People’s Emergency Center 8th Annual Lancaster Avenue Jazz Festival

May - July 2014

People’s Emergency Center Lancaster Avenue Jazz Festival

May – July 2014

Simon PR launched an aggressive media relations campaign to drive attendance and raise awareness of the People’s Emergency Center’s 8th annual Lancaster Avenue Jazz Festival. Festival attendance reached an all-time high this year.

The Agency secured 17 placements—doubling 2013’s coverage—including broadcast interviews on Comcast Newsmakers, WDAS and KYW Newsradio and feature stories in The Philadelphia Tribune and The Key (WXPN). Key advance placements included The Philadelphia Inquirer, Philly.com, Metro, Uwishunu and University City Review and WHYY’s Entertainment Guide. In addition, the Agency drew TV cameras from 6ABC, NBC10 and Fox29 to the Azar Lawrence Master Class. 6ABC also sent a camera to the Jazz Festival.

Feature Stories PEC Manager of Outreach and Community Partnerships Cassandra Green was interviewed on Comcast Newsmakers. The interview was broadcast and posted online. Performer Charlene Holloway was interviewed by radio host Patty Jackson of WDAS. The station has a listenership of approximately 260,000. Lauren Lipton, host of KYW Newsradio’s Positively Philadelphia, interviewed performer Josh Lawrence. The interview aired on radio and ran online. KYW has 322,000 listeners. The Philadelphia Tribune ran a feature story on Azar Lawrence in its print edition. The Tribune has a circulation of 14,200. The Key, WXPN’s local music website, ran a feature on Azar Lawrence.

Key Advance Placements

The Philadelphia Inquirer weekend section “Do This!” featured a photo of Azar Lawrence. The Inquirer has a circulation of 184,000. Philly.com featured Jazz Festival on its “Things To Do” entertainment blog. Philly.com has 123,000 daily visitors. Metro Philadelphia featured a photo of Azar Lawrence and information about the Jazz Festival in its weekend calendar “Going Out.” Metro Philadelphia has a circulation of 130,100. Uwishunu ran a full-page guide of Jazz Festival highlights. Uwishunu is Philadelphia’s official tourism blog. WHYY Newsworks included information about the Jazz Festival in its Weekly Entertainment Guide. Newsworks has approximately 5,500 daily visitors.

Other Advance Placements

Black Professionals News ran a full news release and photo of Azar Lawrence. Black Professionals News is one of the Philadelphia area’s top online resources for African-American professionals in the Philadelphia area. University City Review ran a news release and photo on its website. The weekly newspaper is West Philadelphia’s independent community newspaper. Where Magazine tweeted information about Jazz Festival, with a link to PEC’s website. Where has 15,700 Twitter followers.

Event Coverage Three TV stations—Fox29, NBC10 and 6ABC—sent cameras to the Master Class held by Jazz Festival headliner Azar Lawrence at the Clef Club the day before the festival. 6ABC had a camera at the festival.

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June 27, 2014

Internationally-Renowned Saxophonist Azar Lawrence and Philadelphia Musicians Bring the Very Best to Free Lancaster Avenue Jazz & Arts Festival

The People’s Emergency Center (PEC) is bringing internationally-renowned jazz saxophonist, and disciple of John Coltrane, Azar Lawrence to Philadelphia for its 8th Annual Lancaster Avenue Jazz & Arts Festival on Saturday, July 19. This free jazz and arts celebration is growing in popularity and reputation, putting Lancaster Avenue in the spotlight as one of Philadelphia’s arts and culture corridors. After doubling attendance in 2013, this year’s Festival is receiving recognition and support from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). From noon until 7 p.m., families can experience the very best in fusion, rhythm, smooth and Caribbean jazz. In addition to the Azar Lawrence Quintet, the Festival line-up includes Philadelphia musicians and vocalists Josh Lawrence, Glenn Bryan & Friends, the Charlene Holloway Band, Shakera Jones Quartet, Nasir Dickerson and Renaissance Messengers, RK$TDY

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and featured youth performers from Play On, Philly! Also on tap will be the Women’s Sekere Ensemble and West Powelton Drummers. Headliner Azar Lawrence, who is performing at the Lincoln Center in June, has performed at Carnegie Hall with Miles Davis, recorded with Roberta Flack, performed with Ike and Tina Turner and Earth, Wind and Fire, and is featured on the highly-acclaimed Grammy-award winning album: Marvin Gaye’s Hear My Dear. Festival-goers will hear selections from his newly-released CD, The Seeker. He is accompanied by Eddie Henderson, Benito Gonzalez, Essiet Okon Essiet and Brandon Lewis. In addition to performing at the Festival, Azar Lawrence will support the area’s next generation of musicians by hosting a masters class for local children on Friday, July 18. For more information on the class, please contact Cassandra Green at cgreen@pec-cares.org.

