On October 29th, Saxophonist Mike Cemprola led a jazz quartet on an intimate, often humorous, and forward looking set of his original compositions framed within a few contrasting takes on a pair of Wayne Shorter’s tunes. Pianist Tim Brey and bassist Madison Rast, dazzled the audience that evening with their own improvisations within the foundations Cemprola laid down on his lead sheets [Login to Oxford Music Online from outside a library branch]. After this date with Cemprola, audiences are eagerly anticipating drummer Wayne Smith’s return to Montgomery Auditorium in December, when he’ll be leading his own group.

A fine example of this quartet’s work together can be heard on one of the original tunes they performed that night, Kuato’s Secret:

To really feel the world that this tune evokes, Free Library card holders should consider giving Total Recall another viewing, not to mention giving Philip K. Dick’s “We Can Remember It for You Wholesale”, on which the movie is based, a fresh read. For the backstory on the invention and development of the mutant revolutionary leader fighting monopoly capitalism run amok on Mars, check out the chapter on the film in Brian J. Robb’s Counterfeit Worlds: Philip K. Dick on Film [available from Interlibrary Loan].

We don’t yet know if the Mysterious Travelers Concert Series on Wednesday November 12th at 7:00 p.m. will take us into space, but we do know where Trumpeter Vince Turnbull will launch from. This native of Philadelphia and its countryside draws on the influences of Freddie Hubbard, Lee Morgan, Joe Gordon, Kenny Dorham, and Clifford Brown. His goal is to induce a truthful and fiery sound that is rooted in the jazz trumpet lineage. He is finishing up his final year as a jazz performance major at Temple University.

Your homework, prior to the show, is to study up on the roots of his sound. Using your Library Card and PIN # after logging in to Music Online should make these playlists fully operational and listenable:

Freddie Hubbard - Open Sesame

Lee Morgan - Sidewinder

Joe Gordon - Lookin' Good

Kenny Dorham - Afro-Cuban

Clifford Brown - Sarah Vaughan with Clifford Brown

We’re looking forward to seeing you at 7:00 p.m. for this Wednesday’s free show featuring trumpeter Vince Turnbull!

You can view the remaining Mysterious Travelers Concert Series schedule below:

Monday, December 8, 2014 | 7:00 p.m. | Featuring drummer Wayne Smith, Jr.

Monday, January 12, 2015 | 7:00 p.m. | Featuring jazz guitarist Dan Hanrahan

Monday, February 9, 2015 | 7:00 p.m. | Featuring drummer Anwar Marshall

Monday, March 9, 2015 |  7:00 p.m. | Featuring percussionist Karen Smith

Monday, April 13, 2015 | 7:00 p.m. | Featuring bassists Nimrod Speaks, Brian Howell,  and Jason Fratiecelli, plus drummer Anwar Marshall

None of this would be possible without the Philadelphia Jazz Project (PJP), which works to inspire a network to support, promote, archive, and celebrate the diverse elements within the Philadelphia jazz community, with the larger goal of connecting to the global community. PJP is a sponsored project of the Painted Bride Art Center, with funding provided by the Wyncote Foundation. Nor could we do it without The Producer’s Guild, which has the mission to ensure that the appreciation and enthusiasm for the rich cultural heritage of African American Arts continues to thrive in Philadelphia, especially Black Classical Music, commonly known as JAZZ.

Come join us on this journey at the Free Library of Improvisation!