Welcome to Philadelphia Jazz Project
Feathers: A Poe Inspired Concert
Sep 22, 2015
Raven Illustration by Denise Erickson
FEATHERS: A Musical Menagerie Inspired by Edgar Allan Poe
Saturday, October 17th at 8:00pm
Free Library of Philadelphia - Central Library
1901 Vine Street, Phila., PA 19103
Tickets: $15 in advance/$20 at the door
Featuring Baltimore-based multi-media artist, Joyce J. Scott
The Raven was not the only one. These “birds” leave their feathers at the scene of the crime. Join us for Feathers: A Musical Menagerie Inspired by Edgar Allan Poe.
It’s a pre-Halloween concert of new and re-imagined music inspired by 19th century Philadelphians, poet/writer Edgar Allan Poe and Black music master Francis Johnson.
Edgar Allan Poe (born Edgar Poe; January 19, 1809 – October 7, 1849) was an American author, poet, editor, and literary critic, widely regarded as a central figure of Romanticism in the United States and American literature as a whole. Best known for his tales of mystery and the macabre, Poe was one of the earliest American practitioners of the short story, and is generally considered the inventor of the detective fiction genre. He is further credited with contributing to the emerging genre of science fiction.He was the first well-known American writer to try to earn a living through writing alone, resulting in a financially difficult life and career.
Francis "Frank" Johnson (June 16, 1792 – April 6, 1844) was an African American musician and prolific composer during the Antebellum period. African American composers were rare in the U.S. during this period, but Johnson was among the few who were successful. Johnson was the first African American composer to have his works published as sheet music. He also was the first African American to give public concerts and the first to participate in racially integrated concerts in the United States. He led the first American musical ensemble to present concerts abroad, and he introduced the promenade concert style to America.
These two gentlemen shaped aspects of American culture right here in Philadelphia. This event honors their work, but also plays with the ideas behind their work as well. We’re talking about a crazy, pre-Ragtime, pre-Jazz trip to the carnival. Scary, tragic, joyous!
Music director, pianist and educator, Jay Fluellen is joined by a superb team including trumpeter and educator, Marcell Bellinger; vocalists V. Shayne Frederick, Lizzy Filante and Dwayne Grannum as well as special guest, Baltimore-based sculptor, quilter, performance artist, installation artist, the one and only, Joyce J. Scott.
Remember.... to dress for the occasion....wear Black.
The Players:
Jay Fluellen - Piano
Nimrod Speaks - Bass
Darryl Jackson - Drums
Alexandr Kislitsyn - Violin
Marcell Bellinger - Trumpet
Harold Watkins - Trombone
Connor A. Przybyszewski - Trombone
V. Shayne Frederick - Vocals
Lizzy Filantes - Vocals
Dwayne Grannum - Vocals
Joyce J. Scott - Vocals
Saturday, October 17th at 8:00pm
Free Library of Philadelphia - Central Library
1901 Vine Street, Phila., PA 19103
Tickets: $15 in advance/$20 at the door
This concert is a Pretzel Logic Series Event: A Philadelphia Jazz Project series in collaboration with local venues investigating what it means to be a Philadelphian from historical figures and fictional characters, to just plain ole folk. From magical moments to frightful urban legends, the Pretzel Logic series will unravel and explore the multi-faceted curves and intriguing twists and turns of the Philly state of mind.
