Joe Harrison at the 4th District Container Village
In partnership with Councilman Curtis Jones Jr., Jazz Bridge presents free concerts in parks throughout Philadelphia’s 4th District.
Join us Wednesday, July 1 for Joe Harrison and his band at
4th District Container Village
6:00 - 7:30 PM
Free Admission!
Maya Belardo at Heston Gardens
In partnership with Councilman Curtis Jones Jr., Jazz Bridge presents free concerts in parks throughout Philadelphia’s 4th District.
Join us Wednesday, July 8 for Maya Belardo and her band at
Heston Gardens
6:00 - 7:30 PM
Free Admission!
About Maya:
Maya Belardo, known as “The Princess of Jazz” in her hometown of Wilmington, DE is passionate about jazz and being a positive example of young womanhood to all princesses. She fell in love with jazz around the age of 12 when she heard a recording of Nat King Cole singing, “Nature Boy.” She’s been inspired by many jazz legends who have paved the way for her to sing this music today. In her debut single “Free”, she sings, “I can hear them all cheer for me, I’m so Free.” She is referencing all the legendary jazz greats and her own ancestors who loved this art form. Maya has sung at amazing jazz venues on the East coast and performed at the Clifford Brown Jazz Festival in her hometown at the age of 17. In 2022, Maya was a part of the Boysie Lowery Living Residency. There she was able to work with some of the Jazz industry's finest and attend different songwriting workshops. That same year Maya was also accepted to be apart of Jazz Philadelphia's CORE Cooperative. Recently, she was invited to sing internationally for a residency at the prestigious “Bamboo Bar” in Bangkok, Thailand, from March-June 2024. In 2025, Maya became a member of the 2025 Recording Academy. She has the support of her community and many current jazz artists helping her to reach her goal! Stay tuned for more surprises from this artist on the rise! Maya’s new EP, “Better Days" is now streaming everywhere!
Mervin Toussaint at Woodside Park
In partnership with Councilman Curtis Jones Jr., Jazz Bridge presents free concerts in parks throughout Philadelphia’s 4th District.
Join us Wednesday, July 15 for Mervin Toussaint and his band at
Woodside Park
6:00 - 7:30 PM
Free Admission!
About Mervin:
Mervin Toussaint is an emerging saxophonist and composer making waves as both a performer and educator in the Philadelphia area. A Haitian American, Toussaint grew up in the Haitian church which provided an important incubator for his musical voice. Since moving to Philadelphia in 2016 Mervin has embraced the musical influences around him including Jazz, RnB, Neo-soul, and other contemporary styles into his own voice. He has presented his music as a leader in a wide array of venues and spaces, including South Jazz Kitchen, Chris’ Jazz Cafe, Paris Bistro, and the MAAS building. He has also performed as a soloist at a variety of churches, including the historical Tindley Temple United Methodist Church. As a side musician, Mervin actively collaborates with rappers, poets, and spoken word artists and incorporates those mediums into his original compositions; his five-song debut EP, Another Name for Everything reflects his diverse musical language creates a beautiful preamble to his first full-length release in the fall of 2022.
As an educator, Mervin started teaching private lessons and working as a teacher at the University of the Arts summer program. His approach to teaching expanded when he became an intern at the Philadelphia Clef Club of Jazz and Performing arts. There, he learned of the importance of community and culture in music education, teaching private lessons and working in afterschool programs in the city. Toussaint has moved on to work as a music teacher and administrator at Settlement Music School, where he serves as the Branch Coordinator of the Germantown branch.
Arts on Center Stage Ft. Suzanne Burgess
Jazz Bridge is Proud to Present Suzanne Burgess as part of Center City District’s Arts on Center Stage!
Please join us on Thursday July 16, 2026, as we welcome Suzanne Burgess and her band to
Dilworth Park
6:00-7:00 PM
Free Admission!
About Suzanne:
For Suzanne Burgess, creativity is oxygen — whether through music, design, storytelling, or the simple joy of expression. Raised in the rich traditions of church music and community performance, she developed a voice rooted in soul, spirit, and truth. After a pivotal moment in 2009, she stepped into professional performance, and audiences immediately felt the authenticity in her sound.
Suzanne has performed Jazz and Light R&B as a soloist and has lent her voice to celebrated artists including Norman Connors, Jean Carne, Michael Henderson, Howard Hewett, Dexter Wansel, and many others. She has opened for Maze and Frank McComb, performed in five theatrical productions, narrated six musical literary works, and brought cultural stories to life through African ensemble and festival performances.
A proud born-again Christian, Suzanne stands firm in her faith. She never compromises her belief and hopes that listeners hear the God-given voice inside her — the part that makes her music resonate even deeper. Singing frees her, lifts her, and keeps her moving forward.
