Starting Tonight Kimmel Center Jazz Residency Artists Present Three World Premiere Works Highlighting The Black Lives Matter Movement, Gentrification, And Inequality

The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts presents three world premiere concert events for its 2017-18 Jazz Residency Artists: Luke Carlos O'Reilly, Colton Weatherston, and Doug Hirlinger. The artists, alongside an array of collaborators, will debut work that speaks to an aspect of Philadelphia's history and culture, from the Black Lives Matter movement, to Germantown Avenue, to inequality and gentrification in the city. After the first performance, May 3, WURD Radio will present a post-show chat back entitled The Sounds of Social Justice with all three residents, hosted by Stephanie Renee.

The Kimmel Center Jazz Residency is a year-long program that encourages local musicians to move jazz into the future with new music that is engaging and relevant to the Philadelphia community.

May 3 - 5, 2018, 8:00 p.m. each night

SEI Innovation Studio inside the Kimmel Center

300 S. Broad St.

Philadelphia, PA 19102

Schedule of events

May 3

Luke Carlos O'Reilly World Premiere: 8:00 p.m.

The Sounds of Social Justice

Following World Premiere

Post-show chat back moderated by WURD Radio's Stephanie Renee

With Luke Carlos O'Reilly, Colton Weatherston, and Doug Hirlinger

May 4

Colton Weatherston World Premiere: 8:00 p.m.

May 5

Doug Hirlinger World Premiere: 8:00 p.m.

· Luke Carlos O'Reilly, composer specializing in piano, (along with choreographer/dancer Sanchel Brown and lyricist/vocalist Pannan Hewitt) is focusing on the Black Lives Matter movement. Beginning with his personal encounters with law enforcement, O'Reilly plans to channel fear, passion, sadness, and anger to inspire new music.

This world premiere event will take place on May 3, 2018 at 8:00 p.m.

· Colton Weatherston, composer and guitarist, believes that the entire history and background of the city of Philadelphia can be found along Germantown Avenue. He plans to compose a musical portrait of the cultures, peoples, faith groups, and events that make this corridor important and unique to Philadelphians.

This world premiere event will take place on May 4, 2018 at 8:00 p.m.

· Doug Hirlinger, composer and percussionist, (along with lyricist/poet Ursula Rucker, composer/lyricist M'Balia Singely, composer/EVI/valve trombonist John Swana, and composer/guitarist Tim Motzer) are writing a piece entitled "Dear Philadelphia." This new work is informed by dialog between the artists concerning the changes occurring in the city through gentrification and other processes.

This world premiere event will take place on May 5, 2018 at 8:00 p.m.

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 Merriam Theater. The Kimmel Center is also home to eight Resident Companies: The Philadelphia Orchestra, Opera Philadelphia, The Pennsylvania Ballet, The Philly POPS, PHILADANCO, The Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia, The Philadelphia Chamber Music Society and Curtis Institute of Music. With nearly 9,000 seats per night, The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts is the region's most impactful performing arts center, and the second largest in the country. TD Bank, America's Most Convenient Bank, is the season sponsor of the Kimmel Center's 2017-2018 Season. American Airlines is the official airline of Broadway Philadelphia. For additional information, visit kimmelcenter.org.

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