Announcements
Fine and Mellow: Lady Day Remembered In Song - A Philadelphia Tribute To Billie Holiday
10/04/2009
Join us on Sunday October 4th for A "Community Building Concert" benefiting Mercy Hospice and the Roof Project for The Church of St. Luke and The Epiphany. The concert will feature dedicated performances by Philadelphia vocalists and musicians. Reception with musicians afterwards.
Supporting Sponsors: The Philadelphia Jazz Heritage Project
and www.allaboutjazz.com
For ticket information please go to Billie Holiday Tickets
Click Here For Information About Directions & Parking For This Event
Billie Holiday was one of the greatest of all jazz singers. Her singing expressed romantic longings reflecting her life as an African American woman.
In addition to her lasting impact on music, she also played an important role in the Civil Rights Movement through her recording of the song, Strange Fruit.
The academy award nominated film Lady Sings the Blues staring Diana Ross commemorated her often stormy life. Sounds of Sinatra disc jockey Sid Mark met Billie Holiday and has pointed out her profound musical influence on Sinatra himself.
Although raised in Baltimore, Billie Holiday was born in Philadelphia at 13th and Lombard. She frequently performed in night clubs in our neighborhood and had many performances and friends in the City of Philadelphia.
To mark the 50th anniversary year of her passing, we invite you to a concert tribute to Lady Day, at the historic Church of St. Luke and The Epiphany, with performances by the finest Philadelphia vocalists and musicians, including singers Mary Ellen Desmond, Miss Justine, Joanna Pascale, Anne Sciolla, Justin Binek, Rebecca Engelberg and Reginald Pindell accompanied by instrumentalists Larry McKenna, saxophone; Robert "Bootsie" Barnes, saxophone; Tom Lawton, piano; Lee Smith, bass; Bryon Landham, drums and Michael Kennedy guitar. With special guest performer: Trudy Pitts organ and piano. A student ensemble will also perform.
Music Director: Mary Ellen Desmond. Honorary Chairperson: Bob Perkins of WRTI FM and Co- Master of Ceremonies Vic Schermer, contributing writer to the website All About Jazz.
Mercy Hospice - Offering Stability and Hope to Homeless Women and Children
Mercy Hospice is a community grounded in faith and service where women and children without permanent housing can find opportunities for new beginnings.
Offering a comprehensive array of residential and professional social services to their residents including food, clothes, shelter, life skills, parenting education, and goal oriented case management. Last year, 101 women and 31 children were provided housing and services. Mercy Hospice also provides daily hospitality to needy women and children. Services provided to women and families include meals, showers, clothing, telephone use, and social services, and has served women and children for over thirty years.
The Church of St. Luke and The Epiphany - Preserving our Past & Building our Future
The Church of St. Luke and The Epiphany has long served the community surrounding it and Philadelphia and has risen to meet many challenges to its neighbors especially in recent years. St. Lukes has been home to AA groups almost since the inception of the program.
It became the first home in the late 1980s of many of the leading AIDS organizations in the city before government intervention. During this time, the parish was sanctuary for hundreds of funerals while other institutions avoided association with the disease.
In addition to providing services, St. Luke and the Epiphany was the first church in the nation to develop and support and HIV Program, The St. Luke's Hospitality Center. The Center was the home of many firsts, including the first support group for women with HIV; the mens lunch group has been meeting for over 20 years; The Mary Howard Clinic for homeless and addicted women began in the office space at St. Lukes.
It is also a place of encouragement and affirmation for the GLBT community that surrounds it. The 170 year history of this church is all about giving to the community and building ties.
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