Mayor Kenney Kicks Off "Philly Celebrates Jazz"
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- April is Jazz Appreciation Month in Philadelphia. On Monday, city officials kicked off the celebration inside City Hall.
Kids from the Clef Club provided the musical backdrop to the kick-off of "Philly Celebrates Jazz," which included city council recognition for the 50-year-old performance and education venue. And an award to bassist Christian McBride, winner of five Grammys and artistic director of the Newport Jazz Festival.
"I couldn't be any prouder to be from this city with such great traditions and to know that the future of this music is always in good standing," McBride said. "I mean listen to these fantastic young musicians over here."
Jazz musicians and fans packed the mayor's reception room for the festivities, which impressed Mayor Jim Kenney.
"This room is the coolest it's ever going to be," Kenney said.
The celebration culminates in the fifth annual Center City Jazz Festival on April 30, with 20 acts at five venues.