"There was a definite Philadelphia sound. It was such a vibrant place musically and culturally, and just so much inspiration. That feeling is still there. I could never relinquish that."

WELCOME BACK: "[Tyner] came from a life like many of our kids come from," says Musicopia's Denise Kinney. She hopes his performance will teach her students "what kids are capable of, and what their lives could be."

McCoy Tyner struggled to define the influence his musical upbringing in Philadelphia had on his signature sound. After several halting attempts, the intangible Philly Thing that he was hinting at reminded me of something Sonny Fortune had said when I interviewed him last December. Despite having left town for New York over 30 years ago, the saxophonist explained, whenever he was asked where he came from and replied, "Philadelphia," the answer invariably came back, "Oh, so that explains it."

Hearing this, Tyner unleashed a hearty laugh. "Exactly! That's what I was trying to say! Oh man, if you didn't know things about this music, you would find out pretty soon."

That mutual acknowledgement of the you-know-it-when-you-see-it Philly attitude was something of a secret handshake that instantly warmed Tyner to the subject. Afterward, the pianist began to warmly reminisce about growing up in West Philly. Tyner is routinely confronted with these memories whenever he returns home. When his trio played Gershman Hall last April, the show was stolen by the spontaneous appearance of a 96-year-old ex-teacher brandishing a picture of young McCoy and intending to play. When I asked him about her, Tyner recalled that while she never taught him to play, the sight of her playing, looking "relaxed and elegant" as the students filed into assemblies, had a profound impact.

Tyner will have a similar opportunity to influence a new generation of musicians this weekend as part of the Welcome Home McCoy Tyner Fest, presented by Musicopia in collaboration with LifeLine Music Coalition. Musicopia—formerly Strings for Schools, rechristened in February to reflect the diversity of music programs that have branched out from the organization's beginnings 32 years ago with a simple string quartet—works to bring music to schools in underserved areas. To open the weekend, Tyner and his trio will perform and answer questions for an audience composed of students from several area schools on Friday afternoon.

According to Denise Kinney, executive director of Musicopia, when the organization received a grant from the Pew Charitable Trusts, the decision to invite Tyner back was a perfect fit. "He came from a life like many of our kids come from. So the main impetus was really about bringing him back so he could be a model of what kids are capable of, and what their lives could be."

On Friday night, Tyner and his trio—bassist Charnett Moffett and drummer Eric Kamau Gravatt—will perform at Temple's Tomlinson Auditorium. They will be joined by Philly violinist John Blake (who has been associated with Strings for Schools almost since its inception), and altoist Gary Bartz, both of whom have played in some of Tyner's lineups over the years. Blake has only ever recorded with Tyner in large band settings, so the prospect of seeing him interact with the pianist in more intimate terms is enticing.

LifeLine, which produces the annual West Oak Lane Jazz Festival, was chiefly concerned with putting together Saturday's activities, a "mini fest" from noon to 6 p.m. at Temple's Student Activity Center, which will feature a variety of local and student musicians, vendors, and arts and crafts. The day will culminate in an awards ceremony, with Tyner receiving a City of Philadelphia citation and a "This Is Your Life" recap hosted by his West Philly High classmate, WRTI's Harrison Ridley Jr.

That community feeling is one Tyner fondly recalls from his salad days, when older musicians would give advice and opportunities to the younger generation. It was a seriousness about the music, he claims, that not only allowed him access to these mentors but served to bond the John Coltrane quartet, three of whom—Tyner, bassist Jimmy Garrison and Coltrane himself—were either born or raised in Philly. "We were really, really dedicated to the music. And if you were playing around, you went to the wrong place. You didn't belong in Philly."

Community and family were intimately bound with music for Tyner, who used to host jam sessions in the beauty shop his mother ran out of their home. The shop was the largest room in the house, so that's where McCoy's piano went. "I'll tell you, my mother was so cool. She'd come home sometimes and there'd be a big band in the beauty shop. She'd be shampooing a lady's hair, and a client would be sitting under the dryer, next to the saxophone player. I mean, that was the jammingest beauty shop in the city," he laughed. "She loved the music and so she just opened up her shop to me."

"Philadelphia when I was growing up was really like a small community. Spiritually the people were very in tune with each other, the musicians in particular. I mean, people really communicated very well with each other. And I'm very, very happy I grew up there."

Welcome Home McCoy Tyner Fest, performance, Fri., May 19, 8 p.m., $35 (benefits Musicopia), Tomlinson Theater, Temple University, 13th and Norris sts., 215-569-9700; Welcome Home Party, Sat., May 20, noon-6 p.m., $10, with John Blake Jr., Gary Bartz, Marlon Simon, Alfie Pollitt, Arpeggio Jazz Ensemble and Temple University Youth Orchestra, Student Activity Center, Banquet Hall, second floor, Temple University, 1755 N. 13th St., 215-829-9522, www.stringsforschools.org.