{"id":55460,"date":"2025-04-24T09:28:30","date_gmt":"2025-04-24T13:28:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/?p=55460"},"modified":"2025-04-24T09:28:31","modified_gmt":"2025-04-24T13:28:31","slug":"on-stage-kennett-jazz-fest-returns","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/?p=55460","title":{"rendered":"On Stage: Kennett Jazz Fest returns"},"content":{"rendered":"
By Denny Dyroff<\/strong>, Entertainment Editor, The Times<\/em><\/div>\n
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Orrin Evans<\/p><\/div>\n

This is the weekend of one of the prime music events in Chester County this spring \u2013 the 2025 Kennett Jazz Fest.<\/p><\/div>\n

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The Fourth Annual Kennett Jazz Fest returns with two distinct events on April 25 and 26.<\/div>\n
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First is the kickoff party on Friday night with Sharon Sable Group and the incredible Vahe Sarkissian Group.<\/div>\n
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Then, on Saturday, an all-day festival starting at 11 a.m. featuring seven top-flight bands,\u00a0food trucks, the Rainbow Records bus, and headlined by the Orrin Evans Trio.<\/div>\n
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Evans is an American\u00a0jazz\u00a0pianist who was born in Trenton and raised in Philadelphia.\u00a0He attended\u00a0Rutgers University and then studied with\u00a0Kenny Barron.<\/div>\n
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Evans worked as a\u00a0sideman\u00a0for\u00a0Bobby Watson,\u00a0Ralph Peterson,\u00a0Duane Eubanks, and\u00a0Lenora Zenzalai-Helm, and released his debut as a leader in 1994.<\/div>\n

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For more than two decades,\u00a0Evans, a Yamaha pianist, has made an art form of the unexpected.<\/div>\n
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With more than 25 albums to his credit without ever relying on the support of a major label, Evans has become the model of a fiercely independent artist who\u2019s made a habit of rattling the jazz world\u2019s confining cages.<\/div>\n
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That determination has paid off in accolades like topping the \u201cRising Star Pianist\u201d category in the 2018\u00a0DownBeat\u00a0Critics Poll and two Grammy nominations.<\/div>\n
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As a daring pianist, Evans combines raw-edged vigor and left-field nuance into a sound wholly his own. As an adventurous composer he traverses stylistic boundaries with abandon, drawing on full-throttle swing, deep rooted blues, expressive soul or bracing excursions into the avant-garde.<\/div>\n
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As an audacious bandleader, he delights in daring fellow musicians to take bold risks, whether in mutable small group settings or his raucous Captain Black Big Band.<\/div>\n
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As an inventive collaborator, his projects range from the nerve-rattling collective trio Tarbaby to the guitar\/piano duo project Eubanks-Evans-Experience, and Brazilian project Terreno Comum.<\/div>\n
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Evans\u2019 most recent album in \u201cThe Red Door,\u201d which was released in 2023.<\/div>\n
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Video link for Orrin Evans — https:\/\/youtu.be\/Zp-ABjXDhQQ<\/a>.<\/div>\n
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The festival will get underway Friday evening with Sharon Sable Group at 7:30 p.m. and Vahe Sarkissian Group at 9 p.m.<\/div>\n
Sarkissian plays a fusion of Armenian-jazz-funk-and rock\u00a0music.<\/div>\n
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The early part of his career began at the age of 14 traveling the U.S. playing Mediterranean and Armenian\u00a0music. After studying music at The\u00a0University of the Arts, he received his master\u2019s degree where he studied with Pat Martino, Jimmy Bruno, and Tom Giacobetti.<\/div>\n
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Sarkissian has performed\/worked with Earl Slick (John Lennon, David Bowie), Gina Schock (Rock and Roll\u00a0Hall\u00a0of Famer from the Go Go’s), Derek Sherinian (Dream\u00a0Theater, Deep Purple, KISS), Gerald Veasley, and Keiko Matsui, in addition to opening up for artists such as Slash, Victor Wooten, Shinedown, The Roots, Richie Kotzen, Greg Howe, and Halestorm.<\/div>\n
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Video link for Vahe Sarkissian — https:\/\/youtu.be\/lSH4v72TKd8<\/a>.<\/div>\n
