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Victor North

For a young jazz-head growing up in Alaska, Philadelphia seemed like a far-off Valhalla of music, and for saxophonist Victor North, getting to Philadelphia was the fulfillment of a lifelong dream.  Now that he has lived here for more than fifteen years, Victor has established himself as a versatile sideman, and he has recently begun devoting more time to showcasing his own ensemble.  On Friday, March 11, Victor will bring his trio, with organist Lucas Brown and drummer Wayne Smith

Victor North developed into a serious musician in high school.   His first exposure to jazz came at weekly jam sessions held at his local American Legion Hall.  It was through these sessions that Victor eventually met saxophonist Jim Davis, who hailed from the city of brotherly love.  Regaling Victor with tales of the Grubbs brothers, who happened to be John Coltrane's cousins, planted the idea of Philadelphia as a destination in Victor's mind.  Another good friend, Jeff Jones, had grown up in Lee Morgan's neighborhood, and he fed Victor a steady diet of the great Philly trumpeter's recordings.  It was only a matter of time until Victor decided to take his tenor saxophone to the lower forty-eight.  Studies with Kenny Barron, Bob Mintzer and Ralph Bowen, helped Victor develop his chops, and legendary saxophonist Larry McKenna, who has taught at Temple for many years, gave Victor his final and most decisive schooling. 

- Greg Martin (Sedgwick Cultural Center)