Symphony Space Announces SOURCE PROJECT New Orleans Music + Film Series

Symphony Space, one of New York's best-loved cultural destinations, is pleased to announce the return of SOURCE PROJECT from December 13 - 19, 2017, with a focus this season on the music, culture, and history of New Orleans.

Andrew Byrne, Symphony Space's Artistic Director, says,"New Orleans is a musical and cultural powerhouse, celebrated as the birthplace of jazz and much more. I'm fascinated by the rich history and diverse voices of the Big Easy, and was thrilled to dedicate this year's Source Project, our annual exploration of sources of creative influence, to this American mecca for music, art, storytelling, pageantry, and a unique collaborative spirit."

Opening the series is The Big Easy on the Hudson, a blowout evening of music evoking a New Orleans parade atmosphere. The Hot Sardines with guest New Orleans trombonist/vocalist Lucien Barbarin (Preservation Hall Jazz Band and Harry Connick Jr. band) headline, alongside performances by virtuoso jazz pianist Aaron Diehl in a Jelly Roll Morton tribute, Evan Christopher's Clarinet Road featuring guest vocalist Sasha Masakowski, and a parade led by Grand Marshal Ricky "Dirty Red" Gordon (Dec. 13, Peter Jay Sharp Theatre).

Making his Symphony Space debut, New Orleans-based trombonist/vocalist David L. Harris and his quartet explore a world where modern jazz meets the sultriness of the blues, in an evening filled with passion, groove, grit, and plenty of swing. "The old and the new are perfectly content to mix and mingle in Harris' music. It's that acceptance of both that makes (him) a standout." -All About Jazz (Dec. 14, Leonard Nimoy Thalia Theater).

Storyville Stomp: Last Night in Storyville - an immersive, multi-stage Jazz Age experience captures the sights, sounds, and ambiance of a single night in the famed New Orleans red light district, and includes musicians Aurora Nealand and The Royal Roses, Jon-Erik Kellso's Mahogany Hall Pleasure Society Jazz Band featuring vocalist Mara Kaye, Dennis Lichtman's Hottet featuring blues stylist Queen Esther, blues singer Blind Boy Paxton, and ragtime and stride pianist Dalton Ridenhour in three different locations within Symphony Space. Other performers include tap dancer DeWitt Fleming Jr., Gaby Galore & Her Sugar Shakers, burlesque queen Poison Ivory, Phonograph DJ MAC, and Lillian Lorraine & Her Lovely Ladies (Dec. 16, Leonard Nimoy Thalia Theater level).

SOURCE PROJECT also features a documentary film series on New Orleans music and culture with Les Blank's classic ode to the city Always For Pleasure (Dec. 17); Bayou Maharajah, a portrait of tragic pianist genius James Booker (Dec. 17); Faubourg Treme: The Untold Story of Black New Orleans (Dec. 19); and The Whole Gritty City, a look at the world of New Orleans marching bands (Dec. 19).

SOURCE PROJECT was conceived by Symphony Space's Artistic Director, Andrew Byrne. The Big Easy on the Hudson and Storyville Stomp are presented in partnership with the New York Hot Jazz Festival, Shanghai Mermaid, and Rolling Fork Music. Storyville Stomp is hosted by Juliette Campbell, founder of Shanghai Mermaid, in celebration of the time-traveling cabaret's 10th anniversary. For more information on SOURCE PROJECT, visit symphonyspace.org.

FEATURED EVENTS AT-A-GLANCE

Wed., Dec. 13 (7:30 pm): The Big Easy on the Hudson with The Hot Sardines featuring Lucien Barbarin; Aaron Diehl; Evan Christopher's Clarinet Road with Sasha Masakowski; and Ricky "Dirty Red" Gordon

Thur., Dec. 14 (7:30 pm): David L. Harris: Blues I Felt

Sat., Dec. 16 (7:30 pm): Storyville Stomp: Last Night in Storyville with Aurora Nealand and The Royal Roses, Jon-Erik Kellso's Mahogany Hall Pleasure Society Jazz Band with Mara Kaye, Dennis Lichtman's Hottet with blues stylist Queen Esther, blues singer Blind Boy Paxton, and more.

Sun., Dec. 17 (6 pm): FILM: Always For Pleasure (dir. Les Blank)

Sun., Dec. 17 (7:30 pm): FILM: Bayou Maharajah (dir. Lily Kleber)

Tue., Dec. 19 (7 pm): FILM: Faubourg Treme: The Untold Story of Black New Orleans (dir. Dawn Logsdon)

Tue., Dec. 19 (8:30 pm): FILM: The Whole Gritty City (dir. Richard Barber)
Followed by Q&A with Richard Barber

ABOUT Symphony Space
Symphony Space traces its beginnings to a winter's day in 1978 when our two visionary co-founders, Isaiah Sheffer and Allan Miller, threw open the doors of a dilapidated theater for a free marathon concert, Wall to Wall Bach. Wall to Wall, Symphony Space's annual gift to the city, has since become one of our signature events. Today, Symphony Space presents more than 600 events each season, including literature in performance, music, film, theater, dance, and performance in HD. Our original programming focuses on bringing art, artists, and audiences together in an intimate setting, creating a sense of mutual access that is unique to Symphony Space. Some of our best known programs include Selected Shorts, a reading of short stories by stars of stage and screen, and one of the most popular series on public radio; and our music series, which this season alone is bringing everyone from Sweet Honey In The Rock to The Hot Sardines, Wye Oak, and Ladysmith Black Mambazo to our stages. Symphony Space's original comedy debate series, Uptown Showdown, has been called "New York's best comedy series" by New York Magazine, and our Thalia Book Club series brings authors ranging from George Saunders to Trevor Noah to Jennifer Egan to Symphony Space to discuss their writing, with celebrated actors reading excerpts from their works.

For more information, visit symphonyspace.org. Symphony Space is located at 2537 Broadway at 95th Street. Box office hours are Tuesday through Sunday, 1 pm - 6 pm, open two hours prior to performances and events. Tickets can also be purchased through symphonyspace.org, or by calling 212-864-5400.

ABOUT NEW YORK HOT JAZZ FESTIVAL
The New York Hot Jazz Festival is an annual New York City multi-stage marathon showcasing traditional jazz from New Orleans hot jazz through the big band swing era, as well as Manouche jazz and ragtime. The Festival was launched in 2013 as a day-long celebration for New York's hot jazz and swing communities, but has expanded its mission to year-round presentations of and advocacy for traditional jazz through various collaborations and partnerships, including curation and co-presentation of special programs at Central Park SummerStage, Jazz at Lincoln Center, and Symphony Space, as well as curation and hosting of an annual dedicated Hot Jazz stage at NYC Winter Jazzfest. The Fest has spearheaded a number of original projects and facilitated in the formation of a number of new bands such as Gotham Kings, Gotham SophistiCats, and the Mahogany Hall Pleasure Society Jazz Band.

ABOUT SHANGHAI MERMAID
Shanghai Mermaid is an intoxicating mix of hot jazz and live performances that conceptually transport guests to various international cities with different themes in the 1920s and 30s. Created by Juliette Campbell in 2007, Shanghai Mermaid started as an underground, time-traveling speakeasy in a basement in Dumbo, Brooklyn. The event is now in its 10th year, and is credited with helping to kick off the current hot jazz, vintage, and immersive theatrical scenes.