Jazz Cafe | Dining & Jazz

A fun-filled evening of KARAOKE, drinks and delicious French food. Join us in the Jazz Cafe from 7:00-10:00.

“A BELTER OF THE BLUES”, is how “PHILA. INQUIRER MAGAZINE” featured SISTER BLUE in a 1998 feature of “LOCAL ANGLE”. That same year “NORTHEAST TIMES” described her as a singer whose…”soul fights its way out and fills the room with well-seasoned wisdom and joy”, and “strums her guitar with a trance-like fervor”. In 1999, “CHESTNUT HILL LOCAL” exclaimed, “she bellows, belabors, and blasts the blues as if it’s exploding from a howitzer. There are no pretty bows on her songs, just a barbed wire of passion hot enough to burn up the furniture in the room.
A Philly native, Sister Blue fronts a driving blues band, with powerful vocals and stinging guitar leads. For variety, Sister Blue also leads an acoustic duo, playing blues and ragtime, including renditions of her favorite Bessie Smith songs, as well as compositions of her own.

Lynn Riley enjoys a vibrant career as a jazz musician, composer, and educator, whose primary instruments are saxophone and flute. As the leader of The World-Mix, Lynn has been described more than once as “Superwoman” of the sax. Born in Washington, D.C., and raised outside of Philadelphia, Pa., she received a B. A. in Ethnomusicology from the University of Hawaii. Her time spent in Hawaii was influential in developing her sensibility to, and awareness of, different musical cultures. Since returning to Philadelphia, Lynn has performed with many great artists like Grover Washington Jr., Philly Joe Jones, David Bromberg, Rachelle Farrell, and Johnny Pacheco, as well as leading her own group Lynn Riley And The World-Mix. She has opened for artists such as Najee, Spyro Gyra, Nelson Rangell, the Indigo Girls, Brenda K Star, the Mahotella Queens, and Compai Segundo of the Buena Vista Club. She has performed throughout the United States, as well as in Europe, Africa, South America and the Caribbean.

She received a Window of Opportunity grant from the Leeway Foundation in 2004. Her proficiency has been recognized by the Trane Stop Resource Institute, which presented her with an award acknowledging her contribution in preserving and promoting Afro-American Classical Music. The NAJE presented her with an award for Outstanding Service to Jazz Education.

Collaboration with long time friend, co-band member and producer Rubin Edwards has generated many magical musical moments, from riveting live performances and beautiful compositions to production of Lynn’s albums Too Cool (2009) and her new release Lynn Riley and The World-Mix Say What (2014).

Wendy Simon is a polished performer who stylishly and sensitively can sing around a ballad, as well as sing and swing with the best! She has a low, delectable voice and innovative scat-singing. Wendy will be joined by her trio.

Join us every THIRD SUNDAY in our Jazz Cafe for a Family Friendly Brunch with the music of a featured band, sure to get your toes tapping and little ones on their feet! Admission is $12 and a la carte brunch menu available. Dancing welcome! Make a Jazz Cafe Brunch reservation for 10:30am or 10:45am to attend.

Our May Family Jazz Brunch has been postponed until June due to the Spring Home & Garden Festival changing dates due to rain.  We look forward to dancing and dining with you in June! 

For over 27 years, virtuoso accordionist Jacques Pellarin has brought the sounds of the French countryside to all corners of the globe. With international song placements, 7 albums and multiple world tours, he has shared his french cinema-inspired accordion compositions with world-wide audiences.

For his most intimate performance to date, he will tour with his lifelong muse, Corinne Pellarin, as “Jac & Co”. They will inspire audiences with the eternal sounds of France. According to the French magazine Le Progrès, they “bring back almost a century of the traditional French ‘chanson’ songs in the likes of Édith Piaf and Yves Montand, Francis Lemarque.

This Philadelphia based singer/songwriter and self-proclaimed truth teller makes her debut at Paris Bistro with her full band. She has released 3 singles in 2019 to critical acclaim. Her most recent single, “Daisy Buchanan” has found its way onto airwaves of radio stations in the UK and her live performances have captured the attention of music lovers of all genres.

