The Music of Jymie Merritt and The Forerunners at World Cafe Live

Join WRTI, WXPN, the Philadelphia Jazz Project, and Jazz Night in America for a rare performance by The Forerunners playing the music of legendary bassist Jymie Merritt.  This long-overdue tribute concert celebrates lifelong Philadelphia jazz bassist Jymie Merritt whose career spans over 60 years.  Merritt's vast credits range from stints with BB King, Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers to Chet Baker, Max Roach, Dizzy Gillespie and many more.  He is known as an innovative double and electric bassist, band leader, and composer.
In contrast to his more traditional work The Forerunners are a progressive ensemble first formed by Jymie Merritt in 1962.  They will perform original compositions written by him between 1964 and 2009. The Forerunners are now led by Merritt's son, bassist Mike Merritt.  Mike has been a member of late-night TV host Conan O’Brien’s band since 1993 and has worked with an impressive group of artists including Levon Helm, Phoebe Snow, Bruce Springsteen, Joan and Osborne.  Also included in the line up from The Forerunners are Warren McLendon, piano and percussion; Colmare Duncan, piano; Alan Nelson, drums; Terry Lawson, tenor saxophone; and original member Odean Pope, tenor saxophone....

read more

Join WRTI, WXPN, the Philadelphia Jazz Project, and Jazz Night in America for a rare performance by The Forerunners playing the music of legendary bassist Jymie Merritt.  This long-overdue tribute concert celebrates lifelong Philadelphia jazz bassist Jymie Merritt whose career spans over 60 years.  Merritt's vast credits range from stints with BB King, Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers to Chet Baker, Max Roach, Dizzy Gillespie and many more.  He is known as an innovative double and electric bassist, band leader, and composer.
In contrast to his more traditional work The Forerunners are a progressive ensemble first formed by Jymie Merritt in 1962.  They will perform original compositions written by him between 1964 and 2009. The Forerunners are now led by Merritt's son, bassist Mike Merritt.  Mike has been a member of late-night TV host Conan O’Brien’s band since 1993 and has worked with an impressive group of artists including Levon Helm, Phoebe Snow, Bruce Springsteen, Joan and Osborne.  Also included in the line up from The Forerunners are Warren McLendon, piano and percussion; Colmare Duncan, piano; Alan Nelson, drums; Terry Lawson, tenor saxophone; and original member Odean Pope, tenor saxophone.

Text: Courtesy of WRTI

show less