13475 Proctor Road, Philadelphia, PA, USA
Up to 50 in group
December 21, 2025
About this Retreat
Jazz and Classical
Composer, Performing and Recording Artist
Composer, flutist and Philadelphia native Leslie Savoy Burrs signed a three-album re-release, international jazz record contract with the Paris record label, Libreville Records. Including a duo album with Jazz Great, Kenny Barron titled: IMPRESSIONS OF ANOTHER YOU. CARVINGS released on vinyl and streaming platforms features Burrs’ original jazz compositions and arrangements for works by Coltrane, Hancock and Jobim written for choir, chamber orchestra and jazz quartet. The album CARVINGS is a result of Burrs’ school year residency with the School District of York Pennsylvania and the William Penn High School.
Leslie Burrs was invited by the world renowned vocal ensemble Voces8 to compose a new work titled RISE UP MY LOVE for the international women’s a capella sextet LYYRA recorded and scheduled for released on Warner Classic Records 2026.
The American jazz operas VANQUI and I CAN’T BREATHE by composer, Leslie Savoy Burrs have been performed in multiple productions from Knoxville, TN to Los Angeles, CA. VANQUI is the focus of the 2022-2024 Ohio State University Seed Fund for Racial Justice grant award as well as the grant award for Humanism in Medicine received by Ohio State University College of Medicine from the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC). Burrs designed the modules for this project and was the moderator and presenter for the project.
Burrs is the producer of VANQUI productions, presented at the Sorbonne in Paris, for the Harvard University’s International African American Music and Europe Conference, the Schomburg Center in New York City, Zellerbach Theater, Prince Music Theater, numerous universities and OPERA America conferences. PBS Radio and WBAI Pacifica Radio, N Y have featured Burrs’ operas. Leslie Burrs is the recipient of the National Opera Association’s Legacy Award for composing the opera VANQUI.
Burrs was commissioned by legendary jazz drummer Max Roach to compose a new jazz chamber work for the Uptown String Quartet titled, Song for Winnie (Winnie Mandela)-recorded on Philips Records by the Uptown String Quartet. Burrs is a guest soloist on the Grover Washington gold album, LIVE AT THE BIJOU. He has also toured as a performing guest artist with the Duke Ellngton Band under the direction of Mercer Ellington.
Burrs produced the film Autumn Journey based on his poem and composition of the same name for the Philadelphia Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services. The project is designed to establish a new model for mental health and substance abuse service delivery, education, awareness, and stigma reduction.
Raised just a block down from John Coltrane's home, Mark Kramer enjoys a productive, colorful, and creative career as an improvising pianist (live performance - clubs and concerts - and recording), arranger-composer, producer/engineer, and occasional educator.
Jazz Style is METAMODERN* Impossibly melodic + technically-adroit + oscillates between understated to fully-stated modernism and postmodernism - - - paying homage to Hancock, Tyner, Evans, Glass, Riley.
Bragging rights: Twice nationally recognized as a top undiscovered jazz pianist, described as innovative, elegant, and emotionally riveting by the Great Jacksonville Jazz Piano Competition judges (including Teddy Wilson.) He went on to record ~ 40 CDs (including those globally distributed by major record companies (Telarc/Concord, Lightyear, Warner EA) with his trio, as well as many with a close collaborator - acclaimed bassist Eddie Gomez.
Mark's credits include concertizing with some of the most celebrated of jazz musicians like George Coleman, Lee Konitz, Al Cohn, Tal Farlow, Jimmy Cobb, Joe Chambers, Billy Drummond, Charles Fambrough, Junior Cook, Archie Shepp, Michael Brecker, Randy Brecker, Stanley Clark, Bud Shank, Bobby Watson, Johnny Coles, and scores more.
Details of this retreat
Cranaleith Spiritual Center invites you to an evening of reflection, light, and soulful music. Join us on Sunday, December 21st as we gather in community for a special seasonal celebration filled with warmth, remembrance, and connection. Come for part of the day or all of it. Just know that you're welcomed here.
The Gift of Resilience: Luminaries in the Darkness, a Remembrance of Love is a musical experience of contemplative, meditative, and reflective memories generated by love lost, love gained, familial ties and friendship everlasting. This concert is performed by the award-winning artist, Leslie Savoy Burrs (composer, flute, alto flute, bamboo flutes) and the international jazz artist Mark Kramer (piano). The music for this concert presentation consists of compositions by Burrs as well as jazz and folk standards.
This program is designed to engage the audience spiritually through the music while encouraging a dialogue and reminiscence of love’s offerings through time. Together, we’ll find solace, hope, resilience and peace through music and fellowship.
The entire event is free and open to all. Donations are gratefully received. Space is limited and registration is strongly encouraged. Priority seating will be given to registered guests.
Come, rest in the gifts of music, community, and the enduring strength we share.
Evening Schedule:
3:30–5:00 PM – Community Supper with Reflection, Enjoy a warm meal with fellow guests in the Education & Conference Building Dining Room.
4:00–5:00 PM – Mill-Rae Historic House Tours, Meet at the first-floor lobby of the Education & Conference Building to begin.
5:30–6:30 PM – Concert with Leslie Burrs & Mark Kramer, Education & Conference Building Conference Room.
6:30 - 7:00 PM – Luminary Walk, NO PURCHASE REQUIRED TO PARTICIPATE. Be a part of our interactive Concert Finale & Reflection Walk. Take in the sight of the shining lights donated from our Luminary Fundraiser. Luminaries will be available while supplies last during the event. Advanced purchase strongly recommended. PERSONALIZED LUMINARIES MUST BE PURCHASED BY MON, 12/15. Please click here for more information regarding our luminary fundraiser.
Gift Shop Open: 3:30–5:30pm and 7:00–8:00pm – Find unique & meaningful gifts, our own on-site harvested honey and other seasonal items.
Last Chance
A/C in Rooms
Free Wifi
Spa
Sauna
Pool
Towels
Free Parking
Kitchen
Tour Assistance
Hot Tub
Coffee/Tea
Cafe
Restaurant
Fitness Center
Yoga Studio
Housekeeping
Bicycles For Rent
Verified
