2017

FRIDAY NIGHT JAZZ | 6:00-8:00 p.m.

CLASSIC JAZZ DIVAS: SARAH VAUGHAN, ELLA FITZGERALD, GLORIA LYNN, AND PEGGY LEE
OCTOBER 6

Kick off the fall jazz season with a tribute to the legendary Sarah Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald, Gloria Lynn, and Peggy Lee. These women put their own stamp on the jazz sound, singing stories that make us take note. We’ll listen closely and tap our feet to life’s rhythms with tunes such as “Misty,” “My Funny Valentine,” “I Wish You Love,” and “Fever.”

THE FEMALE SIDE OF JAZZ COMPOSING 
OCTOBER 13

This program will bring to life the contributions of women jazz composers and musicians who wrote the rhythmic sounds we love to swing to. Enjoy the wonderful lyrics of Dorothy Fields’s “On the Sunny Side of the Street,” “I Can’t Give You Anything But Love,” “The Way You Look Tonight,” Ann Ronell’s classic “Willow Weep for Me,” and many more

GERSHWIN AND MONK: TWO STYLES, ONE MISSION
OCTOBER 20

The compositions and musicianship of George Gershwin and Thelonious Monk have long been mainstays of jazz. Many of Gershwin’s songs, such as “Summertime,” “The Man I Love,” and “Rhapsody In Blue” became timeless classics. Monk’s compositions “Round Midnight,” “Blue Monk,” and “Well, You Needn’t” were always challenging yet accessible. Together these artists created sounds that will last forever in our hearts.

FRANKLIN AND TURNER: POWER AND SOUL 
OCTOBER 27

Join us as we celebrate the strength and beauty of Aretha Franklin and Tina Turner, two icons of soul music. They’ll help us understand the meaning of “Respect” and find out the answer to “What’s Love Got to Do with It?” Lisa Chavous and Suzanne Burgess present the music of these two great singers with honesty and passion.

LOUIE AND LIL ARMSTRONG AND THE HISTORY OF JAZZ 
NOVEMBER 3

The birth of jazz and all its offshoots is due in large part to Louie Armstrong. Armstrong’s guiding light was his wife, Lil Hardin Armstrong, a pianist, composer, arranger, and bandleader and one of the most prominent women in early jazz. We’ll relive some of those great jazz moments with Trumpeter Tony Smith and tunes by this innovative couple, including “West End Blues,” “Blue Turning Gray,” “Struttin’ with Some Barbecue,” and “Just for a Thrill.”

CHARLES MINGUS: THE BASS THAT RESONATES
NOVEMBER 10

The essence of Charles Mingus can be felt in the fabric of his music. His strong bass lines matched his fierce determination to be respected as a man and an artist. The Arpeggio Jazz Ensemble will perform his classic compositions – “Goodbye Porkpie Hat”, “Haitian Fight Song”, “Nostalgia In Times Square” and other songs he made popular.

JOSEPHINE BAKER AND EUBIE BLAKE: ROARING 20S THUNDER
NOVEMBER 17

Josephine Baker was considered a “black goddess” and took Paris by storm. US audiences loved Eubie Blake’s ragtime piano playing and compositions for American musicals. Both lived in times of extreme racial prejudice and surmounted obstacles that kept so many from realizing goals and dreams. Join us as we celebrate the music of these great artists with Blake’s famous “I’m Just Wild About Harry” and “The Charleston Rag” and Baker’s “Don’t Touch My Tomatoes” and “Besame Mucho.”

LESTER YOUNG AND HOAGY CARMICHAEL: MUSIC THAT STIRS THE SOUL 
DECEMBER 1

Saxophonist Lester Young was called “Prez” by Billie Holiday because she felt his playing stood above all others, including his jazz classic “Lester Leaps In.” Considered a composer ahead of his time, Hoagy Carmichael wrote songs like “Skylark,” “Georgia on My Mind,” and “Stardust” that remain integral to the American songbook decades later. When Young played Carmichael’s songs—magic was made! Join Umar Raheem and Jeff Knoettner for a night of music that touches the soul and stirs fond memories.

BILLY ECKSTINE: A JAZZ VOCAL LEGEND 
DECEMBER 8

Smooth, resonant vocals propelled Billy Eckstine into many directions in the jazz arena. Besides his rich baritone, he was a big band leader and a champion for civil rights for African American jazz musicians. We’ll explore his vocal style with tunes like “The Very Thought of You,” “As Time Goes By,” “I Want to Talk about You,” and others.

