Chris’ Jazz Café marks 37 years as Philly’s longest continuously operating jazz club this September, and the anniversary lineup backs up that longevity with real names. A Grammy winner, an acclaimed vocalist tribute, and the anniversary weekend itself all land inside a single month at the Sansom Street venue.

The September Lineup at Chris’ Jazz Café

The month opens Saturday, September 5, with a Cole Porter Tribute Show from vocalist Anaïs Reno and The Tim Brey Quartet, shows at 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. Two weeks later, Grammy Award-winning saxophonist Bobby Watson brings his quartet to the stage for a two-night run on September 18 and 19, same showtimes both nights.

The month closes with the Chris’ Jazz Café anniversary event itself: vocalist Lucy Yeghiazaryan and The Grant Stewart Quartet headline Chris’ 37th Anniversary Weekend, September 25 and 26, capping the celebration with the same 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. shows that have anchored the club’s programming for decades.

^{Clockwise from top left:
Anaïs Reno & The Tim Brey Quartet.
Bobby Watson & His Quartet.
Lucy Yeghiazaryan & The Grant Stewart Quartet}

Beyond the Headline Shows

Chris’ regular programming runs alongside the anniversary lineup all month. A Saturday night jazz jam from 11 p.m. to 1 a.m. gives up-and-coming local talent a stage of their own, while Thursday’s late-night happy hour runs 10:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. with $6 bar snacks, $5 drafts, $7 house wines, and $9 mixed drinks.

For anyone who can’t make it in person, Chris’ streams select performances on its YouTube channel, and the club’s merch store carries everything from t-shirts and stemware to masks and matchbooks for those who want to take a piece of the venue home.

Celebrating 37 Years at Chris’ Jazz Café

Dinner & Show packages, including the three-course chef tasting menu, along with VIP and General Admission tickets, are on sale now for every show this September, with all seating premium.

Whether you catch the Cole Porter tribute, Bobby Watson’s quartet, or make it out for the anniversary weekend itself, September at Chris’ is worth clearing a Saturday night for. Check ChrisJazzCafe.com for pricing and arrival times.

Thirty-seven years is a genuine milestone for any independent venue, let alone one that’s kept live jazz running in Philadelphia continuously through all of it — and this lineup feels like the right way to mark it, with room on the calendar for both the artists who built the club’s reputation and the local players still building their own.

About Post Author

Allan Lane

Philadelphia born and bred, Allan Lane is the Publisher and Editor in Chief of digital magazines. He launched his first publication, SportBikes Inc Magazine in 2010, followed by dosage MAGAZINE in 2019. Recently, Allan launched his third online publication, Club For Man. As a journalist, Allan covers fashion, lifestyle, culture, art, and motorcycles.

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