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Gold Rush by Alexa Gold - A Mysterious Traveler Mixtape
Feb 12, 2020
During the summer of 2014, Leo Gadson of Producer's Guild, Adam Feldman of The Free Library of Philadelphia and Homer Jackson of PJP met to discuss an idea. The trio, teamed up to develop a daring, new performance series: The Mysterious Traveler Concert Series, which takes place in the Montgomery Auditorium at the Central Branch of the Free Library of Philadelphia in downtown, Philadelphia. Since then, the has introduced dozens of local artists to thousands of Philadelphia audience members. The Mysterious Traveler Concert Series featured FREE monthly concerts from September through May and it has showcased a diverse array of Jazz performers, young and not so young, who are shaping the future sounds of Philadelphia. It presented such awesome talents as Anwar Marshall, Elijah Thomas, Brent White, Bernard Samuel, Madison Rast, Victor North, Najwa Parkins, Dan Hanrahan and many more. The series was one of the most exciting musical events in the city and continues with presentations by a superbly-talented collective of some of its finest performers called The Mysterious Traveler All Stars.
One of the many fine artists to participate in this series, as well as to serve as a member of The Mysterious Traveler All Stars is Alexa Gold aka Alexis Simmons: A talented, Philly-based vocalist, songwriter and photographer. She was nurtured within the intensely demanding Philadelphia music scene, and honed her craft by incorporating her love, skill and versatility in music to her work as an open-mic afficionado. A highly requested background singer for a wide variety of performers, as well as a magnetic solo act, Alexa Gold brings together a reverence for Jazz, a love of Soul and R&B classics, as well as a strong dash of House and Techno flavors, all with an ear to street and the church. She has performed at The Free Library of Phiadelphia, Barnes Foundation, Ardmore Music Hall, Bethlehem Steel Stacks and The Iridium in New York City.
This mixtape, Gold Rush by Alexa Gold - A Mysterious Traveler Mixtape showcases her talents, vision and work ethic. PJP spoke with the vocalist, songwriter and photographer Alexa Gold aka Alexis Simmons, about her music and approach.
PJP: Can you briefly describe your musical direction
Alexa Gold: My musical direction is a Soulful exploration of R&B, Jazz, House and other musical realms that call my spirit. I feel as if I'm re-inventing myself, so I'm always eager to see what I'll create and with whom I'll collaborate.
PJP: What and whom are pivotal musical influences on your creative approach?
Alexa Gold: At this time, its singer/songwriters and producers from 1970’s and 80’s. I love classic R&B/Soul, fusion jazz and folk and tend to integrate those sensibilities into my writing and musical performance.
PJP: Portions of this mixtape are gathered from your 2016 Mysterious Traveler Concert, which was inspird by the Great Migration. Can you tell us about it?
Alexa Gold: I am presenting a musical suite that is focused on the narrative of a woman migrating from America's, South to the North, while integrating visual art and anecdotes that explore the historical context of a migrant's journey. The Great Migration performance changed my life. As a musical artist, I believe it is important for us to use our art to tell the stories of those who may be forgotten or who's voices may not have the platform to be heard. Learning about black artists who had been instrumental in portraying the beauty and the tragedy of life within the early to mid 20th century impacted the creation of my production, in addition to reading the book, "The Warmth of Other Suns," which has shaped my perspective on story-telling.
PJP: How do you manage the task of creating and encouraging fresh, new, forwarding moving musical ideas while simultaneously exploring, celebrating and documenting the past?
Alexa Gold: CREATING AND NOT OVER-THINKING! lol. I don't think there's any way you can escape the past while creating (and personally, I wouldn’t want to) but I do think there's a way that you can shape and bend it to create fresh musical ideas, and that's by being true to your experiences and adding that to the musical stew.
PJP: When listening to your music what advice would you give the audience to assist with greater understanding and enjoyment?
Alexa Gold: I had the opportunity to present my interpretation of music from incredible musical icons like Abbey Lincoln, Lizz Wright and more. Please know that I did my best to serve the music and the message.
PJP: Why Blues? Why Jazz? When you could be doing anything else, Why this music?
Alexa Gold: Because its just damn good music! lol. Blues/Jazz is the kind of music that exposes you, makes you feel raw and vulnerable, yet fills you up with so much hope and joy, that you can’t help, but remember you’re alive. Its the music of Gratitude, and I’m deeply grateful to share this work with you.
GOLD RUSH BY ALEXA GOLD - A MYSTERIOUS TRAVELER MIXTAPE
This mixtape is entitled, Gold Rush and contains only portions of the The Mysterious Traveler Series Concert recorded by sound engineer, Eugene Lew on December 19, 2016 in the Montgomery Auditorium at the Parkway Central Library in Philadelphia, PA.
The tunes featured in order are:
1. Caged Bird [written by Abbey Lincoln]
2. Speak Low* [written by Kurt Weill]
3. Salt [written by Lizz Wright]
4. Freight Train [written by Elizabeth Cotton]
5. Butterfly [written by Herbie Hancock]
6. Selene* [written by Alexis Simmons]
The individuals featured in the recording are:
Alexa Gold: Vocals, Kendrah Butler: Keyboards, Anthony DeCarlo: Guitar, Jocko MacNelly: Bass; Kim Pedro: Drums;
*These additional tunes were recorded at PhillyCAM Studios by Turtle Studios during August 2015 and featured: Alexa Gold: Vocals, Jake Kelberman: Guitar, Joseph Plowman: Bass; Gusten Rudolph: Drums;
DOWNLOAD THE MIXTAPE HERE:
Downloading: To download, click the download links below, when page with audio appears, let it download to your browser and then go to File/Save Page As... Be sure to save file as mp3.
ALEXA GOLD | GOLD RUSH
Released February 2020
Music performed by Alexa Gold with Kendrah Butler, Anthony DeCarlo, Jocko MacNelly & Kim Pedro
Duration: 39 minutes
File Size: 57 MB
You can also download PJP Mixtapes at:
Keep up with Alexa Gold by checking in on her FACEBOOK or INSTAGRAM page.
Check out Alexa Gold in action in this video:
Special Thanks: Adam Feldman and Perry Genovisi of the Free Library of Philadelphia, Leo Gadson of Producer's Guild, PJP Staff and supporters; Lynn Washington, Gail Fountaine, James Solomon, Asha Jackson, Julia Lopez, Melissa Talley Palmer and Stephanie Seiple.
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This mixtape is a production of The Philadelphia Jazz Project is a sponsored project of the CultureWorks | Greater Philadelphia, with funding provided by The Philadelphia Foundation.
