Iconic Philadelphia musician and bandleader Sam Reed will be among the 2012 “Jazz Heroes” being honored at the Jazz Journalists Association (JJA) Jazz Awards Philadelphia Satellite Party taking place at 3 p.m., Sunday, June 24, at the Top Shelf Lounge, 5564 Market St.

The association’s “Jazz Heroes” are “activists, advocates, altruists, aiders and abbettors of jazz who have had significant impact in their local communities.”

The 2012 “Jazz Hero” awards will be presented in conjunction with the 2012 JJA Jazz Awards honoring significant achievements in jazz music and journalism.

A paragon in the Philadelphia jazz community, saxophonist Sam Reed, who also plays flute and clarinet, has been an integral part of the city’s musical landscape since 1954.

In addition to his work with legendary musicians such as Albert Heath, Bobby Timmons and McCoy Tyner, many remember Reed as the leader of the Sam Reed Orchestra, the peerless house band that accompanied the dazzling array of performers at Philly’s historic Uptown Theater.

Reed currently fronts his own ensemble and also works with Odean Pope’s Saxophone Choir.

“I never wanted to do anything else,” Reed said. “I’m just lucky I was able to continue doing it, and be in the right place at the right time.”

In addition to Reed, the 2012 JJA Jazz Awards “Jazz Heroes” include: Leon Anderson Jr., Tallahassee, Fla.; Lamont Arthur, Tuscon, Ariz.; Pauline Bilsky, Boston; John Calloway, San Francisco; Orbert Davis, Chicago; Jacques Emond, Ottawa, Canada; Danny Harper, Atlanta; R. Gary Langford, Gainesville, Fla.; Roger Manins, Auckland, New Zealand; and Bill McCann, Schenectady, N.Y.    

Contact entertainment reporter Kimberly C. Roberts at (215) 893-5753 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .