Brent White Sextet at Chris’ Jazz Café

Brent White Brings Legendary Composer Frank Johnson to Life

Esteemed Philadelphia trombonist, composer, and jazz scholar Brent White takes the stage at Chris’ Jazz Café on Tuesday, June 10, to present his groundbreaking new jazz suite, Code-Switching. Inspired by Francis “Frank” Johnson, the pioneering 19th-century Black composer and bandleader, White delivers a powerful reinterpretation that resurrects Johnson’s nearly forgotten musical legacy.

Frank Johnson, born in 1792, was an extraordinary figure in early American music. As the first prominent Black musician to garner national and international acclaim, Johnson led ensembles performing for Black and white audiences—a remarkable feat in an era when most Black Americans were enslaved. Intriguingly, Johnson adapted his compositions depending on his audience, a sophisticated cultural balancing act that Brent White defines as musical “code-switching.”

With no extant recordings of Johnson’s performances, Brent White has reconstructed Johnson’s works using surviving sheet music, hand-copied instrumental parts, and piano sketches. Through his intensive research as a 2022 Innovation Fellow at the Library Company of Philadelphia, White discovered that Johnson’s original performances likely featured improvisation, polyrhythms, groove-based rhythmic vitality, and vibrant call-and-response elements—essentially the core elements of jazz—yet largely stripped away by white publishers. Code-Switching seeks to reinstate these crucial African-American musical sensibilities, breathing dynamic new life into Johnson’s social compositions, such as ballroom waltzes, parade marches, and elegant cotillions.

Brent White Leads Exceptional Ensemble in Historical Tribute

The Brent White Sextet’s performance at Chris’ Jazz Café will highlight exceptional jazz interpretations of Johnson’s celebrated compositions, including “Battle of New Orleans” and “Lafayette Ball.” Each piece is arranged to capture both Johnson’s original vision and contemporary jazz’s vibrant expressiveness, honoring the composer’s true musical intentions while showcasing White’s own talents.

The ensemble features Brent White on trombone, joined by accomplished Philadelphia musicians Todd Bashore on alto sax and flute, Adam Faulk at the piano, Jason Fraticelli on bass, Pablo Batista providing rich layers of percussion, and Wayne Smith Jr. holding it all together with his deft work on drums.

Chris’ Jazz Café offers a unique Dinner & Show experience, including a curated three-course chef’s tasting menu, VIP seating options, and general admission. The performance will also be streamed live on Chris’ YouTube channel.

Join Brent White and his Sextet for an unforgettable night of music as they honor Frank Johnson’s legacy with innovation, reverence, and exceptional musicianship at one of Philadelphia’s premier jazz venues.

About Post Author

Allan Lane

Philadelphia born and bred, Allan Lane is the Publisher and Editor in Chief of digital magazines. He launched his first publication, SportBikes Inc Magazine in 2010, followed by dosage MAGAZINE in 2019. Recently, Allan launched his third online publication, Club For Man. As a journalist, Allan covers fashion, lifestyle, culture, art, and motorcycles.

See author's posts