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Celebrate Jazz Appreciation Month at Broad Street’s newest party, #Nightlife at the Kimmel, with @JazzPhiladelphia (Facebook/Instagram)/@JazzPHL (Twitter), 4/11. Part of @KimmelCulturalCampus (Facebook/Instagram)/@KimmelCC (Twitter) FREE series!
Press Contacts:
Lauren A. (Woodard) Hall
484-832-1963 (cell)
lhall@kimmelculturalcampus.org
KIMMEL CULTURAL CAMPUS KICKS OFF
FREE PLAZA SERIES
NIGHTLIFE AT THE KIMMEL
APRIL 11, 2022
FEATURING A PARTNERED PRESENTATION WITH
JAZZ PHILADELPHIA
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (Philadelphia, PA, April 7, 2022) –– The Kimmel Cultural Campus kickstarts the Nightlife at the Kimmel event series, part of brand new, FREE programming, on April 11, 2022, at 8:00 PM under the Kimmel Center’s soaring 150-foot vaulted roof in the Plaza. A partnered presentation with Jazz Philadelphia’s Gerald Veasley, this event is in observance of Jazz Appreciation Month – with Josh Lee and the Extended Family, and The Philly Lindy Throwdown, led by Nick Cruickshank. The Nightlife event will also be the debut of Josh Lee’s “Black City Music” micro-grant funded project.
“We are thrilled with this ongoing Jazz Philadelphia partnership, continuing our free series while turning the spotlight on local artists,” said Matías Tarnopolsky, President and CEO of The Philadelphia Orchestra and Kimmel Center, Inc. “From Joshua Lee, Philly native and cofounder of Jazz Lives Philadelphia – a fellow nonprofit celebrating the art form in our community – to choreographer and instructor, Nick Cruickshank, leading the swing dance stylings of Philly Lindy, the presentations provide a space and opportunity for the public to enjoy art in an inviting environment.”
Jazz Philadelphia influences the city’s rich jazz legacy and vibrant musical assets to build a strong, cohesive, forward-looking community. They connect the people and musicians in the Philadelphia region who create, support, and present jazz to build a healthy, sustainable jazz community that is recognized around the world. Their goals are achieved in a distinctly “Philadelphia” way—with a diverse coalition marked by passion, grit, collaboration, authenticity, and creativity.
This event will be the debut performance of Josh Lee and the Extended Family. Featuring the brightest young Philadelphia musicians, this 15-piece ensemble plays the music of Count Basie, Jimmie Lunceford and Flethcer Henderson: an era that is often neglected. The Extended Family will be accompanied by the talented dancers of The Philly Lindy Throwdown led by Nick Cruickshank. Dancers from all around the city are invited to join in and social dance to this great music.
“It’s a pleasure to partner with the Kimmel Center in its efforts in engaging the community,” said Gerald Veasley, President of Jazz Philadelphia. “We share a commitment to provide access to exciting cultural events and the Nightlife series is a wonderful example of things to come.”
More about the artists:
Joshua Lee
Saxophonist, bandleader, and Managing and Co-Artistic Director of Jazz Lives Philadelphia, Joshua Lee is fully dedicated to the advancement of the Philadelphia jazz community. Joshua graduated from Temple University in 2016 and 2019 with both a Bachelor’s and Master's degree in Jazz Performance. He has had the fortune of mentorship from musicians like Dick Oatts, Terell Stafford, Tim Warfield, and Gary Smulyan on both the Philadelphia and New York scenes.
As a result, Joshua joined the Legendary Count Basie Orchestra in June of 2018 and performs with them around the world while also serving as a regular substitute with groups like the Vanguard Jazz orchestra, Delfeayo Marsalis’ Upton Jazz Orchestra, and Terell Stafford’s Jazz Orchestra of Philadelphia. Joshua joined the Jazz Faculty at Temple University in the fall of 2019, was awarded as one of Temple University’s 30 Under 30 in 2020 and joined the WRTI team in early 2021.
Joshua Lee and The Extended Family:
- Patrick Hill - Lead Alto Saxophone, Clarinet
- Chris Lewis - Tenor, Alto Saxophone, Clarinet
- Dylan Band - Tenor Saxophone, Clarinet
- Josh Lee - Baritone, Alto Saxophones, Clarinet
- Sean McCusker - Lead Trombone
- St Clair Simmons - Trombone
- Jaysn Brazoban - Trombone
- Fareed Simpson-Hankins - Lead Trumpet
- Marcel Bellinger - Trumpet
- John Meko - Trumpet
- Chelsea Reed - Vocals
- Sam Harris - Bass
- Jacob Kelberman - Guitar
- Patrick Hwang - Drums
- Silas Irvine – Piano
Philly Lindy Throwdown
In jazz and jazz dance, innovation is the tradition. Lindy Hop, jazz dance, and jazz music have been around for over a hundred years, but the goal has never been to recreate the past, rather, it is to let the influences of the past combined with the vernacular of the present guide each step and shape.
