Jazz at Woodmere

Music of B.B. King and Muddy Waters

June 12, 2021

They put the BLUE in blues and were not afraid to keep the stories of life real and raw in their music. BB was known as the “King” and Muddy was known as the “Father” of the Blues. Vocalist and guitarist Rich Tucker will take us to those “Down Home Blues” with BB’s “The Thrill Is Gone” and Muddy’s “Mannish Boy,” songs that will forever be an integral part of America’s songbook!

Click to watch the video from the performance: Video 1. Video 2. Video 3.

JUNETEENTH! A Holiday for All

June 19, 2021

This special holiday commemorates the date in 1865 when news arrived to the enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas of their emancipation from slavery. This multi-faceted celebration featured The Arpeggio Jazz Ensemble performing selections from the jazz opera, Never Back Down and the music of King Sunny Ade, Archie Shepp, and Max Roach, along with a special poetry and music performance by the award-winning Black lyricist and author, Nina "Lyrispect" Ball. An evening to celebrate the determination of the human spirit in pursuit of freedom. In partnership with the African American Museum of Philadelphia.

Gil Scott-Heron: Pieces of the Man and His Music

June 26, 2021

Scott-Heron was a man of vision who connected poetry and music and an activist who stirred emotions with words of insight. He could sing and make us “think” the story. Join us for a night of music-infused poetry with compositions like “Pieces of a Man,” “The Revolution Will Not Be Televised,” “The Bottle,” his classic “Winter In America,” as well as other thought-provoking song and poems.

Jazz-Maica: Get Up…Stand Up...for the Music of Bob Marley

July 10, 2021

The music of Jamaica has often been an inspiration to and inspired by jazz music and musicians. The pulsating rhythms ring true to the freedom found in much of jazz. Bob Marley’s “Could You Be Loved” and John Coltrane’s “A Love Supreme” brought a unique consciousness to reggae and jazz. The Arpeggio Jazz Ensemble was joined by vocalist Roy Richardson.

Jazz from the Art