Over the four years that the Lifeline Music Coalition has produced the music for the West Oak Lane Jazz and Arts Festival, which starts today, artistic director Warren Oree has worked against that hometown neglect.
Though the names that stand out largest on the advertising are those of national (and, for the most part, non-jazz) headliners like the Ohio Players, War and Roy Ayers, Oree has always seen those marquee acts as bait to lure eyes and ears toward the Philly musicians who fill the fest's four stages for the remainder of its three days.
"There's just something about playing in your hometown, where you're not considered important or significant," Oree said of the "local" stigma.
"It even goes beyond music sometimes; I think it's just a natural, human thing. But I do see this festival as helping to remove some of it."
Of course, in his other role - as bassist and leader of the Arpeggio Jazz Ensemble - Oree is one of those musicians who benefit from the heightened exposure. But he'd be the first to 'fess up to that additional motivation.
"I'm about hustling, man, so if there ain't nobody giving the work, I'm about creating the work," he said with a laugh. "You might say the jazz scene is really rough, but you can't wait for the situation to develop, you have to develop the situation. That's not always easy, but sometimes it's necessary."
"Musicians will find a way," echoed alto saxophonist Bobby Zankel. His avant-garde big band, the Warriors of the Wonderful Sound, teams Zankel with a number of younger musicians, a situation that provides mentoring for them and a vessel for the leader to get his music heard.
"The business is so bad that it levels the playing field in a way that's democratizing," Zankel said.
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