It is well known in Philly that some of the city’s most ardent boosters were never native sons or daughters, but usually transplants from smaller cities seeking to make their mark before moving on to the Big Apple. But bassist Mike Boone, a New Yorker and Eastman School of Music grad, bounced into Philadelphia fresh off a second stint with drummer Buddy Rich in 1985 and stayed put. New York City didn’t really interest him (although he plays there a lot), and lucky for us, the green roots he put down here then have grown barnacled, brown, and rich with history.

Bassist Nicholas Krolak, a rising star based in Philadelphia, calls Boone, “The patriarch of the Philly jazz scene, mentor to all…and the torch-bearer of the Philly jazz tradition.” That encapsulates everything Boone is about. Above his own individual accolades as an instrumentalist, which are numerous and deserved, he’s the consummate steward of this music, in this place—a protector of the realm.

When he got to Philly, he put down his electric bass and picked up the acoustic; it was the only way to get gigs with the aging titans who still very much ran the Philly scene then. He immersed himself in that scene, playing at the old, beloved Ortlieb’s, educated by professors like saxophonist Bootsie Barnes, organist Shirley Scott, pianist Sid Simmons, and drummer Mickey Roker.

Boone has preserved that legacy; no one in the city teaches young musicians how to gig and how to become professionals better or more thoroughly than Boone, who, in addition to furiously gigging himself, also teaches at Temple University and is the always opinionated, low-talking pied piper of Philadelphia’s most legit jazz jam sessions—at Heritage in Northern Liberties and Chris’ Jazz Café— where welcoming up a steady stream of present and former students is de rigueur.

Boone speaks about his new album: I recorded Give Me the Night on My Enjoying the View album, which came out in 2023. It did pretty well, but I was less that satisfied. A good, knowledgeable friend suggested that I do a ‘re-mix’ for my arrangement, and put it out as a single. I blew the idea off at first.

Later, when I staring going back into the studio to add parts to the tune, I remembered his words. So, I decided to go one better. Here are TWO te-mixes of Give Me the Night. The instrumental version feaothe guitar work of Tony ‘Uncle Tony’ Ventura. Tony is the son of the late great baritone saxophonist. Charlie Ventura, who was popular in the 50’s and 60’s.

The vocal version features Antonio McLendon on lead vocals, lead bass guitar, and background vocals. He is joined on additional background vocals by his brother, Laurone, and his cousin, Candice Hinmon-Boone, who happens to be my wife. These re/mixes were co-produced by Mike Boone and DJ June Lopez. Recorded and co-produced by Brendan McGeehan

Get the album: HERE