“Often dubbed worthy for a Disney princess, Royce’s voice is primed for the Broadway stage or well-suited for such silver screen notions as the Amy Adams-starring ‘Enchanted’. It’s both altogether spellbinding and carries the weight of the whole world.”
– Jason Scott reviewing the single “Daisy Buchanan”

The Bradford Neely Quartet brings a passion and intensity to the bandstand that is palpable to the listeners. Featuring original compositions, along with works by Ornette Coleman and Thelonious Monk, the group blends the accessible with the avant-garde creating an experience where groove, spontaneity, and honesty are at the forefront. Through the blending of personal influences and experiences each performance offers a window into the lives of the artists, allowing each member’s unique message to resonate with the audience.
Bradford Neely is a graduate of the Boyer College of Music and Dance at Temple University and is an active member of the Philadelphia jazz scene. Bradford has had the pleasure of playing with musicians such as: Byron Landham, Mike Frank, Larry Tamanini, James Santangelo, Khary Abdul-shaheed, Matt Davis and many others.
The band consists of:
Liam Werner-Trumpet
Simón Crosby-Alto Saxophone
Kyon Williams-Drums

Founded in 1997 by guitarist Richard Barnes, the band had one simple mission – to preserve the music of an era forgotten, the “Roaring 20s”, the “Jazz Age”, the “Gatsby Era” ( and not that silly movie with Leonardo DiCaprio ! ) . Sadly, the beginnings of Jazz , Blues, Swing and Popular music have been lost or overlooked in the History books and many of the pioneers of Jazz have all but been forgotten by the general public . Bands that once graced the airwaves in Model A’s or on Victrolas are no longer heard unless their 78rpms are dusted off from boxes in the attic and heard through scratchy old recordings.

Eddie Lang ( South Philadelphia’s own and the “father of Jazz guitar”) , Joe Venuti ( his boyhood friend and master violinist) – both inspired a young Django/Grappeli nearly a decade before they emerged. McKinney’s Cotton Pickers, Coon-Sanders Original Nighthawk Orchestra, King Oliver, Boyd Senter, Red Nichols , Bix Beiderbecke, Frankie Trumbaur, Johnny Dodds, Rudy Weidoff, Hoagy Carmichael, Fats Waller, Jelly Roll Morton…..all invented and created the new sound of American music called “Jass” – later changed to “Jazz”, long before the Swing era of the 1930s and Big Band era of the 1940s came along. And now, thanks to a dedicated bunch of musicians, it is brought back to life in Blackbird Society Orchestra.

A Philadelphia native, Dana Baker is a Doc-Soul artist. Smokey, soulful, and captivating, Dana will take you on an emotional journey from heartache to healing with her spellbinding tunes and mesmerizing presence.

$15 entertainment charge
sets at 7, 8:30 & 10pm

For over 27 years, virtuoso accordionist Jacques Pellarin has brought the sounds of the French countryside to all corners of the globe. With international song placements, 7 albums and multiple world tours, he has shared his french cinema-inspired accordion compositions with world-wide audiences.

For his most intimate performance to date, he will tour with his lifelong muse, Corinne Pellarin, as “Jac & Co”. They will inspire audiences with the eternal sounds of France. According to the French magazine Le Progrès, they “bring back almost a century of the traditional French ‘chanson’ songs in the likes of Édith Piaf and Yves Montand, Francis Lemarque.

Modern Jazz Organ trio with Electronics

w/ Jordan Young (d) and Eric Zolan (g)

Wendi Bourne, (www.wendibourne.com), from Souderton, PA, was a founding member of swing band, Big Nite Out! She is the guitarist for Girls from Mars, performing on her bee-u-tee-ful 1951 Gibson L7. When she’s not making music with “the girls”, she plays & sings with Philadelphia area bands, Swing City (with The Guys from Mars), The Coyotes (old time fiddle music) , and Western Swing band, Beat’s Walkin’, as well as free-lancing as a jazz vocalist. She is the coordinator for Swing Week at Augusta, a week-long “camp” for adults, held in West Virginia, dedicated to teaching and preserving the music and dance of the Swing Era… more info about Augusta at www.augustaheritagecenter.org More info about Wendi: www.wendibourne.com

LAUREN JANSON sang with swing band Big Nite Out for 15 years. She has studied voice with acclaimed Philadelphia vocalist, Linda Carrol. Lauren has performed with jazz artists Eric Spiegel and Randy Sorrels, as well as Maryann Price, Tom Principato, David Fry, and as a solo performer. She can be heard on many radio commercials and voice-overs, and currently makes her home in Glorietta, NM.

