Welcome to Philadelphia Jazz Project
Mysterious Traveler - Karen Smith
Feb 24, 2015
The Free Library, the Producer's Guild and PJP are teaming up to present a daring, new performance series. Entitled, Mysterious Travelers Concert Series, it will feature FREE monthly concerts running through April 2015. It will also showcase a diverse array of Jazz performers who are shaping the future sounds of Philadelphia. The next concert is...
On Monday, March 9, 2015 at 7:00 p.m.
Central Library/Montgomery Auditorium
1901 Vine Street, 19103
Featuring: Karen Smith
Karen Smith is a percussionist, playwright, director, producer and poet based in Philadelphia. She is also leader of two musical groups: Weez The Peeple and Sistahs Laying Down Hands With Love. The ensemble Sistahs Laying Down Hands With Love, was created in 2013 by Karen Smith, Lead percussionist and Artistic Director with the assistance of La Treice V. Branson. Mixed with the African drumming, Sistahs has developed into a collective of talented artists working in various genres, including vocals, dance and spoken word. Sistahs Laying Down Hands, Laying Hands Down With Love premiered for Second Friday on Lancaster Avenue on August 8th, 2014 at the Community Education Center. Sistahs was part of the opening festivities for the Al Jarreau/David Sanborn Concert Tour on August 21st, 2014 at the Dell Music Center in Philadelphia. Sistahs were also featured performers at the Annual Breukelen Country Fair in Brooklyn, New York.
PJP: Can you briefly describe your musical direction?
Karen Smith: My musical direction can be all over the place but my centering is Jazz. My job or direction is to connect to everyone who is in ear length, gets to take home that special moment, when music would truly touch your soul.
PJP: What and whom are pivotal musical influences on your creative approach?
Karen Smith: The women of Jazz and some of the forgotten fore pioneers...Melba Liston, Alice Coltrane, Viola Smith...And the present one such as Teri Lyne Carrington, Sheila E and Liz Wright.
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?
Karen Smith: I think every musician brings that piece to the table. That's what makes the ensemble and the music A-HAPPENING! I rarely play with the same group of musicians more than 3 times in a row before the personnel (by choice) changes. I love that. It keeps me green and the approach (even with the same song lists) will be fresh, every time. It's live and I love having fun when I am performing as well as spontaneity. Very little rehearsal but lots of chemistry makes the best band! Also, being aware that there's an audience and always include them.
PJP: When listening to your music, what advice would you give to audiences to aide with greater understanding and enjoyment?
Karen Smith: Do some research on the artist and follow their performances to really understand what they are bringing to table as well as in your home. Clearly want to know, why this one? And I also encourage folks to go to CD launching parties to really get more contact with the artist.
Monday, March 9, 2015 at 7:00 p.m.
Central Library/Montgomery Auditorium
1901 Vine Street, 19103
Featuring: Karen Smith
Philadelphia Jazz Project (PJP) works to inspire a network to support, promote, archive and celebrate the diverse elements within the Philadelphia jazz community, with the larger goal of connecting to the global community. PJP is a sponsored project of the Painted Bride Art Center, with funding provided by the Wyncote Foundation.
The Producer’s Guild’s mission is to ensure that the appreciation and enthusiasm for the rich cultural heritage of African American Arts continues to thrive in Philadelphia, especially Black Classical Music, commonly known as Jazz.
