Summer jazz is back in Cedar Park with weekly shows scheduled to begin on Friday, June 16. The popular music series, presented by Cedar Park Neighbors (CPN), features free outdoor performances by some of the area’s prominent jazz musicians and bands at the park, located at 49th and Baltimore.

All shows are held from 6 to 8 p.m. in fair weather – please bring your blanket or chair and picnic! The series is sponsored by local businesses and individual donations from neighborhood residents.

Here’s the schedule through July 28:

June 16 – Rayburn Wright Group
June 30 – Webb Thomas SuperBand
July 7 – Glenn Bryan & Friends
July 14 – Bobby Zankel & the Wonderful Sound 5 Celebrates John Coltrane (7/17/67)
July 21 – Philadelphia Clef Club
July 28 – Rain date (rescheduled performance, TBA)

For updates or changes, follow CPN on Facebook. Updates about this event are also posted in the Cedar Park Neighbors Forum on Facebook.

After taking a two-year break due to the pandemic, a popular live music event, Cedar Park Jazz Fridays, is set to return this week. The annual series, presented by Cedar Park Neighbors, features free outdoor performances by the area’s finest jazz musicians and bands at the park located at 49th and Baltimore. The 2022 series kicks off June 3 at 6 p.m. with a performance by The Dirk Quinn Band.

Here’s the schedule through July 22:

June 3: The Dirk Quinn Band
June 24: The Philadelphia Clef Club Ensemble
July 8: Bobby Zankel and The Wonderful Warriors of Sound
July 22: Nasir Ebo and Friends

All shows are held from 6 to 8 p.m. in fair weather.

The series is sponsored by local businesses and individual donations from neighborhood residents.

Summer brings many cool events to West Philly neighborhoods, including street festivals, outdoor music, art and movies, farmers’ and flea markets, and food-centered events, so we’ll be posting this information as it becomes available. Today’s post is dedicated to a popular summer event in the area – jazz in local parks.

We’re happy to report that two West Philly parks, Cedar Park and Malcolm X Park, will once again be hosting jazz nights featuring well-known local musicians and guests throughout the summer.

Friday Night Jazz in Cedar Park (49th and Baltimore) will kick off on Friday, June 3, with a performance by Bernard Samuels Trio. Performances will be held every Friday, 6 – 8 p.m.. Here’s the lineup through July 29 (additional performances may be announced later):

June 3 – Bernard Samuels Trio
June 10 – Progressive Movement
June 17 – Gretchen Elise & Friends
June 24 – Jazz Lab Project
July 1 – Rich Tucker & Friends
July 8 – Dendê Mercado/Brazilian artist
July 15 – Bobby Zankel & The Warriors of the Wonderful Sound IV
July 22 – Clef Club Youth Ensemble
July 29 – Philadelphia Clef Club/ Tribute to Donald “Chappy” Washington Band & Friends

Cedar Park Jazz is hosted by Cedar Park Neighbors and is made possible thanks to donations from local organizations, businesses and individuals. If you would like to support this event and help bring more performances to the park, click here.

West Philadelphia Jazz Heritage Series are held at Malcolm X Park (52nd and Pine) every other Thursday, beginning at 7 p.m. The series is hosted by Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell and Friends of Malcolm X Park. Here’s the lineup through Sept. 15:

June 9 – The Jazz Lab Project
June 23 – Vocalist: The Barbara Walker Story
July 7 – Bassist: Bill Booker & Trio
July 21 – Vocalist: Shirley Lites
Aug. 4 – Budesa Brothers
Aug. 18 – Perfect Solution
Sept. 1 – Napoleon Redeemer & The 61st St Band
Sept. 15 – Angel Baby Music  Continue Reading