Sittin' In: Live Sessions

Anthony Tidd, Curator of Sittin' In

Anthony Tidd, is a Philly transplant, originally born and raised in London, England. 

A well-known name on the international jazz scene and veteran touring bassist, Anthony has graced stages alongside many staple names including, Steve Coleman, The Roots, Rudresh Mahanthappa, Wayne Krantz, Meshell N’degiocelo, Common, and Jill Scott, to name a few.  

As a composer/band leader he has written and recorded works for everything from small ensembles, Quite Sane, Imani Winds, to big bands, P.A.C.T, Warriors of the Wonderful Sound, to full Orchestras, The London Philharmonic,The Buffalo Philharmonic.

Anthony has also made a name for himself in the music production world, producing records for well-known artists such as, The Roots, Macy Grey, Zap Mama, The Black Eyed Peas, Jill Scott, and Ursula Rucker, as well as composing scores for major film and television projects over the years. 

As creator/director of the Creative Music Program, Jazz Camp of Philadelphia, as well as curator of Meet the Masters, and popular concert series Sittin’ In, all hosted at the prestigious Kimmel Center, Anthony now divides his time between all of the above, as well saving some time to educate the next generation of musical talent.

Stacey Wilson, Official Emcee

Stacey Wilson's true creative life began the moment she started school in 1995. She attained her love for art while studying Advertising and Graphic Design as well as a multitude of various types of art at Philadelphia's Hussian School of Art. At the same time, she also began her career in management and promotions while also designing promotional materials for the entertainment and restaurant industries.

Producing and promoting thousands of events over the past 18 years, she is the proud co-owner of the infamous Tastytreats, which had been the longest running party in Philadelphia, weekly for 13 years. She created the event in 2001 with then partner, Questlove of The Roots and Yameen Allworld. Dj Mike Nyce among many special DJ’s like Jazzy Jeff, Cash Money, Q-Tip, Biz Markie, Premier, Tony Touch, Pete Rock and many more. 17 years later, she has also produced the well-known events Inside The Studio, Candyland, and The Illadelph Xperiment, to name a few. She’s produced events with super-stars Prince, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Gangstarr, Questlove, Black Thought, Marsha Ambrosius, De La Soul, Mos Def, KRS-One, Lil' Louie Vega ( MAW ), Bahamadia, Little Brother, Kool Herc, Beverly Bond, Jill Scott, John Legend, Jamie Foxx, Bilal, and many others.

Bringing all of her talents together was what created FLYGIRRL. A place where art, design, music and groundbreaking promotions come together with consistency and style. There’s always more to come, stay tuned. She gives back by teaching and talking to the youth when called upon and also donates portions of the proceeds from her events to various causes and charities.

Sittin’ In Birthday Bash 

Celebrated Sittin' In: Live Sessions' 7th anniversary and founder and curator, Anthony Tiddwith a Birthday Bash featuring some of Sittin’ In’s most memorable guests, hosted by Stacey “Flygirrl” Wilson. Featured artists included Eric Wortham, Anwar Marshall, Anthony Tidd, Koser, Laurin Talese, Lady Alma, Eli, and Ernest Stuart.

Sara Serpa and André Matos

Magic, intensely dazzling, and moving are some of the words that can describe the combination of the voice and guitar of Sara Serpa and André Matos. Working together since 2005, the Portuguese native and New York based artists have achieved to create a unique sonic world, drawing upon pure and contemplative sounds through a personal approach to melody and poetry. Their musical identity reveals both their Portuguese culture as well as a certain allure inspired by the creative artistic environment of New York. Serpa and Matos have been performing their music in countries like Portugal, Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina, Germany, Netherlands, Spain and the United States.

"There may be no combination better capable of painting and promoting aural iridescence than that of vocalist Sara Serpa and guitarist André Matos.(...) Their music is art at the point where minimalism and cangiante merge, resulting in an otherworldly sound that's utterly enthralling and completely unique."
- All About Jazz, Dan Bilawski

Irreversible Entanglements

Irreversible Entanglements is a Politically-driven, collaborative free jazz project comprised of members from Philadelphia, New York City, and Washington, D.C. The group formed after a Musicians Against Police Brutality event in NYC (organized by musicians Amirtha Kidambi and Peter Evans) to raise funds for the family of Akai Gurley, a young black father who was slain in 2014 in the stairwell of his home by Peter Liang of the NYPD. With shared politics and roots in free jazz and spoken word traditions, Irreversible Entanglements was recorded in August of 2015.

Queen Jo & Alist Presents:  The Future is Femcee

An event which showcased Prominent Millennial Feminine Voices through traditional urban music. This event featured genre-crossing artists, Taylor Kelly, Jacqueline Constance, Queen Jo and more celebrating elements of Soul, Jazz, RnB, Hip-Hop, and House music accompanied by a live band.

The Mini Q’s

The Mini Q’s have been a staple on the Philadelphia jazz scene since pianist/ keyboardist Luke Carlos O’Reilly and guitarist Ben O’Neill joined forces to create the hard-hitting organ trio in 2004.

