By Cherri Gregg

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – April is Jazz Appreciation month and a local musician is introducing a brand new jazz festival to Center City.

At a time when many of the jazz greats are dying, favorite venues are closing their doors and events like the West Oak Lane Jazz and Arts festival are no more, trombonist Ernest Stuart (photo) says he wanted to bring a little something new to Philadelphia so he decided to organize the Center City Jazz Festival.

“We’ve booked a lot of younger musicians whose music is underrepresented in Philadelphia. I mean, you get a lot of hard bop, you get a lot of organ trio sound and you need that and will be a part of the festival. But I also have a lot of younger musicians who have original music that is more reflective of themselves and the area they grew up in.”

So on April 28th, 16 bands will perform at a number of jazz venues in Center City, including Chris’ Jazz Cafe, Time Midtown, Fergie’s Pub, and Milkboy Philadelphia. Jazz lovers can purchase tickets for $25. Stuart says get tickets early because there’s limited space.

“People are going to get good music; they’re going to get a sense of community. Not just a jazz community, but a Philadelphia community.”

For more information, go to ccjazzfest.com.