There’s still time to take in the 2nd Annual Philly Jazz Month, but the city’s celebration won’t end there—live jazz and blues will keep the momentum going well into the summer.

Philly Jazz Month brings “the spirit of jazz to life” across Philly every April through a partnership between Creative Philadelphia (Creative PHL), Mid Atlantic Arts, WRTI, and Jazz Philadelphia. Throughout the month, a mix of educational programs and performances — ranging from school visits to concerts and special events — invite audiences to engage more deeply with the music and its history.

As their website notes, by showcasing the city’s thriving jazz scene and honoring its cultural legacy, the initiative not only nurtures appreciation and learning, but also strengthens connections within the community while elevating Philadelphia’s presence on the local, national, and global stage.

Some upcoming highlights include a Wise Women: Jazz Composer Showcase (April 23), The 13th Annual Robert “Bootsie” Barnes Jazz Series featuring Gerald Veasley (April 24), the Philadelphia Jazz Organ Summit (April 26), An Evening with Joanna Pascale (April 26) and Corey Bernhard’s Eternity Ensemble featuring Khemist Mayfield and Muhsinah (April 30).

There’s also Untethered in Motion in Dilworth Park (April 22), Terell Stafford Day (April 25) and BeBoppin and Books (April 26). Untethered takes place during Dilworth’s Happy Hour (5 p.m.), and will feature dancers curated by UMA. The performance is ultimately described as “an energetic interplay drawing on jazz music’s early connections to dance, while looking to the future for new sounds.”

With Terell Stafford Day (noon to 9 p.m.), the Germantown Jazz Festival will be in full swing at the Settlement Music School, featuring an outdoor vendor’s market, Student Master Class by Maestro Aaron Graves, Jazz Student Concerts, and a two-set Jazz Master Concert by Professor Terell Stafford and his Quintet. And with Beboppin, a children’s literary event highlighting Jazz artists and music from the Harlem Renaissance will be held at Harriet’s Bookshop (noon). There will be stories and live music, and kids can come in a costume featuring their favorite musician or singer from that era.

Another stand-out is Dendê Macêdo’s Recycled Sounds (April 25) at Borski Park. Kicking off at 6 p.m., attendees can listen to music made from recycled materials and learn about ways to be more sustainable and environmentally conscious. For those who can’t make it out to the evening event, a kids’ recycled percussion-making workshop will also take place at 1 p.m.

A full schedule of remaining Philly Jazz Month events is available online, but it all culminates on International Jazz Day (Thursday, April 30) at Sassafras. The Old City locale is known for always having live, cover-free jazz (and a rotation of curious cocktails), but its Jazz Day celebration will specifically feature the Huck Browne Trio from 6 to 9 p.m.

Blues lovers are especially in luck here — Sassafrass has also announced some upcoming sessions to look out for, including a Monday night series featuring a recurring duo (Bert Harris on bass and Laurent Bass on sax and clarinet) on May 11, May 25, June 8, and June 22. There’s also a Sunday jazz run set weekly from 6 to 9 pm with a rotating trio format. And finally, the summer will also bring a standing fourth Sunday residency led by guitarist Greg Snyder, and dates for newer artists to take the stage.

To find out more information on Philly Jazz Month and Sassafrass (48 S 2nd St.), visit phillyjazzmonth.com and sassafrasbar.com

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