About Hot Club of Philadelphia
The Band
The band performs as a trio, quartet, quintet, etc. Bassist Jim Stager has been with the group from the beginning. Joshua Machiz & Chris Pistorino also share bass duties. Zack Devine is the 2nd guitarist, and violinist Joseph Arnold is a key part of the group’s recordings and shows, along with Mollie DuCoste.
They often collaborate with vocalist Phyllis Chapell. Their second CD, ‘Gypsy Routes,’ released in 2015, features Chapell on pieces like Edith Piaf’s ‘La Foule’ in French, and ‘Cry Me a River’ [in English].
Barry also sings; early jazz pieces like ‘Georgia on My Mind,’ and standards that were done by artists like Frank Sinatra & Nat ‘King’ Cole.
Their eclectic mix also includes interpretations of songs by the Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, John Prine, etc.
The ensemble is available for concerts, workshops, private parties, swing dances, house concerts, live stream shows, etc.
The group was chosen to provide the entertainment for Phila’s 1st ‘Diner en Blanc, [they’ve played seven so far, including 2023, & 2022.]
They also performed for the grand opening of Café Click – Comcast Plaza, and for Comcast CEO Brian Roberts, who is a fan.
Weddings: WHYY Arts & Entertainment reporter Peter Crimmins’ and actors David Costabile and Eliza Baldi’s nuptials as well. [David’s credits include the series ‘Breaking Bad.’]
CDs
Their first CD, ‘Wrap Your Troubles in Dreams,’ 2010 was very well received and their 2015 release, ‘Gypsy Routes,’ featured guest spots by Howard Alden, Titi Bamberger, Larry McKenna, Phyllis Chapell and Marty Grosz.
‘Gypsy Routes,’ came in at # 11 on WRTI’s end of year Top 100 Countdown.
Their current release ‘Gypsy – Americana”, included versions of Stephen Foster’s ‘Hard Times, ‘Ashokan Farewell,’ ‘Blossom dearie’s ‘They Say It’s Spring, and Leonard Cohen’s ‘Dance Me to The End of Love,’ Klezmer style. It was chosen as WRTI’ Jazz Radio’s CD of the week in 2021.
The band is beginning to record their fourth release.
A wide variety of venues…
The Kimmel Center’s PIFA Festival, the area’s first ‘Diner en Blanc,’
The Philadelphia Museum of Art,
Jewish-American History Museum,
World Café Live,
Sellersville Theater,
WHYY- studios,
Musikfest-Bethlehem, Bucks County Playhouse,
Sold out shows at Miller Symphony Hall - ‘Jazz Room Upstairs’ - Allentown, PA.
Pastorius Park Summer Series,
Newtown Theater
Philadelphia Folk Festival,
S.J. Pinelands Jazz Fest,
Media, PA, Jazz by Night,’ series,
Sunnybrook Ballroom
Rose Tree Park Summer Concerts
ongoing residency at City Winery in Philadelphia.
The Barnes Foundation, the Mid-West Gypsy Swing Festival, to name a few.