This October, up-and-coming vocalists from three Philadelphia high schools will experience an infusion of artistic excellence and mentorship during a three-day master class with jazz great, Al Jarreau, thanks to the work of The Mann Center for the Performing Arts. From October 14 to 16, Jarreau and three teaching artists, including Marc Johnson, Michal Beckman and Sherry Butler, will lead an intensive master class with selected vocal students from The Creative Arts Morgan Village Academy in Camden, the Girard Academic Music Program and String Theory High School.
“Bringing young artists together with internationally acclaimed musicians to learn and have role models for their aspirations is central to what we do at the Mann,” said Rhoda Blount, VP of education and community engagement at the Mann Center. “For aspiring young artists, having the opportunity to connect with a celebrated musician like Al Jarreau gives a voice and an image to their dreams and allows them to better understand the path to reach for them.”
Presented by the Mann, this 2014 Artist-N-Residency program with Grammy Award-winning jazz artist Al Jarreau is specially designed for promising vocal students. Approximately 20 vocal majors will be selected from each school, for a total of 60 participating students. Two teaching artists—professional jazz singers in their own right—will teach the students songs from Jarreau’s repertoire in advance of his residency. The artists began working with the students in early September, leading both in-school or after- school sessions, providing the students four to five weeks to learn select pieces in advance of the master class.
Jarreau, along with a three-piece professional rhythm section, will hold master classes with participating students from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Philadelphia Clef Club. Students will work with Jarreau, acquiring technical skills, performing the songs they have learned and receiving individual critique and feedback. A portion of each day will be reserved for conversation with and learning from Jarreau, including advice about what it takes to live the life of a professional artist on the road. The residency will culminate on the third day with a collaborative student performance with Al Jarreau.
Schedule for the Artist-N-Residency Program
Tuesday, October 14 – Wednesday, October 15 at The Philadelphia Clef Club of Jazz & Performing Arts from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. & 12:30 – 2:30 p.m.- Residency Program
Thursday, October 16 at The Philadelphia Clef Club of Jazz & Performing Arts from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.- Residency mini- performance with participating students and Al Jarreau
About the Mann
The Mann Center for the Performing Arts’ Education & Community Engagement Program is the region’s largest free education program, impacting more than 50,000 young people annually and more than 400,000 since 1997. The Mann’s Connecting Arts-N-Schools program offers city-wide schools a wide array of multicultural performances in music, theater and dance. This gives thousands of students the opportunity to experience the sights, sounds and rhythms of live performances – often for the very first time.
As one of the most important outdoor music centers in the country, the Mann Center for the Performing Arts presents top artists in a world-class, entertainment destination in association with AEG Live and Princeton Entertainment. Each summer season, renowned symphony orchestras, iconic rock stars and the latest touring artists in indie rock, hip hop, R&B and pop take the stage here, and today’s success is a nod to the venue’s storied history. The Mann has been the summer home of The Philadelphia Orchestra since the 1930s and presented critically acclaimed performers in every decade since then. Located in the heart of Philadelphia’s Fairmount Park, the Mann hosts more than 170,000 visitors annually. Signature concert experiences are surrounded by Philadelphia’s stunning nighttime skyline and include seats beneath the Mann’s magnificent shed; picnics, blankets and music under the stars on its famous lawn; and dining in Crescendo, the venue’s spectacular tented restaurant.
About Al Jarreau
Al Jarreau’s unique vocal style is one of the world’s most precious treasures. His innovating musical expressions have made him one of the most exciting and critically acclaimed performers of our time with seven Grammy Awards, scores of international music awards and popular accolades worldwide. Al’s career breakthrough came in 1977 when Warner Brothers Records released Look to the Rainbow, his live double album, which was culled from his first world tour from that same year, and earned the vocalist his first Grammy for Best Jazz Vocal Performance.
Al continues to tour extensively worldwide, with his sextet and Symphony shows, and is currently in studio working on a new album.
“Bringing young artists together with internationally acclaimed musicians to learn and have role models for their aspirations is central to what we do at the Mann,” said Rhoda Blount, VP of education and community engagement at the Mann Center. “For aspiring young artists, having the opportunity to connect with a celebrated musician like Al Jarreau gives a voice and an image to their dreams and allows them to better understand the path to reach for them.”
Presented by the Mann, this 2014 Artist-N-Residency program with Grammy Award-winning jazz artist Al Jarreau is specially designed for promising vocal students. Approximately 20 vocal majors will be selected from each school, for a total of 60 participating students. Two teaching artists—professional jazz singers in their own right—will teach the students songs from Jarreau’s repertoire in advance of his residency. The artists began working with the students in early September, leading both in-school or after- school sessions, providing the students four to five weeks to learn select pieces in advance of the master class.
Jarreau, along with a three-piece professional rhythm section, will hold master classes with participating students from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Philadelphia Clef Club. Students will work with Jarreau, acquiring technical skills, performing the songs they have learned and receiving individual critique and feedback. A portion of each day will be reserved for conversation with and learning from Jarreau, including advice about what it takes to live the life of a professional artist on the road. The residency will culminate on the third day with a collaborative student performance with Al Jarreau.
Schedule for the Artist-N-Residency Program
Tuesday, October 14 – Wednesday, October 15 at The Philadelphia Clef Club of Jazz & Performing Arts from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. & 12:30 – 2:30 p.m.- Residency Program
Thursday, October 16 at The Philadelphia Clef Club of Jazz & Performing Arts from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.- Residency mini- performance with participating students and Al Jarreau
About the Mann
The Mann Center for the Performing Arts’ Education & Community Engagement Program is the region’s largest free education program, impacting more than 50,000 young people annually and more than 400,000 since 1997. The Mann’s Connecting Arts-N-Schools program offers city-wide schools a wide array of multicultural performances in music, theater and dance. This gives thousands of students the opportunity to experience the sights, sounds and rhythms of live performances – often for the very first time.
As one of the most important outdoor music centers in the country, the Mann Center for the Performing Arts presents top artists in a world-class, entertainment destination in association with AEG Live and Princeton Entertainment. Each summer season, renowned symphony orchestras, iconic rock stars and the latest touring artists in indie rock, hip hop, R&B and pop take the stage here, and today’s success is a nod to the venue’s storied history. The Mann has been the summer home of The Philadelphia Orchestra since the 1930s and presented critically acclaimed performers in every decade since then. Located in the heart of Philadelphia’s Fairmount Park, the Mann hosts more than 170,000 visitors annually. Signature concert experiences are surrounded by Philadelphia’s stunning nighttime skyline and include seats beneath the Mann’s magnificent shed; picnics, blankets and music under the stars on its famous lawn; and dining in Crescendo, the venue’s spectacular tented restaurant.
About Al Jarreau
Al Jarreau’s unique vocal style is one of the world’s most precious treasures. His innovating musical expressions have made him one of the most exciting and critically acclaimed performers of our time with seven Grammy Awards, scores of international music awards and popular accolades worldwide. Al’s career breakthrough came in 1977 when Warner Brothers Records released Look to the Rainbow, his live double album, which was culled from his first world tour from that same year, and earned the vocalist his first Grammy for Best Jazz Vocal Performance.
Al continues to tour extensively worldwide, with his sextet and Symphony shows, and is currently in studio working on a new album.
