As preparations ramp up for the 2025 Germantown Jazz Festival, organizers have planned a series of fundraising concerts to support what they hope will become a cornerstone cultural event in Philadelphia's historic neighborhood.
The latest fundraiser, featuring performances by Yesseh Ali and The Steve Giordano Quintet, is scheduled for 4 p.m., Jan. 26, at Allens Lane Art Center in Mt. Airy. The concert marks the second in a series of four events aimed at securing funding for venue costs and musician compensation for the main festival in April.
The goal of the festival is to celebrate Germantown's rich jazz heritage and use the event as a way to create community and connect neighbors and organizations, explains Khadijah Renee G. Morgan, founder of the Community Education and Action Project (CEAP), on the festival website. CEAP is the nonprofit organization behind the festival.
The three-day festival, scheduled for April 25-27, will span multiple venues including Vernon Park, Germantown Friends School, and First Presbyterian Church. Plans include main stage performances by renowned jazz musicians, youth ensemble showcases, interactive workshops, and a vendor marketplace featuring local artisans and food vendors.
Morgan, a licensed social worker and holistic wellness practitioner, established CEAP in November 2021 with a mission to promote community healing through various modalities, including using jazz as a form of cultural medicine.
Local businesses and community organizations have already pledged support, though organizers continue seeking additional funding to ensure the festival's success. The upcoming fundraising concert at Allens Lane Art Center carries a $20 admission fee, with all proceeds supporting festival operations. Concertgoers can also attend a wine and cheese reception with the artists starting at 3 p.m.
Festival organizers are particularly focused on making the event accessible to all community members, with plans for family-friendly activities and educational programming throughout the three-day celebration. The schedule includes everything from face painting and craft stations to historical presentations about Germantown's jazz legacy.
Organizers hope the fundraising concerts give people a taste of what's to come while also helping to build the resources needed to make it happen.
For more information about the fundraising concert series or the Germantown Jazz Festival, visit germantownjazzfestival.com and eventbrite.com.
