Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts

Wycliffe Gordon Brings Crescent City Gospel to the Kimmel Center as Part of the Mellon Jazz Up Close: The Roots of Jazz Series on March 10
March 2, 2007

Trombonist Wycliffe Gordon revisits the extensive jazz scene of the 20’s and 30’s with his Crescent City Gospel in the Kimmel Center’s Perelman Theater on Saturday, March 10, 2007 at 7:30pm as part of the Mellon Jazz Up Close: The Roots of Jazz Series, curated by Danilo Pérez. Gordon has toured the world performing hard-swinging, straight-ahead jazz for audiences ranging from heads of state to elementary school students. His trombone playing, "powerful, intricate runs with sweet notes extended over clean melodies," has been hailed by jazz critics. Gordon’s latest solo effort, Cone’s Coup, was released in May 2006, followed by a duo album with Jay Leonhart titled This Rhythm On My Mind, released December 2006. As a composer and educator, Gordon has also recently compiled a collection of trombone quartets, trios and duos entitled Trombone Majesty (2006); and has written Wycliffe Gordon’s Suggested Studies for Trombone, his first method book on teaching and his practice regiment scheduled for 2007 release.

This is the fourth presentation as part of the Mellon Jazz Up Close: The Roots of Jazz Series which concludes with Danilo Pérez and David Sanchez on April 7, 2007 at 7:30pm.

Tickets for Crescent City Gospel on Saturday, March 10, 2007 are priced at $37 and $43 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 6am and later on performance evenings. (Additional fees may apply.) For group sales call 215-893-5883.

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 2.5 hours prior to curtain time and 11:30am for matinees. Limit one ticket per person.

Wycliffe Gordon enjoys an extraordinary career as a performer, conductor, composer, arranger, and educator, receiving high praise from audiences and critics alike. Gordon received the Jazz Journalists Association 2002 and 2001 Award for Trombonist of the Year, the Jazz Journalists Association 2000 Critics’ Choice Award for Best Trombone and has been nominated for the Jazzpar Award. In addition to a thriving solo career, he tours regularly leading the Wycliffe Gordon Quartet, headlining at legendary jazz venues throughout the world. Gordon is a former veteran member of the Wynton Marsalis Septet, The Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra and The Gully Low Jazz Band, and has been featured guest artist on Billy Taylor’s “Jazz at The Kennedy Center” Series. He currently serves on the faculty of the Jazz Studies Program at The Juilliard School, a position he has held since the founding of the program. Gordon’s musical prowess has been captured on numerous recordings, including nine solo CDs and three co-leader CDs.

Gordon is the youngest member of the U.S. Statesmen of Jazz, and in many tour performances has served and continues to serve as a musical ambassador for the U.S. State Department.

Kimmel Center Presents' 2006/2007 season is supported by: Mellon Financial Corporation, University of Pennsylvania Health System, National Endowment for the Arts, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, ARC Wheeler, The William Penn Foundation, The Wachovia Foundation, Verizon Foundation, The Presser Foundation, Philadelphia Music Project and Dance Advance, Initiatives of The Pew Charitable Trust administered by The University of the Arts. American Airlines is the Official Airline of Kimmel Center Presents. Toyota is the Official Vehicle of Kimmel Center Presents Jazz and World Pop programming. NBC-10 is a Media Partner for Kimmel Center Presents. The Philadelphia Inquirer, the Philadelphia Daily News, and Philly.com are media sponsors for the Great Orchestras on Tour series.

FREE AT THE KIMMEL events are made possible through the Wachovia Gateway to the Arts Community Access Program supported by a generous grant from Wachovia Foundation.

KIMMEL CENTER PRESENTS
Saturday, March 10, 2007 | 7:30pm
Perelman Theater
Mellon Jazz Up Close: The Roots of Jazz

Cresent City Gospel
with Wycliffe Gordon

Wycliffe Gordon, trombone
Damian Sneed, organ and vocals
Eric Reed, piano
Herman Burney, bass
Alvin Atkinson, Jr., drums
Yvette Spears, vocals

**********

UPCOMING FREE AT THE KIMMEL EVENTS:

Sunday March 11, 2007 | 12pm
Commonwealth Plaza
The Brennans
Philly’s favorite Irishman, John Brennan and his sister sing and play traditional Irish favorites on piano and guitar.

Wednesday, March 14, 2007 | 7:15pm
Verizon Hall
Artist Chat with Michael Barone
Pre-concert Artist Chat on the stage of Verizon Hall with organist Wayne Marshall and Michael Barone, host of American Public Media's “Pipedreams.” Prior to the Wayne Marshall ticketed organ recital in Verizon Hall.

Wednesday, March 14, 2007 | 6:30pm
Commonwealth Plaza
Leonardo Locatelli
Pianist Leonardo Locatelli from Bergamo, Italy returns to the Commonwealth Plaza to perform classical selections. Prior to Wayne Marshall’s organ ticketed performance in Verizon Hall.

> index of news releases
> For more information, and to request high resolution images for press use, please send us a message online.