With a degree in Interior Design and two beautiful adult children, Suzanne continues to rise creatively, spiritually, and artistically.
Lynn Riley at Hawthorne Park
Jazz Bridge is Proud to Present Saxophonist Lynn Riley!
Please join us on Thursday July 16, 2026, as we welcome Lynn Riley and her band to
Hawthorne Park
7:00-8:30 PM
Free Admission!
About Lynn:
Known as the “Superwoman” of the saxophone and the leader of her group Lynn Riley & The World-Mix, saxophonist and flutist Lynn Riley continues to expand the musical horizons that inform her infectious music. A gifted instrumentalist and composer, Riley has impressed critics and audiences alike with her funky and accessible sound that is firmly rooted in the mainstream jazz tradition while suffused with influences from a host of world music and the blues.
Based in Philadelphia, she has performed with David Murray, Johnny Pacheco, Grover Washington Jr., Philly Joe Jones, David Bromberg, Peter White, Rachelle Farrell, and Charles Earland, among others. She has performed throughout the United States, as well as in Europe, Africa, South America and the Caribbean.
Born in Washington, D.C., and raised outside of Philadelphia, Pa., Lynn received a B. A. in Ethnomusicology from the University of Hawaii and an MLA in Liberal Arts from the University of Pennsylvania. Her background in ethnomusicology, combined with a passion for sharing musical experiences propelled her studies in Cuba, Puerto Rico, Ghana, Brazil, Colombia, Spain and Bali. In addition to performing, Riley has been on the faculty at Drexel University since 1999.
Head To The Sky (2022), her third release follows the trajectory of her previous two recordings, Too Cool (2009) and Lynn Riley and The World Mix Say What (2014), which were both released to critical acclaim.
khadijah Renee at Shuler Playground
In partnership with Councilman Curtis Jones Jr., Jazz Bridge presents free concerts in parks throughout Philadelphia’s 4th District.
Join us Wednesday, July 22 for Khadijah Renee and her band at
Shuler Playground
6:00 - 7:30 PM
Free Admission!
About Khadijah:
Khadijah “Renee” is a Jazz Songstress in the vein of the Great Ladies of Jazz. Her resonant tones remind you of the ladies who paved their way through the male dominated syncopated instrumental ingenious sounds of Be-Bop & Classical Jazz from as early as the 1950′s. If you close your eyes while listening to her, you may hear reminiscent echoes of Sarah, Ella, Billie, Nancy, Dinah and Gloria.
Khadijah is a contralto whose range is deep and sweet at the same time. She has been performing Jazz since the late 80′s in and around the Tri-State area. Khadijah is always accompanied by the best musicians the area has to offer. She has been recorded live at the East Coast Jazz Festival now called the Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival in Maryland and heard on WRTI 90.1 Jazz Radio.
Born and raised in Chester City, PA., Khadijah Renee currently lives and works in Philadelphia, where the jazz audiences there accepted and adopted her as their own. A former member of the Delaware Council of Jazz Advocates, she recently graced the stage of their tribute to Clifford Brown at the Delaware School of Music with a rendition of Sassy’s “September Song”. Khadijah is still paying tribute to the tremendous legacy left by the Diva’s of Jazz with her smooth, deep tones and heartfelt bravado.
Trash Gadget at South Jazz Kitchen
Jazz Bridge is Proud to Present Trash Gadget!
Please join us on Sunday July 26, 2026, as we welcome Trash Gadget to
South Jazz Kitchen
Two sets 6:30 & 8:30 PM
Tickets $25
About Trash Gadget:
Trash Gadget brings together pianist Orrin Evans, bassist Matthew Parrish, and drummer Byron Landham, three acclaimed musicians whose history goes back more than 30 years. After first playing together decades ago and recently reuniting for a tour, they return with the deep connection, energy, and artistry that come from a long shared musical history.
This special performance is sponsored by Jazz Bridge, and all proceeds will support its mission to provide aid to Philadelphia-area jazz and blues musicians in times of crisis.
Bert Harris at Gorgas Park
In partnership with Councilman Curtis Jones Jr., Jazz Bridge presents free concerts in parks throughout Philadelphia’s 4th District.
Join us Wednesday, July 29 for Bert Harris and his band at
Gorgas Park
6:00 - 7:30 PM
Free Admission!
