PHILADELPHIA, May 17, 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. As part of the Summer Season 2007 at Penn's Landing, presented by Independence Blue Cross, this free concert series, sponsored by Bank of America, is a partnership with WRNB 107.9 FM and CW Philly 57.
The Bank of America Sounds of R&B series will open with Jazmine Sullivan on Friday July 6th. Like many R&B artists, Philadelphia native Jazmine Sullivan got her introduction to music around the age of 5 or 6 years old while singing in the church choir. At 12 she made her national television debut on Showtime at the Apollo. One of the most exciting moments early in her musical career was being asked to sing with music icon Stevie Wonder at 13 years old. Jazmine Sullivan's name can be found on Fantasia's Free Yourself for background vocal credits and songwriting credits for two tracks off of Christina Milian's CD So Amazin, including the first single Say I.
Eric Roberson will also perform on Friday, July 6th. Roberson attended Howard University on a Musical Theatre scholarship. While attending Howard, Roberson landed a recording contract with Warner Brothers, and in 1994 he recorded the R&B hit "The Moon." Roberson has acquired an admirable reputation as singer, songwriter and producer. Roberson has worked with a "who's who" of soul artists including Jill Scott, Musiq Soulchild, and Will Downing for over a decade. Roberson's latest CD is entitled LEFT.
Visitors to Penn's Landing will get to know a new name, Donnie, on Friday, July 13th. Like his predecessors, D'Angelo and Maxwell, Donnie is the hottest 'neo-soul' artist to hit the scene. He exudes such a passion for music and credits the influence of such influential artists as Donnie Hathaway, Sarah Vaughn and his cousin Marvin Gaye. India.Arie has this to say about Donnie, "Donnie is my brother, meaning not only that I love him unconditionally, but that we share the common goal of spreading knowledge through music and lyrics." Donnie's new release, The Daily News on the SoulThought label will debut on June 19th.
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,' its like I'm going off to college."
Husband and wife Fatin Dantzler and Aja Graydon, using the moniker Kindred the Family Soul, will close out the Bank of America Sounds of R&B concert series on Friday, July 27th. Kindred the Family Soul took the music industry by storm in 2003 when they were signed to Hidden Beach Records with the assistance of their friend, Jill Scott. "Surrender to Love," featuring the hit single "Far Away," was their first release on the Hidden Beach label and was probably the most critically acclaimed soul album of that year. Their latest CD, "In This Life Together," was inspired by and named after the Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee autobiography. Kindred the Family Soul is a breath of fresh air as they sing about their love and commitment to each other and their love for family while being forthright about the challenges of living monotonous lives. The musical style of this husband and wife dynamic duo can be described as an updated Womack and Womack with the bliss of Ashford & Simpson.
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, Staik 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 ourpresenting sponsor Independence Blue Cross and the continued support of PECO, Bank of America, Coca-Cola, Pennsylvania Lottery, Live Nation andthe Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation, all of whom arecommitted 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