Jazz appreciation at its finest

To all you aspiring jazz performers or aficionados, this is your chance to shine. Tony Miceli, a multi-talented vibraphonist, is putting together a College Jazz Night at Chris’ Jazz Cafe located at 1421 Sansom St.

Miceli is an adjunct faculty member at the University of the Arts and Rowan University, as well as a Curtis Institute of Music master class instructor. This event is to benefit people who are looking to network themselves, and to make connections with other artists and performers in the Philadelphia area.

There will be ongoing, informal jam sessions all night. Anyone is welcome to attend, whether he or she is in a group of performers, solo or just want to listen to great music. College Jazz Night is a chance for performers to not only have fun, but to improve themselves as musicians and gain experience of performing in front of an audience. Miceli believes it is important for students to have as much experience as possible, as that will be the gateway to learning how to become a better musician and performer.

Miceli, after graduating from the University of the Arts in 1982 with a degree in percussion, studied with some of Philadelphia’s best-established musicians. He especially liked Milt Jackson in particular. “I think every vibe player would benefit by studying and transcribing Milt. He had amazing ears and musicianship. Any tune, any key, any time, and he knew them all,” he said.

Miceli performs jazz at many venues in Philadelphia, including The Kimmel Center, Zanzibar Blue, World Cafe Live, Ortlieb’s Jazzhaus, Chris’ Jazz Cafe, the Painted Bride and the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

When not performing jazz, Miceli pursues some of his other loves: Afrocuban and Latin music. It all began in 1996 and led to a collaboration with bandleader and timbale player, Edgardo Cintron and Cuban composer and pianist, Elio Villafranca.

In 1998, Miceli was invited to attend and perform at the PerCuba percussion festival in Havana with Lino Batista, which solidified his appreciation and love for the music and the culture that resides around that genre of music.

It will surely be a night to expand your mind and fulfill your musical senses. Be prepared to have an unforgettable night and just remember to bring your friends. There’s always someone who may not know a bit about jazz, and this is their chance to fall in love with it.

Becky Molotsky can be reached at R.Molotsky@temple.edu.