iradiophilly | Culture - The Great Migration, First Friday Rent Party Series w/ Philadelphia Jazz Project Cont. June 3rd

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The Great Migration, First Friday Rent Party Series w/ Philadelphia Jazz Project Cont. June 3rd

by: iradioal - Philadelphia, PA
started: 05/31/16 5:41 pm | updated: 05/31/16 5:41 pm

Philadelphia, PA: 2016 marks the 100th anniversary of the start of the Great Migration: A historic period when millions of Black Americans moved from the South to the Northeast, Midwest and West. This changed the country culturally, politically and socially. People like Dizzy Gillespie, Jimmy, Percy and Tootie Heath, Cat Anderson, Thelonious Monk, John Coltrane, Nina Simone, Archie Shepp, Jimmy Hamilton, Hank Mobley and many others made this crucial move.

The Philadelphia Jazz Project is partnering with the Arch Street Meeting House, celebrating this milestone with our First Friday Rent Party Series. The Rent Party was an invention of Great Migrationeers who sometimes faced low wages and high rents. Many found themselves having to pull together a plan to pay the rent. The plan was a house party inspired by their Saturday Fish Fry traditions with liquor, food, live music and dancing, all with an admission price. The events happened weekly all over America, where ever these transplanted Southerners traveled. Our rent parties will showcase great music by artists like V. Shayne Frederick, as well as feature a buffet of foods related to each state from which most Black Philadelphians have roots (VA, NC, SC, GA, FL) curated by Chef Valerie Erwin of Geechee Girl Restaurant.

Saxophonist Sam Reed has been a leading member of the Philadelphia jazz and music scene for over 60 years. Born on October 18, 1935, in Kinstree, South Carolina, Sam and his family were part of the Great Migration north that many African Americans took from the south looking for better opportunities for their families. Sam attended the legendary Mastbaum Vocational and Technical School, which boasted a great music program and includes Lee Morgan, Ted Curson and Buddy DeFranco among its alums and was inspired to play music through his friendship with Albert "Tootie" Heath, the youngest of the Heath Brothers.

In the late 50's and early 60's, Sam worked at Philadelphia's famous Uptown Theater. The Uptown was pure R&B, Blues and Rock and Roll; however, when he became the house leader he added jazz shows between the pop acts. The short list of performers included Cannonball Adderly, Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers, Oscar Brown, Nancy Wilson, Jimmy Smith, Lou Rawls, Otis Redding, Fats Domino, Sam Cook, Isaac Hayes, Jerry Butler, Brook Benton, Diana Ross and the Supremes, Joe Tex and Stevie Wonder just to name a few.

Sam also did studio work with Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff, who later built Philadelphia International Records. This collaboration lead to an opportunity for Sam to work with Teddy Pendergrass, and Sam served as Teddy's music director for many years. Currently Sam fronts his own group and also works with Odean Pope's "Saxophone Choir". Mr. Reed's musical gift has taken him from the Philadelphia area to the international music scene, and he continues to give back through his work and dedication to the art.

Chef Valerie Erwin was the creator and executive chef of Philadelphiaâ€™s Geechee Girl Rice CafÃ©, a tribute to the food of the low country of South Carolina and Georgia, from which Valerieâ€™s grandparents hailed. Valerie has worked in top-notch restaurants, has experience in retail food sales, catering, and commercial food service.

The Great Migration - First Friday Rent Party Series takes place at Arch Street Meeting House, at 7:30pm every 1st Friday through August 2016.

Next Date: Friday, June 3rd 2016 - Celebrating South Carolina
Musical guest: Saxophonist Sam Reed
Featured Foods: Low country-style jambalaya with chicken & rice and collard green salad with crushed peanuts
Time: 7:30PM
Location: Arch Street Meeting House - 320 Arch Street, Phila., PA 19106

For information visit www.philajazzproject.org, or call 267-259-3802.

Tickets are available at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/first-friday-rent-parties-tickets-22465634317$25 **Ticket include admission, food, wine/beer and other beverages**!!

Upcoming Philadelphia Jazz Project Events

6/29 + 6/30 - Retro Love - poetry, songs and jazz by Beth Feldman Brandt
7/1 - First Friday Rent Party - with Bassist Tony Jones
7/14 - Facing East: Islamic Influence in Jazz
7/28 - Byard Lancaster - Celebration of Life
8/5 - First Friday Rent Party - with Lili Anel

For full event calender visit: http://www.philajazzproject.org

Philadelphia Jazz Project is a sponsored project of the CultureWorks Greater Philadelphia, with funding provided by The Wyncote Foundation.

Philadelphia Jazz Project (PJP) works to support, promote, archive and celebrate the diverse elements within the Philadelphia jazz community, with the larger goal of connecting to the global community. Philadelphia Jazz Project is a sponsored project of the CultureWorks Greater Philadelphia, with funding provided by The Wyncote Foundation.