Welcome to Philadelphia Jazz Project
Bohème Big Band Love Fest
Feb 6, 2017
V. Shayne Frederick is a pianist, vocalist and poet, who trained with master keyboardist, Trudy Pitts and has performed at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Barnes Foundation, SugarHouse Casino, Suzanne Roberts Theatre, Resorts Casino, Society Hill Playhouse, Philadelphia Clef Club for Performing Arts, African-American Museum in Philadelphia and Art Sanctuary.
Frederick and colleague, trumpeter, pianist and composer, Marcell Bellinger, who has worked with Jeff Bradshaw’s Brass Heaven, Chuck Brown and The Roots, have been performing for a while now, as the Bohéme Big Band: a retro Jazz ensemble with a love of Swing, BeBop and Early R&B. Both of these musicians bring a passion to spread the music and its messages.
To do this, the Bohéme Big Band is presenting a special Valentine's Day event, featuring Chris Coyle: bass and Khary Abdul-Shaeed: drums, along with Paul Giess, Marc Scott, Tyrone Fredericks and Tyree Barron in the horn section. Also on the bill is the phenomenal, Kendrah Butler Quartet,
The evening also features a special menu courtesy of World Cafe Live, Chef Rob Cottman.
Tuesday, February 14th, 2017 at 7pm
Bohéme Big Band's Valentine's Day Love Fest
World Cafe Live
3025 Walnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104
Both Frederick and Bellinger have participated in a number of PJP events:
PJP Spoke with V. Shayne Frederick about the upcoming Valentine's Day event.
PJP: What are you going to present on Valentine’s Day
Bohéme Big Band is riding the wave of our sold-out Christmas show which featured beautiful arrangements of familiar [and obscure!] holiday/spiritual music in addition to quite a few original compositions. Marcell Bellinger and I knew that Valentine’s Day was too good an opportunity to pass up, so we’re reiterating our musical vision. Our first Bohéme Big Band event was so huge, we sold out the venue and were afforded an opportunity to work in a larger space to highlight such a wonderful day. We’re looking forward to invoking the power and mystery of love at World Café Live.
PJP: Who is involved?
We were infinitely excited to partner with pianist/composer/vocalist Kendrah Butler, to bring her group on at the top of the show. I love supporting innovative artists. Kendrah’s fantastic work speaks for itself, and she is blossoming all over the place. Kendrah exudes intentionality and groove. I had the opportunity to work with her during her Kimmel Center residency’s grand finale concert last year. We figured that a quartet and a large ensemble combo show would be amazing. It’s all about the flow.
Since two members of our original horn section are being awesome in other parts of the country, Bohéme Big Band wanted to bring new faces into the fold: Tyrone Fredericks on alto sax, and Marc Scott on trombone. The original core trio will be in place: Bellinger on piano, Chris Coyle on bass, and Khary Abdul-Shaheed on drums. Paul Giess on trumpet and flugelhorn is returning along with his original compositions; and we’re excited to bring back Tyree Barron on tenor saxophone for another round. It’s a whole situation.
PJP: Can you briefly describe your group’s musical direction?
The collective vision of Bohéme is joy, vibrancy, and nuanced musicality. We all bring to the table a hodgepodge of styles with a breadth of repertoire and sensitivity. Everyone brings something and drops it into the pot, and each contribution is edified. We serve it hot. Everyone leaves satiated. This is a great musical meal. Marcell does an incredible job giving me space as a vocalist to work through some of my favorite compositions and explore his own motifs. Somehow, it all comes together and all of us feel freer in those musical moments. And, ultimately, we want to have fun and make the audience move. When you get a bunch of people together who love what they do, everyone can tell.
PJP: What and whom are pivotal musical influences on your own creative approach?
We listen to everything—from the classic feel of the Ellington Orchestra and Quincy Jones' big band swagger, to the sumptuous layers of Gil Evans and Miles Davis’ work. Add a heap of funk, and of course soul. We like variety. It’s really about bringing non-big-band tropes into a large ensemble feel and seeing where it takes us.
PJP: When listening to your music what advice would you give the audience to assist with greater understanding and enjoyment?
The audience does not have to come with anything but an open heart, and ears ready to be seduced. There's no work to be done. Be sideswiped by pleasure.
PJP: Why Jazz? When you could be doing anything else, Why this music?
Everything has the possibility to be Jazz, if it is freer. Jazz absorbs everything, it goes beyond definition, to paraphrase one of Philadelphia’s own greats, Trudy Pitts. In this larger ensemble setting, we feel the palpable power in numbers. I’m looking forward to the musical force field we’ll create.
Tuesday, February 14th, 2017 at 7pm
Bohéme Big Band's Valentine's Day Love Fest
World Cafe Live
3025 Walnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104
