As we've mentioned before, there's no shortage of music festivals to scratch whatever musical itch you may have. Well, just when you may have thought that you couldn't possibly add another to the jam-packed schedule comes word of a new festival that will have you digging for loose change in your sofa cushion to ensure you'll be in attendance. The newly-announced Philadelphia Jazz Festival, set to take place at multiple venues around the city of Brotherly Love, will feature performances by some of jazz music's best acts.
The week-long celebration is set to take place Sunday, April 23rd through Sunday, April 30th and will feature headlining performances by the likes of award-winning drummer/composer Terri Lyne Carrington, trombonist and Philly native Jeff Bradshaw, drummer Lil John Roberts and singer Madison McFerrin, daughter of legendary musician Bobby McFerrin. Additionally, singer Jaguar Wright, Steve Turre and 93-year-old pianist Bob Dorough will also grace the various stages during the inaugural festival.
The Philadelphia Jazz Festival is the brainchild of Robert and Ben Bynum, the duo behind such famed Philly haunts as Warmdaddy's, SOUTH, Paris Bistro, and the now-shuttered Zanzibar Blue. The brothers organized the festival in conjunction with Philadelphia's Office of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy as part of Jazz Appreciation Month, which was designed to highlight and preserve the jazz history within the city. "We support Philadelphia's diverse pool of musicians 52 weeks a year in four different locations across the city," Robert Bynum explained in a statement. "This Philadelphia Jazz Festival is about strengthening the fabric of our community and cultivating future generations of fans, artists, and jazz admirers."
The live performances are only a portion of what the festival will have to offer to attendees. Additionally, it will also feature an Education & Outreach component that will include a "Meeting with the Masters" program, multiple artist meet-and-greets, panel discussions, luncheons and more. The festival will also benefit local organizations such as the Food Connect Group, Big Brothers and Big Sisters, and the North Broad Street Renaissance. For more information and to find out how to purchase tickets, visit the Philadelphia Jazz Festival's official website to learn more.
