Results for "Philadelphia"

Tommy Gryce

Immanuel Wilkins

Born: August 7, 1997

Immanuel Wilkins is a saxophonist, composer, educator, and bandleader from the greater Philadelphia area. While growing up, Wilkins honed his skills in the church and studied in programs dedicated to teaching jazz music like the Clef Club of Jazz and Performing Arts. After moving to New York in 2015, he proceeded to earn his bachelor’s degree in Music at Juilliard (studying with the saxophonists Bruce Williams and the late, great Joe Temperley) while simultaneously establishing himself as an indemand sideperson, touring in Japan, Europe, South America, The United Arab Emirates, and the United States and working and/or recording with artists like Jason Moran, the Count Basie Orchestra, Delfeayo Marsalis, Joel Ross, Aaron Parks, Gerald Clayton, Gretchen Parlato, Lalah Hathaway, Solange Knowles, Bob Dylan, and Wynton Marsalis to name just a few

Jazz Orchestra of Philadelphia

With a long and distinct jazz history, Philadelphia is the home to a vibrant musician population who continue to build upon this musical legacy. Comprised of 16 outstanding Philadelphia-based musicians and led by renowned trumpet player and Artistic Director, Terell Stafford, the Jazz Orchestra of Philadelphia aims to preserve, represent, and continue Philadelphia’s unique, rich jazz sound and tradition by presenting the highest quality jazz to the greatest number of people.

Sam Reed

Born: October 18, 1935

Sam Reed was a tenor saxophonist based in Philadelphia.

Working at the Uptown Theater in the late 1950s and early 1960s, he added jazz and rhythm & blues shows to what was at the time an R&B, blues and rock and roll venue. For some years, Reed was also musical director for Teddy Pendergrass, and in the early 1970s, he was the "horn contractor" for Gamble and Huff's Philadelphia International Records.

Bootsie Barnes, Mickey Roker and Jimmy Oliver are among the other Philadelphia-based musicians he has performed with.

In 2012, he received the Jazz Journalists Association's annual Jazz Heroes Award.

EJ Park

Born: January 24, 1983

EJ (Eun Jung) Park was born in Gwangju, South Korea. Her parents were music enthusiasts who filled their home with great music. EJ began piano lessons at the age of five when her preschool teacher discovered her playing melodies on the piano and recommended that she study the instrument. The piano soon played a major role in EJ’s life. She studied classical repertoire, performed in church, and followed her parents' wishes to pursue a career as a classical pianist. They were less enthusiastic when she developed a strong desire to study vocal performance. She attended the University of Cheonnam as a piano major with the agreement that serious vocal studies would begin after graduation

Bilal

If there was one R&B artist for whom the neo-soul categorization seemed limiting, it was Philadelphia native Bilal. None of his recordings resembled the sycophantic worship of soul artists who thrived in the '60 and '70s, and it wasn't just because his voice — classically trained, capable of singing opera in seven languages — was so unique. While some inspirations were detectable, his recordings were wholly modern and became increasingly creative. His individuality led to being dropped from a major label, and he went several years without releasing any solo material. Through evangelism from his peers and word of mouth from his early fans, Bilal gained an insatiable following and was supported by sympathetic independent labels, where he was finally able to thrive creatively

Tony DeSantis

Bert Harris

Kwame Hall

Joseph Arnold