MOTOWN FOR THE HOLIDAYS 
DECEMBER 15

The Temptations, the Supremes, Marvin Gaye, and other great Motown artists lent their unique sound to the magic of the holidays. Enjoy a festive night with the unmistakable Motown sound of “Jingle Bells,” “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town,” “Rudolph,” and other holiday classics.

 

Winter 2017

KUKURU JONA FREEDOM JAZZ ORCHESTRA: ROMANCE IN ANOTHER KEY 

FEBRUARY 10

Join the Kukuru Jona Freedom Jazz Orchestra, conducted by Warren Oree,
for a musical journey through the ups and downs of romantic entanglements. Musical compositions resonate with love, passion, heartbreak, betrayal, and surprise.

MUSIC TO LOVE WITH: ROMANTIC JAZZ 
FEBRUARY 17

Romance loves music, and music loves to be a part of romance. Join us as we marry these two natural partners in classic songs like “My Romance,” “I Love You,” “At Last,” and many more. Vocalists Suzanne Burgess and Michael Andrews bring the songs to life in a jazzy and romantic way. It’s time to hear the love!

EDDIE LANG: WELCOME TO THE JAZZ GUITAR
FEBRUARY 24

Philadelphia’s own Eddie Lang is called the father of the jazz guitar, with sounds more suited for the swing and rhythms of jazz music. Arpeggio Jazz Ensemble guitarist Frank Butrey explores the style and impact of Eddie Lang with songs like “Georgia on  My Mind,” “Stringin’ the Blues,” and more.

 

SWEETHEARTS OF RHYTHM 
MARCH 3

A tribute concert to the Sweethearts of Rhythm, the first interracial women’s  swing band, which broke racial barriers  and performed throughout the United  States in the 1930s and 1940s, and toured Europe during World War II. The group generated excitement wherever they went. In conjunction with The Storybook Magic of Jerry Pinkney.

SAUCY AND SASSY: SARAH VAUGHAN AND EARTHA KITT 
MARCH 10

Vocalists Suzanne Burgess and Jackie Greggs bring us the music of two divas, one a classic jazz singer, the other a sultry siren who melted hearts everywhere. Be entertained, seduced, and serenaded with songs like “Misty,” “Fever,” “ My Funny Valentine,”  “The Touch,” “I Remember You,” and more.

 

THE REAL SMOOTH JAZZ: JOHN COLTRANE AND JOHNNY HARTMAN 
MARCH 17

These two musical icons epitomize mellow, contemplative jazz. Saxophonist John Coltrane defied critics who said he could only play “loud and angry” by delivering silky, velvety notes to complement Johnny Hartman’s rich baritone. Join us for classics like “My One and Only Love,” “Dedicated to You,” “In a Sentimental Mood,” and others featuring vocalist Michael Andrews and Arpeggio Jazz Ensemble saxophonist Umar Raheem.

 

WHAT’S STILL GOING ON? MARVIN GAYE 
MARCH 24

In 1970, Marvin Gaye asked a question that resonates today: “What’s Goin’ On?” The Motown man who sang his way into so many hearts and onto so many dance floors is featured as we explore the power and influence of his music and his message. Vocalist El Barak brings Gaye’s repertoire to life, from early songs like “How Sweet It Is” to his socially conscious “Mercy, Mercy Me.”

JAZZICAL: A COURAGEOUS MUSICAL EXCHANGE 
MARCH 31

Come explore the possibilities when classical meets jazz: Miles and Mozart, Coltrane and Chopin. Harpist Gloria Galante and a classical pianist join the Arpeggio Jazz Ensemble in a performance featuring music by Thelonious Monk, McCoy Tyner, and Ahmad Jamal, including “’Round Midnight,” “Mr. PC,” “Blue Monk,” and others.

JAZZ PIANO: PLAY IT AGAIN SAM 
APRIL 7

Pianists Jeff Knoettner and Adam Faulk offer their interpretations of some of the great jazz piano players: Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Dave Brubeck, Fats Waller, Nat King Cole, Thelonious Monk, and others with songs like “Sweet Lorraine,” “Ain’t Misbehavin’,” “Take Five,” “’Round Midnight,” and more jazz classics.

BROADWAY JAZZ 
APRIL 21

The lights of New York’s famed theater district always shine a little brighter when they put the jazz on stage. Vocals, dance, and swinging music will be a part of this tribute to the sound that made—and make—Broadway the jazziest street in New York. Join us for music from Ain’t Misbehavin’, Sophisticated Ladies, The Wiz, and more.

