Join us for a Jazz Concert on the main floor of the Abington Free Library!

Though the history of Jazz in America generally likes to make cities such as New Orleans, Chicago and New York the focus of the evolution and capitols of jazz music, Philadelphia has had a rich culture of jazz that includes some of the most influential luminaries of the genre. As jazz musicians left New Orleans for northern cities during the great migration, Philadelphia became a consequential destination as well as the birthplace and home for many jazz greats. 

Dizzy Gillespie and Louis Jordan settled in Philadelphia in the 1930’s, McCoy Tyner and Jimmy Heath were born in Philadelphia, Joe Venuti came from South Philly, Ethel Waters was born in Chester, Billie Holliday was born in Philadelphia and Bessie Smith moved to Philadelphia in 1923 at the beginning of her successful career. 

This concert, performed by  Philadelphia musicians, with Dave Posmontier (piano), Dave Brodie (bass) and Steve Pollack (vocals), will explore the role Philadelphia played in the development of “America’s music,” complimenting the lecture on April 19.

About the Musicians:

Steve Pollack has appeared in various venues from New England to the greater Philadelphia tri-state area as a lecturer, singer, actor and director. He has produced and directed plays, musicals and operas, and has appeared as a performer or singer in theater, concert, cabaret and church venues. He is currently on the faculty of Continuing Education at Temple University, Ambler, and is a frequent guest lecturer at locations such as the Radnor Public Library, Bucks County Library, Quakertown Library, Knesseth Israel Speaker Series and other community organization. His lectures are generally focused on music history, art history or cultural phenomena/history and often combine a lecture format with live entertainment. He is also a popular lecturer and performer at retirement communities and private organizations in the greater Philadelphia area. He was Educated at Franklin & Marshall College and Fairleigh Dickinson University, and a recipient of the Mennen Fellowship for Music.

Dave Posmontier is one of Philadelphia’s best-known and popular jazz pianists, having played professionally in the area for over 50 years. He played in groups with notable Philadelphia players such as Bootsie Barnes, Mickey Roker, Tony Williams and Steve Giordano, and formed the Posmontier Brothers Quintet in the 1980s, appearing extensively at concerts and clubs as well as radio and television. He has appeared on recordings with Grover Washington, Jr, Johnny Hartman, and Larry McKenna, and is also noted for his appearances doing Klezmer music. Currently, he is playing, composing, arranging, teaching, and participating in educational jazz concerts, workshops and clinics in schools throughout the area.

David Brodie started playing the electric bass at the age of thirteen and first took on the upright bass at nineteen while enrolled at Berklee College of Music. After a year in Spain, he returned to his native Philadelphia where he quickly joined up with guitarist Jimmy Bruno, with whom he played for the next several years. From that point, his reputation well established, Brodie has enjoyed a busy playing and recording career and has performed with some of the world’s greatest jazz musicians including Kurt Rosenwinkel, Chris Potter and Randy Brecker while performing regularly with some of Philadelphia’s finest such as Larry McKenna, John Swana, Dave Posmontier, Tom Lawton and Joanna Pascale.