About Bert:
Double bass, acoustic bass guitar and electric bass guitar. Playing straight ahead jazz, South African jazz, Reggae, NOLA jazz and NOLA funk, traditional Jamaican jazz (ska).. recorded and performed with with Byard Lancaster, music director for three Philadelphia Jazz Projects , Homage to Sun Ra concerts. Long time bassist with Philadelphia legacy band, Philly Gumbo. Two recordings with Philly Gumbo (Holy War and Mardi Gras in New Orleans) and Come and Get It. Latest recording project with Gumbo Nouveau, album "Seasoned", availble on all streaming platforms. Two compoistions in the Philadelphia Real Book, "Sunday Sermon on Mars and Blues for Trayvonn." Bassist with Aaron Pond's ensemble Inverse and Obverse...Bassist with the reggae band, Reggae Thunder. Bassist with the straight ahead jazz trio, The Pio Trio, led by drummer Pio Voluntad. Leader of the Afro Jazz Collective and the AfroJazz Gumbo (New Orleans jazz and South African jazz). Bassist with two ska bands, RK$TDY and the Philadelphia Ska Jazz Quartet (PSJQ). Trio with Steve Strawitz(guitar) and Grant McCoy (drums), original compositions. Bassist with The Satellites, revolving band memebers who came together through the Philadelphia Jazz Project and Homer Jacksons homage to SunRa, playing Spiritual Jazz. Double bassist with LB Entertainment events.
Kendrah Butler Waters at McMichael Park
In partnership with Councilman Curtis Jones Jr., Jazz Bridge presents free concerts in parks throughout Philadelphia’s 4th District.
Join us Wednesday, August 5 for Kendrah Butler Waters and her band at
McMichael Park
6:00 - 7:30 PM
Free Admission!
About Kendrah:
Dr. Kendrah Butler-Waters is a Philadelphiabased pianist, violinist, vocalist, composer, and educator whose work transcends genre and expectation. A 2025 PEW Fellow, ButlerWaters blends jazz, classical, and gospel influences, she crafts a sound uniquely her own—one rooted in both technical mastery and emotional depth. A multiinstrumentalist with an academic foundation in political science and sociology from Temple University, a master’s degree in elementary education from Drexel University, and a doctorate in Educational Leadership and Administration from Immaculata University, Butler-Waters brings a rare combination of intellectual rigor and artistic brilliance to every performance. As a 2015–2016 Jazz Resident at the Kimmel Center, she captivated audiences and has since performed at Cape May and Lancaster Avenue Jazz festivals and collaborated with poet laureates Yolanda Wisher and Trapeta Mayson for ConsenSIS focused on Black female and femme poets and notable Philadelphia based artists. Her compositions have been featured across NPR, PBS, WHYY, WRTI and other platforms, as well as with Levar Burton Read’s Tour, further amplifying her voice in the jazz and arts landscape. Butler-Waters’ career is defined by ambitious projects that explore cultural memory and social justice. From composing powerful works that trace African American history, to tributes like her 2021 sacred jazz homage to Trudy Pitts, to composing works that honor famed visual artist Edward Loper, she consistently honors musical legacies while pushing creative boundaries. Her recent work includes scoring music for Ascendance, a permanent interactive sculpture commemorating West Philadelphia’s Black Bottom, and leading 88 Time, a Pew Grant-winning project uniting four pianists in advocacy-driven compositions written for 8 hands and 4 pianos. Having premiered in April 2025, 88 Time will continue to tour, showcasing Butler-Waters’ ability to merge artistry with purpose. With new works slated for 2026, she remains a visionary voice in music, composing with heart, intellect, and an unwavering commitment to storytelling through sound.
V. Shayne Frederick at The 4th District Container Village
In partnership with Councilman Curtis Jones Jr., Jazz Bridge presents free concerts in parks throughout Philadelphia’s 4th District.
Join us Wednesday, August 12 for V. Shayne Frederick and his band at
The Fourth District Container Village
6:00 - 7:30 PM
Free Admission!
About V. Shayne:
V. Shayne Frederick is "soulful" [DownBeat] “one to watch, a shining light,” [Philadelphia Inquirer] and "one of the region's greatest jazz singers.” [Metro Philadelphia] He’s electrified TEDx, NPR, Philadelphia Orchestra, frequent performances at The Barnes Foundation, Philadelphia Museum of Art, extensive residencies at upscale restaurants, and concerts at jazz clubs such as Con Alma Pittsburgh, Minton's Harlem, South Jazz Club, Chris' Jazz Cafe. He travels as narrator and vocalist with Ruth Naomi Floyd’s Frederick Douglass Jazz Works, and as pianist, composer, and vocalist with poet laureate Yolanda Wisher & the Afroeaters. He also does scoring and voiceover work for film and commercial. His most recent album, Treasures, was JazzFM UK’s "Track of Week."
Tim Ragsdale at Carroll Park
In partnership with Councilman Curtis Jones Jr., Jazz Bridge presents free concerts in parks throughout Philadelphia’s 4th District.