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Sharon Sable, who currently is based in Wilmington,\u00a0is one of the region\u2019s most beloved singers. The award-winning vocalist\u2019s musical journey has taken her from recording with international pop stars as a teenager to performing regularly with the region\u2019s finest jazz musicians.<\/div>\n
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Her repertoire is varied and includes both popular and lesser known gems of the Great American Songbook and other timeless music from the 20th century.<\/div>\n
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The Saturday Jazz Fest schedule is: 11 a.m., Buzz Talk; 12:15 p.m., The Michael Kaplan Superband featuring The Philly All-Stars; 1:30 p.m., Bacon, Lettuce and North Organ Trio; 2:45 p.m., Chris Oatts\u2019 Pretty Big Band; 4 p.m., Jeanette Berry; 5:15 p.m., Mike Lorenz Trio; 6:30 p.m., Dr. B\u2019s Groove; and 8 p.m., Orrin Evans Trio.<\/div>\n
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The Philadelphia-based Mike Lorenz Trio features Mike Lorenz (guitar) Sandy Eldred (bass) Matt Scarano (drums).<\/div>\n
Lorenz, a guitarist\/composer\/educator from Bethlehem, leads and co-leads several groups, including the Witherbees, MULTI MANSIONS, and THRRR.<\/div>\n
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Formed in 2013, Dr. B\u2019s Groove is an eight-piece instrumental R&B group that skillfully,\u00a0creates a powerful blend of funk and jazz. Members include Red Thunder (Trombone), The Barron. (Tenor), T Bone (Alto), Two Soxx (Trumpet\/Flugelhorn), The Professor (Bass), El Gato (Drums), Greg K. (Guitar) and Marcell B. (Trumpet\/Flugelhorn, piano,\u00a0compositions).<\/div>\n
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Tickets for Friday\u2019s show are $30. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.<\/div>\n
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Tickets for Saturday\u2019s show are $60. Doors open at 10 a.m.<\/div>\n
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This weekend at Jamey\u2019s House of Music (32 South Lansdowne Avenue, Lansdowne, 215-477-9985,www.jameyshouseofmusic.com<\/a>) could be billed as \u201cLadies Weekend\u201d \u2013 a weekend with a \u201cLadies Night\u201d on April 25 with the Katie Henry Band and a \u201cLadies Night\u2019 on April 26 with the Deb Callahan Band.<\/div>\n
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Actually, neither the event on Friday nor the event on Saturday, if held in a bar or a club, could be billed as a \u201cLadies Night\u201d in the traditional sense.<\/div>\n
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It used to be that bars would offer specials such as reduced prices or free drinks during a \u201cLadies Night\u201d or a \u201cHappy Hour.\u201d<\/div>\n
Now, the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB)\u00a0has a regulation that specials must be available to all customers and cannot target specific groups (e.g. women, students, etc.).<\/div>\n
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But the PLCB cannot regulate music — so both concerts at Jamey\u2019s this weekend are in the \u201cLadies Night\u201d category musically.<\/div>\n
Katie Henry is one of the bright new prospects in America\u2019s flourishing blues scene \u2014 a talented and versatile blues guitar player.<\/div>\n
Ironically, neither blues nor guitar were her starting points.<\/div>\n
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\u201cI grew up playing piano,\u201d said Henry, during a phone interview. \u201cI also played clarinet in middle school.\u201d<\/div>\n
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Henry\u2019s musical journey began when she was six and started taking piano lessons. She quickly became the \u201chouse\u201d piano player for all night family singalongs and very soon began crafting her own songs in the back of her school notebooks.<\/div>\n
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Heavily involved in school band, her passion for music continued to grow in college, where she also picked up the guitar.<\/div>\n
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\u201cI loved being in bands,\u201d said Henry, who grew up and attended high school in Vernon, New Jersey. \u201cI also loved playing for family and other gatherings. It was the best way to bond with other people.<\/div>\n
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\u201cI went to Manhattan College in the Bronx. I graduated in 2014 with a degree in education. I was a teacher for three years in Riverdale in the Bronx.<\/div>\n
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\u201cI joined a jazz band in college playing piano and also went to open mics. It was just a way for me to continue playing.<\/div>\n