ANNIE PATTERSON sang with swing band Big Nite Out for 7 years. She co-edited the song book, Rise Up Singing, with husband Peter Blood. Annie produced and sang on companion tapes for Rise Up Singing for the Sing Out Corp. She has appeared as a solo artist as well as with Peter at many festivals and camps across the US and Canada, including the New England Folk Festival, Augusta Heritage Center, Vancouver Folk Festival and Clearwater Hudson River Revival.Annie currently resides in Amherst, MA.

For over 27 years, virtuoso accordionist Jacques Pellarin has brought the sounds of the French countryside to all corners of the globe. With international song placements, 7 albums and multiple world tours, he has shared his french cinema-inspired accordion compositions with world-wide audiences.

For his most intimate performance to date, he will tour with his lifelong muse, Corinne Pellarin, as “Jac & Co”. They will inspire audiences with the eternal sounds of France. According to the French magazine Le Progrès, they “bring back almost a century of the traditional French ‘chanson’ songs in the likes of Édith Piaf and Yves Montand, Francis Lemarque.

Popular local Philadelphia, Emmett Drueding, will be at Paris Bistro every first Wednesday to host the open mic night. Join Emmett as he shares songs he is working on (as either composer or interpreter) and bring your ax and sign up to perform! A piano is provided for keyboard players and Emmett will have his guitar amp on hand for you to plug your guitar into.

Daniel Bennett: Alto Saxophone/Flute/Clarinet
Nat Janoff: Guitar
Koko Bermejo: Drums

New York saxophonist Daniel Bennett has been hailed as one of the most original and unpredictable musical voices of his generation. Daniel Bennett can be heard throughout the world performing his award-winning compositions on saxophone, flute, clarinet, and oboe. The band is celebrating the release of their newest album, ‘We Are the Orchestra’ (Manhattan Daylight Media). Daniel Bennett will be joined by renowned guitarist Nat Janoff and master percussionist Koko Bermejo on drums. The music is a provocative mix of jazz, avant-pop, and American folk music. The band recently played their album release concerts at the Blue Note (NYC) and Herb Alpert’s Vibrato Jazz Club (LA). The Boston Globe describes Bennett’s music as “a mix of jazz, folk, and minimalism.” The trio was recently voted “Best New Jazz Group” in New York City Hot House Magazine. The Daniel Bennett Group has been featured in the Washington Post, Boston Globe, NPR, Indianapolis Public Radio, San Francisco Examiner, Miami Herald, St. Louis Public Radio and the Village Voice. The Village Voice raves, “saxophonist Daniel Bennett makes hay with an airy approach that’s buoyant enough to conjure notions of East African guitar riffs and Steve Reich’s pastoral repetition.” Time Out New York describes the music as, “hypnotic.” Daniel Bennett studied saxophone at the prestigious New England Conservatory in Boston. During his time in Boston, Bennett performed regularly with the Portland Symphony and the New Hampshire Festival Orchestra. Bennett also toured Italy and Switzerland with renowned Boston jazz ensemble, Musaner. In addition to leading his own band, Daniel Bennett performs in Broadway and Off-Broadway theater productions in New York City. Daniel Bennett recently composed the musical score for stage adaptations of ‘Frankenstein’ and ‘Brave Smiles’ at the Hudson Guild Theatre in Manhattan. Daniel Bennett currently plays woodwinds in ‘Blank! The Musical,’ the first fully improvised Off-Broadway musical to launch on a national stage. The New York Times calls the show, “Witty, Likable and Ludicrous!” Daniel Bennett’s theatrical works have strongly influenced his eclectic sound and musical storytelling abilities as a bandleader. Daniel Bennett is an official endorsing artist for Morgan Mouthpieces.

A long standing tradition in the world of Improvised American Music is the Jam Session. Join local music educator and saxophonist Thomas B. Razler and his trio as they welcome to the stage musicians of all levels for our monthly Jam at Paris Bistro. Arrive early enough to sign up and pick your song.

A fun-filled evening of KARAOKE, drinks and delicious French food. Join us in the Jazz Cafe from 7:00-10:00.

Tamara is a sought after and versatile musician noted for her dark, resonant tone and lyrical improvisation. She has been a featured jazz performer for events funded by the Mid Atlantic Center for the Arts, as well as Cape May Jazz Vespers, Jersey Shore Jazz Vespers and Cape May Music Festival. Originally from Atlantic County, New Jersey, Tamara studied the violin in Philadelphia. At a young age, she began studying with Philly’s iconic teacher, Julian Meyer of the Temple University Preparatory Division.