Join us Wednesday, August 19 for Tim Ragsdale and his band at
Carroll Park
6:00 - 7:30 PM
Free Admission!
About Tim:
Timothy Ragsdale, also known as “Timonbass,” is an accomplished bassist, influential educator, and the Principal Director of Ragsdale Bookings LLC. Hailing from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Timothy is a versatile musician proficient in electric and upright bass with a repertoire spanning jazz, classical, R&B, soul, and beyond. He prides himself on his ability to adapt to any musical style, always striving to push the boundaries of music-making and bass playing.
With a mission to inspire growth, healing, and love through music, Timothy seeks to be the soundtrack for healing, relaxation, and elevating others’ frequencies. In addition to his role at Ragsdale Bookings LLC, Timothy freelances as a bassist, instructor, studio musician, and composer, aiming to make the world a better place one gig, record, and lesson at a time. With his dedication to excellence and passion for music, Timothy Ragsdale continues to inspire and uplift audiences worldwide.
Josh Lee at Hawthorne Park
Jazz Bridge is Proud to Present Josh Lee!
Please join us on Thursday August 20, 2026, as we welcome The Josh Lee to
Hawthorne Park
7:00-8:30 PM
Free Admission!
About Josh Lee:
GRAMMY®-nominated saxophonist, bandleader and Managing and Co-Artistic Director of Jazz Lives Philadelphia, Joshua Lee is fully dedicated to the advancement of the Philadelphia jazz community. The Philadelphia native graduated from Temple University in 2016 and 2019 with bachelor's and master's degrees in jazz performance. He has had the fortune of mentorship from musicians like Dick Oatts, Terell Stafford, Tim Warfield, Barry Harris, Jason Marshall and Gary Smulyan on both the Philadelphia and New York scenes.
As a result, Lee joined the Legendary Count Basie Orchestra in June of 2018 and performs with them around the world while also serving as a regular substitute with the likes of the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, the Sun Ra Arkestra, the Mingus Big Band, Delfeayo Marsalis’ Uptown Jazz Orchestra and Terell Stafford’s Jazz Orchestra of Philadelphia. He is also a member of the Abdullah Ibrahim and Ekaya, the Eyal Vilner Jazz Orchestra, Igmar Thomas and the Revive Bigband, Chelsea Reed and the Fairweather Nine, and Danny Jonokuchi and the Revisionists.
Lee joined the jazz faculty at Temple University in the fall of 2019 and was awarded as one of Temple University’s 30 Under 30 in 2020. He became an on-air radio host at Philadelphia’s WRTI in 2021 and joined the faculty at Villanova teaching jazz history in the fall of 2023. He leads his own band, The Extended Family, that is dedicated to performing the swing era music of Count Basie, Jimmie Lunceford, Fletcher Henderson and more.
Lee is a P. Mauriat artist and plays on the 302 baritone saxophone.
Richard Hill at Tustin Playground
In partnership with Councilman Curtis Jones Jr., Jazz Bridge presents free concerts in parks throughout Philadelphia’s 4th District.
Join us Wednesday, August 26 for Richard Hill and his band at
Tustin Playground
6:00 - 7:30 PM
Free Admission!
About Richard:
Richard Hill Jr. is an acclaimed bassist, composer, and educator whose deep, soulful groove and artistic vision have anchored the jazz scene for decades.
A Philadelphia native and a 2024 Delaware Division of the Arts Established Jazz Composition Fellow, Hill’s exceptional artistry has earned him prestigious honors, including recognition from Philly’s legendary Clef Club of Jazz and Performing Arts, and a residency as a composing artist at the Kimmel Center.
His dynamic career spans performances and recordings with international icons and legendary giants across genres, including Wynton Marsalis, Betty Carter, Jill Scott, Bilal, Nicholas Payton, Javon Jackson, and the United States Army Band. Now based in Wilmington, Delaware, Hill remains a vital cultural force. He serves as the Minister of Music at New Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church, teaches at Swarthmore College, and passionately mentors the next generation of musical talent. His latest masterwork, The Dance of Diversity, is a sweeping compositional suite that translates the vibrant, micro-communities of Wilmington into rhythm and sound.
Driven by the belief that music must live in the now, Hill has seamlessly fused his artistic passion with entrepreneurship. Together with his wife, the dynamic comedienne K-Mack, he is the co-founder and co-owner of Jazz & Jokes Intl. Where Laughter Meets Rhythm —a premier entertainment venture dedicated to producing world-class, multi-generational events that bring the healing, unifying power of live music and laughter to audiences everywhere.
Madison Rast at Hawthorne Park
Jazz Bridge is Proud to Present Bassist Madison Rast!
