Welcome to Philadelphia Jazz Project
Celebrating Sun Ra
May 22, 2022
ANNOUNCING NEW FREE MIXTAPES TO CELEBRATE SUN RA, CLICK HERE. Arriving on our planet as a child on May 22nd, 1914 in Birmingham, Alabama: Ironically referred to as The Magic City, Sun Ra also died there in 1993. Gone from his physical form for 29 years, his influence and the audience for his work, continues to grow. Sun Ra was a  Read More....
Peace On Earth - Cherry Blossom Festival Concert
Mar 29, 2022
PEACE ON EARTH Sunday, April 10th - 3pm Shofuso Japanese House & Garden Lansdowne Drive & Horticultural Drive, Philadelphia, PA 19131 (Fairmount Park) FREE ADMISSION This concert at the Cherry Blossom Festival at Shofuso Japanese House and Garden will present a performance of John Coltrane's - under-recognized classic,  Read More....
Always Celebrating Trane
Sep 21, 2020
"I'd like to point out to people the divine in a musical language that transcends words. I want to speak to their souls." —— John Coltrane One of the most important artists of the 20th century was a Philadelphian. He was our neighbor. He walked among us. He lived among us. He was not born here, but he  Read More....
The Known Unknown - Celebrating Bill Barron & Ted Curson - Mixtapes
Jul 26, 2020
In October 2015, at the American Philosophical Society, PJP presented a tribute concert for two talented Philadelphia artists; saxophonist Bill Barron and trumpeter, Ted Curson, who were in the thick of things during what was called, "The New Thing" in Jazz in the late 1950s and early 1960s. They also had the distinction of working with  Read More....
Summer Sounds 2018 - Greatest Hits Mixtape
May 8, 2020
During the summer of 2018, in partnership with VISIT PHILADELPHIA, the Philadelphia Jazz Project, presented 90 FREE performances in 45 days in Philadelphia's, historic Old City District. From Friday, June 1 through Friday, September 7, 2018, five different Philadelphia musical ensembles, each presented concerts for three weeks. Back in the  Read More....
Summer Sounds 2018 - Victor North Mixtape
May 8, 2020
During the summer of 2018, in partnership with VISIT PHILADELPHIA, the Philadelphia Jazz Project, presented 90 FREE performances in 45 days in Philadelphia's, historic Old City District. From Friday, June 1 through Friday, September 7, 2018, five different Philadelphia musical ensembles, each presented concerts for three weeks. Back in the  Read More....
Summer Sounds 2018 - Big Brass 4tet Mixtape
May 8, 2020
During the summer of 2018, in partnership with VISIT PHILADELPHIA, the Philadelphia Jazz Project, presented 90 FREE performances in 45 days in Philadelphia's, historic Old City District. From Friday, June 1 through Friday, September 7, 2018, five different Philadelphia musical ensembles, each presented concerts for three weeks. Back in the  Read More....
Summer Sounds 2018 - Tim Price Mixtape
May 8, 2020
During the summer of 2018, in partnership with VISIT PHILADELPHIA, the Philadelphia Jazz Project, presented 90 FREE performances in 45 days in Philadelphia's, historic Old City District. From Friday, June 1 through Friday, September 7, 2018, five different Philadelphia musical ensembles, each presented concerts for three weeks. Back in the  Read More....
Summer Sounds 2018 - Old City Sax Quartet Mixtape
May 8, 2020
During the summer of 2018, in partnership with VISIT PHILADELPHIA, the Philadelphia Jazz Project, presented 90 FREE performances in 45 days in Philadelphia's, historic Old City District. From Friday, June 1 through Friday, September 7, 2018, five different Philadelphia musical ensembles, each presented concerts for three weeks. Back in the  Read More....
Summer Sounds 2018 - Mixtape Series
May 8, 2020
During the summer of 2018, in partnership with VISIT PHILADELPHIA, the Philadelphia Jazz Project, presented 90 FREE performances in 45 days in Philadelphia's, historic Old City District. From Friday, June 1 through Friday, September 7, 2018, five different Philadelphia musical ensembles, each presented concerts for three weeks. Back in the  Read More....
Occupy Our Minds
Mar 19, 2020
In lieu of our current, of our current, global health crisis, PJP's April 2020 - Jazz Appreciation Month activities are cancelled. There is a possibility that the May events will also be cancelled. That said, it is very important that we keep our minds occupied with affirming and engaging activities. Besides checking in on your  Read More....
