On Spruce Street, A Symphony Of Fading History
Contributor Rob McClung opens the door of 1617 Spruce, where the Philadelphia Musical Academy once filled the street with the sounds of classical music > more
Incubating Philly Jazz Talent At Music City
Music City on Chestnut Street was the spot for aspiring jazz musicians in the 1950s. Famous players like Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Parker, and Stan Getz would often take time out from gigging in town to give impromptu performances and technical sessions to young instrumentalists at the popular music store. Philadelphia music historian Jack McCarthy lights up another smoking chapter from the city's robust jazz era > more
At Liberty Place, The Ghost Of Hot Jazz
Long before One Liberty Place leveled the area with sky-high apartments and upscale shopping, Ranstead Street used to belong to Billy Krechmer. His little jazz club burned with Swing and Dixieland brass for over 28 years. Music historian and archivist Jack McCarthy has the skinny on this long-lost gem > more
At Laurel Hill, An 1830 Music Room Lives On
Thought all the vestiges of the Bicentennial were gone? Not this--a nearly 40 year old music series at Laurel Hill Mansion > more
Three Centuries Of Song In Philadelphia
Quaker influence kept the volume turned way down on early Philadelphia's musical output. The consecration of Old Swedes' Church in July 1700 changed that, and as Jack McCarthy writes, that first documented musical performance included an unlikely participant: Kelpius and his Mystics of the Wissahickon > more
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