Immerse yourself in the music of the Center City Jazz Festival

Convenient and affordable, the Center City Jazz Festival takes place in the course of a single afternoon. A total of 16 performers — singers, saxophonists, guitarists, and more — will be playing at four intimate venues, offering something for every jazz taste.

"Some people will enjoy wandering from venue to venue; others will carefully map out a schedule for the day to make sure they catch their favorites," said Karina Kacala, festival spokesperson.

Those favorites include Miss Ida Blue, the vocalist who heads a brothel blues band featuring members of both Woody Allen's jazz band and Vince Giordano and the Nighthawks, the Boardwalk Empire orchestra. She promises "you'll hear blues as a drunk, raunchy, and illicit work of art."

If you're not up for raunchy and illicit, check out Thumbscrew, an exciting trio (Mary Halvorson on guitar, Michael Formanek on double bass, and Tomas Fujiwara on drums) playing original compositions, or vocalist Joanna Pascale, known for her extensive knowledge of the Great American Songbook.

Philadelphia’s Center City Jazz Festival is coming up on Saturday, April 19, 1pm – 7pm at Chris’ Jazz Cafe, 1421 Sansom St.; Fergie’s Pub (upstairs), 1214 Sansom St.; Milkboy Philadelphia (upstairs), 1100 Chestnut St.; and TIME Restaurant, 1315 Sansom St. An all-access pass is $15 in advance, $20 at the door. Due to the size of the venues, there is a limit to the number of tickets sold. A full list of the performers and the schedule are available at www.ccjazzfest.com.