The Jazz Expressions Accompany Scott; Trio to Join Reeves
March 17, 2005
Dianne Reeves
The concert is the fifth in the Mellon Jazz Fridays series. The final performance in the series will feature The Count Basie Band with Lizz Wright on May 6.
Tickets for Dianne Reeves and her trio, along with openers Little Jimmy Scott and The Jazz Expressions on April 22 are $29, $45, $58, $63 and $70 and can be purchased by calling 215-893-1999 or online at www.kimmelcenter.org. Since becoming the first vocalist signed to the Blue Note label in 1987, Dianne Reeves has established herself as a versatile jazz artist who continues to reach new levels of success with each passing year. Reeves’ Grammy wins for Best Jazz Vocal Performance in 2000, 2001 and 2003 make her the only recording artist in any singing category to achieve such a feat three albums in a row. A constant live performer, Reeves’ stop in Philadelphia finds her in the middle of another extensive tour that will cover the U.S., Canada, France, Germany and Austria. When she isn’t on the road with her trio, Reeves works as the Creative Chair for Jazz for the Los Angeles Philharmonic, and also frequently takes part in projects with other notable musicians and musical institutions. Reeves has worked with Duke Ellington and the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, Daniel Barenboim and the Chicago Symphony, and Sir Simon Rattle and the Orchestra of St. Luke’s, among others. Her worldwide appeal has also made her the recipient of the Ella Fitzgerald Award at the Montreal International Jazz Festival, and allowed her to become the first international jazz artist to perform in Qatar. Since 1975, Reeves has been a part of more than 130 albums and musical releases, including a career-spanning compilation CD and a 2002 album featuring her current touring trio.
One of the most underestimated jazz artists of the 20th century, Milestone Records recording artist Jimmy Scott’s lengthy career first took off when he was hired by Lionel Hampton back in 1949 and billed under the name "Little Jimmy Scott". "Everybody’s Somebody’s Fool" and "When Did You Leave Heaven?" became jukebox hits, but like several other albums that Scott recorded, his name never appeared on his work, and he never received any royalties. Scott then separated himself from the musical and recording circuit until the 1980s, when jazz station WBGO invited him to perform on the air. He officially revived his performing career in 1990, and has since recorded or been a part of more than 20 albums, completed several international tours, been nominated for a Grammy Award, participated in an Italian fashion advertising campaign, and has been the subject of Bravo Profiles and PBS television specials. The late Billie Holiday once named only Scott when a reporter asked which singers she liked, and Madonna once described him as "the only singer who makes me cry."
Joining Scott for his set will be his touring band, the high-octane quartet The Jazz Expressions. Musical director and bassist Hilliard Greene has performed with Scott for eleven years and has recorded on three Jimmy Scott CDs. Pianist Aaron Graves has a longtime association with Ernie Andrews, and has been a frequent duet partner for Denise King. T.K. (Talib Kibwe) Blue is an adjunct professor of music at Suffolk Community College in long Island New York, an instructor at the Litchfield Jazz Summer Camp for teens, and the leading member of the T.K. Blue Quartet. And Dwayne "Cook" Broadnax is a composer and is a former member of the Vanessa Rubin trio.
Tickets for Dianne Reeves and trio with openers Jimmy Scott and The Jazz Expressions on April 22 at Verizon Hall range from $29 to $70. 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.
A limited number of $10 tickets are available for every Kimmel Center Presents performance at the Kimmel Center. 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.
Sponsors of the 2004-2005 Kimmel Center Presents season include Mellon Financial Corporation, University of Pennsylvania Health System, Bank of America, Sovereign Bank, Wachovia Foundation, The American Express Company, Verizon Foundation, Bucks County Coffee, and SEPTA, the Commuter’s Choice. Special Student Matinees at the Kimmel Center are generously supported by Merck & Co., Inc. American Airlines is the Official Airline of Kimmel Center Presents. Toyota is the Official Vehicle of Kimmel Center Presents Jazz and World Pop programming. In-kind support is generously provided by Deloitte and Southern Wine and Spirit.
KIMMEL CENTER PRESENTS
Mellon Jazz Fridays series
April 22, 2005, 8pm
Verizon Hall
Dianne Reeves, vocals
Peter Martin, piano
Reginald Veal, bass
Greg Hutchinson, drums
Jimmy Scott, vocals
Hilliard Greene, bass
T.K. Blue, sax and flute
Aaron Graves, piano
Dwayne "Cook" Broadnax, drums
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