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Tim Brey

Tim Brey is a young in-demand jazz pianist living in Philadelphia, and a recent graduate of Temple University with a Bachelor’s of Music in Jazz Studies. He has had the privilege of performing in small groups led by Norman David, Dick Oatts, Noah Preminger, Joanna Pascale, Terell Stafford, and John Swana.

At just 24 years old, Brey has performed internationally at the “Keep an Eye on Jazz” competition at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam (2012), and with saxophonist Raymond McMorrin in Urayasu and Fukishima, Japan (2013).

Brey’s extensive knowledge of the Great American Songbook and his commitment to keeping jazz fresh and relevant in an evolving, modern musical climate have made him a premier jazz solo pianist, leader, and sideman in Philadelphia and beyond.

Every Sunday he can be found running the “Midtown Jazz Jam with Tim Brey Trio” at Time Restaurant and Whiskey Bar in downtown Philadelphia. He also performs solo regularly on Mondays and Tuesdays at the Prime Rib in Rittenhouse Square.

Notable recent performances include the Tim Brey Trio opening for the Philly Pops in Commonwealth Plaza at the Kimmel Center (March-May 2015), Tim Brey Quartet at the 2015 Midtown Village Fall Festival, 2015 Lancaster Ave Jazz Fest with Vince Turnbull, 2014 International Trumpet Guild Conference with the Earl Philips Big Band, 2014 Somers Point Jazz Festival with John Swana, the 2014 Berks Jazz Festival with Seth Ebersole, 2013 Rochester Jazz Festival with Terell Stafford and 2013 International Society of Bassists Convention with Peter Paulsen.

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4
Album Review

Chris Oatts: Personalities

Read "Personalities" reviewed by Victor L. Schermer


Saxophonist Chris Oatts is a graduate of the jazz program at Temple University's Boyer College of Music and Dance and the nephew of revered saxophonist—and faculty member of Temple University—Dick Oatts. This reviewer heard Chris Oatts at Chris' Jazz Café (similarity in the names purely coincidental) in September, 2021, with his quintet featuring one of his teachers and mentors, Terell Stafford, on trumpet. In that set, Oatts stayed within the bebop/hard bop traditions and showed exceptional sophistication, inventiveness, and resilience ...

4
Album Review

Greg Duncan: Sound Duality

Read "Sound Duality" reviewed by Troy Dostert


Trumpeter Greg Duncan moved from Chicago to Philadelphia in 2020, and the change of environment brought about more than an altered geography. It gave Duncan the chance to forge some creative partnerships with two new ensembles, both of which are found on Sound Duality. The first, a conventional quartet, utilizes the talents of pianist Tim Brey, bassist Sam Harris, and drummer Anwar Marshall, while the other is an organ trio, with Marshall maintaining the drum duties alongside Duncan and organist ...

10
Album Review

Nick Lombardelli: Secret Suite

Read "Secret Suite" reviewed by David A. Orthmann


Nick Lombardelli's debut recording as a leader heralds the arrival of a prodigious composer, arranger and instrumentalist. Secret Suite is a five-part work that deftly fuses composed material and the improvisations of nearly everyone in an eight-piece band, including drummer Matt Scarano who initiates “Solid Ground" and caps off “A New View," the suite's final movement. Utilizing jazz and classical techniques, Lombardelli writes vivid melodies that evoke a variety of moods, often stretches his compositions beyond easily ...

3
Album Review

Nick Lombardelli: Secret Suite

Read "Secret Suite" reviewed by Kyle Simpler


It's easy to see the influence of blues and popular music in jazz. After all, many jazz standards were originally popular songs, and blues is where jazz music originated. Classical music, though, has also featured prominently in jazz, but it doesn't always get the same level of recognition. However, some of the greatest jazz musicians and composers, such as Duke Ellington, Bill Evans, and Dave Brubeck have all been influenced by classical music. In keeping with this tradition, Nick Lombardelli's ...

6
Album Review

Norman David: The Eleventet - Please Call

Read "The Eleventet - Please Call" reviewed by Victor L. Schermer


Clarinetist and soprano saxophonist Norman David founded and has been leading Philadelphia's Eleventet for over three decades. After thirty years playing in in and around the city, the band found their recording groove with their first CD, At This Time (Norman David/Coolcraft, 2011). Now, in this new release, they deliver swinging and ear-popping sounds while at the same time offering nuances, subtleties, and creative ideas that generate interest for the more serious listener. David plays a mean soprano sax, while ...

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Photos

Concerts

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Sound Duality

New Origins Records
2022

buy

Personalities

BCM&D Records
2022

buy

Voice = Power

Next Level
2020

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Secret Suite

Self Produced
2020

buy

Crazy in Philly!

CoolCraft
2017

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The Straggler

From: Secret Suite
By Tim Brey

This is Our Moment

From: Voice = Power
By Tim Brey

This Is Our Moment

From: This Is Our Moment (single)
By Tim Brey

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