Monthly FREE Sittin' In Jam Session Series Returns to Kimmel Center!
SEPTEMBER 28, 2012
Live From the Plaza Stage Sponsored by Coca-Cola
& Janney Montgomery Scott
Opening 30 Minute Set Now Puts Spotlight on Local Student Musicians
Local Artists Invited to Jam On Stage with World Renowned Musicians
Wednesday nights just took a turn for the better, as monthly FREE Sittin’ In Jam Sessions returns to the Kimmel Center’s Plaza Stage, part of the 2012-13 Free at the Kimmel offerings. Sittin’ In is curated by acclaimed jazz bassist and Director of the Kimmel Center's Creative Music Program, Anthony Tidd, who invites renowned house bands to host a night of informal, spontaneous jam sessions on the Commonwealth Plaza stage from 7:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. New this year, Sittin’ In will open with 30-minute performances by local student artists as part of the new local student showcase.
Philly's hottest musicians revisit the classic jam session on the Plaza Stage with an eclectic mix of cross-genre grooves that meet horns, vinyl, and vocals. Sittin’ In begins with a performance by local student artists followed by music from Philly’s hottest young DJ, DJ Phsh, spinning to warm up the crowd. Then, the house band, selected by the host of the night, takes the stage to perform a short set, followed by more music from DJ Phsh before the final set opens up to select local artists, chosen by the host of the night, to jam with the house band. Each Sittin’ In evolves uniquely depending on the host, but every session gives attendees the opportunity to dance, relax and listen to exceptional music in one of the world’s greatest jazz venues.
The next Sittin’ In jam session takes place on Wednesday, October 17 at 7:30 p.m. with Philadelphia’s own trombonist extraordinaire Jeff Bradshaw as host of the night, with sets by resident DJ, DJ Phsh. Bradshaw has recorded with notables such as Eryka Badu, Michael Jackson, and Earth Wind & Fire, to mention a few, and released his debut album Bone Deep showcasing the soulful voices of Carol Riddick, Jill Scott, Glen Lewis, and Ndambi Bilal. On November 21, DJ Phsh opens the jam session with celebrated Latin percussionists Pablo Batista and the Mambo Syndicate, a group that have toured with Alicia Keys and recorded with Bono, Jeffrey Osborne, and Diane Reeves, among others.
Chef Jose Garces' award-winning delectable bites and drinks are now available on the Kimmel Center's campus through concessions, elevating pre-show and performance experience to new levels. Group Cash bar available at the PECO and Annex bars.
Below is a list of confirmed artists for upcoming Sittin’ In Jam Sessions. Visit www.kimmelcenter.org/free for updated artist information.
Sittin’ In Jam Session
Live from the Plaza Stage:
Jeff Bradshaw
Wednesday, October 17, 7:30 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Jeff Bradshaw hails from North Philadelphia where brass bands are the main attractions. The prodigal musician got an early start with the snare drum and sousaphone, but it is his personifying instrumentation of the trombone that has separated him as one of the industry’s brightest horn players. Bradshaw has recorded with Eryka Badu, Jill Scott, Floetry, Darius Rucker, Musiq, The Roots, Earth Wind & Fire, and Michael Jackson, to mention only a few. His debut album on Hidden Beach Records, Bone Deep, features the soulful voices of Philly 360 Creative Ambassador Carol Riddick, Glen Lewis, Ndambi, Bilal, and Jill Scott.
Sittin’ In Jam Session
Live from the Plaza Stage:
Pablo Batista and the Mambo Syndicate
Wednesday, November 21, 7:30 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Performing a Latin inspired Jazz program, internationally renowned percussionist Pablo Batista is a graduate of Temple University (class of 1985) and has been performing on percussion for over 31 years. He toured and recorded with the late Grover Washington, Jr., from 1985 until Grover’s passing in 1999 as well as five time Grammy recipient, Alicia Keys. He also performed with Keys live at the 2002 Grammy Awards. Additionally, he has been teaching percussion for the Latin American Music Association (AMLA) for over 15 years and has performed and recorded with such artist as: Bono, Jeffrey Osborne, Phyliss Hyman, George Howard, Diane Reeves, Gerald Levert, Teddy Pendergrass, Eddie Palmieri, Manny Oquendo, Conjunto Libre, Philadelphia Orchestra, Musiq, and Norman Brown.
Sittin’ In Jam Session
Live from the Plaza Stage:
DJ Phsh as Resident DJ
Wednesday, October 17 and November 21, 8 p.m. to 11 p.m.
DJ Phsh is one of Philadelphia’s foremost disc-jockeys and Central High School alum. His fresh style and impressively eclectic set has spawned a huge following in the region. DJ Phsh plays regular gigs at the hippest venues and events making his Superdope party circuit a cornerstone of the Philadelphia creative scene.
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Kimmel Center, Inc., a charitable, not-for-profit organization, owns, manages, supports and maintains The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, which includes Verizon Hall, Perelman Theater, Innovation Studio and the Merck Arts Education Center. Kimmel Center, Inc. also manages the Academy of Music, owned by the Philadelphia Orchestra Association, and the University of the Arts Merriam Theater. Kimmel Center, Inc.’s mission is to operate a world class performing arts center that engages and serves a broad audience which includes providing arts in education, community outreach and a rich diversity of programming. For additional information, visit kimmelcenter.org.
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