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Aug. 24th 2004 TLA Artist info:
Charlie Gracie of South Philadelphia big hit was "Butterfly "
a pop/rockabilly hybrid going all the way to number one. Gracie had most of
his subsequent success in Britain; "Fabulous," "Wanderin' Eyes," and
"I Love You So Much It Hurts" all went to the Top 20 there in 1957, and
Gracie was one of the first American rockers to tour the U.K. His #1 hit
'Butterfly' put Philly's Cameo Records on the map.
Charlie continues to tour Europe every year and plays every summer in New
Jersey. Check Charlie's web site for concert/show info: www.charliegracie.com
The Orlons
of Philadelphia had some dance and novelty gems in the early '60s for
Cameo-Parkway. The "The Wah Watusi" in 1962; it was a number five R&B
and number two pop hit, while the follow-ups, "Don't Hang Up" and
"South Street," were also Top Ten R&B and pop successes. "Not Me"
was their fourth consecutive R&B Top Ten winner in 1963, and it peaked
at number 12 pop. In December 2003 the Orlons performed on the PBS TV special
'At The Drive-In' with Fabian as the host. Contact Stephen Caldwell @: goodmusic.1@netzero.com
Byard Lancaster, an avant-gardist of
Philadelphia and an advanced improviser who is not shy to show the influence of
blues and soul in his solos. Multi-instrumentalist Lancaster (alto, tenor &
soprano saxophones, flutes, clarinets, piano) and Pennsylvania's first jazz lobbyist was, with Sonny
Sharrock, Dave Burrell and Eric Gravatt, part of a second generation of
African-American "new jazz" players who viewed themselves as John
Coltrane's spiritual heirs or "John's Children", committed to the same
"healing" energies inherent in the jubilant scream. Byard played with
Sunny Murray in 1965, worked with Bill Dixon (1966-67), Sun Ra (between
1968-71) and fellow Philadelphian McCoy Tyner (1971-77). Byard has also
played on recordings with blues artist Johnny Copeland. Byard recorded an
album for Atlantic Records in 1967 with Philadelphia producer Joel Dorn.
Byard has recently completed a successful tour of France & Jamaica
this year (2004). Contact Byard Lancaster @: BYARDJAZZ@aol.com
Rufus Harley, Philadelphia's only
jazz bagpipe specialist, proved that jazz can be played on any instrument. He
was originally a saxophonist and took up the bagpipes in the early '60s. Harley
recorded two albums for Atlantic during 1965-1967. Rufus has played with Dexter
Gordon and, in addition to many projects under his own name, recorded with the
likes of Sonny Stitt, Sonny Rollins and Herbie Mann. Rufus studied with
Philadelphian Dennis Sandole, who taught such luminaries as Charlie Parker and
James Moody. He has also crossed over to the rock & hip-hop world recording
in the 80's with Laurie Anderson & in the 90's on the Roots
album Do You Want More?!!!??!. Rufus has just toured France this year
(2004) with Byard Lancaster.
The Soul Survivors popularity
grew especially in the Atlantic City - Philadelphia area & they attracted
the attention of record producers Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff. Their meeting
resulted in the recording of "Expressway To Your Heart". The record was a
smash reaching number one on all regional charts and number four on Billboard's
national chart. Written and produced by Gamble and Huff, it would be that duo's
first "crossover" hit and would serve as a cornerstone of what would later
become known as "The Sound Of Philadelphia". In polls taken by the
Philadelphia Inquirer and Philadelphia's City Paper, "Expressway" was
voted the number one record ever to come out of Philadelphia. Today Charlie
& Richie Ingui have released a new Soul Survivors CD titled
'Released'. For more Soul Survivors info &
booking: http://www.thesoulsurvivors.com
Nazz
formed in Philadelphia (1967) with Todd Rundgren, Robert 'Stewkey'
Antoni, Carson Van Osten & Thom Mooney. Their single "Hello It's Me"
reached # 71. After Nazz broke up Stewkey was in the the bands 'Sick Man
of Europe' and 'Fuse' with Rick Nielson & Tom Petersson of
Cheap Trick. Today Stewkey leads Nazz II. Stewkey
revives The Nazz for the International Pop Overthrow by A.D. Amoroso
http://citypaper.net/articles/2003-11-06/music3.shtml
For more
Stewkey & Nazz II info: www.stewkey.com
Essra Mohawk a Philadelphia singer-songwriter was the
first woman in Frank Zappa's band, the Mothers of Invention. She sang
with the Jerry Garcia Band (Rhino's box set 'All Good Things'). Essra has
written songs for Cyndi Lauper ('Change Of Heart' #3 hit), Tina Turner,
Keb' Mo' Lorrie Morgan & the Shangri-Las to name a few. Rolling Stone
magazine review (2000) by David Fricke: ' Mohawk was a prodigious diva whose
thrilling vocal sensuality and jazzy reveries on 1970 'Primordial Lovers'
& 1974's Essra Mohawk have lost none of their confessional luster' (now
resurrected by Rhino Handmade web-only imprint).
