Stenton Avenue Reprise

Jazz, at long last, returns to East Mount Airy.


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Published: Dec 11, 2007

citypaper.net exclusive: In this week's City Paper, photographer Michael T. Regan and reporter Rick Valenzuela brought you a photo essay documenting jazz pianist Orrin Evans' neighborhood-transforming weekly jam sessions at East Mount Airy's Reuben's Marc bar. See the sights and hear the sounds in the duo's multi-media slideshow only on citypaper.net.

"In a year's worth of Wednesdays, at an almost forgotten corner bar, a neighborhood once known for its jazz clubs is staging a revival. The often raucous weekly jam sessions at Reuben's Marc in East Mount Airy are drawing generations of musicians from across the city to improv and experiment alongside acclaimed pianist Orrin Evans...

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View the captioned photo essay as it appeared in City Paper.

Comments

I go to this Jam session almost every week and with much thanks to Orrin and Dawn it IS the best Jam in the city.

by DK on December 13th 2007 9:48 AM

That was the coolest thing I've seen in a long time!!! Good work.

by Tone on December 13th 2007 2:48 PM

I met some very intelligent and attractive people at this bar. The music was nice... the crowd was nice... the Long Island ice tea's were not watered down.. and the bar tenders were cute... Hey Jeff !!! lol

Shy

by Shahida on December 13th 2007 3:23 PM

Thanks to Mike, Rick, Josh, and Chris we are one step closer to keeping Jazz Alive not only in Philly but everywhere!! All Luv! Keep supporting so that the musicians keep re-appearing instead of disappearing!!

by Peeano on December 13th 2007 6:03 PM

I gotta get to Reuben's Marc next time in Philly! Awesome photo's make the sessions look great.

by FW on December 13th 2007 7:24 PM

THE jam in town, and there are of course a few to choose from. Check some video clips featuring Orrin et. al. at http://phillyjazz.blip.tv
episodes 9 and 10 are from Reubens

by jason fifield on December 13th 2007 9:06 PM

Bright Moments!
As always, City Paper is still sharing their love with the Philadelphia Jazz Community. In the past, they've reviewed myself and others and this piece on Orrin and Dawn Evan (2 of the Phill Jazz Messengers), and what they've brought to Reuben's Marc and Mt Airy is, "SIMPLY MARVELOUS". Thanks, Orrin, Dawn, Reuben's Marc and last but not least, "CITY PAPER! PEACE

by "TC III"! (JAZZ VOCALIST) on December 13th 2007 10:42 PM

Thanks to Orrin, poets have a chance to connect with a diverse and receptive community that appreciate the historical and cultural connection between jazz and poetry. The various poetic sets at Rueben's Marc would make Amiri Baraka and Dolemite proud. Orrin keeps it soulful, lyrically and musically tasty like sweet potato pie.

by B Davis on December 14th 2007 12:14 PM

Great piece. Really nicely put together web content. Keep it coming!

by Daniel on December 15th 2007 9:10 PM

Excellent reporting. Can't wait to come back to Philly to check it out.

by MP on December 17th 2007 1:03 PM

joint looks good. bang up report. give us more like this.

by PGB on December 19th 2007 2:31 PM

What a great treasure you have in the Philadelphia jazz scene. Back when I used to do a show on WRTI, names like Gerts, The Capricorn Lounge, Lanzi's (in Trenton), Grendel's Lair, The Painted Bride and numerous others provided just enough music to keep the hardest working musicians alive (albeit barely!) and dedicated audiences coming back, always wishing for more. Can't wait to re-create that past next time I'm "back home." Baltimore's been terrific, but I miss Philly's big-city bigness. Enjoy it all you can, Phillyphiles! Your city and its musicians deserve your gratitude.

Gerry Hanlon

by Gerry Hanlon on December 22nd 2007 5:48 AM

Great light in these photos and the pacing of pictures and sound was perfect. This is such a good momento. Nice work guys.

by KLB on January 5th 2008 2:58 PM

What is the exact location of Ruben's Marc Bar?

by Zenora McCargo on January 8th 2008 11:42 PM

Zenora, Reuben's is at the corner of Mt. Pleasant and Stenton.

by Rick Valenzuela on January 11th 2008 1:10 PM

06/14/2010
Nice atmosphere , good crowd , but they get younger as the night goes on, Food is very tasty and prices are great, drinks are a little high, great service though. Parking is on the street competing with Rita's water ice. Get there early leave before the twenty something crowd get in . Seating is very limited

by Gina on June 14th 2010 5:51 PM

Also In This Week's Cover Story Section

Stenton Avenue Reprise: The Photo Essay

by Michael T. Regan and Rick Valenzuela