Remedy Wide-Banner

 

Whitman Mixtape Series wide banner

 

Remedy Wide-Banner

 


Welcome to Philadelphia Jazz Project




Wonderful Sound 6 - Celebrating

Wonderful Sound 6

SATURDAY DECEMBER 9 | 8pm
Celebrating
J. Michael Harrison 20 Years of The Bridge
CD Release Bobby Zankel Wonderful Sound 6

Philadelphia Clef Club of Jazz and Performing Arts
738 South Broad Street
Phila., PA 19146


 
Over the past few years, Bobby Zankel & the Warriors of the Wonderful Sound have presented some awesome big band performances at the Painted Bride Art Center and The Philadelphia Clef Club of Jazz and Performing Arts. They have shared their aggressive, yet tinder sonic beauty in collaboration with such international artists as Dave Burrell, Rudresh Mahanthappa, Jaleel Shaw, Don Byron, Rene McLean, William Parker, Dave Burrell, Muhammad Ali and dancer and choreographer, Raphael Xavier.

On December 9th, The Philadelphia Clef Club of Jazz and the Performing Arts and the Warriors of the Wonderful Sound present a “Celebration”, honoring J Michael Harrison on his 20th year of broadcasting “The Bridge,“ on WRTI. In addition, the event will also serve as a public announcement of the CD release of “Bobby Zankel and the Wonderful Sound  6”. This new and smaller band includes the  brilliant pianist Dave Burrell, drummer Muhammad Ali (brother of Rashied), bassist William Parker, trombonist Steve Swell, violinist Diane Monroe and special guest, saxophonist and BNY Mellon Jazz Living Legacy Award recipient, Odean Pope.

Bobby Zankel is a Philadelphia-based alto saxophonist, educator, bandleader and composer. Born in New York City, he worked with Cecil Taylor’s Unit Core Ensemble in the early 70s. In 1975, Zankel moved to Philly, where he has lived ever since. Over the course of his career, Zankel has performed, and/or recorded with Hank Mobley/Sonny Gillete Quintet, Jymie Merritt’s Forerunners, Odean Pope, Johnny Coles, Lester Bowie, Marilyn Crispell, Jamaaladeen Tacuma, Ralph Peterson and Terri Lyne Carrington. Bobby Zankel has received awards for his work as a musician and composer from the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, Herman Goldman Award, and Pew Fellowship in the Arts. He presently performs with his large scale ensemble, Warriors Of The Wonderful Sound.

PJP caught up with Bobby Zankel to ask him about the upcoming concert, the Wonderful Sound 6 and J. Michael Harrison.

Bobby ZankelPJP: Can you briefly describe your musical direction?

 

Bobby Zankel: I am trying to express the infinite potential of a single moment-in the life of a mortal being - I am not tied to any musical school or style I am trying to leave no stone unturned - simpler put I am trying to utilize all that I have lived and experienced.


PJP: What and whom are pivotal musical influences on your creative approach?
 

Bobby Zankel: I have been blessed to have worked directly with Cecil Taylor, Ornette Coleman, Jymie Merritt, Muhal Richard Abrams, Odean Pope, Steve Coleman, Dennis Sandole... I am connected in my heart with John Coltrane - I try to honor and personalize things I have learned.


PJP: Tell us about your relationship with WRTI radio host, J. Michael Harrison?
 

Bobby Zankel: I first met J. Michael before WRTI when he was at the 40th and Market Street, around 1991 - or 25 years I have watched and experienced his love intelligence and consistent advocacy for "the music and the musicians."


Odean PopePJP: What are you going to present at the 20th anniversary of J. Michael Harrison's radio career?

Bobby Zankel: We will be performing all world premiere performances - some new pieces some totally new arrangements.


PJP: Who will be performing with you?
 

Bobby Zankel: Muhammad Ali, Dave Burrell, Diane Monroe, William Parker and Steve Swell. The band that is on my new CD which is released on the Polish Nottwo label. And finally, special guest: Odean Pope.

PJP: How do you manage the task of creating and encouraging fresh, new, forwarding moving musical ideas while simultaneously exploring, celebrating and documenting the past?

 

Bobby Zankel: As a Buddhist we say "if you want to know what happened in the past look at the present moment" - if you want to know what the future will be  look at the present moment - be 100% alive in the present!!!

 

PJP: When listening to your music what advice would you give the audience to assist with greater understanding and enjoyment?

 

Bobby Zankel: Feel feel feel!


Dave BurrellPJP: Why Jazz? When you could be doing anything else, Why this music?

 

Bobby Zankel: There is no need to question why you love what you love -- just love and nurture !!! Thank you.

 

 

SATURDAY DECEMBER 9 | 8pm
Celebrating
J. Michael Harrison 20 Years of The Bridge
CD Release Bobby Zankel Wonderful Sound 6

Philadelphia Clef Club of Jazz and Performing Arts
738 South Broad Street
Phila., PA 19146

 

 

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

 

 

FacebookTwitterInstagramYouTubeTumblr

 

             

Philadelphia Jazz Project is a sponsored project of the Culture Trust | Greater Philadelphia, with funding provided by The Philadelphia Foundation.

 

<< Go back to the previous page

Tags : BobbyZankel WarriorsoftheWonderfulSound J.MichaelHarrison TheBridge PaintedBrideArtCenter ClefClub DaveBurrell WilliamParker DaveBurrell MuhammadAli SteveSwell DianeMonroe BNYMellonJazzLivingLegacyAward OdeanPope WonderfulSound6 RudreshMahanthappa JaleelShaw DonByron ReneMcLean MuhalRichardAbrams RaphaelXavierJymieMerritt’sForerunners CecilTaylor JohnColtrane Avant-GardeJazz PhillyJazz

 

Remedy Wide-Banner

 

Whitman Mixtape Series wide banner

 

Remedy Wide-Banner

 

 

Philly Jazz Quotes

On my first record with him, I used no notes, just sound... I never played as powerfully as I did with Sunny Murray... he plays pulse, not beats.
Byard Lancaster

Other Info

ars

ars

9

PhillyCAM Sessions


Jazz News



Philadelphia Jazz Project is a sponsored project of the Culture Trust | Greater Philadelphia, with funding provided by The Philadelphia Foundation.