\u201cOne night, I was at an open mic at the Bitter End and met Antar Goodwin. We had similar interests, so we started a blues band. I was playing piano at the time.<\/div>\n
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\u201cHe put a guitar in my hand, and I started playing chords. He opened the door, and I stepped through.<\/div>\n
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\u201cMy first guitar was a Strat and then I got an SG. Now, the Atele Guitar is my favorite.\u201d<\/div>\n
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Henry\u2019s musical world had expanded.<\/div>\n
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\u201cWhen I started playing guitar, I was listening with new ears,\u201d said Henry, who just finished a month-long tour or Germany, Slovakia, Austria and Switzerland.<\/div>\n
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\u201cI had listened to the Allman Brothers Band. Now, I was tuning in to Dickie Betts. I like simple melody lines \u2013 like the playing of Robbie Robertson.<\/div>\n
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\u201cI consider myself a melodic guitarist. Some of my biggest influences have been Freddie King and Susan Tedeschi.\u201d<\/div>\n
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First came her IBMA-nominated 2018 debut album, \u201cHigh Road.\u201d Her international breakout came on Ruf’s 2022 Blues Caravan Revue.<\/div>\n
Henry is part of a new generation currently reshaping the blues landscape. The singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist broke out with\u00a0\u201cOn My Way,\u201d the critically acclaimed release that earned her a spot on\u00a0Blues Rock Review\u2019s list of the Top 20 Albums of 2022.<\/div>\n
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According to Henry, \u201cThere is a great range of songs on that album. You get a sense of the things I\u2019ve been going through, the fights I\u2019ve won, the fights I\u2019ve lost, and the determination needed to continue. All wrapped in a rock and roots package.\u201d<\/div>\n
On her new project\u00a0\u201cGet Goin\u2019,\u201d\u00a0Henry is backed by the crack band of celebrated blues rocker Bernard Allison (who produced the album and contributed a pair of songs).<\/div>\n
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Video link for Katie Henry \u2014 https:\/\/youtu.be\/Br9hoDnQrjY<\/a>.<\/div>\n
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The show at Jamey\u2019s on April 25 will start at 8 p.m.<\/div>\n
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Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door. The show will also be available on pay-per-view at a cost of $15.<\/div>\n
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On Saturday, Jamey\u2019s hosts the Deb\u00a0Callahan\u00a0Band which, not surprisingly, is fronted by Deb Callahan, a highly acclaimed blues\/soul vocalist.<\/div>\n
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\u201cI\u2019m from the Boston area and I\u2019ve been in Philly for over 20 years,\u201d said\u00a0Callahan, during a phone interview Wednesday eveing. \u201cI moved here to go to grad school at Penn.\u201d<\/div>\n
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After graduation from the University of Pennsylvania\u2019s School of Social Work,\u00a0Callahan\u00a0stayed in the area and still works as a social worker in the city.\u201d<\/div>\n
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\u201cI got a master\u2019s degree in social work,\u201d said\u00a0Callahan. \u201cI do youth counseling. My music is definitely influenced by my work as a social worker.\u201d<\/div>\n
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Callahan, who has been a fixture in the Delaware Valley blues\/rock scene for over two decades, will be performing with her longtime band which features Garry Lee on bass and Allen James on guitar along with new drummer Fred Berman.<\/div>\n
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Callahan\u2019s debut LP was \u201cIf Blues Had Wings\u201d and she followed with \u201cThe Blue Pearl\u201d in 2005, \u201cGrace and Grit\u201d in 2008, \u201cTell It Like It Is\u201d in 2010 and \u201cSweet Soul\u201d in 2015.<\/div>\n
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Her most recent album, which was released in 2023, is \u201cBackbone,\u201d which was released on Blue Pearl Records.<\/div>\n
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The CD, produced by Philadelphia producer, songwriter and guitarist Chris Arms was recorded live at Morningstar Studios in Norristown, with overdubs and mixing completed at Arms\u2019 Studio 501 in Philadelphia.<\/div>\n
