September 29, Legendary Bob Perkins: A Conversation on Jazz with Terell Stafford, Dawn Warren Evans and Orrin Evans

Paley Library Lecture Hall This is BP with the GM! That’s legendary jazz broadcaster Bob Perkins (BP), bringing you the Great Music (GM) that is called jazz straight from Paley Library Lecture Hall this September. Talk with legendary radio broadcaster Bob Perkins and jazz musicians Orrin Evans, Terell Stafford and Dawn Warren Evans on the status of jazz music today. Is it alive and well? What affects the way jazz is produced, distributed and listened to today? That goes for both new music and classic jazz. Don’t miss Philly’s most renowned jazz broadcaster in conversation with other scholars and jazz musicians at Temple University Libraries.

Bob PerkinsBob Perkins was born and raised in South Philadelphia. His career as a radio broadcaster began in 1964 in Detroit, and he returned to Philly five years later. In his 46 years of broadcasting, Perkins has amassed dozens of awards and much recognition, including a Kal Rudman Milestone in Radio Award and a Mellon Jazz Community Service Award in recognition of keeping America’s indigenous art form alive through his columns on jazz and his hosting of jazz music programs on radio. In 2003, Bob was inducted into the Philadelphia Broadcast Hall of Fame.

Dawn Warren EvansDawn Warren Evans is an artist of varied tastes and musical interests; she has jammed with Roy Hargrove and Joshua Redman, sang with reggae, R&B, and rap bands and written and recorded in various genres. She also has extensive training in classical piano. Her professional debut took place in Paris where her ability to sing in French, Swahili, Woloff, and Lingala made her a sought after performer. Dawn continues to perform as a vocalist and is the founder of Imani Records. She has also been managing, booking and promoting jazz artists for 10 years.

Orrin EvansA 2010 Pew Fellow in the Arts, pianist Orrin Evans is a gifted improviser, noted composer, and seasoned bandleader. He has worked alongside jazz veterans such as saxophonist Bobby Watson and drummer Ralph Peterson. In addition to collaborations with artists ranging from hip-hop stars Common and Mos Def to noted poet Sonia Sanchez, Evans is the founder of Imani Records and 88 Keys Productions.

Terell Stafford is one of today’s most celebrated jazz trumpeters. He is the Director of Jazz Studies and Chair of Instrumental Studies at Temple University and a member of the GRAMMY-winning Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, drummer Matt Wilson’s group, “Arts and Crafts,” and drummer Alvin Queen’s group, “Alvin Queen and the Organics.” Stafford has recorded six albums as a leader, including the critically acclaimed This Side of Strayhorn, and is heard on over 90 albums as a sideman. Stafford also serves as a clinician for the prestigious Vail Foundation in Colorado and Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Essentially Ellington Program. He has also served as a member of the faculty for the Juilliard Institute for Jazz Studies and is a board member of the Jazz Education Network.

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Libraries to Help Host Philadelphia Technology and Humanities Camp

Temple University Libraries are one of many local cultural, historical and educational organizations throwing their hat in the ring to make Philly’s first THATCamp a reality. THATCamp is a collaborative, collective, two-day session that brings together technology and the humanities. Participants are selected via application. Anyone can apply. THAT Camp will happen September 23 and 24. Location TBD Apply or get more information

UPDATE–Check out the full list of clips for September 13, Sound and Vision at the Piazza!

The Piazza at Schmidts 2nd and Germantown Aves, below Girard Temple University Libraries, Urban Archives presents a look at hidden stories of music and sound in Philadelphia. It features some of the more distinct characters, traditions and venues in the city’s recent history. The screening will feature: free…-jazz performer Sun Ra and his Arkestra, David Bowie visiting Veterans Stadium, synthesizer expert Gerson Rosenbloom, Philadelphia International soul legends McFadden & Whitehead, punk/new wave stalwart Kenn Kweeder at the Hot Club, the organist at the Spectrum sports and entertainment venue, jazz-vibraphonist Khan Jamal, Mummers new years string bands, the original Electric Factory concert venue and more! The program consists of unique footage from the Urban Archives’ collections including unaired news footage, television broadcasts, news magazines and documentaries from local networks WPVI 6 and KYW 3. This highlights recent preservation and digitization work done on our film and video holdings and is curated by John Pettit and Kathryn Gronsbell. Open to the general public and FREE! Facebook-Logo.png Register on facebook

 

Sun Ra, Visions, WPVI Public Affairs- 24:34 Performances by Sun Ra and his “Science-Myth Arkestra” are interspersed with his observations on music, life and the African-American experience.

Kenn Kweder, Evening Magazine, KYW – 6:40 Kenn Kweder, self-proclaimed “country singer from Southwest Philadelphia giving you pure rock and roll” is interviewed at the Hot Club where he gives us his personal background and defines the genre of music he plays.

Westinghouse Radio Giveaway, KYW Newsfilm, August 6, 1966- 1:07 A short promotional piece found amongst the news footage promoting Westinghouse portable radios and amplifiers.

Gerson Rosenbloom, Music Makers, WPVI Public Affairs 7:13 A segment from a show called “Music Makers” within our WPVI Public Affairs collection. Gerson Rosenboom, from Medley Music demonstrates ARP synthesizers and explores the implications for musicians. Gregg Hall, host

Spectrum Organist, Evening Magazine , 7:23 Alan Paller, takes host Teresa Brown up to his perch atop the Spectrum to experience his unique position. He plays a few tunes including the Flyers game classic “Oh Dem Golden Slippers” along with observations on how to play to a crowd.

Philadelphia Orchestra, KYW Newsfilm, 9:34 Through unedited 16mm news footage, we see construction of a news piece where Philadelphia Orchestra members are shown preparing for a concert at the Academy of Music. Meandering sounds from the players alternate with orders barked from by the producers of the footage. This footage was shot to provide B-Roll in a story about a conflict between the players union and the orchestra administration.

McFadden & Whitehead, Visions- 7:44 Evening Magazine A Vernon Odom produced segment featuring Philadelphia International Records staff writers Gene McFadden and John Whitehead. They talk about their Philadelphia roots and careers since leaving Philadelphia International.

David Bowie, Evening Magazine– 5:56 One of the many chapters in the David Bowie’s history with Philadelphia. A segment on David Bowie’s press conference and BBQ at Veteran’s Stadium to promote his “Glass Spiders” tour.

Electric Factory, KYW Newsfilm – 6:03 Silent footage from the original, 1968 Electric Factory concert venue. Originally located at 23rd and Arch Streets, the venue featured many of the times most prominent acts. Many of the unique features of the concert experience are shown.

Khan Jamal, Visions, WPVI – 7:38 Philadelphia based, jazz-vibraphonist Khan Jamal offers his observations on jazz music. The footage is cut with performances from Jamal and his band and him in both the Wissahickon Valley and home in the northwest section of the city.

Twist, KYW Newsfilm – 1:57 Little is known about the undated footage aside from the “Twist” found on the box and a sign indicating it as a “Twist-A-Thon”. A dance with strong local ties through its popularization through Chubby Checker and American Bandstand.