Welcome to Philadelphia Jazz Project
Mysterious Traveler - Vince Turnbull
Nov 10, 2014
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 upcoming concert is...
Wednesday, November 12, 2014 | 7:00 p.m.
Central Library/Montgomery Auditorium
1901 Vine Street, 19103
Featuring: Vince Turnbull
Trumpeter, Vince Turnbull, hails from the greater Philadelphia area. He started off music by playing the piano at a young age and later picked up the trumpet; he has received mentorship from the likes of John Swana and Terell Stafford. Playing around the Philadelphia area, Vince draws on influences such as Freddie Hubbard, Lee Morgan, Joe Gordon, Kenny Dorham, and Clifford Brown with the goal of inducing a truthful and fiery sound that is rooted in the jazz trumpet lineage. Vince is finishing up his final year as a jazz performance major at Temple University.
PJP: Can you briefly describe your musical direction?
Turnbull: The intent behind my music is to make the listener feel movement -- to make the listener feel more alive through music's ability to make people feel different emotions. Each time my music influences a listener's emotions, I realize that moment in time stays with them for the rest of their life (whether they remember it or not). In that, I feel a sense of responsibility to spread as much positivity through my music as possible. I never want to play music that alienates the listener.
PJP: What and whom are pivotal musical influences on your creative approach?
Turnbull: There have been many influences on my approach to music. Of course, my family played a big role by starting me out in music and exposing me to this art form at an early age. In fact, my Grandpop was the director of the music program at CAPA a while ago and he my first music teacher. There have also been many other mentors that I consider to have really influenced my music. My teacher at Temple, Terell Stafford, is one of the greatest mentors I could have ever had. Studying trumpet with him certainly influenced me in that respect, but the lessons I learned from him about life, responsibility, and relationships with other people was the greatest influence on my music. My other mentors have collectively had the same impact on me. Some of these people include John Swana, Jim Holton, Mike Boone, Tim Warfield, Rob Henderson, Dick Oatts, and too many others to mention! I also cannot forget my musical influences -- Lee Morgan, Freddie Hubbard, Miles Davis, Kenny Dorham, Clifford Brown, Joe Gordon, and many others!
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?
Turnbull: New music that I like today contains elements of the music's history. Music shouldn't try too hard to be "different." If an artist tries too hard to be "different" it comes off as inorganic, in my opinion. So I draw the music's history, but bring my own experiences, vision, ideas, and personality to help the music remain present. This helps me to keep the music in the present moment. If I were to look at music along a timeline, my goal would not purposefully try to make my music "sound like" it was from before or ahead of any time but the moment it is played. To me, this is the most honest way to create music.
PJP: When listening to your music, what advice would you give to audiences to aide with greater understanding and enjoyment?
Turnbull: Loosen up and don't think about anytime other than now. I do not want to over-intellectualize the music so do not put pressure on yourself to understand it. Just know that it was created without intending on having a "user's manual" on how to listen to it!
Wednesday, November 12, 2014 | 7:00 p.m.
Central Library/Montgomery Auditorium
1901 Vine Street, 19103
Featuring: Vince Turnbull
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.