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People’s Emergency Center

8th Annual Jazz & Arts Festival Comcast Newsmakers

June 30, 2014

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July 2, 2014

http://www.delcotimes.com/

July 11, 2014

PHILADELPHIA — The People’s Emergency Center is bringing internationally-renowned jazz saxophonist Azar Lawrence, a disciple of John Coltrane, for its 8th annual Lancaster Avenue Jazz & Arts Festival Saturday, July 19.

This free jazz and arts celebration is growing in popularity and reputation, putting Lancaster Avenue in the spotlight as one of Philadelphia’s arts and culture corridors. After doubling attendance in 2013, this year’s festival is receiving recognition and support from the National Endowment for the Arts.

http://www.delcotimes.com/

From noon-7 p.m., families can experience the very best in fusion, rhythm, smooth and Caribbean jazz. In addition to the Azar Lawrence Quintet, the festival lineup includes Philadelphia musicians and vocalists Josh Lawrence, Glenn Bryan & Friends, the Charlene Holloway Band, Shakera Jones Quartet, Nasir Dickerson and Renaissance Messengers, RK$TDY and featured youth performers from Play On, Philly! Also on tap will be the Women’s Sekere Ensemble and West Powelton Drummers.

Lawrence, who is performing at the Lincoln Center in June, has performed at Carnegie Hall with Miles Davis, recorded with Roberta Flack, performed with Ike and Tina Turner and Earth, Wind and Fire, and is featured on Marvin Gaye’s highly-acclaimed Grammy-award winning album “Hear My Dear.”

Festival-goers will hear selections from Lawrence’s newly-released CD, “The Seeker.” He will be accompanied by Eddie Henderson, Benito Gonzalez, Essiet Okon Essiet and Brandon Lewis. In addition to performing at the festival, Lawrence will support the area’s next generation of musicians by hosting a masters class for local children Friday. For more information on the class, contact Cassandra Green at cgreen@pec-cares.org.

The festival kicks off at 9 a.m. with a uGO family fitness challenge at Penn Presbyterian Medical Center Saunders Park Greene at 39th Street and Powelton Avenue, and free live performances begin at noon. There will also be a variety of food trucks and vendors onsite, along with family friendly activities such as PEC’s pop-up Digital Lab, activities by Smith Playground staff, a photo booth and more. Complimentary free parking for guests will be available at Penn Presbyterian’s lot at Powelton Avenue and State Street.

The 8th annual Lancaster Avenue Jazz & Arts Festival is partially supported by an NEA $10,000 “Challenge America Fast-Track Grant.” The NEA offers these grants to projects that extend the reach of the arts to underserved populations and strengthen communities through the arts. Philadelphia LISC is also a first-time fundraiser of this event.

The growth of this year’s festival represents the continued progress of the Lower Lancaster Avenue “Make Your Mark” initiative, organized by PEC, which found that neighbors wanted to see Lancaster Avenue as a cultural destination with increased arts and cultural events. The celebration aims to increase awareness of the businesses on Lancaster Avenue, stimulate the local economy, energize the community, bring together partners and highlight the area’s rich cultural, arts, resources and educational assets.

The 8th annual Lancaster Avenue Jazz & Arts Festival is also sponsored by Wells Fargo, Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, Lancaster Avenue 21st Century Business Association, Producer’s Guild and IBDC. For more information about the Festival, please visit www.lancasteravejazzfest.com.

The People’s Emergency Center’s mission is to nurture families, strengthen neighborhoods and drive change in West Philadelphia. Through a community of more than 240 housing units and five educational centers offering job training, parenting and early childhood education, financial literacy classes, lifeskills programs, and technology coursework, PEC seeks to change the life trajectory for families experiencing homelessness, and others who seek its services. For more information, visit www.pec-cares.org.

http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/station/kyw-newsradio/

July 13, 2014

By Lauren Lipton PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — The eighth annual Lancaster Avenue Jazz and Arts Festival, coming up on Saturday, July 19th, features internationally renowned saxophonist Azar Lawrence and a number of Philadelphia musicians.

