Philadelphia's Bynum Brothers Announce SOUTH: Kitchen, Jazz, Bar: New Intimate Jazz Club to Host Nationally Recognized Artists and Philadelphia's Finest Musicians

Gerald Veasley

Philadelphia is proud to welcome SOUTH: Kitchen, Jazz, Bar to the expansive list of top-tier night life establishments in the dynamic neighborhoods in Center City Philadelphia with a top of the line venue and restaurant at 600 N. Broad Street. Pioneering restaurateurs and jazz aficionados Robert and Benjamin Bynum, who have brought such fine venues as Warmdaddy's, Relish, Paris Bistro, and the late Zanzibar Blue to the City of Brotherly Love, are reaching out yet again with a beautiful three-room establishment featuring a top of the line jazz room, an inviting kitchen, and a contemporary bar and lounge.

"We need to support our great heritage as an important jazz city and provide unique opportunities for these artists to perform here," says Robert Bynum on why SOUTH will be a major destination for jazz artists touring in support of new releases. "We want to be a welcoming option for those national artists who've always come through Philadelphia, as well as an attractive choices for the artists who have not made Philadelphia one of their stops in the past."

Orrin Evans

Their location on Broad Street didn't happen by accident--this area was the last home of Zanzibar Blue and is currently experiencing a major reemergence as a dining and housing destination. "Broad Street has always been at the heart of the jazz scene in Philadelphia going back many, many years," explains Bynum. "Not only is it in the center of our great city, but also at the heart of its jazz core."

SOUTH is not focused solely on national artists, however. "We feel a special kinship with the born and bred Philadelphia artists and want them to see SOUTH as their home," says Bynum. "We want them to know how much we respect their rich musical heritage and feel like SOUTH is their home while at home." In the interest of keeping Philadelphia's roots strong in the new venue, two local staples, pianist Orrin Evans and bassist Gerald Veasley, have been given weekly residencies with local bands featuring national artists.

Every Wednesday, Orrin Evans will host What's Happening Wednesday, a series aimed at presenting national artists in Philadelphia who may be falling just under the radar. "My goal is to present artists with their full ensembles doing what they do," explains the pianist. "This is about bringing artists from all over that are making music that I believe should be presented to the people." Evans has a curatorial history, having done similar residencies at Philly's own Blue Moon and the former Zanzibar Blue. He has also hosted jam sessions at World Café Live and currently hosts a weekly residency with his rotating cast in the Captain Black Big Band at New York City's Smoke Jazz & Supper Club.

On Thursday nights, Gerald Veasley will perform with celebrated contemporary jazz artists in a program called Unscripted Jazz Series. Veasley, a faculty member at the University of the Arts who just wrapped up another year of his Bass BootCamp, plans to give these artists an opportunity to stretch out from their typical performances. " The series will give these outstanding artists an opportunity to stretch out and express themselves in front of an appreciative audience," explains Veasley. "These will be exciting nights of breaking outside of the box, hence the title Unscripted. "

The 75-seat jazz room will offer superior sound with a clear sightline of the stage from all seats. SOUTH will present live music Tuesday through Sunday evenings, featuring a Tuesday night local jam session, and an emphasis on local and national artists on Friday through Sunday.

The Bynum brothers personally selected Lafayette, LA native Chef Paul Martin to serve vibrant Southern cuisine in the restaurant inspired by the sophisticated Southern destinations, Charleston, South Carolina and Savannah, Georgia. The bar and lounge will also feature Southern snacks and shared plates, as well as a comprehensive list of 50 American whiskeys; 10 beers on tap, including custom offerings from Maryland's Evolution brewing; and barrel-aged and bottle-conditioned cocktails, and infused spirits.

Orrin Evans Presents What's Happening Wednesday

October 21 // Chris Oatts

October 28 // Marc Cary

November 4 // Joe Farnsworth & Harold Mabern

November 11 // M'Balia

November 28 // Chris Oates

November 25 // Jeremy Pelt

December 2 // Buster Williams & Rene Rosnes

December 9 // Sarah Charles

Gerald Veasley Presents Unscripted Jazz Series

October 15 // Alex Bugnon "A Night in Tunisia"

October 22 // Karen Briggs "Soulchestral Groove"

October 29 // Carol Riddick "Swings the Classics"

November 5 // Marion Meadows "Take the SoulTrane"

November 12 // Kirk Whalum "Autumn Serenade"

November 19 // James Lloyd "Returns to Jazz Roots"