Kimmel Center Preps for Mardi Gras with Master Class for Local Students Today

In preparation for Mardi Gras festivities, Kimmel Center is hosting a master class today, February 13 with local students of Benjamin Rush Arts Academy Jazz Ensemble, led by Kimmel Center jazz expert Anthony Tidd (KC Director of Creative Music Program) at Merck Arts Education Center from 11am-Noon.

The master class will prepare local students from Benjamin Rush Arts Academy jazz ensemble for their debut in Verizon Hall, as the opener for the Fat Tuesday Celebration featuring the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra (NOJO) led by Grammy winning Music Director Irvin Mayfield on Feb. 17.

Founded by Irvin Mayfield in 2002, NOJO's 18-piece big band ensemble creates a jazz celebration like no other in Philadelphia with swinging, brassy big band tunes, true to New Orleans' Mardi Gras festivities. NOJO captures New Orleans' cultural authenticity and origins of Jazz, bridging its legacy with a transformative future, as part of the ongoing Jazz at the Kimmel season-long focus.

Irvin Mayfield is a Grammy and Billboard award-winning multi-threat musician who specializes as a trumpeter, bandleader, composer, arranger, professor, cultural ambassador and recording artist. At 36 years-old, Mayfield speaks "Jazz" fluently as means of bringing it to the forefront of American music, and is the founding artistic director of the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra (NOJO).

Pre-show and post-show parties will be held in the Plaza featuring a roving band led by pianist Drew Nugent with free beads and masks, and Garces Events special offerings (Pre-show: 6 p.m. to 7:15 p.m.; Post-show: 9:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.).

Tickets are available from $29-$69. Tickets can be purchased by calling 215-893-1999, online at kimmelcenter.org, at the Kimmel Center box office at Broad & Spruce Streets (open daily 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.)

Anthony Tidd, CMP Director and Master Class Tutor, is a composer, producer, audio engineer, educator and musician. He plays Bass, Guitar and Piano/Keyboards. He holds a deep knowledge of Jazz, R&B, Hip-hop, Classical, and New Music, as well as a particular affinity for creative improvisation.Born and raised in the United Kingdom, he has been living and working in the United States since 1997. Tidd attended the Newhan Academy of Music in London, Thurrock College of Music, as well as Goldsmith's University of London. He holds a B.A. in Composition & Music technology from Goldsmiths University. Tidd has taught Music and Music Technology at the Oval House Theatre (London), St. Paul's Way School (London) and has held master classes and collaborated with the London Symphonietta, NYU, U.C Berkley, The Berlin Philharmoniker, The Pavorotti Center (Mostar), Durban University (South Africa), and various others.

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