About This Festival
Previous Location
Cecil B. Moore Avenue between Broad & 17th Streets|Cecil B. Moore Ave & N. Broad St, Philadelphia, PA | Map
Everfest's Take
From the Organizer
If you love music, then Cecil B. Moore Avenue is where you need to be Saturday, August 11 when Beech Community Services presents the 12th Annual "Beech Jazz on the Ave" Music Festival from noon to 8:30PM. Music lovers in the tri-state area can enjoy a variety of outstanding music at the free, family event that features live musical performances from some of the region’s top jazz and R&B artists. Philadelphia’s Cecil B. Moore Avenue will be transformed between Broad and 17th Streets with two stages, a variety of vendors and a Kids Zone. The annual community event is an opportunity to celebrate the great musical history of Cecil B. Moore Avenue. Formerly named Columbia Avenue and affectionately called the Golden Strip, the avenue was a famed destination for jazz entertainment during Philadelphia’s golden era of jazz from the 1940s through the early 1960s. We have a great line-up of versatile artists on the main stage that people will enjoy immensely. Progressive jazz artist and innovator, Charisa the Violin Diva has collaborated with notable artists across musical borders, including Wynton Marsalis, Quincy Jones, Diana Krall, Kim Burrell, Common, Musiq Soulchild and Savion Glover. This is her second appearance at the “Beech Jazz on the Ave” Music Festival. After much anticipation Charisa’s first solo project, the “Prelude EP,” was released in November 2012 to a packed New York audience and included a heartfelt intro by Grammy Award-winning songwriter Valerie Simpson of the legendary duo Ashford & Simpson. Naturally gifted and exceptionally well-trained, Laurin Talese has been amazing audiences with her stunning voice since the age of 10. In 2016, Talese released “Gorgeous Chaos,” her riveting debut as a jazz chanteuse. Bassist Christian McBride, an avowed Talese supporter, lends his talent to various tracks, including "My Husband," and "Love Poems." The Philadelphia Clef Club of Jazz & Performing Arts House Band will step to the main stage this year. The intergenerational band includes seasoned musicians and graduates of the Clef Club’s jazz education program. The historic Clef Club was founded in 1966 as an extension of Union Local 274, which was comprised of Black musicians barred from the then-segregated Local 77. Considered an icon in the Philadelphia African-American community, the Clef Club has expanded its offerings to include public performances by leading jazz artists Grammy Award-winner Algebra Blessett grew up in Atlanta to the sounds of music in a family with multi-generational roots in gospel music. She toured with Anthony Hamilton and collaborated with India Arie, lending her voice to Arie’s Grammy-winning 2002 platinum smash “Voyage to India.” Blessett won a Grammy Award for writing "Talk to Her" on that album. The festival will close with P.J. Morton -- a versatile musician, songwriter and producer who has been involved in contemporary gospel, rock, and R&B since the early 2000s.After winning Grammy Awards for his songwriting and production on India Arie's “Interested,” Morton won Dove and Stellar Awards in 2008. Morton joined Maroon 5 as a keyboardist and background vocalist, and continued his solo career. In 2017, he released his own Morton Records album, “Gumbo,” earning him Grammy nominations for Best R&B Album and Best R&B Song at the 60th Annual Grammy Awards. The festival will go on rain or shine. So, bring your chair and enjoy another joyful, jazzy day at the 12th Annual “Beech Jazz on the Ave” Music Festival.
