Black Pearl Orchestra to debut at Kimmel

The city?s first multi-ethnic professional orchestra will perform free concert

Kimberly C. Roberts Tribune Entertainment Writer The Black Pearl Chamber Orchestra, the newest addition to Philadelphia?s burgeoning performing arts community, will make its official debut with a free concert at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Kimmel Center?s Perelman Theater. Led by music director and founder Jeri Lynne Johnson, the Black Pearl Chamber Orchestra, Philadelphia?s ?first multiethnic professional orchestra,? will begin its inaugural season with a musical celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, performing works by famed Latin American composers, including Javier Alvarez, Aldemaro Romero and Astor Piazzolla, as well as Beethoven?s 5th Symphony and a piece by William Grant Still. While the upcoming concert is the official ?coming out party? for The Black Pearl Chamber Orchestra, the ensemble was actually established in 2007 by conductor Johnson. ?I?d had the idea of this for a while,? Johnson said in a recent interview. ?James Undercoffler, who was then the president of the Philadelphia Orchestra, sent me an email, and so I called him back and he [said], ?Well, I hear you?re going to start an orchestra,? I?m like ?Okay. How did that get out?? ?That started a series of meetings with him, and he was extremely supportive of the entire idea of starting a multi-cultural orchestra ? fully professional ? that really has African-American, Latino, Asian and Caucasian musicians all in one high caliber group of people. That really more fully reflects the diverse communities of America today, and can speak to a greater number of communities in the Jeri Lynne Johnson Philadelphia area. He just thought that was a really good idea.? Through a unique collaboration, The Philadelphia Orchestra will act as a mentor organization to the Black Pearl Chamber Orchestra providing guidance and assistance with managing the administrative aspects of a performing arts presenter. The commonwealth of Pennsylvania supports the partnership. ?The Philadelphia Orchestra looks forward to a fruitful partnership with Ms. Johnson and the Black Pearl Chamber Orchestra,? said Philadelphia Orchestra Executive Director and CEO Frank Slattery. ?We are pleased to collaborate with and serve as mentor to an up-and-coming arts institution that shares the mutual goal of introducing the joys of classical music to new and diverse audiences throughout the Philadelphia region.? Black Pearl?s debut concert marks the first of three free performances, with subsequent concerts being held in February 2010, in honor of Black History Month, and in May 2010. ?Our mission is to engage the community and to get them to participate in the arts,? said Johnson. ?We hope that the Black Pearl Chamber Orchestra will be a springboard for them to explore their own creativity, for them to connect with other arts groups in their community. We hope that this will be a place for them to bring their friends and family to come and enjoy a very high level of music making by people who look like them.? Tickets to the Black Pearl Chamber Orchestra?s debut concert are free, but seating is limited. To reserve tickets, call (215) 893-1999 or visit www.ticketphiladelphia.org. For more information, visit www.blackpearlco.org. Above, Jeri Lynne Johnson, front center, is the founder and music director of the Black Pearl Chamber Orchestra, which will make its debut Saturday with a free concert at the Kimmel Center. Below, members of the orchesra are photographed at the African American Museum in Philadelphia ? SUBMITTED PHOTOS

?Mr. Robeson? brilliant portrait of renaissance man

Kimberly C. Roberts Tribune Entertainment Writer The annual Live Arts/Philly Fringe provides valuable opportunities for creative artists to show their work to enthusiastic audiences. The 2009 edition proved to be the perfect platform for Tayo Aluko?s ?Call Mr. Robeson,? an engrossing and provocative one-man show on the life of American Renaissance man, Paul Robeson, which took place at the Community Education Center in West Philadelphia. The piece was accompanied by skilled Philadelphia pianist and educator, Jay Fluellen. The intimate stage was adorned with authentic artifacts and Robeson memorabilia in this fascinating and informative 75-minute narrative, and Aluko, a British Nigerian actor/singer, not only portrays Robeson?s diverse, well-documented career, he delves into his colorful and often troubled personal life. Extremely outspoken about his political views, Robeson was under constant surveillance by the FBI, and the United States government revoked his passport when he would not renounce communism. Conceived and written by Aluko, a first-time playwright, the emotionally charged ?Call Mr. Robeson? also depicts Robeson?s testimony before the Senate House Un-American Activities Committee, as well as his shocking but unsuccessful suicide attempt. Fortunately, both Aluko?s singing and acting skills were equal to this formidable task, and the knowledgeable audience was totally captivated by his performance. Aluko has obviously done his homework in regard to Robeson, and clearly developed an emotional attachment to the man and his amazing story. In his resonant baritone voice, Aluko rendered signature Robeson songs including ?Old Man River,? ?Going Home? and ?Steal Away,? as well as lesser known selections such as ?Joe Hill.? Fluellen, a confident musician, provided sensitive support on piano, providing the perfect musical frame for this powerful production. Following a standing ovation, Aluko and Fluellen enjoyed a lively ?Question and Answer? session with the audience, providing insight on their collaboration and their creative process. With an engaging script, timeless music and a heartfelt performance by Tayo Aluko, ?Call Mr. Robeson? is a brilliant living portrait of one of the most prolific and profound figures in American history.

You need to upgrade your Flash Player

You need to upgrade the version of your Flash Player to version 9 minimum.

Click here

Adobe Flash Player Download Center