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“Any festival in Philadelphia is always great for presenting new music from people within the community,” says Josh Lawrence (no relation) — trumpeter, composer, bandleader, and University of the Arts faculty member — whose Fresh Cut Trio is one of the acts. Besides music, there will be food trucks and lots of activities for the kids. “Whether you’re somebody with a family (and) you have a bunch of kids, you’ll want to bring them and have a good time. If you’re just early twenties, you’ll come and have a good time, you’ll hang out with some cool people. If you’re older and want to just hang and listen to some music, it’ll be fun for all ages,” Josh says. Josh Lawrence is not from Philadelphia, but loves it here. “It’s a great city. To me, it’s about people, and I just love people from Philly. There’s a certain vibe and attitude in people from Philly that’s very loving and welcoming.” The festival, at 39th Street and Powelton Avenue in West Philadelphia, highlights Lancaster Avenue as one of Philadelphia’s emerging art jewels. It’s organized by the nearby People’s Emergency Center.

http://www.uwishunu.com/

July 15, 2014

Our Guide To The 2014 Lancaster Avenue Jazz And Arts Festival, Bringing Live Music, Crafts And Food Trucks To Powelton Village, Saturday, July 19Posted by Kristina Jenkins

Filed in: ARTS EVENTS WEEKEND+ SAVE TO CALENDAR

The family-friendly Lancaster Avenue Jazz and Arts festival at Saunders Park Greene brings music to Powelton Village

this Saturday, July 19. (Image courtesy Lancaster Avenue Jazz and Arts Festival)

Ready to groove?

The family-friendly Lancaster Avenue Jazz and Arts Festival at Saunders Park Greene is this Saturday, July 19, from noon to 7 p.m.Now in its eighth year, the Powelton Village neighborhood festival welcomes an excellent lineup of jazz artists, craft vendors and food trucks for the annual event at Saunders Park, a small-but-lively community space at 39th and Powelton streets, behind Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, just one block south of Lancaster Avenue.Organized by The People’s Emergency Center’s, a community support organization in West Philadelphia, the festival is free and open to all ages.Read on for our guide to the music, arts and food of this day-long tune-filled affair.

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The MusicThis Saturday marks a great opportunity to celebrate Philly’s tremendous musical history and enjoy live jazz performances all day long. With genres ranging from traditional and fusion to rhythm and smooth jazz, the musical lineup includes a wide range of great talent.

Headlined by internationally-renown jazz saxophonist, and disciple of John Coltrane, Azar Lawrence, more than half a dozen performing artists, including vocalists, instrumentalists and dance groups, are scheduled throughout the day.

In addition to the sax sounds of Lawrence, acts taking the stage include Charlene Holloway, Josh Lawrence, Glenn Bryan & Friends, Shakera Jones, Nasir Dickerson and Play On, Philly!

Also look out for the West Powelton Steppers and other dance groups to move to rhythm and blues that will get you dancing, too.

The tunes begin at noon and culminate with Azar Lawrence’s concert.

For more on the festival, see below.

Saunders Park Greene hosts the Lancaster Avenue Jazz and Arts Festival this Saturday, July 20. (Photo courtesy People's

Emergency Center)

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The FoodExcellent eats are on tap for the Lancaster Avenue Jazz Festival, too. Report to the food truck pavilion and step up to a selection of seven different food trucks.

The on-site trucks slated to dish baked goods, seafood, fresh fruit and more are: Curbside Creamery, Gigi’s & Big R, Grill Cheese, Jamaican Irie Carribean, Lil Trents, Samosa Deb and Side Of The Road Jerk Chicken.

Getting ThereGetting to Powelton Village is a cinch. Hop on SEPTA’s #10 Trolley, the Market Street El, the Route #30 or the #43 Bus.

Plus, free parking will be available at Penn Presbyterian Parking lot located on Powelton Avenue between Sloan and State streets.

Lancaster Avenue Jazz and Arts FestivalWhen: Saturday, July 19, noon-7 p.m.Where: Saunders Park Greene, 3900 Powelton AvenueCost: FreeMore info: www.lancasteravejazzfest.com

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https://twitter.com/wherePHILLY

July 16, 2014

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July 18, 2014

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July 17, 2014

Catch up with saxophonist Azar Lawrence before he headlines the Lancaster Ave Jazz Fest this weekend

Saxophonist Azar Lawrence has never been shy about admitting John Coltrane’s influence on his playing. The Los Angeles-born tenor player famously stepped into the legendary saxophonist’s shoes, playing in the bands of both pianist McCoy Tyner and drummer Elvin Jones not long after both left the classic Coltrane Quartet. After being hired by Tyner, he asked the pianist why he’d been deemed worthy.

“I asked McCoy, ‘How could you play with a guy like me after playing with the great John Coltrane?’” Lawrence recalls. “He said, ‘As long as I don’t have to slow down to hand you the baton in this relay race, we’ll be fine.’”

