PHILADELPHIA – Today, Mayor Kenney and the Office of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy (OACCE) kicked off Philly Celebrates Jazz 2023, the City’s annual celebration of Jazz Appreciation Month in April and the largest planned to date.
“Philadelphia is the birthplace of some of the most notable and transformative figures in jazz history,” said Mayor Jim Kenney. “By bringing people together in celebration of our jazz heritage, we are both honoring the many contributions of the jazz community and appreciating the vibrant jazz scene that thrives to this day.”
The Philly Celebrates Jazz 2023 celebration will infuse Philadelphia’s neighborhoods with traditional jazz music performances and interdisciplinary jazz programs such as live jazz opera performances, jazz-inspired block parties, dance events, DJ sets, poetry tributes, and more.
“I am so excited about this year’s Philly Celebrates Jazz celebration, which is the largest that we have led since before the Covid pandemic,” said Kelly Lee, Chief Cultural Officer of the Office of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy. “We did significantly more outreach this year in hopes of attracting more diverse performers, participants, and venues. Of the ‘Jazz Neighborhood Series’ 2023 funding recipients, 47 percent are partners that OACCE has not worked with in over four years.”
The kickoff event will launch the Philly Celebrates Jazz calendar, featuring more than 100 jazz-related events across the city. The 2023 celebration includes:
Philly Celebrates Jazz Neighborhood Series
The Philly Celebrates Jazz Neighborhood Jazz Series offers free jazz programs throughout the city with 22 programs such as a jazz history walking tour of South Street, a DJ set with dancers at The Trestle Inn, the airing of the movie Ray, a ‘Lovett Loves Jazz’ concert series at Lovett Library, and more. Performers and event organizers include internationally renowned bassist Jamaaldeen Tacuma and the Brotherhood Collective, the Philadelphia Jazz Legacy Project, DJ lil’ dave, Connie Han, Snacktime, and more. The full schedule can be found at CreativePHL.Org/Jazz.
Calendar of 100+ Jazz Events Throughout Philadelphia
Philly Celebrates Jazz includes programs beyond the Neighborhood Jazz Series. There are more than 100 jazz activities, for all ages, happening live and virtually throughout the city during Philly Celebrates Jazz.
Visit the Arts Access Calendar to discover free and at-cost jazz programs presented by local artists and cultural organizations.
Televised Jazz Programming During the Month of April
OACCE’s Arts Access TV program is featuring jazz content during the entire month of April. Philadelphians can tune in to Arts Access TV each Wednesday and Friday from 6 p.m. – 7 p.m. to see jazz performances, discussions with jazz musicians, and more. Watch online at Phila.gov or on Philadelphia’s local channel 64 (GovTV).
###
About Philly Celebrates Jazz
Philly Celebrates Jazz is the City of Philadelphia’s celebration of Jazz Appreciation Month each April that infuses Philadelphia’s neighborhoods with interdisciplinary jazz programs, such as live jazz opera performances, jazz-inspired block parties, dance events, DJ sets, poetry tributes, and more. For more information about the Philly Celebrates Jazz, visit creativephl.org/jazz/.
About the Office of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy
The Office of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy closes the gap in access to quality cultural experiences and creative expression through the support and promotion of arts, culture and the creative industries; connecting Philadelphians to enriching, arts-infused experiences; linking local artists and cultural organizations to resources and opportunities, and preserving the City’s public art assets. For more information about the Office of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy, visit CreativePHL.org and follow @CreativePHL on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.