The Jazz Sanctuary adds four September shows after summer spotlight

The Philadelphia nonprofit is kicking off September with four live jazz performances after a television feature and a community blood drive in August. Founder Alan Segal is also asking for small donations to help keep concerts free in churches, community spaces and senior settings.

Why it matters: - The Jazz Sanctuary is trying to keep live jazz free for audiences across the Philadelphia region. - The nonprofit relies on grants, sponsors and personal giving instead of ticket sales. - The organization is nearing its 1,000th live performance after 15 years.

What happened: - The Philadelphia-based nonprofit begins September with four performances at churches and community venues. - August brought a regional television feature on 6abc Action News at Noon and a blood drive tied to music and community service. - Founder and executive director Alan Segal used the fall launch to renew the call for donations.

The details: - The September schedule includes a Thursday, September 10, 7:30 p.m. “Jazz & Joe” event at Trinity Episcopal Church Buckingham in Buckingham, Pennsylvania. - The Jazz Sanctuary Quintet for that show includes James Dell’Orefice, Eddie Etkins, Leon Jordan Sr., Bruce Kaminsky and Randy Sutin. - The schedule continues Sunday, September 13, at 10 a.m. at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Glenside, where the quintet will accompany Sunday services. - A Wednesday, September 16, 7:30 p.m. “Jazz & Joe” performance is set for Pennepack Baptist Church in Philadelphia with support from the Greater Bustleton Civic League. - The month closes Thursday, September 24, 7:30 p.m. at Gloria Dei (Old Swedes’) Episcopal Church in Philadelphia’s Old City. - The August 13 television segment featured Segal at his home office and at a performance at Church of the Incarnation in Morrisville. - The August 14 “Music for Life” Blood Drive was presented with the American Red Cross, American Federation of Musicians Local 77-274 and the Renaissance Orchestra at Gloria Dei (Old Swedes') Church in Philadelphia. - Phaedra Jordan said 45 people registered to donate and 21 gave blood before the drive ended early because temperatures at the venue exceeded safe donor conditions. - Segal said the blood drive drew musicians and longtime supporters and showed how music can bring people together around service.

Between the lines: - The Jazz Sanctuary is pairing programming with fundraising because small donations are central to its no-ticket model. - Segal is betting that modest gifts from many listeners can sustain free concerts without changing the organization’s access-first approach. - The August television segment likely helped widen awareness beyond the group’s existing audience, which can matter for both attendance and fundraising.

What’s next: - The Jazz Sanctuary says it wants more people to give $5, $10, $20 or whatever they can afford. - The organization is looking toward the final months of 2026 and beyond as it tries to build a more durable financial base. - The group will continue presenting live jazz in community settings while working toward its 1,000th performance.

The bottom line: - The Jazz Sanctuary is using September’s concerts to extend a summer of visibility, service and community support while asking the public to help keep live jazz free.