City of Philadelphia Kicks Off Weekly Lunchtime Jazz Series in City Hall
By KYW community affairs reporter Cherri Gregg
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- In honor of Jazz Appreciation Month, Philadelphia City Hall opened its doors today for weekly lunchtime jazz concerts.
Room 116 of City Hall was standing-room-only for the launch of the new series, as Monnette Sudler, Philadelphia's "first lady of guitar," kicked off the city's "Jazz in the Gallery" series.
"It says a lot about who we are," Sudler noted today.
Helen Haynes, chief cultural officer for the City of Philadelphia, says Mayor Nutter wanted to bring music to City Hall, so the office decided to open the doors of its art gallery to host concerts each Wednesday for the duration of the "All That's Jazz" exhibit, which includes dozens of pieces of art inspired by jazz music.
But, Haynes says, it's about more than just a concert.
"It acknowledges the importance of this music to the city, not only culturally but economically: the clubs, the venues drive people to come downtown and spend money."
For the next five Wednesdays, the public may bring their lunch to City Hall to attend the free concerts, which run from 12 noon to 1:30pm. Enter on the east side of Market Street.
