International Jazz Day is April 30, so it’s fitting that musicians with various jazz styles will be performing 1 to 7 p.m. April 30 for the Center City Jazz Festival in Philadelphia.
I’ve never heard of this. Is it new?
This is the fifth year for the Center City Festival, which is held during Jazz Appreciation Month. The inaugural festival in 2012 was made possible through a Kickstarter campaign, in which 188 people contributed $17,200. Since its inception, more than 80 bands have performed on Sansom and Chestnut streets. The festival’s founder and artistic director is trombonist and recording artist Ernest Stuart.
Center City is a busy place, with a lot of distractions. Exactly where are they having this?
The schedule features 20 bands performing at five venues, all within walking distance of each other.
Do tell …Here’s the complete lineup at a glance.
Fergie’s Pub, 1214 Sansom St.
1 p.m. Mike Cemprola
2:30 p.m. Nasir Dickerson4 p.m. Ideal Bread with Dave Ballou
5:30 p.m. Chris Oatts
Franky Bradley’s, 1320 Chancellor St.
1 p.m. Kimmel Center Creative Music Program
2:30 p.m. Three Oranges4 p.m. Josh Evans
5:30 p.m. Orrin Evans & The Captain Black Big Band
U-Bahn Philly, 1320 Chestnut St.
1:15 p.m. Chrome Els2:45 p.m. David Gibson
4:15 p.m. Killiam Shakespeare5:45 p.m. Tim Green
Milkboy Philadelphia, 1100 Chestnut St.
1:30 p.m. Ryan Keberle and Catharsis
3 p.m. Anna Cecilia4:30 p.m. The Jost Project
6 p.m. Gretchen Parlato & Taylor Eigsti
Time Restaurant, 1315 Sansom St.
1:45 p.m. Anibal Rojas3:15 p.m. Masami Kuroki
4:45 p.m. Muscle Tough6:15 p.m. Brandee Younger
Who are the “big names” here?Grammy-nominated singer Gretchen Parlato, rising star harpist Brandee Younger, Orrin Evans, Ryan Keberle and Catharsis, and Tim Green.
Note that there’s a load of talent from the region – The Jost Project, Nasir Dickerson, Anna Cecilia, Chris Oatts, Mike Cemprola, Killiam Shakespeare, Muscle Tough, Three Oranges and Chrome Els.
Do I need a ticket?Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 at the door. One ticket provides access to all performances. Go to www.ccjazzfest.com.
