7/14/22
Spotlight on: Hiruy Tirfe
“Philadelphia means everything to me. I would love to see this city back on the map. My hope for Philadelphia as a jazz city is to bring back the value of our music, musicians, artists and lovers of the arts.”
7/14/22
July Jazz Event Round-up
Lancaster Avenue Jazz and Arts Festival, Hawthorne Park present Mid-Summer Jazz Fest, and Ledisi Sings Nina at the Mann Center.
6/23/22
Spotlight on: Thaine Smith
“Nothing has the same feeling of belonging as playing live with others! Ever since I started playing the guitar I wanted to perform original music live. It has always been a yearning of mine, and to make a living performing for others would be a true blessing.”
6/23/22
Spotlight on: Lora Sherrodd
"Jazz music is an art form that stems from a place of oppression and the oppression of women is a subject that is rarely discussed within the genre. My hope is that writing this music will spark conversation about the current situation of women so that we can begin to create spaces for women in music.”
6/9/22
Spotlight on: Connor O’Neill
“I think that we as a city can work harder to create spaces and events that uplift newer artists, and especially artists who push boundaries.”
6/7/22
Spotlight on: Kenny Rosario-Pugh
“I love playing Jazz and the unique freedom improv gives me. I also want to be an important part of helping the Jazz scene in Philly to grow.”
6/2/22
Spotlight On: Geraldine Oliver
“Continuing my mission as a healer, I see using this music to help people heal. Heal their minds, hearts and spirits. Jazz is the healing force—my mantra."
6/1/22
Spotlight On: Paul Geiss
“I hope for Philadelphia's jazz scene to cultivate enough of an audience in the city and the surrounding suburbs that it will provide real financial support for established and up-and-coming artists.”
5/12/22
Spotlight On: Nicholas Krolak
Krolak believes that one’s artistic voice carries power “to uplift, to inspire, and to create thoughtful and meaningful change.”
5/11/22
Spotlight On: Eric McGarry
"The Philly scene is overflowing with amazing players and a strong sense of community. Philly is like no other scene, the players truly support each other and have strong support from older more established musicians."
5/6/22
Spotlight On: Brandon Dennis
“Music has been there to express the depths of my joy and pain when no words were present. Music has always been my greatest passion. Attending the CORE cooperative program will guide me in taking the necessary steps to take my greatest passion and curate that passion into a viable career.”
11/22/21
Hometown Hero Orrin Evans receives Jazz Road Tours grant
Through Jazz Road Tours, artists can apply for up to $15,000 to help support touring their work into communities across the country.
2/3/21
Justin Faulkner
12/16/20
Can Jazz Survive Without Its Clubs?
Mark Deninno, chef and owner of Chris’ Jazz Café will freely admit that the club has been struggling through the pandemic. The historic jazz spot closed its doors on March 15, 2020. “I shut down the restaurant, gas lines, everything, and spent a month trying to figure out how I was going to protect my family and myself.” With city grants to retrofit the venue, he said, “I turned the club into a full blown tv studio to start back up again. I started streams in July for a Pat Martino benefit at 25% capacity but drew viewers from 30 different countries.”
6/3/20
New Music USA Listening Sessions in Philadelphia Will Help Create Opportunities for Jazz Artists
New Music USA supports and connects US-based music makers, organizations, and audiences by providing financial support through project grants, fostering new connections through programming, deepening knowledge and encouraging appreciation through an online magazine, and promoting funded projects and new music events. The good news: They're coming to Philadelphia to listen to what the new music community needs now.
2/11/20
The “National Jazz Festival,” a new High School Jazz Competition, Debuts in Philadelphia
The National Jazz Festival, an intensive musical competition that will be attended by schools from throughout the U.S. and Puerto Rico, will take place on Saturday, February 15, at the Philadelphia Convention Center in Center City. Over 1200 high school and middle school musicians from 43 schools in 11 states will perform and compete in this one-day event, which also includes music instruction and other classes for aspiring musicians. All events are free and open to the public.