October 6, 2011

Grammy® Award-nominated greats, Joshua Redman and Brad Mehldau take the stage in a one-night collaboration as the Annenberg Center kicks off its 40th Anniversary Season

(Philadelphia, October 6, 2011) — The Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts presents a night jam-packed with jazz, as prodigious tenor saxophonist, Joshua Redman and internationally-acclaimed jazz pianist, Brad Mehldau join forces for one unforgettable duo performance, October 14, 2011 at 7:30 PM. Melding their two adventurous, yet distinctive artistic voices, Redman and Mehldau’s duo cuts the extraneous and features the oft-improvised musical dialogue between these two powerhouses. Tickets for the performance are $20-$45. For tickets or more information, please visit AnnenbergCenter.org or call 215.898.3900. Tickets can also be purchased in person at the Annenberg Center Box Office.

Hailed by the Boston Herald as “a jazz wunderkind,” Joshua Redman is one of today’s most acclaimed and charismatic jazz artists. Brad Mehldau, having garnered numerous awards and admiration from jazz purists and music enthusiasts alike, has forged a unique path, embodying the essence of jazz exploration with a unique mainstream pop allure, and is “universally admired as one of the most adventurous pianists to arrive on the jazz scene in years” (Los Angeles Times). Linked since Redman hired Mehldau in the mid-90’s, both musicians have played an essential role defining progressive mainstream jazz ever since.

Joshua Redman has recorded and performed with musicians the likes of the Dave Matthews Band, Quincy Jones, Big Daddy Kane, B.B. King, The Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, DJ Logic, Yo Yo Ma, Branford Marsalis, Christian McBride, Dianne Reeves, The Rolling Stones, The Roots, The Trondheim Jazz Orchestra and Stevie Wonder. Redman has been nominated for two Grammys and has garnered top honors in the critics and readers polls of DownBeat, Jazz Times, The Village Voice and Rolling Stone. He wrote and performed the music for Louis Malle’s final film, “Vanya on 42nd Street,” and is both seen and heard in the Robert Altman film “Kansas City.”

Brad Mehldau’s music has appeared in several movies, including Stanley Kubrick’s “Eyes Wide Shut” and Wim Wender’s “Million Dollar Hotel.” He also composed an original soundtrack for the French film, “Ma Femme Est Une Actrice.” Mehldau was appointed as curator of an annual four-concert jazz series at London's renowned Wigmore Hall during its 09-10 and 10-11 seasons. In January 2010, Carnegie Hall announced the 2010-11 season-long residency by Mehldau, as holder of the Richard and Barbara Debs Composer’s Chair at Carnegie Hall—the first jazz artist to hold this position since it was established in 1995.

INSIGHTS—Pre-show performance and talk The night of jazz kicks off early with the Penn Faculty Jazz Quartet at 6:45 PM, in a musical exploration and commentary on jazz influences and styles. Quartet members include: Wade Fulton Dean, Saxophone – Director of Jazz, Penn Department of Music Josh Lawrence, Trumpet – Jazz Trumpet Instructor, Penn; Senior Lecturer, University of the Arts Drew Shoals, Drums – Drum Instructor, Penn; Penn Law student Justin Sekewleski, Bass – Bass Instructor, Penn

INSIGHTS—Post-performance 40th Anniversary toast In celebration of the Annenberg Center’s 40th Anniversary, there will be several opportunities for audience members to get to know each other and the Annenberg Center staff throughout the season. To kick off this celebratory season, the Center will be toasting the past 40 years of excellence and its exciting future with festive sparkling cider.

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Grammy® Award-nominated greats, Joshua Redman and Brad Mehldau at the Annenberg Center Page 2

Media support for the 11/12 Jazz Series is provided by WRTI and City Paper.

INSIGHTS – Performance Enhancement Events The Annenberg Center offers a range of exciting and informative pre- and post-performance events that are free for all ticket holders. Featuring discussions led by Penn faculty members, area experts and guest artists, these events are designed to illuminate the work on stage. For more information, visit AnnenbergCenter.org/Insights.

40th Anniversary Season For the past 40 years, the Annenberg Center has dedicated itself to the advancement of a diverse and thriving cultural community through the pursuit of excellence, innovation and intellectual engagement in the realms of world music, theatre and dance. To celebrate the momentous occasion, the Annenberg Center has put together one of the most expansive seasons ever—a nod towards the colorful history of presenting the best of the best from all corners of the globe. With highly acclaimed artists from six continents, audiences can take a journey around the world without leaving their seat. From Zakir Husain of India and Chunky Move of Australia to the Gate Theatre of Ireland and the Spirit of Uganda of Africa, audience members will see the world in a whole new way.

The Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts The University of Pennsylvania’s Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts has been the region's leading multi- disciplinary performance venue for theatre, dance, jazz, world music, new music and children’s programming since its inception in 1971. The Annenberg Center’s curatorial vision emphasizes four primary values: artistic integrity, cultural diversity, curatorial balance and a willingness to take risks. By presenting world-renowned and cutting edge artists and companies that express adventuresome perspectives on contemporary issues, timeless ideas and diverse cultures, the Annenberg Center promotes critical thinking and dialogue among its audiences, creating a uniquely rewarding arts experience.

The Annenberg Center has achieved national recognition for its outstanding Dance Celebration series (presented in partnership with Philadelphia's Dance Affiliates), touring theatre series, and for its superior offerings for children, including both its Student Discovery Series and the acclaimed 28-year Philadelphia International Children’s Festival, the oldest festival of its kind in the United States.

Through a generous grant from The Wallace Foundation and the National Endowment for the Arts, the Annenberg Center also showcases its commitment to local artists each year through its By Local series.

Throughout its history, the Annenberg Center has presented innovative and critically-acclaimed theatre productions with some of the biggest stars of stage and screen including Liv Ullmann and Sam Waterston in A Doll's House, A Streetcar Named Desire with Glenn Close, Jessica Tandy in Beckett's Not I, and Tennessee Williams' Sweet Bird of Youth with Irene Worth and Christopher Walken. University of Pennsylvania alumnus and noteworthy Broadway producer and director Harold Prince staged many of his plays at the Annenberg Center before taking them to Broadway.

Generous support for the 11/12 Annenberg Center season is provided by The Philadelphia Cultural Fund, The Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, The University of Pennsylvania, PNC, The Philadelphia Phillies, The Wallace Foundation and the National Endowment for the Arts. The Sheraton Philadelphia is the exclusive hotel sponsor.

For additional press information or to set up interviews, please contact: Sarah Fergus, Marketing & Communications Manager phone: 215.573.8537; email: [email protected]

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