PHILADELPHIA, July 11, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- The Bank of America Sounds of R&B series, which continues Penn's Landing Corporation's series of Free Friday night concerts through July, features outstanding, celebrated, and critically acclaimed national recording artists who have ties to Philadelphia. Several of the performers are Philadelphia natives or have worked with Philadelphia-based music producers, songwriters and artists. Yet, July 20 plans to be a spotlight blockbuster evening featuring three nationally acclaimed artists for an amazing ticket prize-FREE! As part of the Summer Season 2007 at Penn's Landing, presented by Independence Blue Cross, this free concert series, beginning at 7:30 p.m. each week, is sponsored by Bank of America and a partnership with WRNB 107.9 FM and CW Philly 57.
Raul Midon brings a vibrant sound steeped in classic soul to the pop arena, because pop is where a singer and a song can have the biggest and most widespread impact. The New Mexico-born, New York-based writer/vocalist/guitarist burst onto the scene in 2005 with his audaciously original debut album, State of Mind, and he's followed it up with an even more memorable song cycle, one that substantiates the depth of his talent and the degree of his dedication. A World Within a World, the title of the new album (Manhattan Records, Sept. 25), might refer to the status of pop music within the culture as a whole; it could also describe the expansive interior realm that this single-minded artist, blind from birth, has created with his imagination.
Just as unprecedented is "The More That I Know," which is equal parts love song, message song and modern-day spiritual. "On one level," Midon explains, "the song has to do with traveling -- 'The more that I know, wherever I go, I want to be close to you' -- but it also uses metaphors in a different way. I've always felt at a disadvantage as someone who has never seen in that writing is very visual and image-driven." Midon continues, "People really relate to images, and I've never seen images. So what I realized is that you have to write from what you know, and because people also hear, touch and feel, hopefully, they'll be able to relate to these songs. So that song is me starting to get into another way of writing -- it's very much about my experience, and not trying to describe a sunset that I've never seen."
Next to take the stage on July 20 will be the up-and-coming singer, songwriter, composer, and a new R&B favorite, Chrisette Michele. Michele made her debut on Jay-Z's "Lost Ones" and Nas' "Can't Forget about You" and also toured with India.Arie. Then, Michele personally auditioned for and was signed by Antonio "L.A." Reid, Chairman, Island Def Jam Music Group. Now she's released her own debut album, entitled, "I Am," which was released on June 19. The distinctive jazz and soul inflections of this 24-year old native New Yorker set her apart from the pack, which is apparent after listening to the album. Although she is said to channel classic artists such as Billie Holiday or Lena Horne, her rich voice and female-empowering lyrics create a very contemporary R&B style. Michele is on tour with platinum Grammy nominated Atlantic Records recording artist Musiq Soulchild. For more information, please visit http://www.myspace.com/chrisettemichele.
Philadelphia raised and multi-platinum, Grammy-nominated singer, songwriter Musiq Soulchild will exhibit his unique sound of 70s soul, hip-hop swagger and funky grooves when he takes the stage on Friday, July 20th along with Raul Midon. The Philly-raised artist released his debut album on his new label, Atlantic Records entitled "LUVANMUSIQ," earlier this year. "I've been away for a little while," he says. "The industry's changed and so have I -- personally, mentally, psychologically. I look at my previous three albums as grade school, middle school, and high school. Now with this new album, "LUVANMUSIQ," it's like I'm going off to college."
The pre-show music mix each week of the series will be presented by DJ STATIK of the Ill Vibe Collective. With a true knowledge, skill, and understanding of his art and music, Statik has exploded locally, nationally and internationally unleashing a collection of perfect projects. The blueprint of the DJ is symbolized by Statik's keen awareness of all types of music, aptly mixing and blending these types of music, and presenting the finished product in a way that each one who listens feels like the product was produced exclusively for them.
Penn's Landing Corporation Program Director Keeya Branson-Davis remarks, "The City of Philadelphia is the home of incredibly talented musicians who have helped to make Philadelphia's musical legacy internationally renowned. The artists in the series were chosen for their musical talent, their passion for performing, and their commitment to preserving Rhythm and Blues music. For independent artists, emerging artists, and established artists, the Bank of America Sounds of R&B Series is the perfect live showcase."
This free series is made possible by the generous support of Bank of America. Dan Fitzpatrick, President of Bank of America Pennsylvania comments, "Bank of America is a proud supporter of the arts in the Greater Philadelphia region, and believes it is important to provide cultural enrichment for residents as well as tourists. The Bank of America Sounds of R&B Series presents an opportunity for all our residents and visitors to kick-off their summer weekends enjoying popular R&B sounds on the scenic Penn's Landing Waterfront."
Bank of America is one of the world's largest financial institutions, serving individual consumers, small and middle-market businesses and large corporations with a full range of banking, investing, asset management and other financial and risk-management products and services. The company provides unmatched convenience in the United States, serving more than 56 million consumer and small business relationships with more than 5,700 retail banking offices, more than 17,000 ATMs and award-winning online banking with nearly 22 million active users. Bank of America is the No. 1 overall Small Business Administration (SBA) lender in the United States and the No. 1 SBA lender to minority-owned small businesses. The company serves clients in 175 countries and has relationships with 98 percent of the U.S. Fortune 500 companies and 80 percent of the Fortune Global 500. Bank of America Corporation stock (NYSE:BAC) is listed on the New York Stock Exchange.
Penn's Landing Corporation is the non-profit organization responsible for funding and producing public programming on the Great Plaza, Philadelphia's Delaware Waterfront Park. Independence Blue Cross is the presenting sponsor of the 2007 Summer Season at Penn's Landing. All events produced by Penn's Landing Corporation are FREE to the public and on the Great Plaza, the heart of Penn's Landing, Philadelphia's premier riverfront entertainment destination.
CW Philly 57 (WPSG-TV) is part of CBS Television, which is a division of CBS Corporation, consisting of 39 stations, including 21 CBS, 11 The CW, three MyNetworkTV and four stations not affiliated with major networks.
WRNB 107.9, a Radio One radio station, is also a proud partner for this free series. Radio One, Inc. is the nation's seventh largest radio broadcasting company and the largest company that primarily targets African-American and urban listeners. Radio One owns and/or operates 70 radio stations located in 22 urban markets in the United States and reaches approximately 14 million listeners every week.
Public Programming at Penn's Landing would not be possible without our presenting sponsor Independence Blue Cross and the support of Bank of America, PECO, the Philadelphia Coca-Cola Bottling Company, Pennsylvania Lottery and the Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation, all of whom are committed to serving the Greater Philadelphia community.
For more information on event locations and event details, please call (215) 922-2FUN or visit www.pennslandingcorp.com. The Penn's Landing Corporation website is a virtual resource for the waterfront which can help visitors to plan a visit to easily park, play and stay all day at Penn's Landing.
The Penn's Landing Corporation logo is available at http://www.primenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=349