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Callahan\u00a0recorded this album with her road tested, all-star band along with London-based producer and songwriter Danny Schogger on keyboards and Arms on slide guitar.<\/div>\n
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There are also guest appearances by Philly\u2019s Jay Davidson on sax, John Colgan Davis on harmonica and Charlene Holloway on backing vocals. The core band\u2019s years of playing together has created intricate chemistry and an ability to play with an easy, nuanced improvisation.<\/div>\n
Callahan\u00a0has been performing, touring, recording and entertaining music fans both regionally and around the United States since the late 1990s.<\/div>\n
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She has graced the stages of many festivals nationwide from The Monterey Bay Blues Festival in Monterey, CA, The Springing the Blues Fest in Jacksonville, FL, The Bayfront Blues Fest in Duluth, MN to WXPN\u2019s XPonential Music Festival right here in Philly.<\/div>\n
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Often compared to Bonnie Raitt, Susan Tedeschi and Etta James,\u00a0Callahan\u00a0has developed an impressive sound all her own.<\/div>\n
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\u201cI\u2019m working on writing songs for a new album,\u201d said Callahan. \u201cI\u2019m going to try a few new things.<\/div>\n
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\u201cI\u2019ve been doing some demos with Chris Arms, who produced my last album. We\u2019re doing them at Studio 501, which is Chris\u2019 home studio in Glenside.<\/div>\n
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\u201cThere are lot of elements in the music \u2013 blues, R&B, roots, soul. Blues is always the main thing.\u201d<\/div>\n
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Callahan will be putting all on display at Saturday night\u2019s show.<\/div>\n
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\u201cI\u2019ll be doing more songs from \u2018Backbone\u2019 than anything else,\u201d said Callahan. \u201cI\u2019ll also be doing songs from my other CDs and a few covers.<\/div>\n
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\u201cSome of the fans\u2019 favorites are \u2018The Credit Card Blues\u2019 from \u2018The Blue Pearl,\u2019 \u2018If Your Man Messes Up\u2019 from \u2018If Blues Had Wings\u2019 and \u2018Seven States Away\u2019 from \u2018Sweet Soul.\u2019\u201d<\/div>\n
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Video link for Deb\u00a0Callahan\u00a0— https:\/\/youtu.be\/G8yCZBc5lIM<\/a>.<\/div>\n
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The show at Jamey\u2019s on Saturday will start at 8 p.m.<\/div>\n
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Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door. The show will also be available on pay-per-view at a cost of $15.<\/div>\n
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On April 24, Uptown! Knauer Performing Arts Center (226 North High Street, West Chester, www.uptownwestchester.org<\/a>) will host West Chester Jazz Orchestra\u2019s \u201cSpring\u2019s the Thing!\u201d<\/div>\n
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Elkton Music Hall (107 North Street, Elkton, Maryland, www.elktonmusichall.com<\/a>) will host Elvis Jackson Attraction on April 26 and Graham Parker on April 30.<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times This is the weekend of one of the prime music events in Chester County this spring \u2013 the 2025 Kennett Jazz Fest. The Fourth Annual Kennett Jazz Fest returns with two distinct events on April 25 and 26. First is the kickoff party on Friday night with Sharon […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":55459,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8457],"tags":[7426,16038,9277],"class_list":["post-55460","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-d-arts-entertainment","tag-featured","tag-kennett-jazz-fest","tag-orrin-evans"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/55460","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=55460"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/55460\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":55461,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/55460\/revisions\/55461"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/55459"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=55460"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=55460"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=55460"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}