Author: Skip Spratt

Alto saxophonist and Philadelphian Neil Wetzel has recently released his long-overdue solo album Misunderestimated on Hot Apple Spider Productions. Wetzel is joined by some of the area’s best jazz artists from Philadelphia and the Lehigh Valley on this inaugural release. As a longtime sideman, woodwind player and educator Neil Wetzel’s abilities have been well documented over the years. He has now realized his full potential as a solo artist on alto saxophone.

Pianist, composer and educator Fred Wackenhut recently released This I Dig of You on Art of Life Records. The Fred Wackenhut Quartet, originally recorded in Philadelphia in 1996, features Larry McKenna on tenor saxophone, Wackenhut on piano as well as bassist Darryl Hall and drummer Nick Ciminale. The quartet playing is inspired and steeped in the jazz tradition. The original compositions as well as standard tunes provide a balanced offering from these four talented jazz musicians.

Saxophonist Lynn Riley has recently released her national dubut CD Too Cool. The bold, funky and rhythmic mixes represent a collaboration between bassist Rubin Edwards and Riley on saxophone.

Lynn Riley has been performing throughout the United States as well as in Europe, Africa, South American and the Caribbean. She has studied in Hawaii and traveled much of the country before returning to her native east coast. Born in Washington, D.C., Riley has spent much of her life around Philadelphia.

Often described as “Superwoman” on the sax, Riley has been the recipient of a Window of Opportunity grant from the Leeway Foundation in 2004. She has been recognized for her contributions to Afro-American Classical Music as well as jazz education. In addition to her many accolades, she has shared the stage with jazz artists such as Grover Washington Jr. , David Bromberg, Gerald Veasley, Najee, and Spyro Gyra among others.