Pulling from a wide range of influences, The Q’s meld the rich and flavorful jazz tradition of Jimmy Smith, Pat Martino and Grant Green with soul sensibilities of Jill Scott, TSOP and an ever-expanding repertoire of spirituals and hymns. The name ‘The Mini Q’s’ was coined by Ben O’Neill, and it is in reference to an Electro-Harmonix Mini Q-Tron guitar effects pedal he uses often with the group.

Marcus Myers & Ode to Omni

Marcus Myers & Ode to Omni are an eclectic group of accomplish musicians who push the boundaries of jazz. Based in Philadelphia, the group has managed to make major waves nationally this past year. With the release of their third studio album entitled “Perception”, the album soared to number 15 on the jazz charts during its debut. With years of performing under their belt, tv appearances, and a message that touches all demographics and walks of life, Marcus Myers & Ode To Omni are becoming a  leading voice for a new generation of music that will bring listeners of various of styles of music together.

Worldtown Soundsystem

Worldtown Soundsystem is a high-voltage live house music band that fuses the culture of electronic dance music with global rhythms and a heart of soul. The ensemble’s seven members have roots in three continents, and every Worldtown event is a celebration of sound from around the world. Influences from Africa, Latin America and the United States are melded into a uniquely energetic live experience that pulls a crowd to the dance floor. Worldtown’s mission is to celebrate global culture through music and art.

Steve Coleman

To call Steve Coleman ”influential” is an understatement. Vijay Iyer, one of the many groundbreaking composer-performers who began their careers apprenticing with Steve, says, “To me, Steve’s as important as Coltrane. He has contributed an equal amount to the history of the music. He deserves to be placed in the pantheon of pioneering artists.” Artists like Don Byron, Cassandra Wilson, and others agree.

Lady Alma

Philadelphia songstress LADY ALMA, heralded worldwide as its music scene's heart and soul, is bringing her soaring, searing, vocals back to eagerly-awaiting audiences hungry for her Funk-House-Soul stylings. LADY ALMA has recorded club anthems and party bangers helmed by the likes of superproducers YUKIHIRO FUKUTOMI "THAT MUSIC", MARK de CLIVE-LOWE "FAR AWAY", OSUNLADE "IT'S HOUSE MUSIC", DJ SPINNA "CHANCES", DEGO, KAIDI TATHAM & BUGZ IN THE ATTIC "HOLD IT DOWN", MASTERS AT WORK "HIGHER", and fellow Philly mainstay KING BRITT "HAPPINESS". Her dynamic, still buzzedabout live shows have left critics and fans alike breathless for over two decades. Having shown the proven to be one of a kind, LADY ALMA is a widely praised source of true sonic satisfaction since her introduction.

Kristen Estelle

Kristen Estelle is an Indie-pop artist based in New York City. She is originally from Montana where she began her music career as a classically trained clarinetist. Kristen moved to New York City to pursue jazz vocals, only to discover her true passion in the form of writing and singing original pop tunes. Her group, the Heartstrings, is a powerhouse string ensemble featuring the unique instrumentation of two cellos, violin, viola, electric bass and vocals. The group avoids easy categorization by combining the sophisticated trappings of a Classical string quartet with catchy pop melodies and twisting them into something completely new and unexpected.

Jonifin Marvin and The Philly Reggae Band

An observation of the live reggae music scene in Philadelphia at that time moved Jamaican born recording/performing artist, Jonifin Marvin, to create a more authentic representation of Reggae Music for Philly to experience. PRB’s sound is rooted in various sub-genres of reggae: lovers rock, dancehall, roots and culture, Dub, and ska. Many of the band’s members are connected through the Philly music scene and have backgrounds in soul music, reggae, hip-hop, Brazilian sounds, rock, and more. The influences of the members combine to create a rich, full sound, mixing vintage reggae fundamentals and contemporary free thought. The Philly Reggae Band’s live show is an energetic display of grit, soul, and nostalgia. The synergy of Jamaican and Philadelphia culture intersecting through Jonifin's music has delivered a unique voice strong enough to address the world.

Ernest Stuart

Music began in the life of Ernest Stuart at the age of 12 while in middle school. He dreamt of playing saxophone, but soon realized that his dream of being a musician had come to a screeching halt when his mother, a single parent of two, could not afford his instrument. To avoid being kicked out of beginners music class young Ernest was given three options for substitutes: tuba, baritone horn, and trombone... he picked the lesser of three evils, and never looked back.

Eric Revis

Perhaps best known for his long association with saxophonist Branford Marsalis, Revis is a top-notch bandleader in his own right. Writing in The New York Times, critic Nate Chinen wrote that Revis's trio "cut its path toward a rare and mystifying cohesion," while Revis's three most recent records—Sing Me Some Cry, In Memory Of Things Yet Seen, and City of Asylum—have all landed on NPR's annual Jazz Critics' Poll. Though Julius Rodriguez is still completing his studies at the Juilliard School, he is already a busy player on the New York scene. Rodriguez has led his own groups at The Jazz Gallery and Jazz at Lincoln Center, and tours with the likes of A$AP Rocky and Jazzmeia Horn.

