Jazz Cafe | Dining & Jazz

Laura Lizcano is a Colombian jazz vocalist and songwriter based in Philadelphia. Influenced by artists like Norah Jones and Natalia LaFourcade, Lizcano crafts lyrically driven compositions that blend elements of jazz, folk, and pop.

Lizcano was born in the city of Bogotá, Colombia and, as a child, emigrated to a small, rural town in the United States. In her late teens, she moved to Philadelphia to pursue a degree in Jazz Performance. As a student, she had the opportunity to perform at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts with Joanna Pascale, Chelsea Reed, Lee Mo, Najwa Parkins, and Alexa Barchini for the Sittin In’ Series at Innovation Studio. She has also performed at Dizzy’s Club Coca Cola as the featured vocalist with the Temple University Big Band. Currently, Lizcano performs throughout the Central Pennsylvania and Greater Philadelphia regions with her band.

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.

Doc Redd of the esteemed Doc Redd & The League Of Heirz can only be described as genius. With his creative mind and skillful playing this Soul artist writes achingly sweet music that will consume every waking thought for days. The League Of Heirz is the group under Doc Redd’s leadership and their performance will leave you wanting more.

$15 entertainment charge
Sets at 7, 8:30, 10pm
Reservations available

A native of Montclair, New Jersey has been singing since age four. Influenced by her parents’ love for jazz and soul music, Shakera began performing and singing at every opportunity. Shakera moved to Philadelphia to attend Temple University’s Esther Boyer College of Music, where she graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Music-concentration Jazz Voice. While attending Temple University, Shakera formed the Shakera Jones Quartet. Early performances consisted of mostly jazz standards with original arrangements.
During her studies for a Master’s degree in Jazz Studies at the University of the Arts, Shakera began to focus on songwriting. Since then, she has developed a style all her own winning audiences with her sultry voice, impressive range, use of personal lyrics, groovy arrangements, and jazz/soul/hip-hop influenced accompaniment.

The Hot Club of Philadelphia was started in 2001 by guitarist Barry Wahrhaftig. They are an acoustic ensemble, dedicated to playing ‘Gypsy Jazz.’ That’s the term used to describe the music pioneered by the legendary original ‘Hot Club of France Quintet,’ which was led by guitarist Django Reinhardt and Violinist Stephane Grappelli. Django and Grappelli were attempting to do their own version of American ‘Hot Jazz,’ as played by stars like Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington. They used acoustic guitars, bass and violin, rather than horns and drums. Grappelli and Django added some French and Gypsy flavor and created a blend of music that is quite popular and accessible. The HCPhilly mixes the original style of the HCOF, along with their own modern influences.

The Hot Club of Philadelphia was started in 2001 by guitarist Barry Wahrhaftig. They are an acoustic ensemble, dedicated to playing ‘Gypsy Jazz.’ That’s the term used to describe the music pioneered by the legendary original ‘Hot Club of France Quintet,’ which was led by guitarist Django Reinhardt and Violinist Stephane Grappelli. Django and Grappelli were attempting to do their own version of American ‘Hot Jazz,’ as played by stars like Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington. They used acoustic guitars, bass and violin, rather than horns and drums. Grappelli and Django added some French and Gypsy flavor and created a blend of music that is quite popular and accessible. The HCPhilly mixes the original style of the HCOF, along with their own modern influences.

Popular local Philadelphia songwriter, 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.

Born in Philadelphia, Allen began performing and composing at the age of 15. After discovering the music of John Coltrane, Pat Metheny, and Keith Jarrett, he moved to New York City to attend the Manhattan School of Music where he studied with Jack Wilkins, John Abercrombie and David Liebman. Over the next twenty years Allen performed with many of the most respected musicians in jazz today, including Mark Turner, Miguel Zenon, Joey Baron, Ravi Coltrane, Dave Binney, Jeff Ballard, Seamus Blake, Donny McCaslin, Marcus Gilmore, and many others. He has released three critically acclaimed recordings and has been written about in the New York Times, Downbeat Magazine and Jazz Times Magazine. He has toured with his own projects and as a sideman throughout the U.S., Europe and Asia.

As a composer, Allen is known for his challenging writing and his use of rhythmic layering and dense harmonies. He is also deeply influenced and inspired by modern painting, poetry and cinema. He has composed works based on the paintings of Willem de Kooning, the poetry of Wallace Stevens, and the films of Stan Brakage. In 2015 Allen was commissioned to compose a suite for string quartet for the Klasik Keyifler music organization in Istanbul. The work, Thrown Voices, was performed in Cappadocia, Istanbul, Berlin and New York. He has recently recently released new recording of his quintet, “The Sky Above Her”.

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.

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.