Richard Barnes, guitarist and leader of the Philadelphia area's Blackbird Society Orchestra (a band specializing in the music of the 1920s) has established the Eddie Lang Scholarship Program, which hopes to give educational opportunities to underprivileged children. Lang, whom many consider the "Father of Jazz Guitar," was born in South Philadelphia in 1902.
Lang, whose real name was Salvatore Massaro, had a stellar career in jazz from the early 1920s, playing with the Mound City Blue Blowers, Jean Goldkette, Red Nichols, Adrian Rollini, Lonnie Johnson, Paul Whiteman, and, most famously, his childhood friend violinist Joe Venuti. He was the preferred accompanist of Ruth Etting and Bing Crosby until his untimely death (from complications following a tonsillectomy) at age 30 in 1933.
In October of 2010 Barnes organized "Eddie Lang Day in Philadelphia" to bring attention to the importance of Eddie Lang and his music through a night of songs and stories by five bands and over fifty musicians. Made official with a Mayoral Proclamation by Mayor Michael Nutter, Barnes and company raised $2500 to help feed the impoverished of the city during the Holiday season.
Since then, Eddie Lang Day in Philadelphia is October 25th, which is the pioneering guitarist's birthday. This year Barnes has something extra special to announce.
After working the past twelve months, Philadelphia's Mural
