Blackbird Society Orchestra Celebrates The 10th Annual Eddie Lang Day, Co-sponsored By Tri-state Jazz Society at Community Arts Center

Tri-State Jazz Society is co-sponsoring a special event when the 12-piece 1920s-30s jazz band Blackbird Society Orchestra returns to celebrate the 10th Annual Eddie Lang Day Philadelphia and charity fundraiser.

Eddie Lang (1902-33, born Salvatore Massaro) was known as "the Father of Jazz Guitar" due to his giving prominence to the guitar in the early 1920s and until his tragic and untimely death in 1933. Lang was credited with popularizing the guitar as the primary rhythm instrument in Jazz bands in the 1920s, replacing the banjo. He recorded with violinist Joe Venuti, Jean Goldkette, Bix Beiderbecke, Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Paul Whiteman, Annette Hanshaw, Ruth Etting, Lonnie Johnson and countless others. Bing Crosby insisted that Lang be contracted as his accompanist on all recordings and performances....

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Tri-State Jazz Society is co-sponsoring a special event when the 12-piece 1920s-30s jazz band Blackbird Society Orchestra returns to celebrate the 10th Annual Eddie Lang Day Philadelphia and charity fundraiser.

Eddie Lang (1902-33, born Salvatore Massaro) was known as "the Father of Jazz Guitar" due to his giving prominence to the guitar in the early 1920s and until his tragic and untimely death in 1933. Lang was credited with popularizing the guitar as the primary rhythm instrument in Jazz bands in the 1920s, replacing the banjo. He recorded with violinist Joe Venuti, Jean Goldkette, Bix Beiderbecke, Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Paul Whiteman, Annette Hanshaw, Ruth Etting, Lonnie Johnson and countless others. Bing Crosby insisted that Lang be contracted as his accompanist on all recordings and performances.

The Blackbird Society Orchestra preserves and performs the music of the "Roaring 20s", the "Jazz Age", and the "Gatsby Era". The band performs the tunes, many with original orchestrations, to recreate the sounds of classic early jazz.

This year, proceeds from this charity fundraiser will go to Bryn Mawr Hospital's Hospice Program. Donations will also be accepted at the door

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