©2006 The Chestnut Hill Local

Concert series swings into action June 14
by Kristin Pazulski

During the Pastorius Park Concert Series, the Local will spotlight performers the week before their appearance. This is the first in what will be a weekly series of spotlights.

The Pastorius Park Concert Series is scheduled to begin Wednesday, June 14, with the swing music of the Ken Ulansey Ensemble, a group based in Elkins Park.

The ensemble used to be based just two blocks from Pastorius Park, at Ulansey’s home on Willow Grove Avenue. Group members are “all scattered about,” said Ulansey, with one member living in Vineland, N.J., another in Reading, and others from Pennsylvania’s western suburbs or the Philadelphia region.

The Ken Ulansey Ensemble has performed at the Pastorius Park concerts, the Morris Arboretum and Curtis Arboretum, (Cheltenham) concert series, and “just about every club in the area,” Ulansey said.

Meet the members of the Ken Ulansey Ensamble:

Ken Ulansey, leader, saxophone; Heath Allen, keyboards; Paul Jost, drums; Dave Cullen, guitar; Chico Huff, bass; Stan Slotter, trumpet; Bob Butryn, second sax; Denise NeJame and Jeannie Brooks, vocals.

Local: Explain your band’s music. What genre do you place yourself in?

Ken Ulansey: Although we’ve been asked to play predominantly swing music for this particular [Pastorius Park concert] event, we pride ourselves on the wide range of music we enjoy playing on a regular basis — rock, jazz, classical, samba, klezmer, zydeco, afro-pop and more. I’ve always loved Duke Ellington’s answer to that question — when asked what he played he said, “Good music.”

L: How did the group get together?

KU: The keyboard player and I met at the University of Pennsylvania as undergrads several decades ago. As we started getting more of a local reputation, we began meeting more of the amazing musicians in the Philadelphia area and have been lucky enough to have been able to assemble so many of them into the current band.

L: What three albums can you not live without and why?

KU: John Coltrane A Love Supreme; YoYo Ma’s recording of Bach’s Cello Suites; Miles Davis Kind of Blue. If you know this music, you don’t need to ask why.

L: What is the best part about being on stage?

KU: I’d say the best part is watching the different ways in which audience members respond — some with the occasional foot tap, others in full-out boogying mode.

L: This one time, at band camp …

KU: No good printable band camp stories come to mind. Can I do a folk festival? If so … I’d been going to the Philadelphia Folk Festival for many years (even met my wife there years later). My first year playing there, though, was an eye-opener. Playing with local guitar legend Jack McGann, I was asked to join many of my heroes on the main stage, including Steve Goodman, David Bromberg, Bonnie Raitt and others. While I felt in over my head, it sure was a thrill.

L: Why play in Pastorius Park? What makes you most excited about this venue?

KU: I have a twofold answer for you. First, because of the wonderful diversity of the area, as all the various communities coalesce. And second, it’s a great opportunity to see so many of my old Mt. Airy and Chestnut Hill friends and neighbors all at once.