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Lawrence has now run with that baton for more than three decades, carving out a lengthy career as a bandleader while also playing alongside greats like Miles Davis, Marvin Gaye and Earth, Wind and Fire. Coltrane is a towering influence in jazz, of course, and Lawrence is an ardent disciple not only of Trane’s tone and technique but of his spiritual leanings, as showcased on his latest CD, The Seeker (Sunnyside). He’ll perform music from that CD as well as some of Coltrane’s compositions as he headlines the 8th annual Lancaster Avenue Jazz & Arts Festival on Saturday with a stellar band featuring pianist Benito Gonzalez, bassist Essiet Essiet, drummer Brandon Lewis, and the great trumpeter Eddie Henderson.

The free jazz festival is hosted by the People’s Emergency Center (PEC), which provides families in need in the West Philadelphia community with housing, job training, counseling, and other services. The festival, says Cassandra Green, manager of community outreach and partnerships at PEC, “is an opportunity for People’s Emergency Center and its partners and sponsors to celebrate the arts and culture from a community perspective. It provides an opportunity for the whole community to come together and to highlight the West Philadelphia area.”

After doubling attendance for last year’s festival, which was headlined by saxophonist Tim Warfield Jr., the PEC received a $10,000 “Challenge America Fast-Track Grant” from the National Endowment for the Arts. In addition to a full day of music, including performances by Josh Lawrence, Shakera Jones, Nasir Dickerson, and a youth ensemble from Play On, Philly, the event will include a family fitness challenge, a pop-up digital lab, vendors and food trucks.

Lawrence is an apt headliner for such a community-minded festival given his dedication to the kind of spiritual and mystical communion advocated by Coltrane in his later years. “The people who play this type of high vibrational music are consciously in touch with being a channel for the higher art forms, in this case music, to stream through,” he says. “Therefore, they have a rapport with the audience and hopefully in that rapport can provide some type of healing to themselves and to those who are touched by it.”

The Seeker, Lawrence explains, depicts a spiritual journey over the course of seven tracks recorded live at New York’s Jazz Standard. The music travels to the rain forest (“Rain Ballad”), gazes toward the night skies (“Venus Rising”) and rediscovers the “Lost Tribes of Lemuria,” the Pacific version of the lost continent of Atlantis. One track is named for Mahatma Gandhi, who Lawrence cites as an ideal example of a seeker.

“The idea behind The Seeker is that each one of us is a seeker of knowledge and truth, or we seek to find out what our purpose is during this lifetime,” he continues. “We might seek how to live right and eat right so we can obtain longevity in this lifetime, and then there’s also seeking for knowledge of a spiritual and cultural nature. And once we discover that, we have to live what we’ve discovered. I’m trying to bring some awareness of those facts.”

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As for his own journey, Lawrence says, “I’m glad to be alive and able to continue the tradition of fire music that cleanses and inspires us to look to higher ideals. That’s what we’re doing.”

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July 17, 2014

http://www.thatmusicmag.com/

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July 17, 2014

A festival, and all that jazz

By Alexis Sachdev Staff writer Snap as they scat, hum while they drum. The eighth annual Lancaster Avenue Jazz & Arts Festival returns to West Philadelphia’s Saunder’s Park for another year celebrating the history of jazz in the historical city on Saturday. From noon to 7 p.m., join some of the world’s most renowned musicians. Headlining the day-long concert is Azar Lawrence, a jazz saxophonist who once studied under John Coltrane. Previously, he’s performed with Miles Davis, Ike and Tina Turner and Earth, Wind and Fire; he’s also been featured on Marvin Gaye’s 1978 album, “Here, My Dear.” Lawrence will play selections from his newly minted CD, “The Seeker.” Guests can also groove to the vibrant and modern or classical and relaxing sounds from the Charlene Holloway Band, trumpeter Josh Lawrence, Shakera Jones, the West Powelton Steppers and more. Saunder’s is at 39th Street and Powelton Avenue, and parking is free at Powelton Avenue and State Street. Food trucks, vendors and family friendly activities are also available. Admission is free. For more information, visit lancasteravejazzfest.com

http://www.philly.com/

July 18, 2014

After the hustle and bustle of another busy week, be soothed by the smooth sounds of jazz and embrace the culture at Saunders Park for the Lancaster Avenue Jazz and Arts Festival this

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Saturday, July 19 from noon until 7 p.m. Arranged by the West Philly community organization People’s Emergency Center, the day promises to bring a wealth of superb performances, informative vendors and promising community engagement. You’ll leave feeling refreshed and entertained and unlike a fancy spa—which will also leave you refreshed—this day of leisure is free.

