Panelists
KENNETH GAMBLE
Co-Founder, Philadelphia International Records

LEON HUFF
Co-Founder, Philadelphia International Records

JOE TARSIA
Sound of Philadelphia Recording Engineer; founder of Sigma Sound Studios

BRUCE WARREN
WXPN Asst. Station Manager, Programming

AKINA ADDERLY
Akina Adderly & the Vintage Playboys

Moderator
CHRIS M. JUNIOR Contributing Editor, Goldmine Magazine

This year marks the 40th anniversary of Philadelphia International Records (PIR), one of the most successful African-American owned record labels of all time, which has given the City of Brotherly Love a label to call its own, like Motown was to Detroit and Stax was to Memphis. PIR produced a distinct, successful brand of R&B/soul with sophisticated, seductive, string-laden music that often carried poignant messages. Philadelphia International’s Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff created what “people all over the world” know as “The Sound of Philadelphia,” making stars of The O’Jays, Teddy Pendergrass, Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes and Billy Paul during the 1970s and playing a key role in reviving the careers of The Jacksons, Lou Rawls and Jerry Butler.

Gamble & Huff are among the most prolific professional songwriters of all time, having written and produced over 3,500 songs within 50 years, an output that rivals such famed songwriting teams as Lennon-McCartney and Jagger-Richards. They are enshrined in five music Halls of Fame, including the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, with a massive catalogue that includes numerous pop #1 hits, R&B #1 hits, 100 gold and platinum records, Grammy winners and BMI songwriters’ awards honorees. Featured prominently in TV programs (“The Apprentice,” “Cold Case”), films (“The Nutty Professor”) and advertising spots (Verizon, Chevrolet, Coors Light, Old Navy, The Gap, Office Max) for more than 30 years, Gamble & Huff’s songs have entered the musical DNA of contemporary culture. In fact, one of their songs is played on the radio somewhere in the world every 13.5 minutes. Songs they have written and produced together, like “Back Stabbers,” “Love Train,” “For The Love Of Money,” “If You Don’t Know Me By Now,” “Cowboys to Girls,” “Don’t Leave Me This Way,” “Enjoy Yourself,” “I’m Gonna Make You Love Me,” “Only the Strong Survive” and “TSOP” (better known as the “Soul Train” theme), have received songwriters’ awards from Broadcast Music International (BMI). Their songs comprise the most sampled R&B catalogue in the world, by artists such as Jay-Z, Usher, Cam’ron, Ja Rule, Jaheim, and Avant.

In 2010, Gamble & Huff were presented honorary doctor of music degrees – their first together in a distinguished partnership that is nearing its 50th anniversary – at Berklee College of Music’s Commencement. A few months later, Gamble & Huff became the first people in Philadelphia history to be so honored on Broad Street with the renaming of a historic section of the city’s major artery as Gamble & Huff Walk

Earlier this month, Gamble & Huff signed with William Morris Endeavor (WME) in all areas, including film, television, theater, books, and lecture appearances – the first time the legendary songwriting duo has enjoyed agency representation of this magnitude.

Earlier this week, the Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia announced it will be presenting its annual Lifetime Achievement Award Gala in honor of Gamble & Huff, and they will be collaborating on an orchestral recording of TSOP music by early 2012 – the 50th anniversary year of the historic Gamble & Huff partnership.

The Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia, a founding resident company of the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, presents its Lifetime Achievement Award Gala in honor of Philadelphia legends Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff on Saturday, May 21, 2011 at 6 PM at The Westin Philadelphia. The event is black tie.

“There is no other duo like Gamble & Huff. As a fellow music lover, innovator and director, I have the utmost respect for these men. Without them, the popular music of today would have no soul,” says Chamber Orchestra Music Director Dirk Brossé.

The gala will kick off with cocktails and a three-course sit-down dinner, followed by Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff’s recognition ceremony and an evening of dancing with a live band and open bar. A collection of Gamble & Huff’s biggest hits will be performed live by special guest artists and musicians.

Mr. Gamble and Mr. Huff are also eagerly looking forward to the event. “We are extremely honored to be recognized by this prestigious institution for the 40th Anniversary of the founding of our record label, Philadelphia International Records,” the duo says. “Further, we are especially honored because we created the historic Sound of Philadelphia (TSOP) with a combined foundation of rhythm and orchestral sounds through our MFSB Band featuring members of the local orchestra community.”