Please join us on Thursday September 17, 2026, as we welcome Madison Rast and his band to
Hawthorne Park
7:00-8:30 PM
Free Admission!
About Madison:
North Carolina native Madison Rast graduated from the prestigious North Carolina School of the Arts in Winston-Salem, NC and received his MM in 1998 from Virginia Commonwealth University, as a recipient of the Carpenter Fellowship Scholarship. He moved to Philadelphia in the fall of 1999 to pursue a career in jazz. Since that time Madison has become one of the areas most in demand bassists.
Upon moving to Philadelphia, Madison quickly found a home at the legendary Ortlieb's Haus where he performed regularly. He became a member of Bootsie Barne’s Sextet, which had a monthly residency at the club. As his reputation grew, his solid and steady bass lines supported many notable musicians including Mickey Roker, Orrin Evans, Sean Jones, Larry McKenna and many others.
Since 2018, Madison has been among the collective of jazz musicians known as the Captain Black Big Band under the direction of Orrin Evans, whose 2019 release Presence, 2020’s The Intangible Between and 2024’s Walk a Mile in My Shoe were all Grammy nominated. Recently, Madison appeared on The Philadelphia Eagles A Philly Special Christmas Party, along with Jason Kelce and Stevie Nicks.
SoundEVR at Triangle Park
In partnership with Councilman Curtis Jones Jr., Jazz Bridge presents free concerts in parks throughout Philadelphia’s 4th District.
Join us Wednesday, June 24 for SoundEVR
Triangle Park
6:00 - 7:30 PM
Free Admission!
About SoundEVR:
SoundEVR is a band centered around making music that gets people to dance, drawing from Funk, RnB, Pop, Jazz and especially House Music. When you come to a SoundEVR show, expect a musical experience expertly curated to get the adrenaline pumping and the body moving. Our goal isn’t just to play the hits, but to weave together musical moments that keep the energy high, much like a DJ that is in sync with their audience. We believe there is no greater feeling than seeing people vibing to our music, so if you aren’t dancing, we aren’t doing our job. SoundEVR brings together some of Philadelphia’s most talented musicians. Collectively, they have performed throughout the city of Philadelphia, hitting the stages of The Brooklyn Bowl, City Winery, Time, Chris’s Jazz Cafe and the Black Squirrel Club among many others.
Victor North at Hawthorne Park
Jazz Bridge is Proud to Present Saxophonist Victor North!
Please join us on Thursday June 18, 2026, as we welcome Victor North and his band to
Hawthorne Park
7:00-8:30 PM
Free Admission!
About Victor:
Victor North came to Philadelphia from Alaska, after a year at Rutgers University’s Mason Gross School of the Arts, to immerse himself in the “City Of Brotherly Love’s” rich jazz culture where so many of his musical heroes got their start. Playing in bands led by Mickey Roker, Charles Fambrough, Orrin Evans’, John Swana, Jimmy Bruno and Elio Villafranca were all deeply formative experiences. Victor spent much of 2018 and 2019 touring with, Legendary Jazz Organist, Joey DeFrancesco, and continues to lead his own groups and work as a sideman throughout the Philadelphia/Tri-State Area. Current projects include the Bacon, Lettuce and North Organ Trio with fellow JoeyD alumni, Byron Landham and Lucas Brown, as well as the Future Tense Quartet, a pianoless/chordless group that explores original compositions and “slightly tweaked” standards.
Soundevr at Time
Make it stand out
Please join us on May 14, 2026, as we welcome SoundEVR
Performing at Time, 1315 Samson Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107
The concert starts at 6:00 pm and ends at 9:00 pm.
This venue is for guests 21 years old and older.
Tickets: $10 in advance, $15 at the door.
Purchasing a ticket does not reserve a table. To make a reservation, please call 215-985-4800 or reserve online at https://www.timerestaurant.net/.
April Mae and the June Bugs in Collingswood
Please join us on Thursday, May 7th, 2026, as we welcome
April Mae and the June Bugs
at the
Collingswood Community Center,
30 Collings Ave, Collingswood, NJ 08108.
Doors at 7pm. The concert starts at 7:30 pm and ends at 9:00 pm.
Tickets: $20 in advance, $25 at the door. Students are FREE!
Advance sales end 1 hour before show time
About April Mae and the June Bugs:
April Mae & The June Bugs signature sound has evolved from deep roots. Roots that dig deep from the wellspring of American roots music. Nourished by intoxicating vintage jazz swing, unbridled Americana n' folk, effervescent rockabilly, and the spirited jump blues of the 1930's and 1940's. Performing on traditional and not so traditional home made instruments, invoking elements of New Orleans early jazz n' skiffle music. Serving up deep vintage vibes is their speciality.
