Celebrating The Late Larry McKenna's 90th Birthday
Celebrating The Late Larry McKenna's 90th Birthday
Larry McKenna was one of the world’s finest jazz saxophone players. Known for his gorgeous, velvety sound, the unparalleled beauty of his balladry, and his fluid, bebop-inspired improvisations. For years, Larry’s status as a jazz great was affirmed by his myriad fans and the jazz stars with whom he played and recorded including Woody Herman, Clark Terry, Buddy DeFranco, Tony Bennett, Rosemary Clooney and Frank Sinatra.
Larry was one of the most sought-out saxophone and jazz theory teachers in Philadelphia. He taught countless students at University of the Arts, Temple University School of Music, West Chester University, Widener University, and Community College of Philadelphia. Many of his students have pursued successful careers in music. Larry’s influence, spanning decades, can be said to have established a Larry McKenna school of saxophone playing in the Philadelphia region.
In addition to being a frequent guest on recordings by other top jazz players, Larry released three CDs under his own name to widespread critical acclaim. His final album, “World on a String” (BCM&D, 2023), was born out of a collaboration between McKenna and fellow tenor saxophonist and arranger Jack Saint Clair. Supported by a community of artists, it is the first album to feature Larry McKenna and strings.
The arrangements and the original composition “Samba De Else” featured on World on a String were first performed for a sold-out audience on October 12, 2021 at Philadelphia’s World Café Live. McKenna described this evening as “a career highlight,” and immediately thereafter, the 11 musicians who made that evening happen recorded this album to document it for all time.
Music arranged by Larry McKenna has been performed on “The Tonight Show” with Johnny Carson and in the Nicholas Cage movie “Birdy,” in which Larry played and appeared. He has published many jazz-oriented arrangements for school concert bands which can be purchased from Northeastern Music Publications.
With The Larry McKenna Jazz Orchestra & Special Guest Vocalist Joanna Pascale.
We are proud to celebrate what would have been his 90th birthday and honored to host this special evening with many of the musicians whos lives he touched.
Set times 7:30pm & 9:00pm
$25 First Show, $20 Second Show
General Admission ~ a la carte menu: $25 / $20
Dinner & Show ~ includes 3-course dinner: $85 / $80
VIP Dinner & Show ~ includes dinner above and upgrade to stage-front seating: $105 / $100
(Beverages not included)
All-In Price at check out inclusive of taxes & fees. Server gratuity ($12) added to Dinner & Show fees.
Join our YouTube Channel to watch live: Chris' Jazz Cafe
Larry McKenna was one of the world’s finest jazz saxophone players. Known for his gorgeous, velvety sound, the unparalleled beauty of his balladry, and his fluid, bebop-inspired improvisations. For years, Larry’s status as a jazz great was affirmed by his myriad fans and the jazz stars with whom he played and recorded including Woody Herman, Clark Terry, Buddy DeFranco, Tony Bennett, Rosemary Clooney and Frank Sinatra.
Larry was one of the most sought-out saxophone and jazz theory teachers in Philadelphia. He taught countless students at University of the Arts, Temple University School of Music, West Chester University, Widener University, and Community College of Philadelphia. Many of his students have pursued successful careers in music. Larry’s influence, spanning decades, can be said to have established a Larry McKenna school of saxophone playing in the Philadelphia region.
In addition to being a frequent guest on recordings by other top jazz players, Larry released three CDs under his own name to widespread critical acclaim. His final album, “World on a String” (BCM&D, 2023), was born out of a collaboration between McKenna and fellow tenor saxophonist and arranger Jack Saint Clair. Supported by a community of artists, it is the first album to feature Larry McKenna and strings.
The arrangements and the original composition “Samba De Else” featured on World on a String were first performed for a sold-out audience on October 12, 2021 at Philadelphia’s World Café Live. McKenna described this evening as “a career highlight,” and immediately thereafter, the 11 musicians who made that evening happen recorded this album to document it for all time.
Music arranged by Larry McKenna has been performed on “The Tonight Show” with Johnny Carson and in the Nicholas Cage movie “Birdy,” in which Larry played and appeared. He has published many jazz-oriented arrangements for school concert bands which can be purchased from Northeastern Music Publications.
Seating InfoView Seating Chart
Premier Tables:
The best seats in the house positioned directly in front of the performance stage (marked dark blue on the seating map).
Standard Tables:
Clear and unobstructed views of stage (marked purple on the seating map). A few tables have a partially obstructed view (marked light blue on the seating map).
Cocktail & Bar Area:
Seating at high-top tables and at the bar area available on a first come, first seated basis (marked green on the seating map). Tables may be shared for sold out shows. Two TV monitors with live video feed of the performance are conveniently located above the bar and cocktail areas.
- All ticket prices are per person.
- Dinner menu available in all sections.
- Your ticket is also your dining reservation.
- Every ticket gets a seat in area purchased and tables are reserved based on the date when you made your reservation.
- We will do our best to ensure that your entire group sits together, please let us know in the order notes if there are multiple ticket orders in your group.
- For any special needs or accommodation requests, please call us at 215-568-3131.
- Tickets are the same price whether purchased in person, over the phone or online.
- No refunds, professional cameras or outside food and drink.
- There is a limited amount of seating available for performances, if the show is sold out online, contact us at 215-568-3131 for seating availability.
Festival Seating:
Festival seating is our general admission ticket. The entire venue or a portion of the venue may be designated for festival admission. These tickets will guarantee you a seat for the show and you are free to sit anywhere in the venue based on a "first come, first seated" basis. This should also allow for larger groups to sit together.
- All ticket prices are per person.
- Dinner menu available in all sections.
- Your ticket is also your dining reservation.
- For any special needs or accommodation requests, please call us at 215-568-3131.
- Tickets are the same price whether purchased in person, over the phone or online.
- No refunds, professional cameras or outside food and drink.
- There is a limited amount of seating available for performances, if the show is sold out online, contact us at 215-568-3131 for seating availability.