Acknowledgement - Always Celebrating Coltrane
Sep 20, 2018
One of the most important artists of the 20th century was a Philadelphian. He was our neighbor. He walked among us. He lived among us. He was not born here, but he became a man and a professional musician here. We celebrate his birthday every September 23rd. But, we actually celebrate his mastery, his creativity and his  Read More....
Summer Sounds
Jun 1, 2018
From Friday, June 1 through Friday, September 7, the Summer Sounds In The Historic District free music series delivers sweet tunes at nearly a dozen locations in Old City, Society Hill and along the Delaware River waterfront. Produced by VISIT PHILADELPHIA in partnership with Veteran Freshman, the Delaware River Waterfront Corporation,  Read More....
Satellites #5 - Gretchen Elise
Mar 13, 2018
Satellites #5 March 28th, 2018 / 8pm Satellites Are Spinning: A Sizzling, Sonic Celebration of Sun Ra Johnny Brenda’s 1201 Frankford Avenue Philadelphia, PA 19125 For Tickets: CLICK HERE Continuing the exploration started by our Sun Ra Mixtape Series celebrating the influence of the Philadelphia, visionary musician,  Read More....
Satellites #5 - Raphael Xavier
Feb 22, 2018
Satellites #5 March 28th, 2018 / 8pm Satellites Are Spinning: A Sizzling, Sonic Celebration of Sun Ra Johnny Brenda’s 1201 Frankford Avenue Philadelphia, PA 19125 For Tickets: CLICK HERE Continuing the exploration started by our Sun Ra Mixtape Series celebrating the influence of the Philadelphia, visionary musician,  Read More....
Satellites #4 - Kevin Diehl
Jan 21, 2018
Satellites #4 February 21st, 2018 / 8pm Satellites Are Spinning: A Sizzling, Sonic Celebration of Sun Ra Johnny Brenda’s 1201 Frankford Avenue Philadelphia, PA 19125 For Tickets: Click Here Continuing the exploration started by our Sun Ra Mixtape Series celebrating the influence of the Philadelphia, visionary musician,  Read More....
Satellites #1 - Kim Pedro
Nov 19, 2017
Satellites #1 Satellites Are Spinning: A Sizzling, Sonic Celebration of Sun Ra 2025 Benjamin Franklin Parkway Philadelphia, PA 19130 For Tickets: Click Here Continuing the exploration started by our Sun Ra Mixtape Series celebrating the influence of the Philadelphia, visionary musician, philosopher, composer and band leader,  Read More....
Satellites Series: A Sizzling, Sonic Celebration of Sun Ra
Oct 30, 2017
Satellites Are Spinning: A Sizzling, Sonic Celebration of Sun Ra In the fall of 2014, Philadelphia Jazz Project developed a special mixtape project honoring the immeasurable imaginative genius of the late Philadelphia, visionary musician, philosopher, composer and band leader, Sun Ra [1914 to 1993]. This unique challenge provided an  Read More....
Celebrating Coltrane 2017 - Thanks
Sep 29, 2017
"Overall, I think the main thing a musician would like to do is give to the listener the many wonderful things he knows of and senses in the universe…” —— John Coltrane Many thanks to everyone who attended, participated, or wanted to join us in celebrating John Coltrane's 91st  Read More....
Celebrating Coltrane 2017
Sep 8, 2017
Bar none, John Coltrane is the most influential tenor saxophonist in jazz history. Whether it's his patented "sheets of sound," his rapid-fire improvisations or his bold cathartic wails, no aspiring jazz saxophonist can afford to neglect the music of Coltrane. - - - - John Diliberto I feel like I  Read More....
Celebration of Trane's Interstellar Space
Feb 19, 2017
I was young and Trane was giving me a chance to play. And I was playing my heart out - it was a new experience for me because I didn't have the bass player to think about. I didn't have the pianist there. It was just me. I wasn't as confident. But, Trane knew that it was there. He knew it was there all the time. - Rashied  Read More....
Re-Imagining Interstellar Space
Feb 19, 2017
In September of 2016, Philadelphia Jazz Project [PJP] and a group of collaborators presented nine days of free events celebrating the 90th birthday of the legendary Philadelphia Jazz artist, John Coltrane. Of the many events that took place, one was very special. We asked two artists, tenor saxophonist, Terry Lawson and drummer, Alan Nelson to  Read More....