Gala Chairman The Honorable Edward G. Rendell says, “I am extremely proud that the groundbreaking team of Gamble and Huff came from our city of brotherly love. All Philadelphians take great pride that our city produced such legendary music icons.”

In addition to a night of exciting musical entertainment, silent and live auctions will take place featuring unique and hard-to-find items, including travel opportunities, sports and music memorabilia, concert tickets and much more. Each gala attendee will go home with a commemorative CD to ensure an evening they will always remember.

“It is our exceptional good fortune and honor to present two of the world’s greatest living musical producers, Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff, for our orchestra’s benefit. On this occasion we are also proud to honor Gamble and Huff with The Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia’s prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award at The Westin Philadelphia,” says Chamber Orchestra President William H. Roberts.

Several levels of ticketing are available, including individual tickets from $250 (Early Bird Special through March 31) and ten-seat table sponsors from $3,000. Please visit www.chamberorchestra.org/gala or call 215.545.5451, extension 29, for more information.

“We are thrilled to pay tribute to Philadelphia legends Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff with our Lifetime Achievement Award. Over the past fifty years, their ear for music has truly made them the pioneers of the soul and R&B genres. They have played an incredibly important part in making our great City a cultural powerhouse,” says Chamber Orchestra Executive Director Peter H. Gistelinck.

Forty years ago, legendary producers Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff created the world renowned Philadelphia International Records label and gave birth to The Sound of Philadelphia. With over 100 Gold and Platinum records, their extraordinary roster includes artists such as Patti LaBelle, The O’Jays, Lou Rawls, and Teddy Pendergrass and hits such as Me and Mrs. Jones, For the Love of Money and Love Train.

The Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia is a 33-member professional ensemble, founded in 1964 by Marc Mostovoy and now led by Music Director Dirk Brossé, with Ignat Solzhenitsyn as Conductor Laureate. The Chamber Orchestra brings intimate experiences of world-class small orchestral performances to the greater Philadelphia area, enriching the musical life of the City and region by the integrity and excellence of its musicianship, the boldness and vitality of its programming, and by building the loyalty of its audiences, musicians and supporters.

THE CHAMBER ORCHESTRA OF PHILADELPHIA
Lifetime Achievement Award Gala
Honoring Music Icons
Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff
Saturday, May 21, 2011
6 PM
The Westin Philadelphia
99 South 17th Street, Philadelphia
www.chamberorchestra.org/gala
www.gamble-huffmusic.com

MFSB stands for Mother Father Sister Brother who was the house band for producers and songwriters Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff and arranger Thom Bell. They all were a team based at Sigma Sound Studios in Philadelphia where they created the Philly soul sound for Gamble and Huff’s Philadelphia International label. The O’Jays, The Spinners, Harold Melvin And The Bluenotes The Delfonics, Blue Magic, The Intruders, Teddy Pendergrass, Jerry Butler, The Three Degrees and The Stylistics have all benefitted from MFSB’s presence as a backing band. As a group they recorded eight albums for PIR and became known for their signature song “TSOP” which was the theme song to the TV show Soul Train. Their first self-titled album in 1973 had covers of Curtis Mayfield’s “Freddie’s Dead” and Sly Stone’s “Family Affair.” A dramatic instrumental called “Something For Nothing” is known by hip-hop fans as the sample Jay-Z used for “What More Can I Say” from The Black Album. “TSOP” was included on their second album of the same name among the cover of Diana Ross’s “Touch Me In The Morning” and the dance classic “Love Is The Message.” Danny Krivit an esteemed New York DJ with dance music origins in the city’s legendary underground club scene of the ’70’s did the most popular edit of the song in 1989. “Love Is The Message” was one of the first songs to be inducted into the Dance Music Hall Of Fame in 2004. MFSB finished the ’70’s recording some of the most influential R&B and disco grooves and the hit songs “T.L.C. (Tender Lovin’ Care),” “Sexy,” and their version of “K-Jee” that was heard on the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack. Their last album Mysteries Of The World in 1980 had a successful single with the song of the same name. In 2000 Dexter Wansel reunited the group to work on a project with gospel artist Jeff Major. Currently the band a has new lineup with some of the original members that continues to perform around the world.