West Oak Lane Jazz and Arts Festival is a major event held in northwest Philadelphia every June. Everyone gets in free, and there are free shuttles from locations all around the city. Locals and visitors will not only enjoy the talent, but the event's large international food court, major crafts market and art installations as well. The 2010 festival headliners included Al Jarreau, Dave Sanborn, Sonny Fortune and Esperanza Spalding.
The West Oak Lane Jazz & Arts Festival
1536 Haines St.
Philadelphia, PA 19126
215-927-6884
westoaklanefestival.com
The Mount Airy Cultural Canter holds an annual jazz festival that's a mix of entertainment, honoring great musicians, and training those on the rise. Known as the Tony Williams Scholarship Jazz Festival, it's held in Philadelphia over Labor Day weekend. Attendees can choose one event or experience the entire program. Bill Cosby was a special guest at the 2010 event honoring drummer Mickey Roker and bassist Darryl Hall.
Embassy Suites, Philadelphia
9000 Bartram Ave.
Philadelphia, PA 19153
215-365-4500
maccjazz.org
The Lancaster Avenue Jazz and Community Festival is a one-day event held in July in West Philly. It is sponsored by Lancaster Avenue 21st Century Association and features music, giveaways and children's activities.
Saunders Park
39th & Powelton Avenues
Philadelphia, PA 19104
215-382-7522, ext. 289
Only about an hour's drive from Philadelphia, the city of Reading presents the Berks Jazz Festival every spring from the end of March into April. The 2011 event celebrates the event's 21st year. In 2010, more than 120 shows spanning jazz, blues and R&B entertained more than 50,000 guests. Prior artists have included Chris Botti, Blood Sweat & Tears, Boney James, The Robert Cray Band, Wynton Marsalis, Kim Waters, Poncho Sanchez, Keiko Matsui and a 100-year tribute to Django Reinhardt.
Berks Arts Council
P.O. Box 854
201 Washington St., Ste. 523
Reading, PA 19603
610-898-1930
berksjazzfest.com