Odean Pope at Hawthorne Park

Jazz Bridge and the Hawthorne Empowerment Coalition (HEC), sponsor of “Friends of Hawthorne Park,” will present saxophonist Odean Pope and his quartet for a free concert at Hawthorne Park, 12th and Catherine Street.

Saxophonist, composer, educator and arranger Odean Pope defines the words “living legend.” Joe Lovano called him a “bad, bad beautiful musician,” and another jazz giant, Ornette Coleman, was so moved by Pope’s playing on the recording, “Locked & Loaded,” that he broke down in tears. Then he wrote the liner notes to that recording. While there’s not a progressive giant who Odean Pope hasn’t played and recorded with—including Terell Stafford, Jeff “Tain” Watts and James Carter—he is most fondly remembered as a member of drummer Max Roach’s Quartet for 20 years. Pope was a progressive and forward-thinking player early in the game—and still is--effectively combining elements of bop, funk, R & B, free jazz, and even chamber music (he studied with the Philadelphia Orchestra’s bass clarinetist, Ronald Rubin). Pope’s artistry as performer, composer and arranger has earned him many citations from the City of Philadelphia. Among his many awards are The Pew Fellowship in the Arts for Music Composition (1992), The Rockefeller Foundation (1992) and several from Chamber Music America....

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Jazz Bridge and the Hawthorne Empowerment Coalition (HEC), sponsor of “Friends of Hawthorne Park,” will present saxophonist Odean Pope and his quartet for a free concert at Hawthorne Park, 12th and Catherine Street.

Saxophonist, composer, educator and arranger Odean Pope defines the words “living legend.” Joe Lovano called him a “bad, bad beautiful musician,” and another jazz giant, Ornette Coleman, was so moved by Pope’s playing on the recording, “Locked & Loaded,” that he broke down in tears. Then he wrote the liner notes to that recording. While there’s not a progressive giant who Odean Pope hasn’t played and recorded with—including Terell Stafford, Jeff “Tain” Watts and James Carter—he is most fondly remembered as a member of drummer Max Roach’s Quartet for 20 years. Pope was a progressive and forward-thinking player early in the game—and still is--effectively combining elements of bop, funk, R & B, free jazz, and even chamber music (he studied with the Philadelphia Orchestra’s bass clarinetist, Ronald Rubin). Pope’s artistry as performer, composer and arranger has earned him many citations from the City of Philadelphia. Among his many awards are The Pew Fellowship in the Arts for Music Composition (1992), The Rockefeller Foundation (1992) and several from Chamber Music America.

This concert is the first in a series of four performances being held at Hawthorne Park on the third Thursday of the month throughout the summer. Performing on Thursday, June 16 is the Quartet of drummer Vince Ector. Checking in on July 21 is Breckerville, playing the music of Michael and Randy Brecker. Closing out the series on August 18 are Latin music masters, De Tierre Caliente.

Jazz Bridge, an award-winning nonprofit dedicated to assisting Greater Philadelphia Metro area jazz and blues musicians and vocalists in times of crisis, sponsors these neighborhood concerts throughout the region to keep the sound of Philadelphia alive.

The Hawthorne Empowerment Coalition is a non-profit community organization with the mission of improving the quality of life for all residents—approximately 3,500-- of the Hawthorne Neighborhood of South Philadelphia. The summer concert series in Hawthorne Park is being presented in collaboration with--and via funding from--Friends of Hawthorne Park, Philadelphia Parks and Recreation, and the Fairmount Park Conservancy.

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