April Mae & The June Bugs varied mix of high energy and expansive breadth of genre-bending stylings, has made them a beloved act along the eastern seaboard and the south. Resonating with swing dancers, folkies, cigar box guitar enthusiasts and rockabillies alike.
Dubbed the 'The Breakout Surprise Act' by concert reviewing journalists on more than one occasion the group has garnered quite a reputation, as a result of their extensive touring history.
Having traveled much of the country in Mae's innovative and award-winning Boogie Bus, a diesel school bus that she re-designed in vintage 1940’s whimsical style and converted to run on waste vegetable oil, with a zero carbon emission footprint. On their travels they’ve performed with many influential musicians including Pete Seeger, Rockabilly Hall of Famer J.M. Van Eaton, Eric Frey of the Revelers / Red Stick Ramblers, and New Orleans’ Washboard Chaz. Supporting lineups include Wanda Jackson, Imelda May, BeauSoleil avec Michael Doucet and Justin Johnson.
Posmontier Brothers Reunion in Cheltenham
Please join us on Wednesday May 6, 2026, as we welcome the Posmontier Brothers for a reunion show at the
Cheltenham Center for the Arts
439 Ashbourne Rd, Cheltenham, PA 19102
Doors at 7pm. The concert starts at 7:30 pm and ends at 9:00 pm.
Tickets: $20 in advance, $25 at the door. Students are FREE!
Advance sales end 1 hour before show time
Annual Jazz Bridge Fundraiser
Join us at South Side for an International Jazz Day fundraiser benefiting Jazz Bridge. The evening will include a live performance by Philly favorite organ trio The Mini Q's, a live auction, and an exclusive food and drink menu included with your ticket.
Tickets are $75, with an optional $25 “sponsor a jazz musician” ticket available at checkout. All proceeds benefit Jazz Bridge and support its work providing assistance and opportunities to local jazz musicians.
About the Mini Q's:
Raised in Philly, The Mini Q’s are a funky organ trio who have been making soulful, swinging music for over twenty years. Clubs or halls, large or small, the band brings new energy to classic material from Ray Charles, Curtis Mayfield, Lennon/McCartney, Paul Simon, Ellington, Strayhorn and more.
For this performance founding members Ben O’Neill (John Legend, Common, Jill Scott) and Anwar Marshall (Marcus Miller, Joey DeFrancesco, Pat Metheny) will be joined by old friend and superb organist, Dave Mattock.
Dylan Band
Please join us on Wednesday April 15, 2026, as we welcome Dylan Band and his band to
Chris’ Jazz Cafe
Two sets 7:30 and 9 PM
Tickets are available on Chris’ website.
Dylan Band – tenor sax
Neil Podgurski – piano
Sam Harris – bass
Nazir Ebo – drums
About Dylan:
Saxophonist Dylan Band performs regularly with pianist George Burton, drummer Rodney Green, and vocalist Tyreek McDole. He has shared the stage with Christian McBride, Orrin Evans’ Captain Black Big Band, and the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, and has appeared at the Newport Jazz Festival, the Montreal Jazz Festival, and Jazz at Marciac.
He is featured on George Burton’s White Noise (2024) and Tyreek McDole’s Open Up Your Senses (2025). In 2020, he placed second in the Vandoren Emerging Artists Competition.
Band leads the Dylan Band Quartet, which performs in New York City and Philadelphia. He also co-leads the Philadelphia Ambassador Big Band, which has worked with and commissioned arrangements for Jaleel Shaw, Seamus Blake, and Kurt Rosenwinkel.
Gloria Galante in Collingswood
Pianist Suzzette Ortiz proudly hosts “Jazz in the Wood,”
Please join us on Thursday, March 5th, 2026, as we welcome
harpist Gloria Galante and her group at the Collingswood Community Center.
Doors at 7pm. The concert starts at 7:30 pm and ends at 9:00 pm.
Tickets: $20 in advance, $25 at the door. Students are FREE!
$5 from every ticket goes toward the Musician Assistance fund.
About Gloria Galante:
Versatile and dynamic as a performer, deeply committed to teaching community and using the harp as an instrument of healing, Gloria Galante is inspiring.
Who first inspired Gloria Galante to play Jazz was her piano teacher, Miss Alice Shinn (from the University of the Arts). She would teach Gloria to play classical pieces from Bach, Mozart, Beethoven. She introduced her to Fats Waller, Pine Top Smith and Scott Joplin. She loved plying those pieces. Miss Shinn bargained with her to first learn a classical piece to perfection then was awarded with a jazz piece Gloria signed up for the high school Symphonic Orchestra two weeks before classes began. The teacher stated the available instruments were the Trombone, Tuba, or Harp. Gloria started harp lessons at Cardinal Dougherty High School. The school owned a beautiful Lyon and Healy Harp Style 17 in natural wood with ornate carvings and a gold decal on the soundboard. Gloria transferred her jazz pieces on the harp when time permitted.
