Happenings at Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley

The Cookers - Eddie Henderson, David Weiss, Donald Harrison, Azar Lawrence, George Cables, Cecil McBee & Billy Hart

February 3 - 4, 2026

Dimitriou's Jazz Alley welcomes colossal bebop supergroup and perennial favorite, The Cookers. Band members are: Eddie Henderson (trumpet), David Weiss (trumpet), Donald Harrison (alto saxophone), Azar Lawrence (tenor sax), George Cables (piano), Cecil McBee (bass), and Billy Hart (drums). Show time Tuesday and Wednesday at 7:30pm with doors at 6:00pm each night. This show is supported by KNKX.

Experience counts, especially in jazz. The more time musicians spend interpreting tunes and interacting with others, the more articulation an audience can expect. You can hear the fruits of such work in the expressive language The Cookers bring to the bandstand and to their five critically acclaimed recordings, Warriors, Cast the First Stone, Believe, Time and Time Again (which was the iTunes Jazz CD of the year in 2014) and The Call of the Wild and Peaceful Heart. This exciting all-star septet summons up an aggressive mid ‘60s spirit with a potent collection of expansive post-bop originals marked by all the requisite killer instincts and pyrotechnic playing expected of some of the heaviest hitters on the scene today.

Cecile McBee, George Cables, Eddie Henderson, and Billy Hart all came up in the heady era of the mid ‘60s. It was a period that found the dimensions of hard bop morphing from their original designs, and each of these guys helped facilitate the process as members of some of the most important bands of the era. Hart and Henderson were members of Herbie Hancock’s groundbreaking Mwandishi group; Cecil McBee anchored Charles Lloyd’s great ’60s quartet alongside Keith Jarrett and Jack DeJohnette; while George Cables held down the piano chair in numerous bands including groups led by Sonny Rollins, Joe Henderson, Freddie Hubbard, Dexter Gordon and Art Pepper.

David Weiss and Donald Harrison, from a more recent generation and the youngest members of the band, are experts in this forthright lingo, having gained experience performing with Art Blakey, Bobby Hutcherson, Freddie Hubbard, Charles Tolliver, Roy Haynes and Herbie Hancock.

Donald Harrison was recently named an NEA Jazz Master!

Each member of the Cookers has spent time leading his own series of groups as well, and each has a keenly individual sound. But it’s the unmistakable power of teamwork that makes this music so commanding and resonates with a kind of depth and beauty that speaks of the seasoned track record of its principals (combined, the group has over 250 years of experience in the jazz world and has been a part of over 1,000 recordings). You can feel the collective weight of that experience in every live performance.

After seventeen years together, The Cookers, who “embody the serious-as-death commitment that it took to thrive on the New York scene some four decades ago” (Andrew Gilbert, The Boston Globe), recently released their sixth album, Look Out!, the follow up album to their five critically-acclaimed recordings. On Look Out!, again the incredibly high level of musicianship has only increased with the latest offering of fresh, challenging, boundary-pushing music from these legendary, revered, veteran improvisers.  www.thecookersmusic.com

VIDEO: Live Performance  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6pohNagO_jQ

THE STYLISTICS

February 5 – 8, 2026

 Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley welcomes legendary Philly sounds and sweet love songs with The Stylistics. Band members are Airrion Love – original member (vocals), Herbert Murrell – original member (vocals), Jason Sharp (vocals) along with Rudy Gaye (guitar), Max Hoenig (keyboards), Brian Williams (keyboards), TW Sample (keyboards), Bey Holiday (bass) and Curtis Johnson (drums). Show times Thursday through Sunday at 7:30pm and a late show Saturday at 9:30pm. Doors open at 6:00pm Thursday and 5:30pm Friday – Sunday.

In 1966, “The Stylistics” formed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, by combining local high school rival singing groups, "The Percussions" and "The Monarchs". When members from each of the groups answered the then United States draft call and higher education endeavors after graduation, the remaining members under the guidance of English teacher, Beverly Hamilton joined forces and officially created the name “The Stylistics".

After working locally a few years in Pennsylvania’s tri-state vicinity, the group was approached by Bill Perry, a local record company executive. Bill asked if they would be interested in making a studio recording, and with no hesitation, they jumped at his offer. Finally, the group’s ultimate dream had come true.

By 1970, “You're a Big Girl Now", penned by the group’s then guitarist Robert “Doc” Douglas and Road Manager, Marty Bryant was recorded and “The Stylistics” were finally on the road to their much-deserved legendary success. The initial recording sessions cost Bill Perry a little over $500 to produce, which soon after resulted a record release in their hometown. Fortunately, before they knew it, the tune was picked-up in the tri-state area becoming a #1 hit in Philly, and several other cities up and down the east coast.

Bill’s next target was to promote the record nationally. However, he did not have the proper resources needed to make it happen, so he contacted Avco Records and a successful deal was signed. Rumor has it Bill personally received over $10,000 from this transaction, though the group never received a dime from this contract signing.

After the success of the single “You’re A Big Girl Now", Avco very aggressively set their sights on the group’s first album launch. Philly’s veteran hit producer Tom Bell was approached and hired to produce the group's first album simply entitled "The Stylistics". From that album came the birth of the group’s classic showstoppers, "Stop, Look, Listen to your Heart", "You Are Everything" and "Betcha By Golly Wow". To say the least, the success of their first album was phenomenal for that time, including an unheard total of six hit singles. Music industry’s Grammy Award nominations were a reality.

Now with the group’s talent and success engraved in stone, the ball rolled quickly with the release of their second studio album entitled Round Two, and now referred to as “the Philly sound with sweet love songs.”

Fast forward several decades, albums, cd releases, and group member changes, Herbert Murrell and second lead Airrion Love, the remaining original members of “The Stylistics” have remained friends since junior high school. They continue to travel the country and worldwide sharing their group’s music legacy.

The group’s many honors include the Philly Walk of Fame brass plaque embedded in cement on the Avenue of The Arts street in historical downtown Philadelphia. They also appear in an exhibit at the award-winning National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C.  www.thestylistics.org

VIDEO: Live Performance  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TFJbwjvtjb0

Advanced table purchases/reservations can be made on our website at jazzalley.com or by phoning Jazz Alley at 206-441-9729 and are always advised.  Purchases are non-refundable.  All shows are all ages. FREE PARKING is available at 2010 5th Avenue night of show. Full menu available at all shows and dining is optional.