Event to honor Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff, Larry Magid, the Philadelphia Orchestra and Scott Storch
GRAMMY.com
The Philadelphia Chapter will recognize GRAMMY winners Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff; Electric Factory Concerts co-founder and U.S. promoter for Live 8 Larry Magid; the Philadelphia Orchestra, who are featured on six GRAMMY-winning albums; and GRAMMY-nominated producer/songwriter Scott Storch at the Chapter's Recording Academy Honors 2006. The premier fund-raising gala event — which attracts recording artists, key entertainment executives and community leaders — will be held on April 10 at the Hyatt Regency Penn's Landing and is sponsored by the Borgata Hotel Casino and Spa.
Formerly known as the Philadelphia Chapter Heroes Awards, The Recording Academy Honors pays tribute to outstanding individuals and institutions in the Philadelphia region whose achievements have enriched the creative community and the community at large. Event proceeds benefit the Philadelphia Chapter's ongoing music advocacy, education and professional development programs.
Known for creating the lush arrangement of the R&B and dance sound of "The Sound Of Philadelphia," producers and songwriters Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff have published more than 3,000 songs. Gamble and Huff's renowned Philadelphia International Records label and studio saturated the '70s with a remarkable and unparalleled catalog of music. Collectively, the duo has sold more than 300 gold and platinum records with such hits including "Ain't No Stopping Us Now," "Me And Mrs. Jones" and "If You Don't Know Me By Now." Their instantly recognizable tunes and influential lyrics are heard on the venerated "Soul Train" theme song, the ever-popular "Love Train," and the timeless "For The Love Of Money." The duo's brilliant musical collaborations and extensive catalog have earned them a host of accolades, including The Recording Academy Trustees Award, as well as induction into each of the Songwriters, R&B and Dance Music Halls of Fame. With countless classics, incredible influence and a continuing legacy, Gamble and Huff's mark on the world of music is indelible.
Electric Factory Concerts founder Larry Magid brought last year's U.S. Live 8 concerts to Philadelphia. The tremendously successful production of Live 8's seven-hour extravaganza earned Magid — who also produced the U.S. 1985 Live Aid concert in Philadelphia — a commendation from the city. With a history of more than 15,000 concerts in the last 38 years, Magid's Electric Factory Concerts has welcomed nearly every major performer to Philadelphia. He has steered the success of long-standing Philadelphia concert halls such as the Theater of Living Arts, the Tower Theatre and the company's namesake venue, the Electric Factory. He has produced or co-produced national and international music tours — recently for Il Divo and Bette Midler — theatrical tours, as well Broadway shows. His production of Billy Crystal's smash hit "700 Sundays" recently won a Tony Award for Best Special Theatrical Event. Congress granted Magid its highest commendation for his charity efforts, including the creation of an annual auction that has netted Philadelphia schools more than $500,000.
One of the world's leading orchestras, the Philadelphia Orchestra has recorded on six GRAMMY-winning albums during its 105-year history. With its acclaimed performances, historic national and international tours, best-selling recordings, and an unprecedented number of innovations in recording technologies and outreach, the Orchestra attracts the world's most esteemed classical musicians and annually touches the lives of more than 1 million music lovers worldwide. The ensemble has maintained an unparalleled cohesiveness and unity in artistic leadership with only six music directors piloting it through its first century. The Orchestra and its seventh and current music director, Christoph Eschenbach, announced a three-year recording partnership with Ondine Records in May 2005, the Orchestra's first recording contract in nearly 10 years. In addition to its subscription concerts, the Orchestra offers family and education concerts, school partnership programs, and special concerts commemorating community events and holidays. Its outdoor summer season features concerts at The Mann Center for the Performing Arts, free performances in Philadelphia neighborhoods, and a residency at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center in upstate New York.
At age 32, Philadelphia native Scott Storch has become one of the music industry's most sought-after producers and songwriters, with credits on numerous gold, platinum, and multi-platinum-selling records . Named Billboard 's "Top Producer for 2005" in the Hot 100 and Hot R&B/hip-hop categories and ASCAP's 2005 "Pop Songwriter Of The Year," Storch contributed to five of ASCAP's most performed songs of 2005: Beyoncé's "Me, Myself And I," "Naughty Girl," and "Baby Boy" (featuring Sean Paul); "Can't Hold Us Down," performed by Christina Aguilera; and "Lean Back" by Terror Squad featuring Remy-Ma. Storch has songwriting, musician or production credits on GRAMMY-winning hits such as Eve and Gwen Stefani's "Let Me Blow Ya Mind," Justin Timberlake's "Cry Me A River," and the Roots' "You Got Me," as well as GRAMMY-nominated Mario's "Let Me Love You." A former keyboardist for Philadelphia-area bands such as Schoolly D and G. Love & Special Sauce , Storch toured with the Roots and played on their 1993 album Organix , which propelled them to a major record deal. He recently completed Paris Is Burning — Paris Hilton's debut album.
The Recording Academy Honors will begin with a VIP/press reception and silent auction followed by the show and dinner, which will recognize the esteemed honorees with celebrity presenters and performers. Tickets are $75 for Academy members, $125 for non-members and are available through the Philadelphia Chapter's office by calling 215.985.5411. Sponsorship packages and table sales are also available.
