Page 46 - ION Indie Magazine JulyAugust 2018 Issue

The Center City Jazz Festival is a transformative celebration of jazz in one of the richest cities
of jazz tradition, Philadelphia. Where most jazz festivals seek to put namesake headliners in
front of expansive crowds, this is one of the most unique approaches, in that it pulls the
listeners into intimate clubs to hear it how it is best presented. The Center City Jazz Fest is
almost like an afternoon bar crawl, but one where each destination offers so much more.
Festival-goers bounce between a half-dozen venues in the heart of Philly and have the
chance to see over 20 sets throughout the day.

It was formed by Ernest Stuart, a notable jazz trombonist himself who has a very impressive
resume himself. Stuart somehow found time between touring the world to put together the
concept. It was a common feeling among music-lovers in Philly that the jazz scene was off-
track and missing something. In forming the inaugural CCJF back in 2012, Ernest sought to
reinvigorate the scene by offering something totally unique. In addition to the innovative
way to house the music, he also seeks to bring in incredible talents that are on the rise who
are contributing to the directions of jazz or who are humbly contributing to well-known
greats, but not as often headlining as they should be.