Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts

Dee Dee Bridgewater and Nicholas Payton at the Kimmel Center February 18
February 3, 2004


Nicholas Payton
Kimmel Center’s Mellon Jazz Wednesdays continues to heat up with the Kimmel Center debut performance of jazz songstress Dee Dee Bridgewater and an encore performance by trumpeter Nicholas Payton on the Verizon Hall stage Wednesday, February 18 at 8pm.

Called "the rightful heir to Ella Fitzgerald" by the Chicago Times, Dee Dee Bridgewater earned two Grammy Awards for her tribute album to Fitzgerald. Her latest CD, This is New, takes a different direction with the recording of the complete songs of German theater composer Kurt Weill. With a Tony Award for Best Actress for her portrayal of Glinda in in 1975, along with other notable theater awards and nominations to her credit, Bridgewater’s choice to record the songbook of the theater icon seemed only natural. One of the most versatile singers of her generation, Dee Dee Bridgewater continues to explore and break new musical ground, thrilling audiences and critics along the way.

Nicholas Payton made his debut at the Kimmel Center in 2003 with the legendary Heath Brothers in a tribute to Charlie Bird Parker. The Grammy Award-winning trumpeter began his career studying in the New Orleans Center for the Creative Arts, and then studied with the renowned Ellis Marsalis. Launching his recording career in 1995, Payton has become one of the most respected jazz artists performing today. His latest CD, Sonic Trance, features Payton with his band of the same name. Sonic Trance will be joining Payton on the Verizon Hall stage for this performance.

Tickets for the February 18 performance by Dee Dee Bridgewater and Nicholas Payton are $23, $28, $36, $43, $48, $53 & $63 and can be purchased by calling 215-893-1999, online at www.kimmelcenter.org or at the Kimmel Center box office, open daily from 10am to 6pm and later on performance evenings. For group sales call 215-790-5883.

A limited number of $10 tickets will be available for every Kimmel Center Presents performance at the Kimmel Center. $10 tickets go on sale the day of the event and can be purchased at the Kimmel Center box office beginning at 5:30pm for evening performances and 11:30am for matinees. Limit one per person.

Kimmel Center Presents Mellon Jazz is generously supported by Mellon Financial Corporation. American Airlines is the Official Airline of Kimmel Center Presents. BMW is the Official Vehicle of Kimmel Center Presents.

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