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Montco Jazz Fest presents musical stylings throughout county communities this September

Slated for Sept. 19 to 22, a wide variety of events will be included

Image courtesy of Valley Forge Tourism

Slated for Sept. 19 to 22, a wide variety of events will be included


  • Things To Do

As the region settles into an autumn mood, the Valley Forge Tourism and Convention Board is just warming up for the Montco Jazz Fest. This county-wide event is geared toward bringing a number of communities quite the show.

This third-annual event, described by the board as a “industry-leading entertainment offering” is well on its way to celebrating the legacy of jazz. From tribute concerts to artist collaborations, there will be plenty of musical talents for every town, every age, and every interest level from Sept. 19 to 22.

“Our annual Montco Jazz Fest is a one-of-a-kind offering that truly highlights Montgomery County as an arts tourism destination,” said Rachel Riley, the vice president of Marketing and Communications. “We are thrilled to have the incredible Joanna Pascale return this year to curate a noteworthy series of events, which will truly elevate Montgomery County as a prime location for jazz and music lovers across the region.”

Pascale, who was named as an internationally acclaimed jazz vocalist, is serving as the Montco Jazz Fest’s artistic director for the second consecutive year. She said that the festival will include “dozens of concerts, brunches, workshops, and other community-focused events.”

“The musicians and venues of Montgomery County are helping us shape a wonderful series of events for this year’s festival,” said Pascale. “This celebration will take place in venues all over the county, featuring events that honor the legends of jazz, while cultivating the legends of tomorrow.”

Pascale is no stranger to the stage herself, and she will be lending her vocal talents to the festival with an event at the Valley Forge Casino Resort. The artistic director said she is also bringing some feminine flaire to this year’s events. The Valley Forge Tourism board has partnered with Key of She Jazz, an organization that is “dedicated to supporting and encouraging girls in jazz, from middle school through college and beyond.”

Key of She Jazz was founded by Montgomery County-native Olivia Hughhart. In addition to a donation from Valley Forge Tourism themselves, the organizing members will also offer opportunities for other patrons to contribute throughout the festival.

Festival organizers are also excited to announce the digital experience that will coincide this year’s events. ArtsMontco Pass, a free, mobile-friendly program, is designed to take guests on a “self-guided journey to more than 30 arts and culture locations throughout Montgomery County.”

The program doesn’t require a downloaded app, but rather offers an almost game-play interaction with guests as they take in the county’s hot spots. You can check in at each location, which earns you points and chances to win prizes.

The Montco Jazz Fest will run through Sept. 19 to 21, and while the events are subject to change, the current schedule includes:

Thursday, Sept. 19:

  • Festival Kickoff, featuring Josh Lee & the Family
    • Temple University Ambler Campus: 580 Meetinghouse Road, Ambler
    • 6 to 9 p.m.
    • No cover charge for entry

This celebration will get the “party started” with the presentation of a Lifetime Achievement Award to WRTI DJ Bob Perkins. Josh Lee & the Extended Family, a Philadelphia-based ensemble of Temple alums will celebrate the music of the swing era. With the recent release of their debut album, the band’s members are looking forward to sharing musical stylings with all present.

  • Putty Dance Project
    • King of Prussia Town Center, 200 Main St., KOP
    • 5 to 7 p.m.
    • No cover charge for entry

Married duo Lauren Putty White and Brent White will blend their expertise in respective fields to present a meaningful narrative through the lens of Free Jazz and dance improvisation.

  • Vocalist Calli Graver
    • Stave & Stable, 232 King St., Pottstown
    • 6 to 9 p.m.
    • No cover

Jazz-flex vocalist Calli Graver is lighting suburbia with the music of jazz figures of her time, just outside her home base of Philadelphia. Her 2022 album “The Sun’s in My Eyes” will be part of the widely varied selections.

  • An Evening with the Mike Lorenz Trio: Exploring the History of Jazz Guitar
    • Abington Arts Center, 515 Meetinghouse Road, Jenkintown
    • 6:30 p.m. cocktails, 7:30 p.m. show
    • Cost is $25 at the door
  • Chris Marsceill Trio
    • Eddie V’s, 670 W. DeKalb Pike, KOP
    • 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.
    • No cover for entry; food and beverage sales
  • Greg Farnese
    • Carinal Hollow Winery, 1830 W. Point Park, West Point
    • 7:30 p.m. start
    • $15 cover


Friday, Sept. 20:

  • Latin Jazz Social
    • Berman Museum, 601 E. Main St., Collegeville
    • 7:30 p.m. start
    • Free

Artists and Musicians from Latin America (AMLA) invites you to “lace up your dance shoes” and hit the Ursinus College campus lawn for “infectious beats” of Esperanza’s AMLA sounds. Food, live music, and extended museum hours will all be part of the night’s activities, all at no cost for entry.

  • Jesus “Aguaje” Ramos and his Buena Vista Orchestra
    • Keswick Theater, 291 N. Keswick Ave., Glenside
    • Doors open at 7 p.m., with show at 8 p.m.
    • Tickets at: www.keswicktheatre.com

Ramos, a Cuban trombonist, singer, composer, arranger, and musical director, will bring his varied talents along with his Buena Vista Social Club counterparts.

  • Harvest Groove Band
    • Moody Jones Gallery, 107B Easton Road, Glenside
    • 6 to 7:30 p.m.
    • No cover

Bassist and composer David Jamison will lead the locally based band, who has performed at many area festivals.

