Manayunk to host its first-ever JazzFest!

Mar 17, 2019 0 comments

By Samantha Renn

To celebrate Jazz Appreciation Month, JazzFest is coming this April 2-4, 2019 with 20+ acts of Latin jazz, gypsy jazz, traditional and blues performing at over 10 restaurants and venues in downtown Manayunk. This 3-day festival kicks off with the legendary Boostie Barns and Larry McKenna performing at Venice Island Performing Arts Center on April 2. All other performances will be free to the public throughout the festival.

At 80 years old, tenor saxophonists Boostie Barns and Larry McKenna have been performing for majority of their lives and in October 2018 they recorded their first studio album together, The More I See You. These two legends of jazz music have recorded and performed with Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Rosemary Clooney, the Heath Brothers, Lee Morgan, Philly Joe Jones, Stan Getz, and many more. Read their full bio here: http://www.manayunkjazzfest.com/bootsie-barnes-larry-mckenna/

To discover the inspiration behind JazzFest, I spoke with Lia Menaker of One Nickel CoWorking. She discussed with me how the two people who created the event, Jim Bauer (One Nickel CoWorking) and Brendan McGrew (Bourbon Blue), became inspired to develop JazzFest. Lia explained, “Brendan and Jim believe in moving forward with more art and music in Manayunk. They think it is an amazing town to bring in people to help support local business, art, and music. They thought all the other businesses [in Manayunk] would really support [JazzFest] and want to be around more [music and art]. They also love jazz music and they know the history that it has in this city!”

JazzFest has partnered with Jazz Bridge, a non-profit organization that helps musicians in times of crisis. Proceeds from JazzFest will go to Jazz Bridge to support their mission of assisting musicians with life-altering medical, legal, dental, home and instrument repair crises.

You can find more information about JazzFest on Manayunkjazzfest.com or follow @manayunkjazzfest on Instagram and Facebook.