An Evening of Jazz with the Paul Giess Trio

Noted for his “lyrical, highly expressive trumpet work” by Downbeat Magazine, Paul Giess is a trumpet player, music maker, and educator based in Philadelphia. He uses music education and performance as tools for community building and conveying healing messages.  Currently Paul leads a band “untethered” that plays regularly at the Black Squirrel Club in Philadelphia, where Paul brings emerging artists on stage to interact in spontaneous creative composition with internationally known drummer Grant Calvin Weston.

Among his notable accomplishments, Giess was a 2024 Artist-in-Residence at the Creative Expedition in Essaouira, Morocco.  On the same trip, he performed at the Timitar Festival with Jamaaladeen Tacuma, additionally Paul appeared with Tacuma at the 2024 Lancaster Ave Jazz Festival in Philadelphia.  Last year, Paul’s compositional work was also featured in the WHYY podcast “Philadelphia Revealed”, a historical review of the Atwater Kent collection at Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA). Towards the end of 2024, Paul, in collaboration with Christina Jackson, was awarded a grant from Scribe Video Center to document oral history’s discussing historic jazz clubs around Philadelphia.

Giess’s musical releases include Hymn’s Vol. 1 (2021) and U Suite U (2015) featuring V. Shayne Frederick and Alexa Barchini respectively. He was a member of the 2018 McKnight Visiting Composers Residency, and his composition “Prayer for Mimi” is included in the Philadelphia Real Book. In 2015, he was the trumpet player in the critically acclaimed production of Black Nativity at Theater Horizon, which won a Barrymore Award for Best Musical Ensemble. He also served as musical director for the stage play AMERICANA in New Orleans that same year.

Previously Paul worked at the Center for Creative Works, a vocational arts center for adults with developmental disabilities where Paul established Pop Pop Pop Records, a record label to support their musical output. He also served for seven years at the Philadelphia Clef Club of Performing Arts, first as a Teaching Artist and later as Education Coordinator, working closely with Artist Director Lovett Hines to implement the organization’s esteemed education program.

John Viscardi is an operatic tenor and non-profit leader. Motivated by a profound belief in the power of music to transform lives and uplift societies, Mr. Viscardi serves as the Managing Director of ArtSmart and Executive Director of Classic Lyric Arts, a non-profit organization that provides training programs for pre-professional classical singers and pianists. As a performer, Mr. Viscardi is sought after globally for his interpretation of music that spans multiple genres, having appeared in both recital and concert at venues that include Carnegie Hall (New York), Geffen Hall (New York), Tokyo Opera City (Tokyo), Verizon Hall (Philadelphia) and Avery Fisher Hall (New York). Mr. Viscardi serves on the board of directors of the Philadelphia Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts and is an Artist Fellow with the Philadelphia Center of Psychoanalysis. He holds a Bachelor of Music and Master of Fine Arts from New York University and is a graduate of the Academy of Vocal Arts. johnviscardi.com

Junee’ (’21), a cultivated performer based in Philadelphia, is recognized for her exceptional artistry, specializing in a diverse range of musical genres including Jazz, Neo-Soul, Alternative R&B, and Funk among others. Her dedication to musical excellence extends beyond conventional boundaries, showcasing a profound commitment to artistic expression.

As an artist, Junee’ is driven by a compelling vision—to advocate for authenticity and unapologetic self-expression. This vision transcends the confines of the stage, extending throughout everyday life. Through her performances, Junee’ seeks to inspire individuals to embrace their truest selves, fostering a sense of empowerment and confidence that resonates far beyond the realms of music.