By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times
Orrin Evans
This is the weekend of one of the prime music events in Chester County this spring – 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 Sable Group and the incredible Vahe Sarkissian Group.
Then, on Saturday, an all-day festival starting at 11 a.m. featuring seven top-flight bands, food trucks, the Rainbow Records bus, and headlined by the Orrin Evans Trio.
Evans is an American jazz pianist who was born in Trenton and raised in Philadelphia. He attended Rutgers University and then studied with Kenny Barron.
Evans worked as a sideman for Bobby Watson, Ralph Peterson, Duane Eubanks, and Lenora Zenzalai-Helm, and released his debut as a leader in 1994.
For more than two decades, Evans, a Yamaha pianist, has made an art form of the unexpected.
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’s made a habit of rattling the jazz world’s confining cages.
That determination has paid off in accolades like topping the “Rising Star Pianist” category in the 2018 DownBeat Critics Poll and two Grammy nominations.
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.
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.
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.
Evans’ most recent album in “The Red Door,” which was released in 2023.
Video link for Orrin Evans — https://youtu.be/Zp-ABjXDhQQ.
The festival will get underway Friday evening with Sharon Sable Group at 7:30 p.m. and Vahe Sarkissian Group at 9 p.m.
Sarkissian plays a fusion of Armenian-jazz-funk-and rock music.
The early part of his career began at the age of 14 traveling the U.S. playing Mediterranean and Armenian music. After studying music at The University of the Arts, he received his master’s degree where he studied with Pat Martino, Jimmy Bruno, and Tom Giacobetti.
Sarkissian has performed/worked with Earl Slick (John Lennon, David Bowie), Gina Schock (Rock and Roll Hall of Famer from the Go Go’s), Derek Sherinian (Dream Theater, 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.
Video link for Vahe Sarkissian — https://youtu.be/lSH4v72TKd8.
Sharon Sable, who currently is based in Wilmington, is one of the region’s most beloved singers. The award-winning vocalist’s musical journey has taken her from recording with international pop stars as a teenager to performing regularly with the region’s finest jazz musicians.
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.
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’ Pretty Big Band; 4 p.m., Jeanette Berry; 5:15 p.m., Mike Lorenz Trio; 6:30 p.m., Dr. B’s Groove; and 8 p.m., Orrin Evans Trio.
The Philadelphia-based Mike Lorenz Trio features Mike Lorenz (guitar) Sandy Eldred (bass) Matt Scarano (drums).
Lorenz, a guitarist/composer/educator from Bethlehem, leads and co-leads several groups, including the Witherbees, MULTI MANSIONS, and THRRR.
Formed in 2013, Dr. B’s Groove is an eight-piece instrumental R&B group that skillfully, creates 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, compositions).
Tickets for Friday’s show are $30. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.
Tickets for Saturday’s show are $60. Doors open at 10 a.m.
This weekend at Jamey’s House of Music (32 South Lansdowne Avenue, Lansdowne, 215-477-9985,www.jameyshouseofmusic.com) could be billed as “Ladies Weekend” – a weekend with a “Ladies Night” on April 25 with the Katie Henry Band and a “Ladies Night’ on April 26 with the Deb Callahan Band.
Actually, neither the event on Friday nor the event on Saturday, if held in a bar or a club, could be billed as a “Ladies Night” in the traditional sense.
It used to be that bars would offer specials such as reduced prices or free drinks during a “Ladies Night” or a “Happy Hour.”
Now, the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB) has a regulation that specials must be available to all customers and cannot target specific groups (e.g. women, students, etc.).
But the PLCB cannot regulate music — so both concerts at Jamey’s this weekend are in the “Ladies Night” category musically.
Katie Henry is one of the bright new prospects in America’s flourishing blues scene — a talented and versatile blues guitar player.
Ironically, neither blues nor guitar were her starting points.
“I grew up playing piano,” said Henry, during a phone interview. “I also played clarinet in middle school.”
Henry’s musical journey began when she was six and started taking piano lessons. She quickly became the “house” piano player for all night family singalongs and very soon began crafting her own songs in the back of her school notebooks.
Heavily involved in school band, her passion for music continued to grow in college, where she also picked up the guitar.
“I loved being in bands,” said Henry, who grew up and attended high school in Vernon, New Jersey. “I also loved playing for family and other gatherings. It was the best way to bond with other people.
