Enjoy the sights and sounds of live music while savoring a selection of wines throughout our Gardens. Sip along to exceptional jazz and, after the sun goes down, catch our jazz-inspired Take the A Train to Birdland Illuminated Fountain Performance to round out your day. Performers include Delfeayo Marsalis and the Uptown Jazz Orchestra, Christian McBride’s New Jawn, The Brubeck Brothers Quartet, The Hot Sardines, Lucas Brown Trio, and Unison Featuring Tony Miceli.
Jazz originated in the Black communities of New Orleans in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with its roots in blues and ragtime. This truly "American" art form is an integral part of our history. Through improvisation, syncopated rhythms, an extended harmonic language, and distinct use of instrumental sounds, jazz creates a musical world that evokes deep passion, emotion, and excitement.
In recent years, jazz has been overlooked in the drag/burlesque world. So, we decided to curate a show paying homage to this incredible and varied art form. Join co-hosts Balena Canto and Esme Eventide along with two very special guests for this queer artist tribute, Jazz on Jackson!
Jazz on the Green is a showcase of local music culture, set within the lush green space of Fisher Park, in the heart of Olney. The event was launched in 2016 and grew into an annual tradition with an increasing audience, up until the pandemic in 2020. After a two year hiatus, we are bringing this beloved community event back. Olney Culture Lab is joined by Fisher Park Alliance and Gibson School of Music to produce this event. Confirmed featured performers so far are: Professor Randy J. Gibson & Double Portion, Malik Henry & NuERA, and Kendrah Butler Quartet.
Ruth Naomi Floyd is a vocalist, composer and educator. She leads her own multi-faceted ensemble and her discography consist primarily of original compositions. Served as Director of Jazz Studies at Cairn University, Langhorne, Pennsylvania and is an Artist in Residence at Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Ruth taught music for twenty years at The City School in Philadelphia. The Frederick Douglass Jazz Works is Ruth’s latest body of compositions for jazz septet, based on the speeches and writings of the great leading orator, abolitionist, writer, publisher, and statesman. This body of work won the Best Vocal Recital Award at the San Francisco Classical Voice Audience Choice Awards for 2020-2021.
Philadelphia’s eclectic music scene is booming with local artists. Take a break from the office at lunchtime to watch as their talents are showcased during free outdoor concerts. In partnership with Rec Philly, these performances will feature musicians selected as part of the Black Music City initiative. Before the show, grab a bite with coworkers […]
Join the Charles L. Blockson Afro-American Collection and the Office of Community Affairs and Engagement for a day of celebration and remembrance. Festivities include a conversation with Bob Perkins and WRTI music host and producer J. Michael Harrison, live entertainment featuring the Renaissance Messengers, reflections by Dr. Molefi Kete Asante, and a special tribute by Robert Kenyatta to the legendary William “Cody” Anderson, pioneer and iconic leader in Black radio in Philadelphia for decades.
Described as "a brilliant gem", Glenn's modern jazz compositions and skilled, interactive playing have been called "a thoughtfull, remarkable style", which "stems from a deeper understanding". A graduate of New England Conservatory, Glenn has performed alongside many notable musicians including Sunnyside Records artist, Jamie Baum, Impulse! artist Greg Tardy, ECM Records artist Art Landie, and more. In addition to his own recordings Glenn can be heard on recordings by Huevo Imaginary Records, I'm In You. Matador Records artist Julian Plenti (featuring Paul Banks from Interpol), and more. Glenn's recordings, Sacred Machines (OA2 Records), and Time In Transit (Armored Records), are featured on radio stations and satelite radio internationally.
"We grew up in Brookline, Massachusetts, a suburb of Boston, where we were trained in Classical music from a young age. But we also loved the 1950's recordings by jazz bassist Oscar Pettiford and jazz French horn player Julius Watkins; and those have remained influential, even as we went on to other playing. The catchy melodies, deep grooves, and tight solos made that music memorable, and it's been percolating for years for us to do an album of our own in that style"
Make post-lunch slumps a thing of the past! Bring your lunch and picnic in the Plaza while listening to music that moves you. Featuring free live performances by emerging Philly artists, showcasing many genres of music from classical to jazz.
This is the first episode in a series titled "Jazz Journey with Greg" where jazz documentary films will be shown along with Q&A sessions following the film. Sun Ra's influence on the world of avant garde jazz will be explored through the presentation of the 60-minute PBS American Masters jazz documentary film by Robert Mugge […]
Bassist Nicholas Krolak is a young veteran of the Philadelphia jazz scene. He has spent the last decade working as a side-man, experiencing new styles, and studying with the masters. Now, he has taken all he has learned and is applying it to his own group. Tracing the lineage of bebop into the contemporary, his compositions celebrate the city and honor nature. He is also the host of the Voice = Power Podcast in which he interviews visionaries of the Jazz world, pursuing the question: How does an artist find their voice?