Announcing Sun Ra Mixtape # 6
Dec 21, 2016
Happy Winter Solstice!!! If you're not aware, the winter solstice, for the Northern Hemisphere is the shortest day of the calendar year. Shortest day because it is the shortest period of sunlight, with the longest period of darkness. Which also gives us the longest night. Human beings have tracked the sun’s path across the sky for  Read More....
Announcing Sun Ra Mixtape # 5
Dec 6, 2016
In the fall of 2014, Philadelphia Jazz Project [PJP] developed a unique challenge for DJs, producers, electronic musicians, turntablists, singers, poets, and/or rappers, as well as solos by instrumentalists to honor the immeasurable imaginative genius of the late Philadelphia, visionary musician, philosopher, composer and band leader, Sun Ra  Read More....
Coltrane At 90 - Thanks
Sep 28, 2016
"I'd like to point out to people the divine in a musical language that transcends words. I want to speak to their souls." —— John Coltrane Many thanks to everyone who attended, participated, or wanted to join us in celebrating John Coltrane's 90th birthday over these 9 amazing days. It  Read More....
Celebrating The Right Way
Sep 13, 2016
You may not have noticed it, but in our zeal to celebrate John Coltrane's 90th birthday, we gave you the years of his 100th birthday. We incorrectly wrote on our logo, 1916 - 2016. It does now and should have read, 1926 - 2016. Please forgive our haste. It was wrong. We made a mistake. It in no way speaks for our excitement,  Read More....
The Forerunners Salute Jymie & John
Sep 11, 2016
The Forerunners Saturday, September 24, 2016 at 8pm Painted Bride Art Center - 230 Vine Street, Phila., PA 19106 For Information & Tickets It was earlier this year, in January, at World Cafe Live, that PJP in collaboration with WXPN, WRTI, Ars Nova Workshop and NPR presented the nation's first glimpse of the music of Jymie Merritt  Read More....
Celebrating Coltrane
Aug 20, 2016
September 17th to 25th, 2016 One of the most important artists of the 20th century was our neighbor. He walked among us. He lived among us. He was not born here, but he became a man and a professional musician here. We celebrate his birthday next month. September 23rd, 2016. He would have been 90 years old. His name was John William  Read More....
Happy Birthday Sun Ra!!
May 22, 2016
May 22, 2016 - May 30, 1993 102 years ago today, stars fell on Alabama and out of the debris emerged a brown baby boy, who would be named Herman Poole Blount. We knew him as the intergalactic traveler, philosopher and master musician, Sun Ra. To celebrate his birthday, we share PJP Mixtape Series - Sun Ra Edition Vol 3, featuring  Read More....
Announcing Sun Ra Mixtape # 2
Mar 13, 2016
In the fall of 2014, Philadelphia Jazz Project developed a unique challenge for DJs, producers, electronic musicians, turntablists, singers, poets, and/or rappers, as well as solos by instrumentalists to honor the immeasurable imaginative genius of the late Philadelphia, visionary musician, philosopher, composer and band leader, Sun Ra [1914 to  Read More....
The Music Of Jymie Merritt And The Forerunners
Dec 29, 2015
In March of 2015, WRTI, WXPN and the Philadelphia Jazz Project collaborated with NPR’s Jazz Night In America to present Home Cooking: Celebrating The Philadelphia Jazz Organ Tradition. [Jazz Night In America is NPR’s popular radio series hosted by Philadelphia’s own, Jazz bassist Christian McBride.] The Home Cooking concert  Read More....
Happiest Of Holidays
Dec 24, 2015
2015 has been a great year for PJP! From September 2015 to December 2015, our season has been full and rich. Great performances. Great audience responses. From last January to the Fall of 2015, we also did some great things. ▪ We presented Love Notes for Valentine's Day at the Arch Street Meeting House. ▪ We showcased some awesome  Read More....
Holy Sea Mixtape
Dec 22, 2015
In September 2015, PJP was in preparation mode for the 7th and final performance of our 7x7 Concert Series at Venice Island Performing Arts & Recreation Center [VIPARC] in Manayunk. While the series showcased an eclextic array of performances, it also introduced Philadelphia audience to this beautiful and new performance space. The featured  Read More....