Jazz vocalist Barbara Walker will perform at Malcolm X. Park on July 9. (Photo from thebarbarawalkerstory.com)

Recently we let you know about the Cedar Park Summer Jazz series happening every Friday night, and here’s information on the annual West Philadelphia Jazz Heritage Series held at Malcolm X. Park (52nd and Pine). Concerts are set for every other Thursday from May 28 to Sept. 17, starting at 7 p.m. (weather permitting). This summer, the popular concert series returns for its 15th season! All concerts are free and open to the public.

Here’s the concert schedule and line up of performers.

June 25 – The Budesa Brothers
July 9 – The Barbara Walker Story (vocalist)
July 23 – Shirley Lites (vocalist)
Aug. 6 – Geo. Barron (tenor sax), Janet Barron (vocalist)
Aug. 20 – Lawrence Jones (tenor sax)
Sept. 3 – Michelle Beckham
Sept. 17 – The Nate Murray Band

The popular Thursday night jazz series, Jazz Heritage Series, will return to Malcolm X Park this summer.

All concerts are free and held every other Thursday evening from 7-9 p.m. (weather permitting). Please bring your blanket or portable chair, and picnic!

Schedule:

July 15: Shirley Lites
July 29: Rebb Thomas
August 12: Carlos DeVaughn & the All Stars
August 26: Nazir Ebo
September 9: The Barbara Walker Story
September 23: Glenn Bryan & Friends
October 7: TBA
October 21: Adam Faulk & Standard Practice

Keni Jackson (Facebook photo)

Great news for local jazz music fans! After a two-year break the popular Thursday night jazz series, Jazz Heritage Series, will return to Malcolm X Park this summer. The series will kick off this Thursday, July 1 (weather permitting), with a performance by Southwest Philadelphia native Keni Jackson, a bass player and vocalist.

All concerts are free and held every other Thursday evening from 7-9 p.m. Please bring your blanket or portable chair, and picnic! Please note that performances are not held in inclement weather.

Here’s the full schedule of performances through October 21st: Continue Reading

Friday Night Jazz in Cedar Park will continue until August 2nd, and here’s another West Philly park that has been hosting free live jazz performances this summer. The Jazz Heritage Series is held every other Thursday at 7 p.m. at Malcolm X Park (52nd and Pine). The series is hosted by Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell and Friends of Malcolm X Park. The next performance is this Thursday (July 4) by vocalist Shirley Lites.

Here’s a full schedule of performances through September 12:  Continue Reading

Another great West Philly summer tradition, Jazz Heritage Series, will kick off this Thursday (May 24) at Malcolm X Park at 52nd and Pine. The series, presented by Philadelphia Parks & Recreation and co-hosted by the Friends of Malcolm X Park and Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell, will feature free live performances by well-known Philadelphia area musicians every other Thursday (weather permitted) at 7 p.m. through September 13. Here’s the full lineup:

May 24 – Keni Jackson, Experience
June 7 – Keyboardist Glenn Bryan & Friends
June 21 – The Budesa Brothers
July 5 – Drummer Carlos DeVaughn & The All-Stars
July 19 – Vocalist Shirley Lites
Aug. 2 – Bassist Tony (TNT) Jones & Beyond The Dream
Aug. 16 – The Barbara Walker Story
Aug. 30 – The Clef Club Student Ensemble
Sept. 13 – The Sam Reed Band

Just a reminder that Cedar Park Jazz series will also return this summer. The first performance is next Friday, June 1, at 6 p.m.

Recently we told you about the return of Live Jazz Fridays, a great summer tradition in Cedar Park. In this post, we’re happy to report that the annual West Philadelphia Jazz Heritage Series held at Malcolm X Park (52nd an Pine) has also resumed.

The series, hosted by Friends of Malcolm X Memorial Park (Facebook page) and Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell, is held every other Thursday (weather permitting) through Sept. 14, beginning at 7 p.m. Here’s the line up for the rest of the summer:

June 8 – Drummer Webb Thomas (see video below)
June 22 – The KDQ & Vocalist Susann Burgess
July 6 – The Barbara Walker Story
July 20 – The Budesa Bros
Aug. 3 – Vocalist Shirley Lites
Aug. 17 – Drummer Carlos Railey Group
Aug. 31 – Angel Baby
Sept. 14 – Pianist Alfie Politt  Continue Reading