Taylor Kelly and Jonah Francese met back in 2011 at Berklee College of Music, and there began their life-long friendship and seemingly limitless musical relationship. Quickly upon arriving at Berklee, Taylor began playing trumpet and singing with Jonah's big band, Thinkin' Big. Many albums, tours and years later, Jonah and Taylor both left Boston, and decided to come together in their respective cities of Chicago and Philadelphia to bring the big band back to life, reinvigorating it with local musicians and artists. They are so thrilled to be bringing back the Thinkin' Big with Taylor Kelly experience in the City of Brotherly Love for the third time, featuring the most talented local musicians and showcasing some of the city's most amazing artists, backed by a 15-piece big band. SPECIAL GUESTS INCLUDE: Queen Jo, Bul Bey, Max Davey and more TBA!...
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Taylor Kelly and Jonah Francese met back in 2011 at Berklee College of Music, and there began their life-long friendship and seemingly limitless musical relationship. Quickly upon arriving at Berklee, Taylor began playing trumpet and singing with Jonah's big band, Thinkin' Big. Many albums, tours and years later, Jonah and Taylor both left Boston, and decided to come together in their respective cities of Chicago and Philadelphia to bring the big band back to life, reinvigorating it with local musicians and artists. They are so thrilled to be bringing back the Thinkin' Big with Taylor Kelly experience in the City of Brotherly Love for the third time, featuring the most talented local musicians and showcasing some of the city's most amazing artists, backed by a 15-piece big band. SPECIAL GUESTS INCLUDE: Queen Jo, Bul Bey, Max Davey and more TBA!
Thinkin' Big
Beginning in Boston and now based in Chicago, the 15-piece Thinkin' Big (led by composer and trumpeter Jonah Francese), continues to put disparate genres into the big band context. Having released four albums, most recently Reclamation (2019), they draw on oral traditions while building community at every performance. Thinkin' Big has toured internationally, playing renowned venues like The Rex (Toronto), Zinc Bar (NYC) and American Repertory Theater (Boston) as well as playing the Rockport Jazz Festival. Rooted in embracing diversity, Thinkin' Big prioritizes music-making through joy while always centering their message around social, racial, and gender justice.
Taylor Kelly
Born and raised in Rochester, NY, Taylor Kelly is now a fixture in the vibrant Philadelphia music scene further honing her introspective take on jazz, soul, and funk. She combines her smooth, powerful, technically-informed voice with addictive hip hop and electronic beats and complex arrangements. Her sound is a dynamic blend of several genres but ultimately establishes a strikingly authentic niche all its own - rich with melodic contour, intricate harmonies, and deeply personal but anthemic lyricism. Named a Music Artist You Should Know by Grimy Goods, Kelly has released six albums and EPs, most recently โThe Spinsโ (July 2024) and has shared the stage with St. Paul and the Broken Bones, Dirty Loops, Moonchild, Becca Stevens, Monophonics, Neal Francis, Giacomo Turra and Georgia Anne Muldrow. Kelly has uplifted, inspired and energized thousands of ardent concertgoers at hundreds of live shows with her immersively freeing performance style. She has an unyielding, marrow-deep commitment to self-expression through music and will continue to transfer this passion to her listeners with her EP, โThe Spinsโ.
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