When The Philadelphia Orchestra returns to the Mann Center for the Performing Arts for the second week of its summer residency in Fairmount Park, it will celebrate 100 years of legendary composer George Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue.” The performance on Wednesday, July 24, will also feature American jazz artists, the Marcus Roberts Trio – and it won’t be the first time Mann audiences will hear world-class orchestral and jazz musicians in concert with one another.

Nearly 75 years ago to the day, on July 25, 1949, another jazz and symphonic collaboration occurred at the Mann’s predecessor, the Robin Hood Dell. Duke Ellington and his orchestra combined forces with the Robin Hood Dell Orchestra, which at the time was the summer ensemble of The Philadelphia Orchestra. It was the first time Ellington’s band ever performed with a symphony orchestra (a milestone he mentioned in his autobiography years later) and the first time Black and white orchestras played together on the Dell stage. Some 13,000 patrons were in the audience – in Fairmount Park – for the historic event.

“Moments like the one 75 years ago with the great Duke Ellington and the Fabulous Philadelphians are part of our storied history at the Mann, and this season’s residency with The Philadelphia Orchestra is the continuation of that magical summer tradition,” said Catherine L. Cahill, President and CEO of the Mann.

In addition to the July 24 concert, the lineup includes these genre-bending performances:

• GRAMMY-award winning alternative rocker Beck will join the Orchestra on Thursday, July 25 for a night of symphonic fusion. Beck will showcase selections from his vast catalog alongside stunning orchestral arrangements.

• Rounding out the week, the Orchestra will take patrons on a magic carpet ride for Disney’s Aladdin In Concert on Saturday, July 27. Outdoor movie experiences are back in a big way, but none quite compare to the Mann’s iteration featuring The Philadelphia Orchestra playing iconic scores live to film.

For those planning to attend Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue @ 100 and Disney’s Aladdin In Concert, they will also be able to enjoy the Mann’s Summer Picnic Series. On picnic nights, patrons are invited to bring blankets, chairs, and food and drinks to enjoy on the Mann’s Great Lawn before and during the show. The Mann also offers chair rentals on-site.

For more information and to purchase tickets to see The Philadelphia Orchestra at the Mann this week, visit manncenter.org.

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