October 26–November 2, 1995

critic pick|jazz

Tribute to John Gilmore

The celebration of the opening of the Philadelphia Clef Club of the Performing Arts' new facility at Broad & Fitzwater Streets continues this weekend with a concert honoring a recently departed Philadelphia saxophonist, featuring appearances by a number of jazz stars.

John Gilmore was a legendary saxophonist who could have been more acclaimed than he was. For most of his life, Gilmore played tenor sax in the Sun Ra Arkestra, first in Chicago, then in New York, and finally in Philadelphia. Gilmore passed away two months ago, just one month shy of his 64th birthday. This Friday night, saxophone master Pharaoh Sanders will sit in with the Sun Ra Arkestra in a tribute to Gilmore.

Born in Summit, Mississippi, Gilmore played with Earl Hines before joining Sun Ra's Arkestra in his adopted hometown of Chicago in 1953. Although he was most closely associated with the Arkestra throughout his life, Gilmore also played with a number of other jazz luminaries. He was a member of Art Blakey's band in the mid-1960s and he performed with Freddie Hubbard, Andrew Hill, Pete La Roca, Chick Corea and others. Gilmore also recorded under his own name, most notably on the 1957 Blue Note album, Blowing in from Chicago.

In the Arkestra, Gilmore combined a fairly conventional post-bebop style with high register shrieks and howls. John Coltrane is said to have been influenced by this aspect of Gilmore's playing. During the last few years, Gilmore also began to sing in the band; he was quite charming warbling "East of the Sun." Gilmore assumed nominal control of the Arkestra after Ra left the planet two years ago, but his ill health limited his ability to lead or even perform much with the band. For the tribute on Friday night, former members of the Arkestra are coming from as far away as New Orleans to pay homage to Gilmore.

Pharoah Sanders is a perfect choice to honor Gilmore. Although he is better known for his work with John Coltrane and Alice Coltrane in the mid-to-late 1960s, Sanders played with Sun Ra in the early part of that decade soon after the saxophonist arrived in New York. Sanders' buzzing stratospherics and his deeply spiritual lyricism have much in common with Gilmore's sound. Hearing Sanders play with Gilmore's bandmates in the Arkestra should be a moving and memorable experience.

The Clef Club wraps up its two week celebration with an assortment of jazz veterans. Guitarist Kenny Burrell, saxophonist Gary Bartz and pianist Ray Bryant each deserve their billing as a "Jazz Master" for this concert on Saturday. Creative combinations like this bode well for the Clef Club's continuing contribution to the Philadelphia jazz scene.

Tribute to John Gilmore with Pharaoh Sanders & the Sun Ra Arkestra at the Philadelphia Clef Club, Broad & Fitzwater Sts., Fri., Oct. 27 at 8 & 10 p.m.

Jazz Masters with Kenny Burrell, Gary Bartz, Ray Bryant & others at the Clef Club, Sat., Oct. 28 at 8 & 10 p.m. Info: 893-9912 or 893-1145.

— Russell Woessner