Experience the enchantment of jazz like never before with the Mann’s Jazz Under The Stars series! Taking place on the Presser Foundation Stage in the TD Pavilion, the series highlights contemporary jazz artists, a beloved subgenre for enthusiasts and the perfect introduction for newcomers. Jazz Under The Stars is curated by the Mann’s first ever Jazz Curator-In-Residence, Gerald Veasley. Join us for a performance by chart-topping saxophonist Kim Waters on July 11 and again on August 23 for celebrated pianist and composer Keiko Matsui.
Kim Waters | July 11
Doors 7PM | Showtime 8PM
Heralded as “simply one of the planet’s best saxophonists” by JazzTimes Magazine and the “pied piper of Smooth Jazz” by Upscale Magazine, the prolific chart-topping saxophonist, composer, and producer has enjoyed a career longevity that is rare in the music business. For three decades, Waters has reigned as one of the premier architects of Urban Smooth Jazz and a beacon of light in Contemporary Jazz. He's garnered praise from critics and fans alike, ranking among the top five best-selling instrumentalists in jazz.
Born in Maryland into a musical family, Kim Waters picked up his first instrument, the violin, at the age of eight, and later found his calling on the alto and soprano saxophones at age 13. Shortly afterwards he began playing in a band with his brothers James (who he still performs with) and Eric and his old friend, pianist Cyrus Chestnut. Kim Waters has been called on to perform with or open shows for the best including Al Green, Isaac Hayes, Phyllis Hyman, Teddy Riley and Guy, and Gerald Albright to name a few. Through the years Kim Waters has recorded a string of successful and chart-topping albums on Shanachie.
Keiko Matsui | August 23
Doors 7PM | Showtime 8PM
Internationally acclaimed pianist, composer and humanitarian Keiko Matsui has worked with everyone from Miles Davis, Stevie Wonder, Bob James, and Hugh Masekela. There is a reason why the stunning, soft-spoken, and petite powerhouse with such a commanding presence at the piano has amassed a devout following through the years. “When I tour around the world and witness how my music cuts through our differences and connects everyone, it makes me feel euphoric!” exclaims Keiko, who has lent her voice to raise awareness for such causes as The Daniel Pearl and the Susan G. Komen Foundations. Keiko harnesses this joy on her 30th recording Euphoria, released in 2023 on Shanachie Entertainment.
Keiko’s depth as a composer has allowed her to contribute music to soundtracks in Japan, the U.S. and Russia. 1998 saw the release of her album Full Moon And The Shrine, which was accompanied by the acclaimed PBS-TV special Keiko Matsui: Light Above The Trees. In 1999, she performed at "A Golden Moment," a skating concert featuring Olympic figure skaters Kristi Yamaguchi, Tara Lipinski, Ekaterina Gordeeva, and Katarina Witt. Keiko's CD Deep Blue (2001) topped Billboard’s Contemporary Jazz charts for three consecutive weeks. She is the first Japanese artist to achieve this honor.
About Our Jazz Curator-In-Residence
Gerald Veasley’s musical odyssey has taken him to the top of the contemporary music world as a bassist, bandleader, composer, producer, educator, and curator. His performance as a six-string bassist has been top shelf, as his extensive body of work attests. Veasley has recorded or performed with many of the world’s top artists in Jazz, R&B and Gospel including Grover Washington Jr., Joe Zawinul, Kirk Whalum, Will Downing, Chuck Loeb, Maysa, Nnenna Freelon, Special EFX, Pieces of a Dream, McCoy Tyner, and more. Gerald Veasley is also the curator of the Unscripted Jazz Series at SOUTH Jazz Club and the Artistic Director and Co-Founder of Gerald Veasley’s Bass BootCamp. Veasley also serves his community as President of the non-profit organization, Jazz Philadelphia. His life as a creative professional is clearly multifaceted. Indeed, he wears various “hats” yet he is motivated by a singular purpose – to translate his joy of music to the world – music without boundaries.