Chill Moody

Chill Moody cemented his status as one of the top lyricists & performers to hit Philadelphia in years when he won “Best Rapper” in Philadelphia Magazine’s annual “Best of Philly” issue. He was also named Philadelphia’s Music Ambassador by Councilman David Oh, due to his tireless efforts to "put the city on" as well as his local & national accomplishments over the years. A West Philadelphia native, his lifestyle brand “nicethings” now includes clothing line, consulting firm, a record label (nicethingsMUSIC), and even a line of craft beer (nicethingsIPA, a collaboration with Dock Street Brewery). He recently partnered with Philly R&B singer Donn T to start a new group called “&More (Chill Moody & Donn T)".

Brandee  Younger 

A fearless and versatile talent, contemporary harpist Brandee Younger defies genres and labels as a classically-trained musician playing in the avant-garde tradition of her sonically forward forebears Dorothy Ashby and Alice Coltrane.  Ms. Younger delivers a consistently fresh take on the ancient instrument as an educator, curator, performer and leader of the Brandee Younger Quartet.  Ms. Younger has produced an impressive body of work since the 2011 debut of her seminal Prelude EP, including Brandee Younger Live @ The Breeding Ground, a breakthrough performance on Bluenote Records and Revive Music’s 2015 Supreme Sonacy Vol. 1 LP, and the more recent release of her critically-acclaimed 2016 Wax & Wane LP. 

Julie Dexter

Julie Dexter is a world renowned, award winning, British singer, songwriter and producer considered by many to be one of the most influential female vocalists of our generation.

Odean Pope Trio

WRTI host/curator J. Michael Harrison presented a rare reunion performance of Odean Pope's Trio featuring Gerald Veasley and Cornell Rochester.  This all-star trio last performed together in 2005 at the Mores festival in Germany. 

Maria Grand's Diatribe

Saxophonist, composer, and educator María Grand quickly became the protégée of legendary musicians such as Billy Harper, and Antoine Roney, as well as NEA Jazz Master Von Freeman.

Joel Ross

Highly anticipated vibraphonist, Joel Ross is making waves across the nation. The Chicago native has performed with notable musicians including Herbie Hancock, Wynton Marsalis, Christian McBride, Ambrose Akinmusire, Gerald Clayton, and many others.

Jonathan Finlayson

Jonathan Finlayson has been recognized by The New York Times as “…an incisive and often surprising trumpeter,” who is “…fascinated with composition.”

Kate Faust

Creating and digitizing her own beats, this Philadelphia-based pop artist seamlessly pronounces the message of eroticism, embracing strength and femininity throughout each self-curated track.

Sittin' In's 5th Anniversary Celebration

Featured some of Sittin’ In’s favorite regulars, including Orrin Evans, Ursula Rucker, Josh Lawrence, Laurin Talese, Korey Riker, Chartel Findlater, Tim Motzer, Luke Carlos O’Reilly, Anwar Marshall, Anthony Tidd, Ciarra and DJ Blaak The 9th Man.

Johnny Popcorn

Johnny Popcorn delivers a sound that blends soul, rock, and hip-hop into a sound that has made Johnny Popcorn an unpredictable thrill ride.

Vertical Current

Vertical Current is a band on the rise, a name on the lips of music lovers in one of the greatest musical cities in America; Philadelphia. Their first full-length project “Bright Side of Midnight” was released in the summer of 2014, and the band has been busy crafting fresh material for their next album.

Ursula Rucker

Ursula Rucker is a Philadelphiahia born poet, mother, activist and recording artist.  She has been performing, recording and releasing works for over 20 years.

Melvis Santa

Melvis Santa, one of the newest voices of Afro Cuban & Latin Jazz, has touched audiences and critics with a creative and soulful energy that eclipses the boundaries of Cuban rhythms, soul and jazz parameters.

Lee Mo

Known for her killer vocals, soulful feel, and impressive music sensibilities, Lee Mo has graced the stages of some of Philly's hottest venues. 

Xenia Rubinos

Rubinos used her powerful and soulful voice to traverse an array of genres from R&B to hip-hop to jazz and beyond, all of it delivered with a New York punk-funk abandon, at Sittin' In in June 2016.

Korey Riker

Saxophonist and jazz residency artist Korey Riker has performed with collections of his original compositions from his recent album multiple times here at the Kimmel Center, including his Sittin' In session in March of 2016.

Captain Black Big Band

Captain Black Big Band brought a fresh jazz orchestra take in February of 2016 when they hosted a Sittin' In session at the Kimmel Center!

Fresh Cut Orchestra

Philly’s own Fresh Cut Orchestra is led by trumpeter Josh Lawrence, bassist Jason Fraticelli, and drummer Anwar Marshall. These local favorites performed an eclectic evening of “straight ahead” jazz, contemporary classical, progressive rock, hip hop, and modern electronica.