Every Tuesday, we’ll be sharing exclusive videos and highlights “From Our Archives”, including works from our Jazz Residency alums.
The Kimmel Cultural Campus fosters local artists in our year-long Jazz Residency program. Now, in its seventh year, this program adds to the legacy of new jazz homegrown in Philadelphia.
(Immanuel Wilkins, Kimmel 2019-2020 Jazz Residency artist;
Photo credit: Creative Outfit, Inc.)
Applying artists are reviewed by a panel of some of our country’s most prominent jazz minds – leaders from Juilliard Jazz, Jazz at Lincoln Center, Kennedy Center, Berklee College of Music, and more. Once selected, these burgeoning artists are shepherded through a lengthy creative process involving public workshops, student teaching opportunities, work-in-progress concerts, and audience feedback. The Kimmel Cultural Campus acts as the incubator, hosting these events, promoting these artists, offering professional support and guidance, and so much more.
(2019-2020 Jazz Residents Ruth Naomi Floyd, Charles “Chaz” Lattimore Howard, and collaborators;
Photo Credit: Creative Outfit, Inc.)
Our Jazz residency program is 100% subsidized by the Kimmel Center and reliant upon contributed support. It is only because of the generosity of donors that we are able to bring together our diverse communities for experiences that teach us how deep our roots run and how they intertwine. The City of Brotherly & Sisterly Love is creative and resilient.
(2015-2016 Jazz Residency alums Kendrah Butler and Shamika Byrd)
These artists write about topics relevant to our region and our time in history: homelessness; cultural identity; immigration; inequality; our Philly neighborhoods; gentrification…often in ways that touch us at our core and bring us hope, inspiration, and togetherness.
(2019-2020 Jazz Resident Richard Hill and collaborators;
Photo Credit: Creative Outfit, Inc.)
These “Philly Made” residency works are a big part of our mission. In the seven years of this program featuring 16 world premiere concerts, we’ve witnessed these artists flourish, influencing jazz both here in Philadelphia and around the world.
(From left: Kimmel’s 2016-2017 Jazz Residency alums Max Swan, Jawanza Kobie, and Joanna Pascale)
For instance, after a world tour with John Legend, past resident Korey Riker released his third album, recording with his residency team. Past jazz resident Jawanza Kobie’s project Bird Stories went on to be presented by the Annenberg Center and The Mann Center. Past resident Joanna Pascale performed a choral work based upon her critically-acclaimed residency show at World Café Live, collaborating with the youth of the Sister Cities Girlchoir.
(2015-2016 Jazz Residency alum Korey Riker laughing with students)
This week on “From Our Archives”, we’re sharing work from Luke Carlos O’Reilly. He has participated in many of our FREE community events, including our monthly Sittin’ In: Live Sessions concerts and our monthly family series on our Plaza stage.
(Luke Carlos O’Reilly performs during the 2018-2019 Jazz Residency)
He’s also one of the Kimmel Cultural Campus’ teaching artists – contributing to our FREE, year-long program for 4th graders, Jazz4Freedom, that links jazz to Black History & social change.
Click HERE to watch his “America”.
There’s more!
The Philadelphia Orchestra Virtual highlight:
Tuesdays at 6pm; Wednesdays at 1pm: Participants of all ages will have the opportunity to learn from and engage with musicians of the Orchestra through virtual learning opportunities, including panel discussions, master classes, and more.
(Photo: Yannick Nézet-Séguin)
Opera Philadelphia Virtual Highlight:
For social distancing-approved opera, check out Opera Philadelphia’s “Opera on the Couch" playlist, updated each week with clips from past performances.
(Missy Mazzoli and Vavrek's Breaking the Waves)
Pennsylvania Ballet Virtual Highlight:
Join Pennsylvania Ballet daily at 1:30pm on their Instagram Live stream and take part in ballet classes taught by a different company member each day.
(Alexander Iziliaev)
SEE MORE HIGHLIGHTS FROM OUR VIRTUAL STAGES HERE!