Alive In Philadelphia Vol. 1 At Chris' Jazz Cafe
Alexander Claffy
Alive in Philadelphia, Vol. 1 (At Chris' Jazz Cafe) is a live album from New York-based bassist and bandleader Alexander Claffy, released on March 27, 2026 via Cellar Music Group. Recorded across two nights — March 7–8, 2025 — at Chris' Jazz Cafe on Sansom Street in Philadelphia, the album carries considerable personal resonance: Claffy, a Philadelphia native who has been performing on that stage since he was a teenager, returned home with an all-star post-bop quintet to capture the kind of live communal jazz experience that first shaped him. WRTI described it as "a victory lap with friends" — a full-circle moment for one of the most in-demand bassists of his generation, now firmly established in the New York scene. The band features tenor saxophonist Seamus Blake, alto saxophonist Jaleel Shaw, pianist Kevin Hays, and drummer Bill Stewart, with additional contributions from trumpeter Sean Jones.
The album's eight-track, 78-minute set moves fluidly between originals and bold cover choices. Jazz at Lincoln Center's description of the album release show neatly captures its range: "the music jumps from vibrant originals to bold reimaginings of Mississippi blues classics, creating a set that's raw, fresh, and deeply grooving." Standout selections include the George Shearing tune "She," a searching reading of Skip James' "Hard Time Killin' Floor Blues," and a meditative "Oriental Folk Song." All About Jazz noted that the album captures Claffy returning "home" to the room where he came of age as a musician, with the agile dynamism of the quintet's rapport very much at the center of the listening experience. A second volume from the same sessions is forthcoming.
Alive In Philadelphia Vol. 1 At Chris' Jazz Cafe
Alexander Claffy
Alive in Philadelphia, Vol. 1 (At Chris' Jazz Cafe) is a live album from New York-based bassist and bandleader Alexander Claffy, released on March 27, 2026 via Cellar Music Group. Recorded across two nights — March 7–8, 2025 — at Chris' Jazz Cafe on Sansom Street in Philadelphia, the album carries considerable personal resonance: Claffy, a Philadelphia native who has been performing on that stage since he was a teenager, returned home with an all-star post-bop quintet to capture the kind of live communal jazz experience that first shaped him. WRTI described it as "a victory lap with friends" — a full-circle moment for one of the most in-demand bassists of his generation, now firmly established in the New York scene. The band features tenor saxophonist Seamus Blake, alto saxophonist Jaleel Shaw, pianist Kevin Hays, and drummer Bill Stewart, with additional contributions from trumpeter Sean Jones.
The album's eight-track, 78-minute set moves fluidly between originals and bold cover choices. Jazz at Lincoln Center's description of the album release show neatly captures its range: "the music jumps from vibrant originals to bold reimaginings of Mississippi blues classics, creating a set that's raw, fresh, and deeply grooving." Standout selections include the George Shearing tune "She," a searching reading of Skip James' "Hard Time Killin' Floor Blues," and a meditative "Oriental Folk Song." All About Jazz noted that the album captures Claffy returning "home" to the room where he came of age as a musician, with the agile dynamism of the quintet's rapport very much at the center of the listening experience. A second volume from the same sessions is forthcoming.