Metro Newsletter
Philly Sports Network
Metro Philly Latino
The jazz festival that Philly needed
TIFFANY KANG Posted on April 25, 2012
Sign up for our Daily Email newsletter to stay up-to-date on the latest local news throughout Philadelphia.
With the recent disbanding of Philly's well-loved West Oak Lane Jazz Festival, a new showcase has emerged to fill the silence.
This weekend's inaugural Center City Jazz Festival will take place at four venues nestled within a three-block radius in the heart of the city.
As envisioned by founder and trombonist Ernest Stuart, the daylong, easily accessible festival will feature more than 50 jazz musicians performing in 17 bands over the course of seven hours.
"Philly has one of the most storied jazz scenes in the country — but in the last few years, it's really declined in accessibility and quality," says Stuart. "On top of that, there's been some passing of a lot of older influential jazz musicians here. Add that all together in a short period of time."
Currently, there is only one club, Chris' Jazz Cafe, dedicated solely to jazz in the nation's fifth largest city. "Now that's a problem," says Stuart. "My idea for the festival was born from that situation."
Pianist George Burton, one of this weekend's performers, attributes his musical education to the city. "I grew up 100 percent a product of Philadelphia in every way, shape and form," says Burton.
As the son of music teachers, a graduate of the city's High School for Creative and Performing Arts and an alumna, like Stuart, of Temple's Jazz Studies program, Burton believes in the festival's potential to renew the scene and provide valuable exposure. "People are still trying to find somewhere to play," says Burton. "I hope this brings more audiences back not only to jazz, but live music in general."
A new energy
Mike Boone is one of the city's most seasoned jazz musicians. For him, the festival is the perfect time to recruit some new members to the scene.
"Philadelphia isn't just cheesesteaks, sports and hoagies — we hope to bring awareness that there's also jazz here in this town," he says. "Listen to it! It's a viable thing, and it's happening right now. The jazz scene has always been kind of self-contained without a large influx of new listeners. So if anything, I hope that the festival at least grabs people's attention to increase the self-esteem of the musical community–and the whole community of arts. You gotta start somewhere."
Saturday, 1-8 p.m.
Time Restaurant, Fergie's Pub, MilkBoy Philadelphia and Chris' Jazz Cafe
$25 (general admission all-access pass)
www.ccjazzfest.com
Jobs in Philadelphia
The Franklin InstituteManager of Youth Programs
The Franklin InstituteYouth Programs Coordinator
The Franklin InstituteEvent Manager
Things to do in Philadelphia
Thomas & Friends: Explore the Rails
Liberty Science Center
Franklin Music Hall
Oilers vs. Flyers | Wells Fargo Center
Wells Fargo Center
Show Me The Body
City announces road closures, additional trains for Sunday's NFC Championship
Lawmakers appeal ruling on legality of Krasner impeachment
Russia plays down West's move on tanks, attacks Ukraine anew
Man charged in Mayfair triple homicide, Hunting Park killing
Pennsylvania passes 'forever chemicals' drinking water limit
Philly Latin music legend Jesse Bermudez remembered in song and dance
Why Rian Johnson switched up his mystery writing format for 'Poker Face'
PhilaMOCA debuts horror of 'LandLocked' with a very personal touch
'Shotgun Wedding' marries a rom-com with an action film
'Everything Everywhere' tops Oscar nominations with 11
Flyers, Hart shutout the Jets ahead of All-Star Break
Embiid leads Sixers' comeback victory over one-seed Nuggets on national TV
Wings drop third straight at home, retire Finneran
Flyers visit Jets in last tilt ahead of NHL All-Star break