Supporting Philadelphia Area Jazz & Blues Musicians for decades
Jazz Bridge assists Jazz and Blues musicians living in the Greater Philadelphia Metro area who face financial, health, housing and similar crises.
A registered 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization, Jazz Bridge also supports musicians by providing paid performance opportunities through our live neighborhood concerts and special event presentations. A community favorite for 20 years, our concerts celebrate the Philadelphia Jazz & Blues tradition and build cultural awareness throughout the region.
OUR Mission:
Featured upcoming event
Luke Carlos O’Reilly at Time Restaurant
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.
O’Reilly has 3 solo albums; ‘Living In The Now’ (Prospect Hill Records 2011), '3 Suites' (Prospect Hill Records 2013) and his latest release, ‘I Too, Sing America: A Black Man’s Diary’ (Imani Records 2021). All 3 albums contain original compositions, and his earlier works include arrangements of Stevie Wonder, The Beatles, Cedar Walton, Mulgrew Miller, Janet Jackson and SWV. In 2018, he was named an ‘Artist In Residence’ at The Kimmel Center For The Performing Arts in Philadelphia, PA. It was this residency that led to the creation of his latest release, which is a Black Lives Matter themed suite of music.
the jazz bridge IMPACT
Providing paid performance opportunities to over 100 local musicians annually
CONCERT SERIES: Since 2005, Jazz Bridge has brought live jazz into local communities, presenting concerts in Cheltenham and Collingswood, partnering with major Philadelphia venues, and occasionally collaborating with other organizations to present music throughout the region, all while ensuring artists are fairly paid.
Over $500,000 in direct assistance to musicians in need since 2005
DIRECT ASSISTANCE: Jazz Bridge provides direct support to musicians in need through financial assistance, personalized referrals to community resources, and access to our dedicated social worker, helping artists navigate challenges beyond the bandstand.
95 grants awarded providing over $49,000 to musicians in need
MUSICIANS ASSISTANCE FUND: Launched in 2020 as our COVID Assistance Fund, this program has grown into an ongoing lifeline for local musicians. Twice a year, Jazz Bridge awards microgrants to help with urgent needs like housing, instrument repairs, transportation, utilities, and more, ensuring that artists can weather challenges and keep making music.
watch our featured video
Jazz Bridge Presented the Judd Nielsen Trio on April 15, 2025. Judd Nielsen on Organ, Adrian Harpham on Drums and Benjamin Byrd on Guitar.
THIS MONTH’S Upcoming events
Hosted by local jazz musicians and aficionados, our concerts include a unique opportunity for audiences to interact with performers.