Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts

Mellon Jazz: Dreaming of Dizzy "A Night in Tunisia" Featuring Randy Weston’s African Rhythms Trio with Special Guest Billy Harper Saturday, March 27
March 9, 2004

Kimmel Center Presents Mellon Jazz: Dreaming of Dizzy returns to the Perelman Theater on Saturday, March 27 at 7:30pm. with another unique take on the music of Dizzy Gillespie. This evening features Randy Weston’s African Rhythms Trio plus special guest Billy Harper in a program entitled "A Night In Tunisia." Hear how Dizzy Gillespie’s own African roots and the continent’s unforgettable rhythms inspired him to such brilliant compositions as "A Night in Tunisia" and "Caravan."

Randy Weston is a 50-year jazz veteran and one of the world’s foremost pianists and composers today. Due in a large part to his father’s influence, Weston made the connection between African and American music at an early age and has been seamlessly melding the two for years. He was born in Brooklyn, NY in 1926 and moved to Africa in the late 1960’s. Weston’s first recording was in 1954, entitled Cole Porter in A Modern Mood. His latest recording, Live In St. Lucia, was released in 2002. "Hearing Mr. Weston play solo piano is one of jazz’s exotic pleasures," raved The New York Times in a recent review.

Tenor saxophonist Billy Harper will appear as Randy Weston’s special guest. Harper moved to New York City from Texas in 1966 and immediately began performing, recording and touring with groups including his own Billy Harper Quintet. He currently tours the world. "Whoever invented the expression ‘he came to play’ must surely have had someone like Billy Harper in mind." (The Village Voice)

The Kimmel Center Presents Mellon Jazz: Dreaming of Dizzy series consists of exclusive, one-night-only performances dedicated to the legacy of Dizzy Gillespie. The series continues with "Tin Tin Deo" (May 8, 2004) featuring saxophonist David Sanchez and pianist Danilo Perez, artistic director of the Mellon Jazz: Dreaming of Dizzy series.

Tickets for "A Night In Tunisia" are $33 and $38. Tickets 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. Mellon Jazz: Dreaming of Dizzy is made possible through the generous support of Mellon Financial Corporation.

A limited number of $10 tickets will be available for every Kimmel Center Presents performance. $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.

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