Philadelphia Jazz Project to Perform a Lyrical MLK Celebration at the Museum of the American Revolution, Jan. 19

Vocalists and musicians from the Philadelphia Jazz Project will present “We Shall: A Lyrical MLK Celebration” at the Museum of the American Revolution on Saturday, Jan. 19, 2019, from 3 – 4 p.m., as part of a weekend-long celebration of service and community. The engaging intermingling of spoken word, singing, and instrumental music will pay tribute to one of America’s greatest citizens and thinkers, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 

Utilizing brief excerpts from King’s speeches and sermons as inspiration and a combination of gospel, jazz, and blues music, the piece will explore the inner workings of a mind and body in struggle. The performance is free with regular museum admission.

Throughout Martin Luther King, Jr. Weekend from Saturday, Jan. 19 – Monday, Jan. 21, visitors can celebrate the diverse cultural landscape of Revolutionary Philadelphia. At a Community Engagement Wall, visitors can take a card exploring ways to create change in their communities, just as the Revolutionaries did, by volunteering, contributing to a cause, or buying local. Then they can add a note declaring how they will #BeTheRevolution.

During free, daily 30-minute “Tableau Talks” within the Museum’s galleries at 2:30 p.m., visitors will learn the stories of both free and enslaved people of African descent who fought for freedom during the Revolutionary War.

At a Discovery Cart from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. throughout the long weekend, an educator will discuss the intriguing life of Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Lewis Cook, who was part of many Revolutionary communities: his father was African, his mother was Native American, and he was a Continental Army officer.

In the Museum’s special hands-on exhibit Hamilton Was Here: Rising Up in Revolutionary Philadelphia, visitors will wrestle with the controversial moral dilemmas posed by Hamilton's life and the Revolutionary era, including topics like slavery and the limited opportunities for women.

Philadelphia Jazz Project performers will include:
Kareem Idris - vocals
Toby Martin - vocals
James Solomon - vocals
Kendrah Butler-Waters - piano
Jocko McNelly - bass & guitar
Kimpedro Rodriguez – drums

About Philadelphia Jazz Project
Philadelphia Jazz Project (PJP) is a special initiative which works to inspire a network to support, promote, archive and celebrate the diverse elements within the Philadelphia jazz community, with the larger goal of connecting to the global community. PJP’s mission is to expand the audience, increase creative opportunities and to extend the conversation about the music through special events, that preset a diverse and intergenerational picture of the Philadelphia Jazz communities. For more information, visit www.philajazzproject.org.

About Museum of the American Revolution
The Museum of the American Revolution explores the dramatic, surprising story of the American Revolution through its unmatched collection of Revolutionary-era weapons, personal items, documents, and works of art. Immersive galleries, powerful theater experiences, and digital touchscreens bring to life the diverse array of people who created a new nation against incredible odds. Visitors gain a deeper appreciation for how this nation came to be and feel inspired to consider their role in the ongoing promise of the American Revolution. Located just steps away from Independence Hall, the Museum serves as a portal to the region’s many Revolutionary sites, sparking interest, providing context, and encouraging exploration. The Museum, which opened on April 19, 2017, is a private, non-profit, and non-partisan organization. For more information, visit www.AmRevMuseum.org or call 877.740.1776.