Look for Essra's
new Evidence release, "You're Not Alone". More info on Essra and her
summer homecoming tour: http://www.rockersusa.com/EssraMohawk
Philadelphia's
American Dream were the 'first' act signed to the Albert Grossman
(manager of Dylan, Janis Joplin, the Band) record label Bearsville/Ampex
Records in 1969. The album was produced by Philly's former Nazz man
Todd Rundgren. The Dream were the local Be-In
& Electric Factory crowd favorite. Don Lee Van Winkle guitarist /
vocalist / songwriter & Nicky Indelicato lead vocals/guitar continue
to play the Philly area regularly & play as the American Dream on
'special' occasions such as this one.
Dream archives: http://www.geosound.org/the-american-dream.htm
Winkle: http://www.radioactiveproductions.com/usp/winkle.html
Tommy Conwell
(guitarist/songwriter) first album,1988's Rumble, earned Tommy &
the band a small radio and video hit with the joyous, self-deprecating rocker
"I'm Not Your Man". Tommy and his band became the number one
crowd-drawing club band in the Philadelphia area. In 2004 the Philly Hard Rock
Cafe inducted Tommy's guitar into their Hall of Fame. Tommy is the afternoon
jock on local rock station WYSP.
Tommy web link: http://www.94wysp.com/tommy/index.php
Lauren Hart is a
singer-songwriter from the Philadelphia area. Lauren sings the National
Anthem at all Philadelphia Flyers home games and also in the Disney
movie Miracle. Two of her songs have been featured on CBS TV's
Joan of Arcadia. ABC TV's All My Children has recently used
4 of Lauren's songs. Lauren also has songs that appear on the
Dawson's Creek Season Two DVD and Season Three DVD and
Party of Five Season One DVD
and Season Two DVD. For Lauren's latest info check out her web site:
www.laurenhart.com
Linda Cohen
a Philadelphia native began studying classical guitar with Peter Colonna at
Settlement Music School while in high school. Linda soon forged her own
personal instrumental style of combining classical & popular elements. This
lead Linda to signing with Poppy Records. In addition to her
accomplishments as a performer, she has been a respected teacher of guitar &
Philadelphia Magazine 'Best Of' issue singled her out as the city's top guitar
teacher. Linda has also given successful workshops for NARAS (Grammy people). Her latest
CD 'Naked Under The Moon' can be purchased on line at: http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/kaccohen
Last Minute Jam Band - The dynamic Last Minute Jam
Band features guitarist Greg Davis, drummer George Manney, keyboard guy
Wally Smith and bassist Michael Radcliffe who could play almost anything
at anytime. The Last Minute Jam took place each and every Tuesday night at
Dobbs on South St. The improvisational, throw-anybody-in-the-mix soiree
became, "the longest, most prodigious jam session in Philly rock history."
Some of those jams included musicians Scott
Henderson from Joe Zawinul's band & Tribal Tech, Yes' Chris Squire, Robert
Plant's band, Spencer Davis, the Psychedelic Furs, Ace Frehley (of
Kiss), Will Lee (of Letterman Late Night Band), members of
Little Feat, Paul Gilbert (former Mr. Big member), Blues Saraceno and Greg
Kihn, who left his Chestnut Cabaret gig midset to play w/
L.M.J.
www.citypaper.net/articles/052396/article035.shtml
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/lmjam2
For more information contact George
Manney: gsound@earthlink.net
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