Gloria signed up for the jazz jam at the Blue Note on Limekiln Pike in 1986 hosted by Bob Perkins. When it was her turn to play with the band consisting of Tyrone Brown, Bass, Jim Miller, Drums, Duke Wilson ,Percussion and Jeannie Brooks, vocals it turned into a whole set. Gloria joined Tyrone Browns group called Kusangala and her jazz career began in Philadelphia.
Gloria has toured worldwide performing Jazz, Classical, Latin, African ad Pop genres. She has appeared with such great stars as Frank Sinatra, Diana Ross, Jose Feliciano, Luther Vandross, Odean Pope, Tyrone Brown, Cecil Bridgewater, Warren Oree, Monnette Sudler to name a few.
Tonya Lynette and Company
Please join us on Wednesday March 4, 2026, as we welcome Tonya Lynette and Company at the
Cheltenham Center for the Arts
439 Ashbourne Rd, Cheltenham, PA 19102
Doors at 7pm. The concert starts at 7:30 pm and ends at 9:00 pm.
Tickets: $20 in advance, $25 at the door. Students are FREE!
$5 from every ticket goes toward the Musician Assistance fund.
Advance sales end 1 hour before show time
Lili Añel in Collingswood
Pianist Suzzette Ortiz proudly hosts “Jazz in the Wood,” at the
Collingswood Community Center,
30 Collings Ave, Collingswood, NJ 08108.
Please join us on December 4th, 2025, as we welcome Lili Añel and their group.
Doors at 7pm. The concert starts at 7:30 pm and ends at 9:00 pm.
Tickets: $15 in advance, $20 at the door. Students are FREE!
Lili Añel considers music a calling. This striking six-foot tall singer-songwriter-musician grew up in New York City's Spanish Harlem, where she discovered her passion for music. As a child, Lili remembers singing along to her mother's Cuban, jazz and pop-standard albums. It was also her mother who supported Lili's desire to join the church choir. However, it was her Afro-Cuban grandfather's recognition of how much joy her singing brought others, being the voice that stood out in that choir, which served to set her feet firmly on the path of a career in music.
After establishing a music career and a large following in New York in the vibrant 1980s Greenwich Village singer-songwriter scene, she relocated to Philadelphia in 2004. It was from her new home base where she continued to move audiences with her songs, now more jazz-inspired, highlighting themes reflecting her hope for the future, standing in her truth of life's difficulties and conjuring the strength for perseverance. All delivered with that unique voice, alternating between low reaches one feels in their center and a sweeter, more vulnerable falsetto.
"Think Joan Armatrading, Joni Mitchell and Nina Simone all rolled into one...blurs the lines between Jazz, Folk and intelligent Pop...strong and heartfelt." - Ken Franckling's Jazz Notes
Paul Jost in Cheltenham
Pianist Dave Posmontier hosts “Jazz at the Center”
Please join us on December 3, 2025, as we welcome vocalist Paul Jost at the
Cheltenham Center for the Arts
439 Ashbourne Rd, Cheltenham, PA 19102
Hosted by pianist Dave Posmontier
Doors at 7pm. The concert starts at 7:30 pm and ends at 9:00 pm.
Tickets: $15 in advance, $20 at the door. Students are FREE!
When describing the unique vocalist and arranger Paul Jost, two words come to mind “passionate storyteller”. Paul is a multi-instrumentalist, composer and arranger but it is his work as a vocalist that makes him a standout. Both critics and contemporaries alike say he is one of the best male jazz vocalists since Mark Murphy.
Luke Carlos O'Reilly at TIme Restaurant
Jazz Bridge is proud to partner with
Time Restaurant to present
Luke Carlos O'Reilly
Proceeds from every ticket help Jazz Bridge support local jazz and blues musicians in times of crisis.
Thursday, November 20th 2025
6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Time
1315 Sansom St
Philadelphia, PA 19107
Tickets are $10 in advance, $15 at the Door
This event is for guests 21 and over
The last set will be a jam session, so bring your axe and sit in!
Luke Carlos O’Reilly is an award winning pianist and organist. His musical style is heavily influenced by Jazz, Soul, R&B, Gospel, Latin Jazz and Classical. After a Boston upbringing, O’Reilly moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to attend Esther Boyer School of Music at Temple University on an academic and music scholarship. It was in Philadelphia where he had the opportunity to tour and record with artists such as Seal, Roy Ayers, Curtis Fuller, Nicholas Payton, Dave Valentin, Billy Paul, Bobby Watson, Slide Hampton, Fred Wesley, Macy Gray, Steve Turre, Musiq Soulchild, Bilal, Carol Riddick, K’naan, Wiz Khalifa and many others.
