FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Philadelphia, PA. - Penn Presents, the professional performing arts wing of the Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, announce its 2005 season that continues a tradition of presenting both established artist and remarkable fresh talents rarely seen in Philadelphia from the genres of jazz, world music, theatre, dance and classical music. It will also continue to provide audiences with the opportunity to see some of the finest, young rising stars, and continues with its inspiring and uplifting Gospel and Blues Series.
The 2004-2005 season includes a wide-variety of artists guaranteed to satisfy the cultural tastes of people from throughout the Delaware Valley. Annenberg Center Managing Director Michael Rose continues to bring the freshest voices (literal and figurative) to perform for Delaware Valley audiences, particularly in the context of Penn Presents' lauded Jazz Series. Young, innovative and provocative pianist Jason Moran (along with trio called The Bandwagon) will bring his eclectic mix of Hip-Hop and Jazz to the Zellerbach, as will the prolific young trumpeter and composer Terrence Blanchard. More "young blood" will shine on the Zell stage when the trio of Lewis-Henriquez-Jackson perform in their own right, showcasing the skills that has made each of them sought-after collaborators and sideman. Completing the Jazz Series will be veteran jazzmen John Scofield and Brad Mehldau, performing on the same bill with their trios, and Philadelphia native and Jazz wunderkind bassist Christian McBride.
The following is a listing of Penn Presents' 2005 season with description, dates locations and single ticket prices.
"He's likely to be one of our most provocative artistic voices for years to come" (David R. Adler, The Jazz Standard) It is noted that Moran's style, both as a musician and composer, is unlike anything that has yet to be heard in the ever-expansive Jazz genre. A child of the Hip-Hop era, a serious devotee to the Jazz religion, a young visionary still in his twenties, Moran has worked on over a dozen albums as a sideman, and has five recordings as a leader. Moran topped three categories in the 2003 Down Beat Magazine's Critics' Poll: Rising Star Jazz Artist, Rising Star Pianist and Rising Star Composer. His trio, the Bandwagon, featuring Tarus Mateen on bass and Nasheet waits on drums, grew up with hip-hop and now they're playing jazz that is "serious and directed, and some of the best live jazz around now." The New York Times. Friday, February 4 at 8:00pm - Zellerbach Theatre, Annenberg Center, 3680 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA. 19104 - $38, $33, $27, and $19
A multi-Grammy nominated trumpeter and composer, Blanchard has established himself as one of the most important Jazz musicians of his gifted generation. His twenty year career encompasses over twenty recordings, including several original, award-winning Hollywood film scores (He's a big favorite of director/film maker Spike Lee). Blanchard recently signed with Blue Note Records, releasing his most recent compilation Bounce. More than a musician and bandleader, Blanchard is committed to furthering appreciation for and love and understanding of Jazz. The New Orleans native recently accepted an appointment to the University of Southern California (USC) as the Artistic Director for the Theolonious Monk Institute of Jazz Performance. Friday, March 4 at 8:00pm - Zellerbach Theatre, Annenberg Center, 3680 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA. 19104 - $46, $41, $34, and $22
Both guitarist Scofield and pianist Medldau are bonafide jazz maestros in their own right, and this double-bill performance will provide an evening of progressive Jazz that will be one fantastic cultural experience. Both artists are multiple Grammy Award winners, both are consummate artists, but their sounds are distinctly different yet equally pleasing. Scofield's trio includes drummer Bill Stewart and bass guitarist Steve Swallow, while Medldau's contribution to the evening is a trio rounded out by Larry Grendadier on bass and Jorge Rossy on drums. A sure sell-out! Friday, April 8 at 8:00pm - Zellerbach Theatre, Annenberg Center, 3680 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA. 19104 - $46, $41, $34, and $22
Now in its tenth year, the ensemble founded by vibraphonist Dave Samuels has set a new standard in the interpretation of some of the world's most vibrant music - resulting in a richly textured mosaic of Jazz, Afro-Cuban and South American music. The collaborative has received accolades from around the world, including a Grammy Award for its 2003 The Gathering, and a 2004 Grammy nomination for Birds Of A Feather. Friday, October 29 at 8:00pm - Zellerbach Theatre, Annenberg Center, 3680 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA. 19104 - $43, $38, $31, and $21
This project grew out of last summer when DeJohnette, one of jazz music greatest drummers, was an artist-in-residence at the Montreal Jazz Festival. In putting together projects for the occasion, DeJohnette decided to celebrate Latin percussion and invited some of the genre's most gifted musicians to join him. Comprised of master conguero Giovanni Hidalgo, timbales player Luisita Quintero, pianist Edsel Gomez, bassist Jerome Harris and clarinetist Don Byron, this performance is guaranteed to soothe and enlighten. Saturday, February 5 at 8:00pm - Zellerbach Theatre, Annenberg Center, 3680 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA. 19104 - $43, $38, $31, and $21
Purim has one of those rare six octave voices that has earned her two Grammy nominations for Best Female Jazz Performance and Downbeat magazine's Best Female Singer accolade on four occasions. Her musical partners have included Gil Evans, Stan Getz, Chick Corea, Dizzy Gilliespie and Airto Moreira, with whom she has collaborated on over 30 albums since moving with him from her native Rio to New York in 1967. Airto has similarly earned recognition and fans around the world with his passionate singing and inspired percussion. He has also performed and recorded with some of music's most important and influential people, like Miles Davis, Wayne Shorter, Dave Holland, Jack DeJohnette, Chick Corea, John McLaughlin and Keith Jarrett, among others. Friday, March 25 at 8:00pm - Zellerbach Theatre, Annenberg Center, 3680 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA. 10104 - $43, $38, $31, and $21