JAM-ALL PRODUCTIONS PRESENTS THE 2018 OUTSIDERS IMPROVISED & CREATIVE MUSIC FESTIVAL April 29
Philadelphia PA -- Jam-All Productions, led by renowned jazz bassist Jamaaladeen Tacuma, presents the fourth annual Outsiders Improvised & Creative Music Festival. Organized by Jam-All and curated by Tacuma, this year's 3-event festival continues its mission of showcasing diverse styles of risk-taking, progressive music and groundbreaking artists in April for Philadelphia’s Jazz Appreciation Month.
The Outsiders Improvised & Creative Music Festival concludes with a grand finale on April 29 at the Ibrahim Theater, International House, 3701 Chestnut St, 19104. The afternoon concert is headlined by Ornette Coleman’s Primetime Band under the direction of Denardo Coleman, featuring saxophonist Odean Pope; funk/blues guitarist and singer James Blood Ulmer; and the quartet Secret Mall led by saxist Alfredo Cohen. Music starts at 2pm. Admission is $25 and tickets are available through eventbrite.com.
Original members and friends of Ornette Coleman’s celebrated jazz-funk fusion band, Prime Time, come together for a one-night-only musical tribute. With 1976’s Dancing in Your Head, the first album featuring the set of musicians that would become Prime Time, Ornette Coleman broke through to an entirely new realm of imagination. With two electric guitarists, two drummers, one electric bassists, and Coleman’s horn in the center, Prime Time would later become Ornette’s primary vehicle in for exploring how his system of harmolodics could fit into groove-based music. Ornette Coleman's Prime Time is led by his son Denardo Coleman and features Philadelphia's Odean Pope as special guest.
Denardo Coleman: Drums
G. Calvin Weston: Drums
Charles Ellerbe: Guitar
Ken Wessel: Guitar
Jamaaladeen Tacuma: Bass
Dave Bryant: Keys
James "Blood" Ulmer
James Blood Ulmer is a truly original artist. Cited by many as an avant-garde guitarist, he is actually an authentic blues guitarist, drawing upon the full spectrum of African American music, from free jazz, soul, be-bob, avant-garde, and rock. In addition to being a great guitarist, he is a stunning baritone vocal stylist whose lyrics cut into and across his music.
He began his career by playing in funk bands in Pittsburgh with stops in Ohio and Detroit before finally arriving in New York City in 1971. In 1973, James recorded with Rashied Ali, and in that same year began working with Ornette Coleman, whose concept affected Ulmer´s music thereafter. His blues and rock-tinged art was raw, aggressive, as well as intellectually compelling.
In the 1980s, he made three records for Columbia featuring artists like
David Murray, Amin Ali, and Ronald Shannon Jackson.
“Blood” dug deeply into an investigation of the blues as the century turned. First he recorded Memphis Blood: The Sun Sessions, with guitarist Vernon Reid both performing and producing. This record was nominated for the Grammy Awards in 2001. In 2003 he issued No Escape From the Blues, recorded at Electric Lady studio. In 2005, Blood released Birthright, on the Hyena label, easily his most intimate recording. His solo recording contains ten originals and two covers of classic repertoire, and takes “Blood's” blues journey to an entirely new level.
Today, James “Blood” Ulmer tours a variety of bands, from his solo project to the Odyssey Trio, which covers his free jazz materials, the Black Rock Trio, and Memphis Blood featuring Vernon Reid.
Secret Mall was formed in the summer of 2016 by four young New York based musicians looking to combine their musical upbringing in jazz with their similar senses of humor and fascination with internet culture. The collective, with Alfredo Colon on the Electric Wind Instrument, Edward Gavitt on guitar, Steve Williams on bass, and Andres Valbuena on drums has had the chance to perform in many recognized spaces such as The Jazz Gallery, The Underbrook Theater at Yale University, The New School (The New Stone/The Glassbox), Shapeshifter Lab, and Williamsburg Music Center. In July 2017, Secret Mall released their debut EP titled YeeP, with original compositions by all members combining the sounds of modern jazz, futurefunk, and vaporwave. The strong camaraderie present in Secret Mall allows the music to flow into many different places, making each presentation the band gives completely different to any previous one, but always present is the humor and silliness that united the group in the first place.
Tacuma (born 1956, Hempstead NY), is celebrated in internationally for his creatively free and funky approach to the electric bass. At the age of 19 his innovative style caught Ornette Coleman's ear, and he became the first bassist in Coleman's electric band, Prime Time, touring and recording with the group throughout the 1970's and 80's. Viewed as one of the most distinctive bassists of his generation, he is credited for redefining the potential of the instrument. Tacuma debuted as a bandleader, composer, and arranger in 1983 with the album Showstopper, going on to develop compositions that blend Prime Time's elaborate harmonies with engaging melodies. His 1988 album Jukebox was nominated for a Grammy Award in 1989; in 2011 his ongoing achievements were recognized by the award of a Pew Fellowship in the Arts.
Valuing adaptability, adventure, and dynamism, Tacuma's ever-shifting aesthetic is evident in his wide range of projects and collaborators over the years, from fronting the funk trio Cosmetic to co-leading ensembles with US and European colleagues such as Vernon Reid and Derek Bailey, as well as recording with James Blood Ulmer, Nona Hendryx, Mark Ribot, and many, many others.
Since 2015, Tacuma has been producing the annual Outsiders Improvised & Creative Music Festival in his hometown of Philadelphia, providing a platform for renowned as well as up-and-coming local artists.
Philly Celebrates Jazz 2018 to Conclude with Presentation of Philly Celebrates Jazz Award to Jeff Duperon
PHILADELPHIA – The City of Philadelphia’s Office of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy (OACCE) is pleased to announce Jeff Duperon as the 2018 recipient of the Philly Celebrates Jazz Award as part of Philly Celebrates Jazz.
The Philly Celebrates Jazz Award is presented each year during Jazz Appreciation Month to a local Philadelphian for their advocacy and contribution to the jazz genre and community. The award will be presented to Jeff Duperon by Kelly Lee, Chief Cultural Officer on Sunday, April 29 at 2:00 p.m. at the Ibrahim Theater, International House Philadelphia during the grand finale of the Outsiders Improvised & Creative Music Festival, presented by Jamaaladeen Tacuma, the 2018 Benny Golson Awardee.
“Jeff Duperon is known as a treasured influencer and champion of the Philadelphia jazz community. He has dedicated his career of over 15 years to jazz through his work with public radio and community programs,” said Kelly Lee, Chief Cultural Officer. “Duperon’s knowledge and support of the local jazz community is invaluable and more than deserving of this recognition.”
Jeff Duperon promotes the history of jazz and current jazz artists through WRTI 90.1 radio and educates the next generation through his jazz studies program for children. He also serves as the Board President of Jazz Bridge, an organization that continues to serve jazz musicians in times of need while raising awareness of the local jazz sound.
Performance Schedule: 2 pm to 5pm
2:00 pm. Philly Celebrates Jazz Award
Awardee : Jeff Duperon
Presentation by Kelly Lee - City of
Philadelphia Chief Cultural Officer
2:20-2:50 pm James Blood Ulmer Solo
3:10- 3:55pm Ornette Coleman’s Prime Time
Denardo Coleman : Drums
G. Calvin Weston: Drums
Charles Ellerbe: Guitar
Kenny Wessel: Guitar
Jamaaladeen Tacuma: Bass
Dave Bryant: Keys
Odean Pope: Tenor Sax
4:15-5 pm Secret Mall
Alfredo Colon: Sax & EWI
Edward Gavitt - Guitar
Steve Williams - Bass
Andres Valbuena - Drums
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