“I 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.
“I joined a jazz band in college playing piano and also went to open mics. It was just a way for me to continue playing.
“One 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.
“He put a guitar in my hand, and I started playing chords. He opened the door, and I stepped through.
“My first guitar was a Strat and then I got an SG. Now, the Atele Guitar is my favorite.”
Henry’s musical world had expanded.
“When I started playing guitar, I was listening with new ears,” said Henry, who just finished a month-long tour or Germany, Slovakia, Austria and Switzerland.
“I had listened to the Allman Brothers Band. Now, I was tuning in to Dickie Betts. I like simple melody lines – like the playing of Robbie Robertson.
“I consider myself a melodic guitarist. Some of my biggest influences have been Freddie King and Susan Tedeschi.”
First came her IBMA-nominated 2018 debut album, “High Road.” Her international breakout came on Ruf’s 2022 Blues Caravan Revue.
Henry is part of a new generation currently reshaping the blues landscape. The singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist broke out with “On My Way,” the critically acclaimed release that earned her a spot on Blues Rock Review’s list of the Top 20 Albums of 2022.
According to Henry, “There is a great range of songs on that album. You get a sense of the things I’ve been going through, the fights I’ve won, the fights I’ve lost, and the determination needed to continue. All wrapped in a rock and roots package.”
On her new project “Get Goin’,” Henry is backed by the crack band of celebrated blues rocker Bernard Allison (who produced the album and contributed a pair of songs).
Video link for Katie Henry — https://youtu.be/Br9hoDnQrjY.
The show at Jamey’s on April 25 will start at 8 p.m.
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.
On Saturday, Jamey’s hosts the Deb Callahan Band which, not surprisingly, is fronted by Deb Callahan, a highly acclaimed blues/soul vocalist.
“I’m from the Boston area and I’ve been in Philly for over 20 years,” said Callahan, during a phone interview Wednesday eveing. “I moved here to go to grad school at Penn.”
After graduation from the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Social Work, Callahan stayed in the area and still works as a social worker in the city.”
“I got a master’s degree in social work,” said Callahan. “I do youth counseling. My music is definitely influenced by my work as a social worker.”
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.
Callahan’s debut LP was “If Blues Had Wings” and she followed with “The Blue Pearl” in 2005, “Grace and Grit” in 2008, “Tell It Like It Is” in 2010 and “Sweet Soul” in 2015.
Her most recent album, which was released in 2023, is “Backbone,” which was released on Blue Pearl Records.
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’ Studio 501 in Philadelphia.
Callahan recorded 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.
There are also guest appearances by Philly’s Jay Davidson on sax, John Colgan Davis on harmonica and Charlene Holloway on backing vocals. The core band’s years of playing together has created intricate chemistry and an ability to play with an easy, nuanced improvisation.
Callahan has been performing, touring, recording and entertaining music fans both regionally and around the United States since the late 1990s.
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’s XPonential Music Festival right here in Philly.
Often compared to Bonnie Raitt, Susan Tedeschi and Etta James, Callahan has developed an impressive sound all her own.
“I’m working on writing songs for a new album,” said Callahan. “I’m going to try a few new things.
“I’ve been doing some demos with Chris Arms, who produced my last album. We’re doing them at Studio 501, which is Chris’ home studio in Glenside.
“There are lot of elements in the music – blues, R&B, roots, soul. Blues is always the main thing.”
Callahan will be putting all on display at Saturday night’s show.
“I’ll be doing more songs from ‘Backbone’ than anything else,” said Callahan. “I’ll also be doing songs from my other CDs and a few covers.
“Some of the fans’ favorites are ‘The Credit Card Blues’ from ‘The Blue Pearl,’ ‘If Your Man Messes Up’ from ‘If Blues Had Wings’ and ‘Seven States Away’ from ‘Sweet Soul.’”
Video link for Deb Callahan — https://youtu.be/G8yCZBc5lIM.
The show at Jamey’s on Saturday will start at 8 p.m.
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.
On April 24, Uptown! Knauer Performing Arts Center (226 North High Street, West Chester, www.uptownwestchester.org) will host West Chester Jazz Orchestra’s “Spring’s the Thing!”
Elkton Music Hall (107 North Street, Elkton, Maryland, www.elktonmusichall.com) will host Elvis Jackson Attraction on April 26 and Graham Parker on April 30.
