Welcome to Philadelphia Jazz Project
A Blast From Recent Past
Jun 1, 2015
In March 2013, PJP was invited to do an unusual thing. We were asked to be amongst a group of performers to take part in Philadelphia's TedX talks. These events have rarely, if ever involved musical performances. We thought long and hard of what and who to present. The following is documentation video from the Tedx YouTube Channel, of that brief performance....
This talk was given at a local TEDx event, produced independently of the TED Conferences. In the spirit of the The New Workshop of the World, and to engage a dimension of expression beyond mere words, TEDxPhiladelphia was pleased to invite to the stage a few of our city’s musical artists. Philadelphia Jazz Project, directed by Homer Jackson, works to inspire a network to support, promote, archive and celebrate the diverse elements within the Philadelphia jazz community. This powerful performance features vocalist Bethlehem Roberson with bassist Nimrod Speaks.
Bethlehem Roberson is a talented singer/songwriter from the Germantown section of Philadelphia. Raised in an active, church-going family, she grew up listening to her father and uncle’s gospel group, "The Traveling Disciples Gospel Quartet” and became steeped in the traditions of gospel music. In 2000, she took on the Hebrew faith and merged her highly emotive gospel background with the traditions of Judaism. As a writer, her studies of the Torah and other sacred Hebrew texts teach her that words have sacred power and must used wisely and carefully.
Born in Philadelphia, Nimrod Speaks is a bassist, composer, and educator both on electric and double bass. He began playing at the age of 16 on an electric Fender bass while in high school, under the tutorship of Ricardo Jackson. He has played with some of the premier artists of today, including Boostie Barnes, Ronnie Burrage, Doc Gibbs, and Hannible Lokumbe.
About TEDx, x = independently organized event In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program.
