Kimmel Center to Host Free Public Workshops from 2014-15 Jazz Residency Program, 6/19-20

Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts announces series of FREE public workshops featuring the artists from the 2014-15 Jazz Residency program. The Philadelphia community is invited to engage in the creative process of two world premieres, scheduled to be performed June 19-20 in SEI Innovation Studio.

Now in its second season, the Jazz Residency program invites burgeoning local jazz artists to nurture the development of new work through collaboration with other artists. The spring series of public forums allow the Jazz Residency artists to capture the pulse of Philadelphia as they showcase pieces of their work-in-progress to the public. Public workshops begin March 4 and continue May 15-17 in preparation for their world premieres.

"We are thrilled to bring Philadelphia's jazz community together to experience local rising talent creating new work. Jazz is a conversation among musicians, both on stage and during its creative process. Philadelphians attending these public forums will experience the synergy that goes into creating exciting new work," said Kimmel Center President and CEO Anne Ewers.

"The Kimmel Center is committed to developing new work in jazz as America's first art form. The genre today transcends boundaries and traditions. We are proud to feature two musicians who take this art form in bold, new directions, and allow audiences to experience the creative process," adds Artistic Director of Programming Jay Wahl.

This season's jazz residency artists feature Philly-based Cuban-American jazz vocalist Venissa Santicollaborating with guitarist Monnette Sudler-Honesty on a jazz musical featuring children, dance, and narrative, inspired by the Philadelphia community. Santi's most recent album release, Big Stuff, is a tribute to Billie Holiday featuring work she first developed at the Kimmel Center in 2010 as part of the Jazz Up Close series.

"My project will delve into the stories of people around us, experience the heartbeat of the city and the rhythm of conflict between cultures and the sound of the music that gives us romance and solidifies family values," comments Venissa Santi.

Cuban born composer, arranger, and drummer Francois Zayas returns to the Jazz Residency program after the inaugural year of collaborating with saxophonist Bobby Zankel and hip-hop choreographer Raphael Xavier. This year, Zayas teams up with DJ Ben Schneible and vocalist Chrissie Loftus to compose a jazz love story featuring Serbian-inspired brass and percussion band, digital samplings and dance. The band will perform instrumental compositions that transition from Balkan to Classical to Jazz styles.

"I would like to connect and combine several different music traditions, such as R&B, Classical, and Balkan music with Jazz, into a series of thematically related songs that will highlight chronological and geographical connections among different music genres. The songs will tell a love story," adds Francois Zayas.

Below is full schedule of 2014-15 Jazz Residency works-in-progress leading up to world premieres. Visit kimmelcenter.org/jazz to learn more.

Vocalist Venissa Santi & Guitarist Monette Sudler

SEI Innovation Studio

· Sat., May 16 at 8 p.m.: Works in Progress- FREE Tickets required

· Fri., June 19 at 8 p.m.: World Premiere ( $15) Tickets Available

Francois Zayas, Ben Scheible, Chrissie Loftus

SEI Innovation Studio

· Sun., May 17 at 8 p.m.: Works in Progress-FREE Tickets required

· Sat., June 20 at 8 p.m., World Premiere ($15) Tickets Available

The Kimmel Center's Jazz Residency program is made possible by a grant from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. We would also like to thank the Hearst Foundations and the Presser Foundation for their generous contribution.

Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts

Located in the heart of Center City, Philadelphia, The Kimmel Center's mission is to operate a world-class performing arts center that engages and serves a broad audience through diverse programming, arts education, and community outreach. The Kimmel Center campus is comprised of the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts (Verizon Hall, Perelman Theater, SEI Innovation Studio, and the Merck Arts Education Center), the Academy of Music (owned by the Philadelphia Orchestra Association), and the University of the Arts Merriam Theater. TD Bank, America's Most Convenient Bank, is the season sponsor of The Kimmel Center's 2014-2015 Season. American Airlines is the official airline of Broadway Philadelphia. For additional information, visit kimmelcenter.org.

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