Maya Belardo at Chris' Jazz Cafe
Jazz Bridge is proud to partner with
Chris' Jazz Café to present
Maya Belardo
Proceeds from every ticket help Jazz Bridge support local jazz and blues musicians in times of crisis.
Thursday, October 23rd, 2025
Sets at 7:30 and 9:00 pm
General Admission: $20
Chris’ Jazz Café,
1421 Sansom Street
Philadelphia, PA 19102
Maya Belardo, known as “The Princess of Jazz” in her hometown of Wilmington, DE is passionate about jazz and being a positive example of young womanhood to all princesses. She fell in love with jazz around the age of 12 when she heard a recording of Nat King Cole singing, “Nature Boy.” She’s been inspired by many jazz legends who have paved the way for her to sing this music today. In her debut single “Free”, she sings, “I can hear them all cheer for me, I’m so Free.” She is referencing all the legendary jazz greats and her own ancestors who loved this art form. Maya has sung at amazing jazz venues on the East coast and performed at the Clifford Brown Jazz Festival in her hometown at the age of 17. In 2022, Maya was a part of the Boysie Lowery Living Residency. There she was able to work with some of the Jazz industry's finest and attend different songwriting workshops. That same year Maya was also accepted to be apart of Jazz Philadelphia's CORE Cooperative. Recently, she was invited to sing internationally for a residency at the prestigious “Bamboo Bar” in Bangkok, Thailand, from March-June 2024. She has the support of her community and many current jazz artists helping her to reach her goal! Stay tuned for more surprises from this artist on the rise! Maya’s new EP, “Better Days" is now streaming everywhere!
Timothy Ragsdale at Triangle Park
In partnership with Councilman Curtis Jones Jr., Jazz Bridge presents free concerts in parks throughout Philadelphia’s 4th District. All concerts are from 6:00 to 7:30pm and are FREE
September 3rd, 2025 Timothy Ragsdale performs at Triangle Park, 1838 N. 54th St, Philadelphia PA, 19131
Mervin Toussaint at Pretzel Park
In partnership with Councilman Curtis Jones Jr., Jazz Bridge presents free concerts in parks throughout Philadelphia’s 4th District. All concerts are from 6:00 to 7:30pm and are FREE
August 27th, 2025 Mervin Toussaint performs at Pretzel Park, 3400 Silverwood St, Philadelphia, PA 19127
Warriors of the Wonderful Sound at Hawthorne Park
Join us for a free outdoor concert featuring Warriors of the Wonderful Sound on August 21st, 2025, from 7:00 to 8:30 PM at Hawthorne Park (12th & Catharine, Philadelphia).
Bring a lawn chair, kick back, and enjoy an evening of great live music under the open sky!
Rain Date: August 28th 2025
Free Admission
Lawn chairs encouraged
All shows are outdoors
Come out, bring your friends, and support live music in the neighborhood!
Seriah Nicole at Rose Playground
In partnership with Councilman Curtis Jones Jr., Jazz Bridge presents free concerts in parks throughout Philadelphia’s 4th District. All concerts are from 6:00 to 7:30pm and are FREE
August 20th, 2025 Seriah Nicole performs at Rose Playground, 1300 N. 75th St, Philadelphia PA, 19151
Lucas Brown at Etting Square Park
In partnership with Councilman Curtis Jones Jr., we present free concerts in parks throughout Philadelphia’s 4th District. All concerts are from 6:00 to 7:30pm and are FREE
August 13th, 2025 Lucas Brown performs at Etting Square Park, 3255 Marston St, Philadelphia, PA, 19129
Wendy Simon and Suzanne Cloud at Cathedral Park
In partnership with Councilman Curtis Jones Jr., we present free concerts in parks throughout Philadelphia’s 4th District. All concerts are from 6:00 to 7:30pm and are FREE
August 6th, 2025 Wendy Simon and Suzanne Cloud perform at Cathedral Park, 49th and Master St, Philadelphia 19131
Community Concerts
Jazz Bridge presents live jazz concerts at venues across Center City Philadelphia, Cheltenham, PA, and Collingswood, NJ. Our concerts provide paid performance opportunities and a stage for local musicians to share their craft, supporting their careers and the local jazz community. From Chris’ Jazz Café and Cellar Dog to community-centered events in local community centers and parks, our shows bring audiences together to enjoy live music while helping sustain a vibrant jazz scene.
Check our schedule for upcoming concerts and join us for an evening of music and connection.