ION INDIE MAGAZINE August 2017, Volume 39 | Page 17

Across the nation on July 4th, Americans celebrate the anniversary of when the founding fathers declared independence. Over in
Philadelphia, the city takes pride in being the location where it all took place. As a result, Philly throws a big party every year and calls it
“Welcome America.” This year the festival spanned 6 days, with a wide variety of events across the city, including many nights of fireworks
and a long list of music performances. If you ever wanted to change the pace from a relaxing BBQ at home for this holiday, a trip to
Philadelphia around Independence Day is something to see!
As the celebration comes to a peak on the 4th, the music culminates in concerts on the lawn of Independence Hall, where that famous
document was written – and even more music at the headline show, which draws over 100,000 people to the expansive Benjamin Franklin
Parkway at the foot of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, which boasts those famous steps that Rocky ascended.
Philadelphia’s great music institutions, THE PHILADELPHIA ORCHESTRA and THE PHILLY POPS ORCHESTRA, both offer multiple free
concerts during the week. This year, the Philly POPS also debuted a new spin-off ensemble dubbed THE PHILLY POPS BIG BAND, with the
aim of channeling popular music through a big band format, fronted by show-stopping singers. The new ensemble kicked-off the final concert
for an eager crowd, who most likely filled the seats for later headliners. But this intense group quickly drew in the audience with infectious
interpretations of hits ranging from STEVIE WONDER to BRUNO MARS. As a fan of big band music myself, I’m admittedly skeptical when
hearing that this type of group will interpret popular music. But when you task that effort with some of the top talent of musicians in the
country, you get a groove that is as good, if not better than the original, and arrangements that don’t even approach something “cheesy”, as
one might fear. Instead, they crafted creative charts that brought a whole new light to some good classics. Even the most over-played song
of recent years, MARK RONSON’S “Uptown Funk,” was done in a remarkably fresh approach – a slower R&B feel which had many original
traits and was the most interesting take on it heard since it was first dialed on the radio.
Fronting this incredible ensemble were some equally impressive vocalists. Most prominent was MANDY GONZALEZ, who spends most of her
time starring in the hit show “Hamilton” on Broadway. Putting such a virtuosic singer on popular songs really delivers an over-the-top
performance. She was joined by LUIS FIGUEROA, who held his own equally, fronting the band and in duets with Ms. Gonzalez. Also leading
the group from behind the keys was the charismatic TONY DESARE, who has been recognized as a rising jazz vocalist by Downbeat Magazine
and ranking on the Billboard charts. Overall, the Philly POPS Big Band kicked off the final stretch of concerts with a surprisingly intense and
energetic show, impressing people who were fans of big bands and also those who previously were not.
Soon after, hometown favorites BOYZ II MEN hit the stage, 26 years after their start in Philly. The highly-awarded and best-selling R&B group
ever, was greeted with an enthusiastic welcome. Earlier they were honored with the naming of a section of Philly’s main avenue, Broad Street,