PIFA 2011: Paris ‘Til Sunday at the African American Museum in Philadelphia

Another exciting event for the Pennsylvania International Festival of the Arts is Paris til Sunday: Jazz Weekend, which is part the African American Museum of Philadelphia’s Free to Be. The event will begin on April 29 to May 1 and will feature notable Jazz acts such as Orrin Evans, John Blake, Gerald Veasley and Heath Brothers. The weekend also features the return of Jazz til Sunrise- the 9p to 5p overnight jazz experience on two stages. There will be Live jazz outdoor performances, workshops, films and strolling performances (reminiscent of the Paris Left Bank) complete the weekend. For more information click here

Location: African American Museum in Philadelphia
701 Arch Street
Philadelphia, PA 19107

Price: $10.00 – $45.00

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Wells Fargo presents, Paris ‘til Sunday: Jazz Weekend at the African American Museum in Philadelphia

April 29 to May 1, 2011

As part of its 35^th Anniversary, the African American Museum in Philadelphia (AAMP) returns to its roots, offering a weekend of legendary and emerging jazz artists tied into this year’s PIFA theme. Early Parisian jazz was reminiscent of New Orleans traditions, and will be captured with outdoor performances, headline acts, strolling musicians, and performances with select artist arrangements of Sidney Bechet’s work. AAMP will also reintroduce a signature event, Jazz ‘til Sunrise, beginning 10:30p Saturday night and concluding 5a Sunday morning, on two stages with continuous jazz being played.

AAMP presents Philadelphia known artists in diverse headline concerts, featuring the legendary Heath Brothers band, with Jimmy Heath on saxophone and Albert “ Tootie” Heath on drums. Bassist Gerald Veasley brings his band, performing in a rare musical coupling with violinist John Blake.  Closing out the weekend will be one of the young lions of hard bop, pianist Orrin Evans.

For the first time in over 10 years, the very popular Jazz ‘til Sunrise(J2S) all night jazz party comes back to the Museum with continuous jazz on two stages – performers will include local icon Bootsie Barnes and his Philly All Stars band, the acclaimed guitarist Monnette Sudler, incomparable pianist Dennis Fortune in a newly formed group Manifest 3 – with Mike Cruse on Bass, Gerald Smith on guitar and Butch Reid on drums, and the always entertaining local favorite, Arpeggio Jazz Ensemble.

Sidney Bechet, born in New Orleans, is best known as the father of the jazz soprano saxophone, but was also a prolific composer. Although he traveled to Paris and spent time in its prison system as a young man, Bechet did not settle in Paris until his later years, when he became endeared to the Parisians. He will be a featured composer during select musician sets to commemorate his contributions to Jazz – America’s original art form.

Gerald Veasley, on the faculty of the University of the Arts, also serves as an honorary co-chair for the weekend and will provide a master workshop for interested students and jazz lovers at the Museum on Friday afternoon, April 29.

Friday, April 29

1p – Master Workshop with Gerald Veasley

3p – Jazz on Film, Round Midnight, 1986 – directed by Bertrand Tavernier

5:30 – Jazz on the Plaza, featuring Clef Club Youth Jazz Band

8p & 10p – Headline Act – Gerald Veasley, Featuring John Blake – Ticketed $35/$30

Saturday, April 30

1p – Jazz on Film, Harlem in Montmartre, 2009 – directed by Dante J. James

3p – Jazz on the Plaza, A New Perspective – Youth Jazz Band

Strolling Musicians

7:30p/9:30p – The Heath Brothers  – Ticketed $40/$35

10:30p to 5a – Jazz ‘til Sunrise – Ticketed $35/$30

Sunday, May 1

1p – Jazz on Film, Paris Blues, 1961 – directed by Martin Ritt

3p – Jazz on the Plaza – Jordan Williams Trio

Strolling Musicians

7p – Orrin Evans Quartet – Ticketed  $20/$15

Jazz ‘til Sunrise

Saturday Night All Night Jazz Party Schedule  10:30p to 5a

Stage 1 – AAMP Jack T. Franklin Auditorium

11p                 Bootsie Barnes and Philly Jazz All-Stars

12:30 Monnette Sudler

2a                    Manifest 3 – with Dennis Fortune, Michael Cruse, Featuring Gerald Smith &

Butch Reid

3:30a             TBD

Stage 2 – Gallery III- Emerging Artists

10:30p            Joe Becton and Cobalt Blues

12p                 Arpeggio Jazz Ensemble

1:30a              Farid Barron Trio

2:45a              Temple University Jazz Band

4:00a              Renaissance Messengers

There will be a VIP Pass available for $200.00 that will include All Weekend Access (All Shows, Films, Workshop, VIP Gallery, Gift Bag)

There will be an AAMP Member Value Pass for $55.00 that will include 1 Heath Brothers show and Jazz ‘til Sunrise.