Welcome to Philadelphia Jazz Project
Processional - The Marcell Bellinger CD Raffle
Jan 29, 2020
In the winter of 2016, PJP and The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts [PAFA] collaborated on public programming for the PAFA exhibition, Procession: The Art of Norman Lewis. Lewis, a Black American visual artist and innovator of Abstract Expressionism was a politically-conscious activist whose work was often inspired by Jazz music and musicians. Acknowledging that creative connection, Philadelphia-based trumpeter Marcell Bellinger was commissioned by PJP to create a musical response to the visual art work of Norman Lewis. These performances were recorded and compiled in a CD, entitled, Processional, which we are offering in this raffle.
Marcell Bellinger is a talented band leader, arranger and composer who has had the opportunity to share the stage with Phil Woods, Randy Brecker, Charles McPhearson, Dave Liebman, Benny Golson, The Roots and others. Bellinger has worked with PJP on a number of projects including FEATHERS: A Musical Menagerie Inspired by Edgar Allan Poe, the Mysterious Traveler Concert Series, presented at the Free Library of Philadelphia and Coltrane At 90 - Interpretations of Greatness: a short series of performances of Philadelphia artists celebrating the work and legacy of John Coltrane at radio station WRTI.
PJP spoke with Marcell Bellinger and asked him about the process of creating this music and the exploration of Norman Lewis' visual art work.
Marcell Bellinger: For a project such as this one, I had to do research. I had to get inside the head of Norman Lewis and approach the project from that aspect. I spent a great deal of time observing his paintings on display at PAFA as well as researching who Norman Lewis was as an artist. Composing for a specific subject can be difficult, especially if you are not familiar with said subject. It is important to try to understand the subject from as many perspectives as possible. Once that is done, then one has to ask, "How does this relate to me?" "How can I take my discoveries and connect with the audience?" Once this investigation has a solid foundation, then the composition process can begin. Please keep in mind, during the composition process things, ideas, sketches for possible compositions are ALWAYS subject to change.
PROCESSIONAL BY MARCELL BELLINGER
The music contained on this brilliant CD was recorded on February 6, 2016 in the Hamilton Auditorium at The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Philadelphia, PA.
Personnel:
Marcell Bellinger - trumpet
Daud El Bakara - trumpet
Paul Giess - trumpet
Harry Forlenza-Bailey - trombone
Chris Oatts - alto sax & flute
Greg Scott - tenor sax
Josh Lee - baritone sax
Adam Faulk - piano
Max Kraus - bass
Francis Gattis - drums
THE RAFFLE:
To celebrate this project, each Friday in February, PJP will raffle off 5 copies of this magnificent CD. It's FREE and open to the public. Anyone 18 years of age, or older, living in the Delaware Valley can enter. Raffle entries can be made from 1:00am on January 31st, thru 10:00pm on February 28th, 2020. Enter once and you are eligible for the entire month!! Enter yourself and share the news about this opportunity with friends and family who love great music.
NOTIFYING WINNERS:
Weekly winners will be posted online right here on this webpage and via PJP's social media outlets. We will also send an email to each and ever winner each week. CDs will be mailed to winners.
THE WINNERS CIRCLE:
Week #1 Winners:
Janice Chorba - South Philadelphia
Deb Kless - Philadelphia
Ella Gahnt - North Philadelphia
Garry Simmons - Northeast Philadelphia
Peter Sovia - Roxborough, Philadelphia
Week #2 Winners:
Julianne Schieffer - East Greenville, PA
Brenda Venters - Philadelphia
Alex Loeb - East Mt Airy, Philadelphia
Jacqueline Huggins - North Philadelphia
Rick Cothran - North Philadelphia
Week #3 Winners:
Patrice Campbell - Philadelphia
Barbara McPherson - Germantown, Philadelphia
Mark Forman - Roxborough, Philadelphia
Yoseph Bey - West Philadelphia
David Lyons - Wilmington, DE
Week #4 Winners:
Richard Shippen - Royersford, PA
Bill Hannum - Philadelphia
Jackie Ford - Philadelphia
Geraldine Oliver - Philadelphia
Gwendolyn Blackshear - Germantown, Philadelphia
A VIDEO OF MARCELL BELLINGER AT WORK:
Keep up with Marcell Bellinger's musical adventures by visiting his website: HERE
Special thanks to Monica Zimmerman, Director of Museum Education at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts and her staff for all of their hard work and cooperation in making this project happen.
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Philadelphia Jazz Project is a sponsored project of the Culture Trust | Greater Philadelphia, with funding provided by The Philadelphia Foundation.
