The Mini Q’s have been a staple on the Philadelphia jazz scene since pianist/ keyboardist Luke Carlos O’Reilly and guitarist Ben O’Neill joined forces to create the hard-hitting organ trio in 2004.
Pulling from a wide range of influences, The Q’s meld the rich and flavorful jazz tradition of Jimmy Smith, Pat Martino and Grant Green with soul sensibilities of Jill Scott, TSOP and an ever-expanding repertoire of spirituals and hymns. The name ‘The Mini Q’s’ was coined by Ben O’Neill, and it is in reference to an Electro-Harmonix Mini Q-Tron guitar effects pedal he uses often with the group.
For three and a half years, The Mini Q’s ran a legendary Monday night jam session that served as a gathering place and proving ground for many of the cities finest musicians. Their debut record, ‘Monday Night Jump’ (2006) was a collection of improvisations-turned-songs from that celebrated time. Since then, they have performed at the Kimmel Center, Chris’ Jazz Cafe, and many other large and small venues in and around the Philadelphia area.
‘The Mini Q’s Ride Again’ (2019) is the long-awaited follow up album and is in every way the product of years of maturation, musical marination and growth. In five tracks, funky, fluid, swinging and savory, the trio covers ground as diverse as the Great American Songbook, traditional gospel, and deep, “Blue Note” style grooves.
Both Ben and Luke had recently taken a hiatus from the group to release their own projects and travel the world as sidemen with artists such as John Legend, Erykah Badu and Seal. Now, the group is back in full throttle, and in peak form.
Sittin’ In introduces audiences to new cutting-edge artists. It defies genre, often drawing from everything from straight-ahead jazz to freestyle hip hop and all points in between. There’s an unpredictability to the night, which we enthusiastically embrace! Sometimes you’ll experience a finely tuned set and sometimes you can catch a totally improvised show by seven people who have never played together. The awesome creativity, excitement, and quality always shine through in The Kimmel Center’s informal club-like setting, featuring early warm-up sets by some of the hottest DJs around. And, it’s free!
Be our guest. Come by sometime and see who is Sittin’ In.
#whoissittinin
Doors: 8pm
Band: 9pm
Close: 11pm
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The Kimmel Center gratefully acknowledges Coca-Cola for their generous support of Sittin’ In
