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    Programs and Events

    Our Jazz Story

    Celebrate Pennsylvania's extraordinary jazz legacy with PA250 “Our Jazz Story,” a five-city tour featuring the 20-piece Keystone Jazz Orchestra, dynamic performances, and immersive historical storytelling honoring the Commonwealth's legendary musical pioneers.

    Jazz Music Painting
    Keystone Jazz Orchestra and PA 250: Our Jazz Story logos

    Celebrating Jazz and Pennsylvania’s Role in American History

    Join us for PA250 “Our Jazz Story,” a monumental celebration of Pennsylvania’s extraordinary musical legacy. Presented by the PA Jazz Alliance, Inc. in partnership with Pennsylvania Creative Industries and the National Endowment for the Arts, this program honors jazz as one of America’s original and greatest cultural contributions.

    Keystone Jazz Orchestra and PA 250: Our Jazz Story logos

    A Legacy of Innovation

    From early Swing to the complexities of Bebop and modern fusion, Pennsylvania has been a powerful force in jazz history. Our Commonwealth played a pivotal role in the genre’s evolution, hosting the nation’s first recognized jazz festival, The Cavalcade of Dixieland Jazz (1951), and serving as home to legends like John Coltrane, Billie Holiday, Tommy & Jimmy Dorsey, George Benson, Nina Simone, and Henry Mancini.

    The Experience

    Brought to life by the acclaimed Keystone Jazz Orchestra, a 20-piece ensemble directed by Maestro Marko Marcinko, this five-city tour fulfills the America250PA mission to educate, preserve, and celebrate our history across all 67 counties.

    Narration by Pennsylvania State Representatives Joe Ciresi, Eddie Pashinski, and special guests

    Tour Dates

    Nov. 1: Mary D'Angelo Performing Arts Center, Mercyhurst University, Erie; 6 P.M.

    Nov. 5: Lower Moreland High School, Huntingdon Valley; 7 P.M.

    Nov. 6: Lemmond Theater, Misericordia University, Dallas; 7 P.M.

    Nov. 9: Hershey Middle School, Hershey; 7 P.M.

    Nov. 17: The Manchester Craftsman’s Guild, Pittsburgh; 7 P.M.

    Learn More and Buy Tickets

    Pennsylvania's Rich Jazz History

    This program is dedicated to sharing Pennsylvania’s rich, music-based history, highlighting jazz as one of America’s greatest cultural contributions.

    Jazz was born in New Orleans and traveled north along the Mississippi River, reaching Pennsylvania's major cities and towns. Pennsylvania played a significant role in the jazz timeline — hosting the first recognized jazz festival in the nation and producing legends such as John Coltrane, Billie Holiday, Tommy & Jimmy Dorsey, Henry Mancini, George Benson, Nina Simone, and many others.

    Support the Tour

    Help us celebrate Pennsylvania’s jazz legacy for generations to come. To become a sponsor or learn more, visit www.pajazzalliance.com or contact pajazz@mac.com.