The dancers of Philly Lindy Throwdown aim to embody this feeling in their fast swingouts, their high-flying air steps, and their playful improvography, all done in tandem with and in response to live jazz music. Swing may sometimes feel like a journey through time, but the destination is always today.
Event features:
- Nick Cruickshank
- Mary Rios
- Lauren Fosnight
- Matt Rapp
- Erin Spicola
- Thomas Borgese
- Steve Fox
- Siani Ellis
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Additional Nightlife at the Kimmel events include:
- Wednesday, May 18 – A partnered presentation with Jazz Philadelphia’s Gerald Veasley, this evening features Luke Carlos O’Reilly and the Philly Jazz Divas.
- Monday, May 30 – A partnered presentation with MALPICA & AFROTAINO, this evening features Flaco Navaja & the Razor Blades.
- Monday, June 6 – A partnered presentation with REC Philly, featuring Girls Like Nice Things, with Chill Moody.
- Wednesday, June 15 – A partnered presentation with MALPICA & AFROTAINO, this evening features Yasser Tejeda & Palotré.
- Wednesday, June 29 – A partnered presentation with MALPICA & AFROTAINO, this evening features Pablo Batisa.
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For the most up-to-date listings and information about the new programming – including Happy Hour Sessions, Lunchtime Unplugged, and Nightlife, please visit www.kimmelculturalcampus.org.
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Safe & Clean Commitment
The Kimmel Cultural Campus is proudly certified by the Global Biorisk Advisory Council – the gold standard for cleaning, disinfection, and infection prevention programs.
We will always put the safety of our guests, artists, and staff first, and we have worked closely with partners, producers, artists, guests and other performing arts centers around the nation to develop the most comprehensive plan to safely reopen our doors. We are committing to a healthy and clean environment with increased disinfection, enhanced ventilation, and will enforce recommended health authority guidelines, including masks and proof of vaccination.
Masks are required to be worn at all times when on the Kimmel Cultural Campus, except when actively consuming food or beverage in designated locations. Prolonged periods of mask removal are not permitted.
All attendees for public events must show proof of full vaccination at the time of entry, with valid photo ID and copy of vaccination card (physical or photo). Children under 5 are no longer required to show a negative PCR test or negative rapid result when accompanied by a fully vaccinated adult.
This policy is subject to change based upon guidance from the CDC and local health authorities. For more information on our Safe & Clean Commitment and the most up-to-date information about our policies, please visit kimmelculturalcampus.org.
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KIMMEL CULTURAL CAMPUS
Located in the heart of Center City, Philadelphia, our mission is to engage the region's diverse communities with art through performance and education. Our Cultural Campus serves more than 1-million guests per year and includes Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts (Verizon Hall, Perelman Theater, and SEI Innovation Studio), the Academy of Music, and the Miller Theater (formerly the Merriam Theater) – representing more than 160 years of rich history for the performing arts along Philadelphia's Avenue of the Arts. We are home to The Philadelphia Orchestra and seven esteemed Resident Companies: Opera Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Ballet, The Philly POPS, PHILADANCO, The Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia, The Philadelphia Chamber Music Society, and Curtis Institute of Music. With nearly 9,000 seats per night, we are the region's most impactful performing arts center, and the second largest in the country. Our Cultural Campus serves as a preeminent and inclusive place to enjoy exceptional experiences that reflect the spirit of our region by cultivating a creative and socially responsible environment where our community shares experiences that are delivered with pride, integrity, and respect. As a 501 c 3 nonprofit organization, we collaborate on, present, and produce a broad range of relevant and meaningful events, we serve as an active gathering space for social and community events, we educate the region's young people through access to quality arts experiences, and we provide support to artists in the creation of new work. TD Bank, America’s Most Convenient Bank, is the proud Kimmel Cultural Campus Season Sponsor. Read Kimmel Cultural Campus' vision statement, world view, and mission statement here. Learn more about our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion and how it encompasses our mission, co-workers, and programs here.
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For photography, please visit https://kcccpress.smugmug.com