Welcome to Philadelphia Jazz Project
Mysterious Traveler - Alexis Simmons
Nov 27, 2016
Mysterious Traveler 3 Concert Series
December 19, 2016 - 7PM | Alexis Simmons
Parkway Central Library | Montgomery Auditorium
1901 Vine Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103-1189
All events in this series are FREE.
Mysterious Travelers 3: Internal Investigations - a collaboration between The Free Library of Philadelphia and Philadelphia Jazz Project. Back by overwhelming popular demand! FREE concerts every fourth Monday night from October 2015 through May 2016 audiences will hear from veteran, as well as up-and-coming musicians who are shaping the future sounds of Philadelphia with a sharp ear to the legacies of our past. This season will directly celebrate the massive and amazing collections of the Free Library by granting our performers access to explore them as a source of inspiration for the creation of new musical works and arrangements
Alexis Simmons is talented, Philly-based vocalist, songwriter and photographer, who has made love a fine art when it comes to her craft. 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 aficionado, highly requested background singer for a wide variety of acts, (most recently for famed Hip-hop/Soul singer, Jaguar Wright of the Legendary Roots Crew & Jay-Z Unplugged) and magnetic solo act.
Alexis developed an ear and style for dance music, writing and performing singles such as the popular "Selene-The Goddess of the Moon" (released through Phuture Sole Recordings), in addition to co-producing her first indie project called "The Art of Seduction", and is the sole music producer for Indie performance trio, The Femme-Mynistiques. Alexis is always looking for ways to expand her life and musical experiences, and loves to collaborate with artists of all kinds to create shows and music that transforms! if you want to become apart of her journey, contact her at asimmons2420@gmail.com, or find her on Instagram @Alexagold24.
Vocalist, songwriter and photographer, Alexis Simmons will be our next guest artist in the Mysterious Traveler Concert Series.
Mysterious Traveler 3 Concert Series
December 19, 2016 - 7PM | Alexis Simmons
Parkway Central Library | Montgomery Auditorium
1901 Vine Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103-1189
All events in this series are FREE.
PJP spoke with the vocalist, songwriter and photographer Alexis Simmons, about her music and approach.
PJP: Can you briefly describe your musical direction
Alexis Simmons: My musical direction is a Soulful exploration of R&B, Jazz, House and other musical realms that call my spirit. I bring a curiously passionate yet soulfully structured approach. This year, I feel as if I'm re-inventing myself (and finding greater musical focus), so I'm 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?
Alexis Simmons: Great singers like Teena Marie, Minnie Riperton and Stevie Wonder. Just think of their voices, musical production, as well as the musicians and composers who helped them to create their timeless music; it was these factors as a whole that contributed to my desire to explore and express my own voice and lyrics and musical compositions!
PJP: What are you going to present at the Mysterious Traveler Concert Series?
Alexis Simmons: I am presenting a musical suite that is focused on the narrative of a woman migrating from America's, South to North, while integrating visual art and anecdotes that explore the historical context of a migrant's journey.
PJP: Why is this theme/concept so important? Can you explain your process and the steps that led to this performance?
Alexis Simmons: This concept is important to me because I believe that it is necessary to tell the stories of those who may be forgotten or who's voices may not have the platform to be heard. The migrant woman, (the subject of my performance), is based on an important person in my life. She is not an activist or preacher or on television. She is simply someone who wouldn't allow racism and the harsh realities of southern life make her afraid to live out her dreams and face the world on her terms. 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 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?
Al
exis Simmons: I do this by simply CREATING! I think everyone manages to capture and celebrate elements of the past in their work; I don't think there's any way you can escape the past while creating, 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?
Alexis Simmons: Open your heart, and keep it open, NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS! :-)
PJP: Why Blues? Why Jazz? When you could be doing anything else, Why this music?
Alexis Simmons: Jazz is a music that makes me comfortable as a listener yet slightly uncomfortable as vocalist. As a performer, I am both a listener and a vocalist. So its an interesting space to be in. It pushes me out of my comfort zone while encouraging me to relax and have fun. Jazz says "Be Yourself", and at this point in my life, its a lesson that I'm truly learning.
Mysterious Traveler 3 Concert Series
December 19, 2016 - 7PM | Alexis Simmons
Parkway Central Library | Montgomery Auditorium
1901 Vine Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103-1189
All events in this series are FREE.
Mysterious Traveler 3 - Internal Investigations Concert Series is produced by Philadelphia Jazz Project in collaboration with The Free Library of Philadelphia.
Philadelphia Jazz Project is a sponsored project of the Culture Trust | Greater Philadelphia, with funding provided by The Wyncote Foundation.
