Pianist Jim Holton and saxophonist James Stewart perform at a Mt. Airy Jazz Bridge concert. Photo courtesy of Anthony Dean.

For the first time, Jazz Bridge brings their top-notch Neighborhood Concert Series to Mt. Airy for a 2010/2011 season. These monthly benefit performances feature highly creative, recorded professionals in an intimate setting at Mt. Airy Presbyterian Church. The concerts are reasonably priced, including refreshments and a Q&A with performers.

Jazz Bridge was co-founded in 2004 by singers Suzanne Cloud and Wendy Simon when they witnessed the suffering of fellow performers towards the end of their lives. "This was common in the jazz community," says Cloud "creative people have little means of support in their daily lives as they pursue a career in the arts."

The organization provides emergency help for all crisis situations, funding for final needs, and a community resource center for members and their families. Their long-term goal is to establish both short-term and continuing care facilities for older and ailing jazz and blues musicians.

According to Ms. Cloud, "many Philly jazz musicians and fans live in the Mt. Airy/Germantown section of Philadelphia" so this neighborhood was an easy choice to add to their existing successful Cheltenham and Collingswood series.

She goes on to describe the shows as a family experience with an early end time "so folks can get up for work the next day" that also gives audiences a chance "to experience the musicians and vocalists in their midst, up close and personal." She adds that each is "booked specifically to provide an authentic aesthetic experience for the audience."

Keep an eye out for future concerts and Jazz Bridge events on our calendar at: http://hillontheavenue.com/category/tags/jazz-bridge.

To drop a little something in the Jazz Bridge tip jar, visit www.jazzbridge.org/donate/.