  • Greg Moore and Actual Proof, featuring Geri Oliver
    • Rivet: Canteen and Assembly, 238 E. High St., Pottstown
    • 7 p.m.
    • Cost is $10 in advance, $12 at the door
    • Tickets at www.visitrivet.com

With 30 years of conga-playing experience, Teddy Pendergrass will join Blue Magic, and bassist Charles Frambrough giving audiences a unique opportunity for jazz and beyond through the evening.

  • Victor North Quartet plays music of John Coltrane
    • The Cigar Republic, 126 Fayette St., Conshohocken
    • 8 to 11 p.m.
    • $15 cover
  • Wendy Simon
    • Cardinal Hollow Winery, 1830 W. Point Park, West Point
    • 7:30 p.m.
    • $15 cover
  • V. Shayne Frederick Trio
    • Eddie V’s, 670 W. DeKalb Pike, KOP
    • 6:30 to 10:30 p.m.
    • No cover
  • 3 for the Road
  • DJ Jazz Set
    • Troubles End Brewing, 50 W. Third Ave., Collegeville
    • 7 to 10 p.m.
    • No cover


Saturday, Sept. 21:

  • An Evening with Joanna Pascale
    • Valley Forge Casino Resort, 1160 First Ave., KOP
    • 8 p.m.
    • $20 cover

Pascale, the artistic director for the entire festival, will lend her vocal talents to relay emotionally connected, intimate musical stylings with “sophisticated taste, profound expressiveness and raw emotion.”

  • Harvesting Your Creativity with singer/songwriter Michelle Lordi and author Chandra Hoffman
    • Bryn Athyn College, 2945 College Dr., Bryn Athyn
    • 2 to 5 p.m. Workshop, 5:30 p.m. dinner, 7 p.m. concert
    • Three-part experience: $150, concert-only $25

Become immersed into jazz with a writer and vocalist, combining their talents for an interactive workshop, followed by a farm-to-table feast and an evening of musical performances with this full event.

  • Junior Jazz
    • Elmwood Park Zoo, 1661 Harding Blvd., Norristown
    • Noon to 3 p.m.
  • Alex Bartlett Trio
    • Human Robot, 208-210 York Road, Jenkintown
    • Noon to 3 p.m.
    • No cover
  • Channel Collective
    • Sizzle, 259 E. High St., Pottstown
    • 7 to 10 p.m.
  • Kevin Valentine
    • Cardinal Hollow Winery, 1830 W. Point Park, West Point
    • 7:30 p.m.
    • $15 cover
  • King Jazz featuring vocalist Cindy King
    • Daniel’s Restaurant and Bar, 16 E. First Ave., Collegeville
    • 6 to 8:30 p.m.
    • No cover
  • RaiSan Sings Trio
    • Eddie V’s, 670 W. DeKalb Pike, KOP
    • 6:30 to 10:30 p.m.
    • No cover
  • A Day at the Boardwalk, featuring The Charly Salinger Swing Trio
    • Pottstown Carousel & The Cab Stand, 80 S. Charlotte St., Pottstown
    • 5 to 9 p.m.
    • Tickets are $35 for adults, $15 for children
    • Cost includes food and live music


Sunday, Sept. 22

  • Women in Jazz Party, hosted by Key of She
    • Hotel Main & West, 46 Fayette St., Conshohocken
    • 1 to 7 p.m.
    • Free event

Deborah Smith Quartet will feature a trombonist, alongside her accompanying group performing award-winning jazz and a “boundless love for music” from 1 to 2 p.m. to get the event started. The Olivia Hughart Group plays 2:30 to 3:30 with a skilled saxophonist/woodwind player. Swing dancing lessons are offered from 4 to 5 p.m., while the Chelsea Reed & the Fair-Weather Band will play 5 to 7 p.m.


  • Tony Miceli & Elijah Cole Quartet
    • King of Prussia Mall, 160 N. Gulph Road, KOP
    • 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
    • No cover

Come see an internationally renowned jazz vibraphonist Miceli perform, showing off the skills that have helped him teach a master class on the instrument, alongside Cole, a gifted guitarist, as they present jazz, R&B, gospel, folk, pop, and rock music.


  • Community Music School Celebrates: Jazz Legends
    • Community Music School, 775 W. Main St., Trappe
    • 3 p.m.
    • Free of charge

CMS will spend the afternoon celebrating the sounds of Jazz legends from across time at this no-cost event open to the public.

  • Kevin Hanson Trio
    • J.J. Ratigan Brewing Company, 227 E. High St., Pottstown
    • 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
    • No cover
  • Jazz Guitarist Dan Hanrahan
    • Southern Cross Kitchen, 8 E. First Ave., Conshohocken
    • 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
    • No cover
  • Lou Lanza Trio
    • Eddie V’s, 670 W. DeKalb Pike, KOP
    • 6 to 9 p.m.
    • No cover
  • DJ Jazz Set
    • Troubles End Brewing, 50 W. Third Ave., Collegeville
    • 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
    • No cover


To review updated information and any potential changes, visit https://www.valleyforge.org/things-to-do/arts-culture/arts-montco-week/montco-jazz-fest/.

author

Melissa S. Finley

Melissa is a 26-year veteran journalist who has worked for a wide variety of publications over her enjoyable career. A summa cum laude graduate of Penn State University’s College of Communications with a degree in journalism, Finley is a single mother to two teens, Seamus and Ash, her chi The Mighty Quinn, and the family’s two cats, Archimedes and Stinky. She enjoys bringing news to readers far and wide.

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