Fourth MontCo Jazz Fest, Live and Local, Opens Sept. 16

POTTSTOWN PA – Restaurants and other venues in Pottstown, Collegeville, Norristown, and King of Prussia will play prominent roles during the fourth annual MontCo Jazz Fest. A variety of concerts and performances are scheduled there and elsewhere Sept. 16-21 (2025; Tuesday through Sunday).

Jazz Fest is a county-wide “celebration of music, culture, and community” that offers “something for jazz lovers of all ages,” the Valley Forge Tourism and Convention Board explains. In everything from outdoor concerts to interactive workshops, it adds, the public can “discover great music, connect with neighbors, and experience (the county’s) vibrant arts scene.”

Some events require ticket purchases. More than a dozen, however, are either free or do not require a cover charge.

The Festival Launches in Collegeville

Jazz Fest kicks off Sept. 16 (Tuesday) at 6:30 p.m. on the lawn in front of the Philip and Muriel Berman Museum of Art at Ursinus College, 601 E. Main St., Collegeville PA. Admission is free.

Mike and Kate of Jazz Attack, a non-profit organization “dedicated to spreading the joy of swing dance in Philadelphia,” will start the festivities at 6:30 p.m. They will provide a free dance lesson for beginners. Then the music begins at 7 p.m. with Danny Jonokuchi and the Revisionists, and featured vocalists Charles Turner, Alexa Barchini, and Chelsea Reed.

Mike and Kate will present a choreographed number during the performance.

Parking for the event is located in the college’s 5th Avenue lots, and around its Schellhase Commons. Additional parking will be available at its Ninth Ave parking lot, adjacent to 179 E. Ninth Ave.

Top photo from Getty Images on Unsplash+, used by Travels With The Post under license
Jazz Fest graphic from the the Valley Forge Tourism and Convention Board

More Music As The Week Progresses

Also scheduled are, on Sept. 17 (Wednesday):

West Chester University’s Criterions Jazz Ensemble, directed by Jonathan Ragonese, with doors opening at 5:30 p.m. and a show start at 6:30 p.m. at Rivet Canteen & Assembly in Pottstown PA, with free admission and parking located directly behind its building;
David Reiter Trio, with special guest vocalist Geri Oliver, starting at 6 p.m. at Spring Mill Café in Conshohocken PA, with $20 admission and free parking on the premises; and
Alex Bartlett Trio, from 7-10 p.m. at Human Robot in Jenkintown PA, with no cover charge and parking available on nearby streets and municipal lots.

On Sept. 18 (Thursday):

Calli Graver Quintet, from 5-7 p.m. at King of Prussia Town Center in King of Prussia PA, with free admission and free parking on the premises;
Najwa Parkins, from 6-9 p.m. at Stave & Stable in Pottstown PA, with no cover charge and street parking available; and
An evening with Joanna Pascale, beginning at 8 p.m. at The Vault at Valley Forge Casino Resort in King of Prussia PA, with $20 admission and free parking on-site.

On Sept. 19 (Friday):

DJC Project, from 6-8 p.m. at Moody Jones Gallery in Jenkintown PA, with a $15 cover charge, and street parking available;
King Jazz, featuring vocalist Cindy King, from 6-9 p.m. at The Great American Pub in Conshohocken PA, with no cover charge and street parking available;
South Philly Snake Charmers, from 7-10 p.m. at The CO Lab in Glenside PA, with $15 admission purchased online or $20 at the door, with street parking available; and
The Philly 5 starting at 7:30 p.m. at Cardinal Hollow Winery in West Point PA, with no cover charge and free parking on-site.

Photo by ismail korkmaz on Unsplash, used under license

Even More Music on The Weekend

On Sept. 20 (Saturday):

Junior Jazz Festival, from noon to 3 p.m. at Elmwood Park Zoo in Norristown PA, entrance included as part of the zoo’s general admission fee, with parking available on-site;
Len Pierro Trio, from noon to 3 p.m. at Human Robot in Jenkintown PA, with no cover charge and parking available on nearby streets and municipal lots;
Favorite performers of Theatre Horizon in Norristown during its season kick-off open house, from 2-5 p.m. at Theatre Horizon, with free admission (reservations are encouraged) and parking available in the Airy Street Lot;
The Jazz Bridge Super Band, from 8-11 p.m. at The Cigar Republic in Conshohocken PA, with a $20 cover charge purchased online (all proceeds benefit Jazz Bridge, a non-profit dedicated to help jazz and blues musicians facing crises in greater Philadelphia), and parking available at the SORA West Parking Garage; and
The A to Z Band, featuring tenor saxophonists Mary Lou Newman and Len Pierro, with doors opening at 7:30 p.m. and show starting at 8 p.m. at the Royal Music and Arts Center in Glenside PA, online admission purchases ranging from $10 to $25 per person by age (those younger than 17 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian), with parking available at nearby lots.

And on Sept. 21 (Sunday):

Women in Jazz Party hosted by Key of She Jazz, featuring The Maria Marmarou, The Olivia Hughart Group, and I Got Life: The Music of Nina Simone featuring Carol Riddick and Gerald Veasley, from 1-6:30 p.m. at Hotel West & Main in Conshohocken PA, with free admission and free parking;
Kevin MacConnell Duo, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at J.J. Ratigan Brewing Co. in Pottstown PA, with no cover charge and free off-street parking;
Jazz Guitarist Jake Kelberman, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Southern Cross Kitchen in Conshohocken PA, with no cover charge and parking on nearby streets at a parking deck located across the street;
Dan Hanrahan Trio, from noon to 3 p.m. at Human Robot in Jenkintown PA, with no cover charge and parking available on nearby streets and municipal lots; and
Temple University Jazz Band, starting at 5 p.m., at Temple University in Ambler PA, with no cover charge and free parking on the premises.

For more information, call the Valley Forge Tourism and Convention Board at 610-834-1550, or send it an e-mail to info@valleyforge.org.