March 1, 2009

For the tenth straight year we'll welcome the nationally-renowned all-female Spelman College Jazz Ensemble to perform alongside the Drexel Jazz Orchestra and Jazztet. The Spelman Ensemble, under the direction of Professor Joseph Jennings, has extensively toured the United States sharing the stage with jazz greats Wynton Marsalis, Nancy Wilson and Dee Dee Bridgewater. Spelman's performance theme is "Love, Hope, and Glory," and will feature the music of John Coltrane, Horace Silver, Johnny Mercer, Charlie Parker and Lionel Hampton. The Drexel Jazz Orchestra and Jazztet, directed by Dr. George Starks, will pay tribute to composer/saxophonist Oliver Nelson by presenting a program of his compositions and arrangements.

The free performance is on March 12th at 7 PM in the Mandell Theater (33rd & Chestnut Sts.). For more information, call 215-895-ARTS. Be sure to arrive early, because it's always a packed house!