Kimmel Center Blog

Jazz Up Close: Western Europe

Tonight Danilo Pérez closes this season's Jazz Up Close series (Jazz Goes Global) by taking us to Spain to see how jazz and flamenco have melded and blended, creating a whole new style. Joined by guitarist Juanito Pascual, bassist John Patitucci and percussionist Jamey Haddad, Pérez shows us just how universal a language jazz has become.

How was the concert?

Note: Next year's Jazz Up Close will take a deep look at Miles Davis' Kind of Blue

Hairspray, May 2-4, 2008

This show has had an interesting life, from John Waters' original film to the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical to the 2007 hit film adaptation of the musical, Hairspray has been speaking (and singing) to audiences for twenty years. This weekend's touring production has heart to spare. I hope you'll let us know what you thought of the show.

Orchestre National de France

The Orchestre National de France makes its Kimmel Center debut tonight under the direction of Kurt Masur and featuring pianist David Fray. The program features two pieces by Beethoven as well as Dvorák's "New World" Symphony, notes on the program are available here.

How was the concert?

Edited to list encores:
End of first half, David Fray: Bach's Sarabande from from 6th Partita
End of concert: Dvorák: Slavonic Dance in H-Moll

Keyboard Conversations with Jeffrey Siegel

Tonight is Jeffrey Siegel's last concert in his Keyboard Conversations series. He will return again next season with three new concerts. To conclude this season, Mr. Siegel will perform an All-Liszt program.

Feist

Feist returns to the Academy tonight special guest Hayden. The last time Feist played the Academy, she was relatively unknown and opening for Bright Eyes. Now, she's winding up a huge year with The Reminder and the enormous hit "1-2-3-4."

For fun, here's a link to Feist and The Constantines performing "Islands in the Stream."

How was the rest of the show?

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater

This weekend, the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater returns to Philadelphia and celebrates their 50th Anniversary. Under the artistic direction of the legendary Judith Jamison (a Philadelphia native!), the company will perform some of the most famous works from their repertoire, like Revelations (Ailey's signature work), Love Stories (a collaboration with Philadelphia's Rennie Harris) and a new take on Firebird.

You can also read two conversations with Judith Jamison here.

How was the show?

The Movie Music of Spike Lee and Terence Blanchard

Terence Blanchard is a world-renowned film composer and trumpet player; he has scored eight of Spike Lee's films, including the recent acclaimed documentary, When the Levees Broke. Tonight's concert features Terence Blanchard and his Quintet performing music from Spike Lee's films, along with the talents of Patti Austin, Raul Midón, and Musiq Soulchild.

Dave Brubeck and Freddy Cole

Last night legendary jazzmen Dave Brubeck and Freddy Cole performed in Verizon Hall. Mr. Cole is the youngest child of the Cole family which included Nat "King" Cole. Growing up in Chicago, he remembers visits from Duke Ellington, Count Basie and Lionel Hampton. Freddy Cole eventually went on to study at Juilliard and earn his master's degree in music from the New England Conservatory.

Dave Brubeck has been recognized as a force in jazz for decades. He has performed and recorded with legends both young and old and was inducted into the International Jazz Hall of Fame in 1996. The Brubeck Institute in Stockton, California has as its mission to build on Dave Brubeck's legacy and his lifelong dedication to music, creativity, education, and the advancement of important social issues including civil rights, environmental concerns, international relations, and social justice.

What did you think of the show?

Jerry Blavat's Doo Wop Reunion

The Geator is back for a evening of street corner memories. Little Anthony and the Imperials, Johnny Maestro and the Brooklyn Bridge, and Kenny Vance and the Planotones reprise their soulful hits. Due to illness, Harvey Fuqua of the Moonglows will not be performing.

How was the show? Did you feel like slow dancing?

Dame Gillian Weir, organ

This afternoon's organ concert is our last of the regular season, but please keep your ears open for news about a summer organ series happening in July. Dame Gillian Weir is making her Kimmel Center debut today, and exceptional artistry should bring the best sound from the Cooper Memorial organ. Dame Gillian is known for being the pre-eminent interpreter of Messiaen, and she was also the first solo recitalist in London's Royal Albert Hall following the organ's refurbishment. She has a long and acclaimed discography as well. I hope you'll tell us what you thought of the show.

Bonus: Here's a link to Dame Gillian's Pipedreams conversation just a few weeks ago.

Academy of St. Martin in the Fields

The most recorded chamber orchestra in the world, The Academy of St Martin in the Fields, performs tonight in Verizon Hall. The Academy is known for its Mozart recordings with Sir Neville Marriner including the multi award winning soundtrack to the film 'Amadeus'.

Sir Neville Marriner, the founder of the Academy of St Martin in the Fields, will conduct tonight's performance. Sir Neville will be joined by twenty-one year-old pianist Yuja Wang who has firmly established herself as one of the most significant pianists of her generation. Wang is a Curtis Institute of Music senior who has already performed with the world’s leading orchestras including the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, New York Philharmonic, San Francisco Symphony, and the St. Petersburg Philharmonic.

What did you think of the show?

Asha Bhosle

Bollywood's legendary voice comes to the Kimmel tonight! Nicknamed, The Queen of Indipop, Bhosle has been at the forefront of Indian film music working with directors such as R. D. Burman for over 50 years. Bhosle will be joined by special guest Amit Kumar.

What did you think of the show?

Fear & Loathing: The Music of Phil Kline

"He has graduated from 'experimental' to 'original' — he's one of America's most important compositional voices, thanks to his burning urge to communicate.." thats what David Patrick Stearns of the Philadelphia Inquirer said about Phil Kline. From vast boombox symphonies to chamber music and song cycles, Phil Kline's work has been hailed for its originality, beauty, subversive subtext, and wit.

In tonight's final Fresh Ink performance of the season, Kline will perform two very original works. The performance will include Zippo Songs, based on the poems of Vietnam G.I.'s, and a new song cycle based on Hunter S. Thompson's writings.

Phil Kline will be joined by Todd Reynolds, violin; Wilbur Pauley and Theo Bleckmann, vocalists.

Tell us what you thought of the show.

Jazz Up Close: Eastern Europe

Daniel Szabo is a versatile jazz pianist-composer performing both original compositions and standard arrangements influenced by the colorful and complex musical heritage of Hungary. Joining him is Czech vocalist Marta Topferova whose dedication to the music of Latin America and Eastern Europe has made her a truly unique artist. And don't miss Danilo Perez on piano!

Wayne Shorter Quartet & Terell Stafford Quartet

Wayne Shorter, one of the most unique and influential saxophonists and composers performing today, will perform in Verizon Hall tonight. At 75, saxophonist-composer Wayne Shorter continues to take jazz across musical boundaries. Known for being a gifted and versatile player with a voice all his own, Terell Stafford combines lyricism and a deep love of melody with a spirited, adventurous edge. An educator as well as a performer, Stafford currently holds the positions of Professor of Music and Director of Jazz Studies at Temple University.

What did you think of the show?