Welcome to Philadelphia Jazz Project
DivaNation Philly - Vibing For Spring
Feb 19, 2019
DivaNation Philly Presents: Vibing For Spring
With "Wolfman" Warren Wolf & His Wolfpack
Saturday, March 9th, 2019
Philadelphia Clef Club of Jazz & the Performing Arts
738 S. Broad Street
Philadelphia, PA 19146
For Tickets: CLICK HERE
DivaNation PHILLY prepares for their 2nd Annual Spring Concert, Vibing For Spring.
Who is DivaNation PHILLY?
A true sisterhood of singers, DivaNation PHILLY is a grassroots organization, birthed through the Philadelphia Jazz Project, supported in part by the Community Education & Action Project, Inc. (C E.A.P., Inc.) and fiscally sponsored by CultureWorks | Greater Philadelphia. DivaNation PHILLY is a membership-based movement that seeks funding and projects that support women in the business of music and the arts. Connected to jazz of the past and looking forward to the future, the group calls upon the spirit of Philadelphia’s legendary female Jazz singers: Ethel Waters, Trudy Pitts, Nina Simone, and others like Billie Holiday, Sarah Vaughan, Dinah Washington & more.
DivaNation Mission:
As a diverse and developing community of Philadelphia's female jazz singers, musicians & more. The DivaNation PHILLY mission is to build a thriving community of female artists, supporting new talent while building audiences for the Jazz genre. DivaNation PHILLY's goals include collaborative work with women across a diverse demographic range and with women of all artistic genres to include the Performing, Creative & Fine Arts, singers, musicians, composers, arrangers, producers, dancers, spoken word artists, poets, story tellers, painters, designers, photographers… everyone who embraces the creative spirit!
PJP Spoke with DivaNation PHILLY Director, Khadijah Renee about DivaNation and the upcoming Spring Concert.
PJP: Tell us a little about yourself and your musical direction?
Khadijah Renee: I'm a jazz singer living and playing in and around the Philadelphia metropolitan area. I've recently evolved into a jazz events producer and currently acting as Director of the all female Jazz collective called DivaNation Philly. I have several cd's out and developing my next one presently.
PJP: Tell us some more about the upcoming event.
Khadijah Renee: DivaNation Philly presents: The "Wolfman" Warren Wolf and his Wolfpack on Saturday, March 9th, 2019, 2 shows 7pm & 9:30pm. The Philadelphia Clef Club of Jazz and the Performing Arts. 738 S. Broad Street, Philadelphia, Pa 19146. $35 general, $25 seniors/divas, $15 students,
PJP: Who is taking part in it?
Khadijah Renee: The headliner, playing both shows, is the “Wolf Pack Quartet” led by stellar vibraphonist Warren Wolf, with Mark Meadows - Piano, Jeff Reed - Bass, and Quincy Phillips - Drums. Wolf has played and recorded with Christian McBride, Tia Fuller, Wynton Marsalis and many other many other household names in Jazz. He is “vibin’ for spring,” and a slew of talented DivaNation Philly vocalists will open for Wolf each show and help deliver this spring vibe, each presenting a spring-themed selection in her own way. The first show includes myself, with my resonant voice compared to vocal stylings reflective of Sarah Vaughan; Philly be-bop legend Carol Harris; original composer Gretchen Elise; show-stopping performer Sherry Wilson Butler and her skilled protege Haley Junee, not yet out of high school. The second show showcases Jean Therapy’s fusion singer Jean Lenke, “Princess of Jazz” Maya Belardo, just 20; vocal powerhouse Starlene Bey, who is just releasing a new blues album; Laranah Phipps Ray of Newark’s “First Family of Jazz,” and Michele Peraino, the animated lead singer of Swing That Cat. DivaNation Philly’s two main leaders, Khadijah and Jean will each emcee one of the shows. And the singers will be backed by a combo of Philly greats - DivaNation member Erica Corbo - keyboards (MD), Richard Hill - bass, Duck Scott - drums. Oh, and listeners can get a sneak peak at hearing several of the selections on WRTI, 90.1FM, simulcast as a Facebook Live performance, 7:15pm on March 6th.
PJP: Why is this theme/concept so important? Can you explain your process and the steps that led to this project?
Khadijah Renee: Spring is a great time for Jazz and there are many jazz compositions about the emotional feel for the season. "Vibing For Spring" reflects the wonderful vibratory energy of the vibraphone coupled with the vocal flowery of the female jazz singer, bringing life and hope for the future of jazz music in the region. As a part of our growth as a vessel for the incubation of developing female jazz musicians we showcase our younger members.
I met the prolific Warren Wolf at my yearly trek to the Mid Atlantic Jazz Festival in Maryland, Warren's home state. He did a vibe summit there with Joe Locke.....I was floored by his prowess and approached him with the invitation to come to Philly. Luckily, he agreed!
PJP: When listening or participating in the festival what advice would you give the audience to assist with greater understanding and enjoyment?
Khadijah Renee: With this project; we hope to continue to display the diversity of women in jazz with our female led Rhythm section and vast array of singers. We suggest to the concert goers to tune into the music of the great vibists of Jazz like Lionel Hampton, Bobby Hutcherson, Roy Ayers, Stefon Harris to understand the impact of the instrument on the genre of jazz music.
PJP: We at PJP know how difficult taking on this important work can be. There's always something else to do. What kinds of support can the community give to help with the effort and its ongoing success?
Khadijah Renee: DivaNation Philly is under the fiscal sponsorship of Culture Works Greater Philadelphia, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the arts in Philadelphia. Tax deductible contributions can be made to us through them. We also have a patron level membership for those who wish to empower women in Jazz. Visit DivaNation Philly Website for more info.
Donations to the Philadelphia Clef Club of Jazz and Performing Arts - Youth Scholarship Program, where some of our members benefit from free music lessons, are also welcomed.
PJP: Why Jazz? When you could be doing anything else, why Jazz?
Khadijah Renee: Jazz is like no other music! Jazz is a compilation of all feel and flavors of syncopation wrapped up in Rhythm. It's a universal language spoken across gender, race and culture. It generously allows for individual expression.
DivaNation Philly Presents: Vibing For Spring
With "Wolfman" Warren Wolf & His Wolfpack
Saturday, March 9th, 2019
Philadelphia Clef Club of Jazz & the Performing Arts
738 S. Broad Street
Philadelphia, PA 19146
For Tickets: CLICK HERE
Connect With DivaNation PHILLY via their WEBSITE or FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM or YOUTUBE
Check Out These Divas In Action!!
Follow PJP, like us, or just check us out at our pages on these social media platforms...
Philadelphia Jazz Project is a sponsored project of the Culture Trust | Greater Philadelphia, with funding provided by The Philadelphia Foundation.