Bobby McFerrin, Anat Cohen, Karrin Allyson and More Set for Jazz at the Kimmel Center's 12th Season

What is Jazz? Steeped in the American heritage, this original art form has seized artists' imaginations through the years. Locally, jazz legends have passed through Philadelphia's storied history of jazz clubs and smoky bars to perform this great American art form since its birth. Today, the genre continues as a reincarnation of a legendary past and a creative canvas for young and established artists to take it into daring, uncharted territories.

Now in its 12th year of presenting jazz, The KimMel Center for the Performing Arts invites audiences to continue an exploration of jazz with free and ticketed events all season long. In seasons past, the KimMel Center has showcased jazz legends-Sonny Rollins, Dave Brubeck, Herbie Hancock, to name a few, juxtaposed with programmatic series reflecting the inspired genius of Dizzie Gillespie, MiLes Davis, Billie Holiday, with Philly artists such as Venissa Santi and McCoy Tyner performing and creating new work.

The KimMel Center's 2013-14 season continues to bring audiences closer to experiencing a new narration of jazz. Genres become blurred. Improvisational genius unfolds as jazz legacies continue to inspire and lead the way for the creation and performance of new work on the KimMel Center's campus of great, concert stages.

Jazz inspires a visit to the lore of past legacies. On November 10, KimMel Center Presents brings 10 time Grammy Award-winning Philly-based jazz artist Bobby McFerrin to Verizon Hall for a performance of spirityouall, which digs deep into Americana, bluesy roots and pays tribute to his father, renowned interpreter of the American Negro Spiritual and the first African-American to receive a signed contract with the Metropolitan Opera Company. On March 9, Newport Jazz Festival: Now 60 celebrates the great history of the festival with music director clarinetist and saxophonist Anat Cohen leading an ensemble of fresh talent, including five-time Grammy-winning trumpeter and Philly native Randy Brecker, multi-Grammy nominated vocalist Karrin Allyson, guitarist Mark Whitfield, pianist Peter Martin, drummer Clarence Penn and bassist Ben Allison performing a repertoire spanning Louis, Duke and Miles to Latin, Brazilian Jazz influences, and more.

Jazz creates collaboration. KimMel Center artist in residence Jon Batiste and Stay Human Band kicked off the Fall FREE Sittin' In Jam Session on the Plaza stage with a world class, spirited performance of modern jazz, and returns in February for Jazz is NOW!, a FREE student outreach program and workshop. As founder of the Stay Human Band and co-director of the National Jazz Museum of Harlem, Batiste has become a New York Jazz leader and returns on April 25 for a ticketed full length performance with his ensemble. On January 16, Philly native trailblazer guitarist and composer Kurt Rosenwinkel debuts his New Quartet performing works from 2012 release Star of Jupiter, a modern, swinging set of jazz that stays true to its classic form with pianist Aaron Parks, drummer Justin Faulkner and Revis on bass.

Jazz explores world influences. On April 10, Latin Grammy Award-winner Buika brings an emotive, sensual performance of jazz with new compositions and reinterpretations of classic hits such as Billie Holiday's "Don't Explain," Ernesto Lecuona's "Siboney," Roque Narvaja's "St. Lucia" and Fito Paez's "Yo vengo a ofrecer mi Corazon" from her newest album release, La Noche Mas Larga (The Longest Night). On April 11-12, one of New York City's beloved live bands, Ethan Lipton & His Orchestra perform the Philadelphia premiere of new musical theater piece, No Place to Go, an irreverent, personal musical ode to unemployment and a query to the universe about company and country politics that is part Woody Allen and Woodie Guthrie in its on stage appeal with elements of jazz, improvisation and storytelling mixed with blues, country and lounge music.

And, stay connected to the KimMel Center where on November 14 a new jazz residency in Innovation Studio will be unveiled with local and national jazz artists collaborating on the creation of new work to be premiered this season.

FREE Jazz at the Kimmel events include: monthly Sittin' In Jam sessions, an inviting, open forum for musicians to join in an improv set on the Commonwealth Plaza stage for a dance party with resident DJ PHSH sets, emcee'd by HOT 107.9 radio personality Laiya St. Clair. Sittin' In opened with NY Jazz leader Jon Batiste and Stay Human Band on Sept. 11, followed by Donn T., ?uestlove of the Roots' sister on Oct. 9 with Stacey 'Fly Girrl' Wilson. The series continues on Nov. 13 with Parisian-based Rachel Claudio, who has collaborated with Philly's own King Britt. Trombone legend Jeff Bradshaw takes the next set into the winter on Dec. 11.

The next generation of jazz also includes the KimMel Center's Creative Music Program's youthful group of 11-19 year-old musicians who as ambassadors of the KimMel Center perform their annual winter concert on the Plaza stage (Dec. 21). Noteworthy: previous KCCMP jazz ensemble alumnus Justin Faulkner returns to the KimMel Center as drummer on tour to perform with Kurt Rosenwinkle's New Quartet this spring. And, for zero to four year-olds, the monthly PNC Grow Up Great All Aboard the Jazz Train (Nov. 16) will inspire little ones into their own jazz exploration. The PNC-funded Bop and Swing program in partnership with the School District of Philadelphia also introduces preschoolers to jazz with tapping, clapping, bopping, and swinging to Ellington, Ella, Dizzy, and others as creative ways children learn about jazz while reinforcing skills learned in the classroom.

For a complete list of Jazz at the Kimmel FREE and ticketed events, click here.