PHILADELPHIA, July 15, 2003 (PRIMEZONE) -- Celebrating six years of bringing smooth jazz to the Philadelphia Waterfront, WJJZ Smooth Jazz Summer Nights will return to its original location, the Great Plaza at Penn's Landing located at Columbus Boulevard and Chestnut St. The sounds of local and national Smooth Jazz artists will fill the air every Friday night in August, at a NEW TIME from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. This series is free to the public by the generous support of Independence Blue Cross.
Smooth Summer Nights will be emceed by WJJZ 106.1 radio hosts Michael Tozzi, Bill Simpson, Teri Webb, Cathy Caldwell, Frank Childs and Vernon Robbins.
Jazz keyboardist Mike Kwas will kick off the series on Friday August 1, 2003. On the same bill that evening will be saxophone artist Euge Groove who is riding high on the wave of his hit song "Sneak A Peek," which is one of the most played songs on WJJZ 106.1 FM.
The Friday August 8th show will feature an exciting performance by guitarist Monette Sudler and will be followed by a return visit from bass guitarist virtuoso Gerald Veasley who is sure to get his hometown audience on their feet and electric-sliding to songs from his upcoming release "Velvet."
Philadelphia's own jazz great Doc Gibbs and Picante from the Emeril Live cooking show on the Food Network will start the night off on August 15th followed by Special EFX featuring Chieli Minucci who are returning to Penn's Landing after their fantastic performance in 2001.
The series continues on Friday August 22nd with local jazz legends Arpeggio Jazz Ensemble, led by the incomparable bassist Warren Oree, followed by Steve Cole, a perennial favorite of the WJJZ series, who has emerged as one of the best saxophone players and brightest smooth jazz stars in the country and is currently wowing crowds across the country with songs from his recent release "NY LA".
This year's series will culminate with the smooth sounds of Fortune Vinson Cruse and a show stopping performance by premier saxophone artist and former Tower of Power member Richard Elliot who will play hits from his current release "Riccochet" and pay homage to his R&B and Funk music roots in his signature smooth jazz style.
WJJZ 106.1 radio staff will be on site every Friday evening to give away promotional items and sell special merchandise. Jazz lovers will also be able to register for the WJJZ's Vacation a Day contest. These are FREE concerts and seating is available on a first come, first served basis.
Independence Blue Cross is the presenting sponsor of the 2003 Summer Season at Penn's Landing. The Penn's Landing family of sponsors for the 2003 Summer Season also includes: Commerce Bank, US Airways, Pennsylvania Lottery, PECO Energy, and Deer Park Water.
Penn's Landing is Philadelphia's Waterfront district, running along Columbus Boulevard from Washington Avenue to Spring Garden Street. The two main sites for the more than 75 festivals, concerts, and events at Penn's Landing are the Great Plaza, located along the Delaware River at Columbus Boulevard and Chestnut Street, and Festival Pier, on Columbus Boulevard and Spring Garden Street. For more information on event locations and event details, call (215) 922-2FUN or visit www.pennslandingcorp.com.