The park, at 39th and Powelton, welcomes internationally renowned jazz saxophonist Azar Lawrence (who’s worked with artists like Tina Turner, Busta Rhymes and Frank Zappa) to the lineup as well as locals Josh Lawrence, Glenn Bryan & Friends, the Charlene Holloway Band, Shakera Jones Quartet, Nasir Dickerson and Renaissance Messengers, RK$TDY, featured youth performers from Play On, Philly, the Women’s Sekere Ensemble and West Powelton Drummers.

But as they say, the early bird gets the worm. If your morning routine includes fitness, get to the park by 9 a.m. for a family fitness challenge.

Throughout the affair, a selection of food trucks will be at the park: Curbside Creamery, Gigi’s & Big R, Grill Cheese, Jamaican Irie Carribean, Lil Trents, Samosa Deb, Greensgrow Mobile truck and Side of the Road Jerk Chicken. Also on-site will be a wide selection of vendors and community resources like holistic and strengthening jewelry from Artistic Healing Expressions, hair care supplies from Indian Princess Hair, succulents from Potted Perfection and information from Drexel University, Free Library, Philly Bike Share, WHYY and many others.

Kids will go crazy for activities from Smith Playground, PEC’s pop-up Digital Lab and a photo booth.

Even after the day is done, the party continues. A 90’s themed after-party will start at 10 p.m. at West Philly’s Community Education Center with a mixer, costume contest, live performances and a dance party.

In addition to Saturday’s events, on Friday, July 18, Lawrence will share his musical knowledge with inspired students at Clef Club on South Broad Street for a master class. For an hour, starting at 1:45 p.m., Lawrence will help perpetuate the jazz scene in Philly.

Later in the day on Friday, July 18, adults can get the chance to raise money for youth and community arts in West Philadelphia through an artist reception with Azar Lawrence. Get up close and personal with the artist, tour the gallery at the Institute of Contemporary Art and enjoy light bites and beverages at the event in University City at 6:30 p.m.

http://www.phillytrib.com/

July 18, 2014

After a brutal winter in America, it’s time for some much-needed fun in the sun, and the summer festival season is now in full swing, bringing merriment, money and music into our neighborhoods. Saxophonist Azar Lawrence will headline the 8th Annual Lancaster Avenue Jazz & Arts Festival, taking place Saturday from 12-7 p.m. at Saunders Park Greene, located at 39th St. and Powelton Avenue.

The lively artist lineup also includes the Charlene Holloway Band, Josh Lawrence, Glenn Bryan & Friends, Shakera Jones, Nasir Dickerson, Play On, Philly! West Powelton Steppers and Central Kidz.

Azar Lawrence, a native of Los Angeles, is no stranger to Philadelphia, having performed at the beloved Bijou Café before it was demolished, as well as numerous other popular jazz venues in the city. He has recorded with Roberta Flack, performed with Ike and Tina Turner and Earth, Wind & Fire, and is featured on Marvin Gaye’s controversial, Grammy-winning album, “Here, My Dear.” Now, Lawrence is quite excited about sharing some new music of his own at this weekend’s festival.

“I have a new CD (titled “The Seeker”) that’s been released on Sunnyside Records, and this summer it’s making some noise and we’re getting a lot of positive reviews,” Lawrence said during a recent interview. “We’re going to preview the music from the CD. It’s kind of a preview release, but since it’s a festival — we’re not going to call it a preview release party, but [we’re] definitely previewing music from the CD. Lawrence will be accompanied by Eddie Henderson (trumpet), Benito Gonzalez (piano), Essiet Okon Essiet (bass) and Brandon Lewis (drums).

“It’s our latest endeavor and I would like people to check it out and enjoy it, and that’s where are heads are at right now. We hope that we can lift people’s spirits and consciousness, and help us all feel better!” said Lawrence, who will “support the area’s next generation of musicians” by hosting a master class for local children today at the Philadelphia Clef Club of Jazz

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& Performing Arts. He also maintains that playing in Philadelphia has “special significance,” due to a very strong connection with one of the city’s most accomplished musicians.

“McCoy Tyner and I were very close, and are very close, and so when we would play there, a lot of his family and everything would be there, of course,” said Lawrence. “I met people that were close with Miles Davis, and I ended up in the clubs working with Miles Davis as well. In Philadelphia, the people love the music there, and unfortunately it’s taken so long to get back there, but I’m certainly honored to play for such great music lovers.”

The music will be accompanied by a myriad of vendors, services and food trucks, including a couple that sound particularly enticing — Curbside Creamery and Side of the Road Jerk Chicken. For complete information on the 8th Annual Lancaster Avenue Jazz & Arts Festival, visit www.lancasteravejazzfest.com.