The Philadelphia DJ Jerry Blavat, who died on Jan. 20 at the age of 82, was featured on “Low Cut Strut (Strut That Ass Right Back to Class),” the B-side of Low Cut Connie’s “Shake It Little Tina” vinyl single in 2015. And in tribute to him, the band has now made the song available on streaming services for the first time.
You can listen to it on the video embedded below.
As a DJ, a concert host and a newspaper columnist, the fast-talking Blavat, known as The Geator With the Heator, was a ubiquitous presence on the Philadelphia and South Jersey music scene for more than 60 years.
“Jerry Blavat aka the Geator with the Heator was a cultural icon in Philadelphia and New Jersey, where I grew up,” said Low Cut Connie’s Adam Weiner, a Cherry Hill native, in a press release. “He started at age 13 dancing on American Bandstand, and was DJ’ing on the radio and in clubs until just a few weeks ago at age 82. He was a brilliant performer and a mentor to me. He called himself my ‘musical godfather’ and championed me to anyone who would listen.
“Jerry guested on this ‘Low Cut Strut’ track some years ago, and we never released it on streaming. To honor one of the greatest DJs ever to do it, we are releasing this now. Thank you, Geator. You were the fucking best.”
For more on Low Cut Connie, visit lowcutconnie.com.
Here is the video:
CONTRIBUTE TO NJARTS.NET
Since launching in September 2014, NJArts.net, a 501(c)(3) organization, has become one of the most important media outlets for the Garden State arts scene. And it has always offered its content without a subscription fee, or a paywall. Its continued existence depends on support from members of that scene, and the state’s arts lovers. Please consider making a contribution of any amount to NJArts.net via PayPal, or by sending a check made out to NJArts.net to 11 Skytop Terrace, Montclair, NJ 07043.