Sittin' In

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.

Sonny James of IllVibe Collective

DJ Statik aka Mr. Sonny James is a writer, DJ, producer, videographer, and actor. He is also co-founder of Philadelphia’s most prolific and well-respected DJ/Production crew, Illvibe Collective. Sonny is the official tour DJ for the legendary MC Bahamadia and other prominent international hip-hop artists. 

Famously noted as “your DJ’s favorite DJ,” His sets regularly hit popular venues across the world: Insert Coins (Las Vegas), Santos Party House, SOBs and LPR in New York City; Philly’s Voyeur Nightclub, Silk City, and Morgan’s Pier; Tube Station (Berlin), Djoon (Paris), and DUSK Complex in Atlantic City. He is an annual staple at the SXSW Music Festival in Austin, TX and at Miami’s Winter Music Conference in South Beach.

Statik’s full and diverse roster includes a DJ residency for Heineken Green Room; events affiliated with two.one.five magazine; the legendary Beat Society producer showcase; and Illvibe Collective’s highly anticipated traveling dance party series, BODYROCK—now in it’s 14th year. in 2014, he was personally invited to the White House to DJ the African Summit dinner for President Obama, The First Lady and over 50 more world leaders.

His musicality as a producer is evident on the Illvibe Collective’s debut album, All Together Now, released in 2011. Currently Sonny James serves as Chief Operations Manager of the Illvibe Media record label where his numerous duties include artist development, marketing and music distribution.

Ciarra Lambert

Queen Jo (Ciarra Lambert) is a femcee hailing from Philadelphia, and is also half of the music group Jo Darling. She is a Girl Power Enthusiast, an IllVibe crew ambassador and Philadelphia Hypebeast. As an IllVibe Collective ambassador, QJ has become a Philadelphia nightlift staple hosting and promoting events, leading to her hosting and performing for the Red Bull stage at The Firefly Music Festival (2013).

As a personality for G-town Radio (2012), QJ co-hosted and co-produced, Places & Spaces, with DJ Aura, interviewing local artists and tackling minority and women's rights issues from an urban perspective.

She is currently the official emcee for the Kimmel Center's "Sittin In" Series directed and produced by Anthony Tidd.

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.