Famous musicians from philadelphia

Philadelphia is often hailed as one of the greatest music cities in the country. Genres such as R&B, soul, rock, funk, disco, and hip-hop can all trace their roots to Philly. When it comes to jazz, Philadelphia has been incredibly influential in the development of the genre. Since its embryonic stage, Philly has been the launching pad of some of the most celebrated artists in jazz.

Dr. Diane Turner, curator of the Charles L. Blockson Afro-American Collection at Temple University and author ofPhiladelphia Jazz (Images of America) shared her insight about the history of Philadelphia jazz

“The city of Philadelphia is a cradle of jazz. It has a rich and significant jazz history that can be traced back to Black musical organizations in the nineteenth century,” Turner told Billy Penn. 

On the current scene, standard-bearers of jazz include the likes of Arnetta Johnson, Deborah Smith, Jonathan Blake, Jaleel Shaw, Justin Faulkner, Daud El-Bakara, Nazir Ebo, Chris Lewis, and more who are keeping jazz alive as innovative musicians.

The city pays tribute to its musical legacy with a series of performances throughout the month of April as part of Jazz Appreciation Month.

While not an all-encompassing list, to pay homage to some of the legends of the genre and to commemorate Jazz Appreciation Month, here are ten legendary jazz musicians from Philadelphia you need to know.

1. John Coltrane – Saxophonist

A creative mastermind of the highest order, John Coltrane’s name is etched in the annals of history as one the greatest musicians of all time.  While born in North Carolina, Coltrane moved to Philadelphia where he studied music following a stint in the U.S. Navy. In 1952, Coltrane purchased a home at 1511 North 33rd Street in the Strawberry Mansion section of Philadelphia which is now a National Historic Landmark.

He would go on to collaborate with other greats such as Miles Davis, Thelonious Monk, and Duke Ellington. As a band leader, he recorded

Music of the city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Philadelphia is home to one of the world's most vibrant and well-documented musical heritages, stretching back to the colonial era. Innovations in classical music, opera, R&B, jazz, soul, and rock have earned the music of Philadelphia national and international renown. Philadelphia's musical institutions have long played an important role in the music of Pennsylvania and that of the nation, especially in the early development of hip hop music. Philadelphia's diverse population has also given it a reputation for styles ranging from dancehall to Irish traditional music, as well as a thriving classical and folk music scene.

The Philadelphia Orchestra's third conductor, Leopold Stokowski, championed American classical music of the 20th century, and on tour, in recordings, and notably in Walt Disney's 1940 animated film Fantasia, brought the traditional and modern classical repertoire to a broad American listening public for the first time. The Curtis Institute of Music on Rittenhouse Square, founded in 1924 by Curtis Publishing Company heiress Mary Louise Curtis Bok, has trained many of the world's best-known and respected American composers and performers, including Leonard Bernstein and Samuel Barber during the 20th century, and current stars Juan Diego Flórez, Alan Gilbert, Hilary Hahn, Jennifer Higdon, Lang Lang, and Ray Chen.

The city has played an equally prominent role in developing popular music. In the early years of rock and roll, a number of South Philadelphia-born popular vocalists made Philadelphia and popular music virtually synonymous, including Chubby Checker, Frankie Avalon, and Bobby Rydell. This led to the airing of the popular rock and roll dance show American Bandstand, hosted by Dick Clark from the WPVI-TV studios at 46th and Market Streets at the time, where teenagers would descend in droves after school to be televised dancing to the late