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Ted Gerike

Ted Gerike is a Bebop Machine. There are a lot of jazz pianists in Philly. One can sit awestruck at the virtuosity of Tom Lawton, or follow the intricate motivic development of Sid Simmons. But for sheer Bebop listening pleasure, nobody can touch Ted. Ted Gerike is a Bebop Machine. 

Ted had been performing Tuesdays through Saturdays at the Society Hill Hotel, at 2nd and Chestnut since before Basie could count (22 years) and was unceremoniously canned the week of July 25th 2002.  There may never be a venue that offers this kind of longevity again, but Ted can now be found at various places in the city. He is regular happy hour guy at Chris' Jazz Cafe.

    Ask Ted if he knows any Monk tunes, and I guarantee you'll sit spellbound for hours, as he reels off Monk pieces from the best-known to the most obscure. Ted is a treasure trove of jazz history, and the discerning listener will notice quotes from original performances pop up in his improvisations. You can tell it's not just some kid playing changes out of a fakebook. Ted KNOWS these tunes. He also has an encyclopedic knowledge of musicians and their stories. 

He is nationally known for his work on the syndicated PBS series "The Furniture Guys"