Fall  2016 Schedule:

Celebrate music at Woodmere with Friday Night Jazz and Classical Saturdays. With exceptional performers, an acoustically astounding space, and amazing works of art, the concert experience at the Museum is like no other.

Tickets are available for purchase at the door, beginning at 4:30 p.m. on the day of the performance. No advance reservations. All parties must be present to purchase a ticket. 

Limited parking is available at the Museum. Please do not park on Bells Mill Road. Food and drinks are allowed only in the galleries in the historic section of the Museum.

$22 ($12 members)

WRTI is a partner for Music at Woodmere. Friday Night Jazz is offered in partnership with LifeLine Music Coalition.

FRIDAY NIGHT JAZZ | 6:00-8:00 p.m.

Chicken Bone Beach . . . The Black Music Experience in Atlantic City!

September 30

Atlantic City was once the place to catch celebrated performers like Pearl Bailey, Ray Charles, Sammy Davis Jr., and Billy Eckstine, who seemed to convey the very essence of black culture. Back then there were no casinos and there was not much integration, but there was plenty of good, soulful music. Join the Arpeggio Jazz Ensemble andreturn to the heyday of black nightlife in Atlantic City. Chicken Bone Beach music for everybody!

Nina Simone—High Priestess of Soul

October 7

Nina Simone was one of our most prolific and dynamic singers. Explore her legacy with vocalist Suzanne Burgess as she performs classic Simone songs like “Four Women” and “I Loves You Porgy.”

Ladies of Motown Meet Ladies of Memphis

October 14

Motown had a sound all its own, as did the Memphis Soul Stew. The Arpeggio Jazz Ensemble brings together—both musically and culturally—the ladies who championed each of these significant musical styles. Plenty of surprises are in store.

What If . . . Miles Davis and Chet Baker

October 21

Amid accusations of favoritism and a racist music business, trumpeters Miles Davis and Chet Baker had no love for each other. But both felt the pull of jazz and couldn’t have stopped the music if they had wanted to. What would it have been like if they had shared the same stage at the same time? Find out with two dynamic Philadelphia musicians: Will Wright and Josh Lawrence. Enjoy a night of good jazz and a coming together of ideas.

Lionel Hampton—Breaking Barriers

November 4

Pay tribute to one of the great innovators and bandleaders in jazz music. A talented drummer and an early master of the vibraphone, Lionel Hampton also became a pioneer of racial progress when he joined one of the first integrated jazz bands—the world famous Benny Goodman Quartet. You will hear some of his best-known tunes, including “Flying Home,” “One O’clock Jump,” and “Stompin’ at the Savoy.”

Lee Morgan and Benny Golson—Two Horns, Many Sounds

November 11

Trumpeter Lee Morgan and saxophonist Benny Golson helped redefine jazz music. Morgan added some funk to the jazz swing in songs like “The Sidewinder” and “Cornbread,” while Golson moved the genre to the TV screen with his scores for The Mod Squad, Room 222, and Mannix, in addition to writing popular songs such as “Killer Joe.” Explore their work in this ongoing series celebrating the jazz giants of Philadelphia.

It Don’t Mean a Thing Unless Duke and

Ella Swing

November 18

Two jazz icons put some swing in our step as we snap our fingers, tap our feet, and move our hips to classics like “Take the ‘A’ Train,” “Satin Doll,” “How High the Moon,” and “A-Tisket, A-Tasket.” Pianist Adam Faulk and vocalist Suzanne Burgess, accompanied by the Arpeggio Jazz Ensemble, do the honors of interpreting the music of Duke Ellington and Ella Fitzgerald.

Ragtime to Our Time

December 2

Ragtime has had an indelible impact on decades of jazz thanks to brilliant composers like Scott Joplin and others who put new twists on the older genre, including Jelly Roll Morton, James Johnson, and Fats Waller. Pianist Adam Faulk guides us through the growth of jazz as it exploded from the cradle of ragtime and came to walk upright with a stride all its own.

Ornette Coleman and the Future History of Jazz

December 9

Jazz is an ever-evolving, moving, and searching style of music that sometimes defies description. Ornette Coleman was a saxophonist and innovator of “free jazz,” an improvisational approach whose lasting impact on the genre is now history. Saxophonist Julian Pressley takes on some of Coleman’s classic compositions—“Lonely Woman,” “The Shape of Jazz to Come,” and more.

Holiday Sings the Holidays

December 16

Spend the holidays with the sounds of Miss Billie Holiday. Michal Beckham evokes the celebrated vocalist as she sings seasonal favorites “Let It Snow,” “We Three Kings,” “The Christmas Song,” and more.