
What began as a style of music developed by the African-American community, jazz pushed past race and ethnicity, becoming an interest to the city’s diverse population.
Now, some 100 or so years later, the culture of jazz in Philadelphia continues to flourish, as musicians look to the city’s storied past for new and innovative ways to add to the jazz landscape.
With a never-ending line of up-and-coming players, the importance of a stage to showcase jazz is always a necessity to the city. Though the number of venues had faced a decline over the last decade, a surge of locations new and old are proving that there will always be a place for jazz in Philadelphia.
Below is a map of venues, as well as a couple festivals, in the city that are geared toward live jazz.
Here are some of the places in detail:
Chris’ Jazz Cafe Sansom Street
With jazz performances six nights a week, Chris’ Jazz Cafe is one of the few premier jazz spots in the city.
In its 25th anniversary year, Chris’ Jazz Cafe is a staple of live jazz in Philadelphia.
“Chris’ has something new and familiar for anyone who walks on the scene,” general manager Mary Harris said. “We present over 500 Jazz shows per year.”
The restaurant has a casual setting geared to an all-ages crowd. Chris’ offers jazz six nights a week, ranging from local musicians to international acts.
“We have set the tone for the jazz community by providing a full array of jazz styles for the past 25 years,” Harris said. “The city of Philadelphia has a great history when it comes to jazz, so I believe our company has helped jazz remain relevant in the Center City area.”
Ortlieb’s North 3rd Street
Ortlieb’s opened under the new name Ortlieb’s Lounge in 2012, two years after closing.
After years as a legendary jazz club in the Northern Liberties neighborhood of Philadelphia, Ortlieb’s Jazzhaus closed down in 2010.
Then, just two years later, a new management team took over the bar and reopened it as Ortlieb’s Lounge, a venue offering jazz, rock and funk music six nights a week.
Time Sansom Street
Originating five years ago, Time is a restaurant and bar that offers evening jazz and other live musical performances.
Time is one of the newcomers to the city’s jazz music scene, opening in April 2008. With a three-room set up, Time blends a restaurant, bar and live music venue into one location.
“When we opened there weren’t a ton of clubs/venues left,” general manager Tim Heuisler said. “There weren’t a lot offering food and beverage and live bands.”
Time hosts live music every night of the week with two performances a night, making it unique among many places in the city. Dinner music sets are quieter, then later in the evening sets becomes more involved with bigger bands.
The restaurant tries to keep the bands and musicians brought in Philly-based, Heuisler said, and does not sell tickets, which retains a local crowd.
“We get specific people coming in for the bar and some specifically for the musicians,” Heuisler said. “I like to think, as far as I’m concerned, the majority of musicians love playing here.”
Asbury Park, N.J. may not jump right out to you as one of the country’s top live music hubs. In fact, there’s a strong chance that people reading this from places outside of the New Jersey tri-state area may not have an even heard of the coastal city.
But for any supporter of live music and the clubs fighting to keep it alive should immediately familiarize themselves with Asbury Park.
A few streets in from the boardwalk and the shore, you will find a number of venues that host both original music and cover bands.
The crown jewel of the city’s musical landscape is The Stone Pony, a world-famous rock-and-roll venue located on Ocean Avenue that has been a starting point for musicians and bands such as Bruce Springsteen, The Ramones and Jon Bon Jovi and has provided its stage to names such as Meatloaf, Joan Jett and Blue Oyster Cult.
The Stone Pony opened its doors over 40 years ago and still continues to draw in international acts for both its indoor and Summer Stage shows.
Asbury Lanes and The Saint are two other historic Asbury Park music spots, both promoting original music more toward the punk/rock genre.
The former was the earliest venue in Asbury Park, opening in 1961 on Fourth Avenue. Along with bands, Asbury Lanes hosts films, art and burlesque shows and has a bowling alley (hence “Lanes”).
Located more inland on Main Street, The Saint first started hosting music acts in the mid 90s. The venue welcomes back many local and nationally-touring bands again and again, with Incubus, Cake and Deftones just a few of the well-known bands to have come through The Saint.
Click the link below for a timeline of major events in the history of the Asbury Park music scene.
Surround Sound 