Mon, March 28, 2016 7:00 P.M.
Music Department at Parkway Central Library

Back by overwhelming popular demand! The Music Department at the Parkway Central Library is again collaborating with the Philadelphia Jazz Project and the Producers Guild to present: Mysterious Travelers 2 - Great Migrations. Through free concerts every 4th Monday night from September 2015 through May 2016 audiences will hear from veteran as well as up-and-coming musicians who are shaping the future sounds of Philadelphia with a sharp ear to the legacies of our past. This season will directly honor and celebrate the past century’s brave journey of African Americans to Philadelphia from the South to which owe we our rich urban musical heritage. Starting in January 2016, each band leader will be presenting a new composition inspired by the Great Migration during his or her set. You’ll hear it first, here at your Free Library of Improvisation.

This month’s concert is led by Najwa Parkins. Parkins is a highly sought after trombonist, vocalist, educator, composer, lyricist, dancer, actress and performing artist. She leads her own quartet, Najwa Parkins and the After Hours Trio, but is also a member of the Emmy-nominated Alex and The Kaleidoscope Band, as well as Phil Woods and the Festival Orchestra, Hot Bijouxx, Bachelor Boys Band, and her own solo projects. She has shared the stage with artists from Benny Golson to Branford Marsalis. In 2011 she released her debut album Not the Next Someone Else, and 2015 will see the release of the eagerly awaited Najwa Parkins Live at the Deer Head Inn.

Philadelphia Jazz Project (PJP) works to inspire a network to support, promote, archive and celebrate the diverse elements within the Philadelphia jazz community, with the larger goal of connecting to the global community. PJP is a sponsored project of the Painted Bride Art Center, with funding provided by the Wyncote Foundation.

The mission of the Producers’ Guild is to ensure that the appreciation and enthusiasm for the rich cultural heritage of African American Arts continues to thrive in Philadelphia, especially Black Classical Music, commonly known as JAZZ.

All events in this series are free.

For more information, full biographies, and the most up-to-date details, visit freelibrary.org, call the Music Department at 215-686-5316, email erefmus@freelibrary.org, or connect with us on Facebook.