Jazz at Restoration on Stenton Avenue

The Caribbean Jazz Band will perform this Friday night, May 8th, at 7 pm at the Unitarian Universalist Church of the Restoration on 6900 Stenton Ave at Gorgas Lane in East Mt. Airy (19150).

The Caribbean Jazz Band is an off-shoot of the Latin Jazz Band “Baleia” which was formed by percussionist Greg Moore and trombonist Joe Kohanski in 1979, who were, at the time, members of the Teddy Pendergrass band from 1977 to 1982. Greg and Joe wanted to put together a band to play Latin and Brazilian Jazz of that time. “Baleia” was disbanded around 1989, for various reasons but in 2013, they decided to put the band back together again to perform the music they loved so much, and also honor the memory of the deceased bass player John Turner. They decided to re-name the band “The Caribbean Jazz Band.”

The music of “The Caribbean Jazz Band” is centered around the rhythms of Africa, Brazil, Cuba, and, Trinidad, which features the drums, congas and percussion. The traditional rhythms of those countries, blended with American Jazz, provide an exciting style of music that all people can enjoy.

“The Caribbean Jazz Band” consists of Greg Moore - Congas and Percussion, Ron Howerton - Congas and Percussion, Ricky Tate, Jr., - Alto Sax, Marc Johnson - Keyboards, Steel Drum and Wind Instruments, Charles Beasly - Bass, Mike Cummings -- Guitar, and Jeffery Johnson - Drums. They look forward to really giving their audience an exciting and unforgettable experience in Caribbean Music. For more information -- www.uurestoration.us
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The monthly jazz vespers at the Unitarian Universalist Church of the Restoration will continue on Sunday afternoon May 17th at 4:30 pm 6900 Stenton Avenue (at Gorgas Lane) Philadelphia, PA 19150 with Gaille Hunter on vocals and pianist Andy Trackman. For more information -- www.uurestoration.us

Gaille Hunter, a graduate of the Philadelphia University of the Arts, is a multi-talented artist. She received the 2007 Creative Artist Award from the National Association of University Women. Gaille’s paintings debuted in February 2002 at the October Gallery, Philadelphia’s premiere African American art venue. “Country Porch”, one of the pieces included in her series entitled “Silhouette Children”, was exhibited in the Philadelphia African American Museum’s 2006 commemorative exhibition – “Silent Voices, Loud Echoes”.

Andy Trackman has been playing jazz improvisational piano and rock electronic keyboards since his high school days. He has performed as a musical-comedian Big Daddy Graham’s piano player, as a keyboardist and singer in his own musical comedy ensemble, and as the concert accompanist for Greene Street Friends School. He currently performs as the pianist for jazz vocalist Gaille Hunter, performing selections from the classic American Songbook. He is also a keyboardist in the folk/blues rock band Knoxx Street, based in Germantown.