Another Holiday for Skin: a Drum Celebration at International House Philadelphia

Another Holiday For Skins is a 21st century celebration of the classic 1958 album “Holiday For Skins” and its sister projects, “Drum Suite” and “Orgy In Rhythm” recorded by master drummer, Art Blakey. Holiday For Skins is an early exploration of what we now call “World Music.”

It is a special performance featuring an all star, Philadelphia-based ensemble of trap drummers, percussionists, brass players, a bassist and vocalists. With chants, horns and piano solos and of course, superb rhythm upon rhythm exchanges.

These recordings feature Blakey working in collaboration with Philadelphians, pianist, Ray Bryant and master drummer, Philly Joe Jones. The albums also showcase virtuoso performances by Art Taylor, Ray Barretto, Sabu Martinez, Donald Byrd and many others....

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Another Holiday For Skins is a 21st century celebration of the classic 1958 album “Holiday For Skins” and its sister projects, “Drum Suite” and “Orgy In Rhythm” recorded by master drummer, Art Blakey. Holiday For Skins is an early exploration of what we now call “World Music.”

It is a special performance featuring an all star, Philadelphia-based ensemble of trap drummers, percussionists, brass players, a bassist and vocalists. With chants, horns and piano solos and of course, superb rhythm upon rhythm exchanges.

These recordings feature Blakey working in collaboration with Philadelphians, pianist, Ray Bryant and master drummer, Philly Joe Jones. The albums also showcase virtuoso performances by Art Taylor, Ray Barretto, Sabu Martinez, Donald Byrd and many others.

Master percussionists, Robert Kenyatta and Leonard “Doc” Gibbs will serve as Musical Directors and Jesse Bermudez serves as co-producer for the Another Holiday For Skins project.

Tickets: $15 ($20 at the door)
www.philajazzproject.org Call: 267.259.3802

Artists Bios:

Robert Kenyatta started out by playing on his mother’s oatmeal boxes and graduated to her pots and pans. Even then, he noticed that each pot had its own sound, its own voice. Mr. Kenyatta bought his first ’‘real‘’ Congo drum at age 12 with money he earned taking used bottles to the store. He continued to learn by listening to Latino and Jazz stations on the radio and sitting in with different bands. Mr. Kenyatta played the pennywhistle, eventually receiving a grant from Model Cities to study the flute, harmony and theory at the Philadelphia Music Academy. He also became a studio musician, and has worked with musicians such as John Coltrane, Sonny Rollins, Wilson Pickett, the Beach Boys, Johnny Hartman, The O‘Jays, Ruth Brown, Billy Paul, The Intruders, Spanky De Brest, Eddie Campbell, Rufus Harley, Freddie Hubbard, Roy Ayers, Elvin Jones, Herbie Mann, Lee Morgan, Odean Pope, Philly Joe Jones, Dotti and Andy Aaron and the soul Machine Band and a host of others.

Leonard "Doc" Gibbs is an American percussionist. Gibbs studied at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts in the early 1970s. He has toured with artists such as Anita Baker, Whitney Houston, Bob James, Ricki Lee Jones, Al Jarreau, Grover Washington, Jr., Wyclef Jean, Erykah Badu, Eric Bennett, and James Poysner. He acquired the nickname "Doc" after suggesting herbal remedies to jazz saxophonist Grover Washington, Jr. Gibbs headed the house band on the popular Food Network television show Emeril Live hosted by Emeril Lagasse, until it was cancelled in December 2007.

Jesse Bermudez was Founder and Executive/Artistic Director of the Asociación de Músicos Latino Americanos (AMLA), a non-profit multicultural organization that promoted the development and dissemination of Latin music, with an emphasis on educating and empowering youth and community. He continues to advocate making Latin music part of the fabric of the City of Philadelphia. Currently, Jesse Bermudez and Ray Collazo host and facilitate RayJess.com; a 24 hour Latin Jazz and Salsa internet-based radio station.

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