The Jazz Sanctuary, a Philadelphia-based non-profit performing arts organization, was established in 2011 by Alan Segal, who continues to serve as its Executive Director.
Four concerts scheduled for October will feature The Jazz Sanctuary’s musicians as the organization looks for new sponsors to maintain its commitment to offering free, accessible live jazz to everyone.
Spread the word. The Jazz Sanctuary — we need friends, we need people showing up, and we need donations.”— Alan Segal, Founder & Executive Director of The Jazz SanctuaryPHILADELPHIA, PA, UNITED STATES, October 1, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — For Alan Segal, returning to the stage with The Jazz Sanctuary means far more than just picking up his bass again.
Following several months of recovery and rehabilitation after breaking his hip, the 85-year-old founder and executive director of The Jazz Sanctuary is heading back to perform alongside the musicians and audiences he has greatly missed. Meanwhile, the Philadelphia-area non-profit continues its dedication to delivering free live jazz across the Greater Philadelphia region.
“I’m looking forward to playing with my guys, my family of musicians,” said Segal. “I want to tell you, I miss them. And I miss you, the audience, more and more. I can’t stay away from it.”
This October, The Jazz Sanctuary will host four performances. The lineup kicks off with two concerts on Thursday, October 8 — one at Trinity Episcopal Church in Buckingham, where Segal and his fellow Jazz Sanctuary musicians will take the stage, and another at Bethlehem Baptist Church featuring Lynn Riley & The World Mix.
“Lynn Riley and the World Mix is absolutely fabulous,” Segal said. “I promise you, a wonderful, wonderful, wonderful band. You’re going to have a wonderful time.”
The October schedule continues with The Jazz Sanctuary musicians performing at Gloria Dei (Old Swedes’) Episcopal Church in Philadelphia on Thursday, October 22, and then at Main Line Unitarian Church on Monday, October 26.
“It’s a light October in terms of numbers of events, so you’re going to get a huge amount of energy for it from us,” Segal said.
A NEW CHALLENGE: REPLACING TWO LONGTIME SPONSORS
As The Jazz Sanctuary marks its 15th year of bringing complimentary live jazz to communities across the region — and works toward its objective of presenting its 1,000th concert — the non-profit is also facing a major new financial hurdle.
Segal announced that two long-standing sponsors, Compass Ion Advisors and Philadelphia Federal Credit Union, will no longer provide financial backing to the organization.
According to Segal, Compass Ion Advisors provided roughly $60,000 over the course of its sponsorship, while Philadelphia Federal Credit Union contributed approximately $44,000.
“We have to make up the difference while I search for a sponsor– plural,” Segal said. “Spread the word. The Jazz Sanctuary — we need friends, we need people showing up, and we need donations.”
Rather than asking its audiences for donations repeatedly throughout the year, The Jazz Sanctuary typically focuses its individual fundraising efforts into one annual campaign, usually held during November, December, and January.
“If we want to make a request, we do it once a year,” Segal said. “We don’t bother you the rest of the year.”
The organization is also actively pursuing new corporate and community partners who share its commitment to making live music available to everyone. Individuals or organizations interested in sponsorship opportunities, supporting The Jazz Sanctuary, or helping connect the non-profit with potential sponsors are encouraged to reach out through thejazzsanctuary.com.
RECOVERY — AND A RETURN TO THE MUSIC
Segal’s return to performing follows months of rehabilitation from the broken hip that kept him off the stage with the ensemble he created.
“My physical being is getting better every week,” said Segal, who continues physical therapy twice each week. “As you know, if you were afflicted with a broken hip, it takes a long, long time.”
Throughout Segal’s recovery, The Jazz Sanctuary kept performing, with other musicians stepping in to keep the non-profit’s concert schedule — and its mission — moving forward.
Now Segal is ready to reunite not only with his fellow musicians, but also with the audiences who have supported The Jazz Sanctuary throughout its history.
At 85, Segal can even find humor in the challenges of recovery.
“As my daughter says, ‘You’re an old man,’” Segal joked. “I ignore her. But 85, I can’t argue. I can ignore but not argue.”
More important to Segal, however, is what comes next.
“I’m looking forward to seeing you,” he said. “And I’m looking forward to playing with my guys, my family of musicians.”
The Jazz Sanctuary’s October performances include:
• Thursday, October 8 at Trinity Episcopal Church, Routes 202 & 413, Buckingham PA 18912, 7:30 p.m. — An evening of the always popular “Jazz & Joe” with coffee, treats, and live music featuring The Jazz Sanctuary Quintet: James Dell’Orefice (piano), Eddie Etkins (saxophone), Leon Jordan Sr. (drums), Alan Segal (bass) and Randy Sutin (vibes/percussion).
• Thursday, October 8 at Bethlehem Baptist Church, Penllyn Pike and Dager Rd., Spring House, PA, 19422, 7 p.m. — Lynn Riley & The World Mix performs in an evening of “Jazz and Joe,” featuring Rubin Edwards (bass), Adam Falk (piano), Butch Reed (drums) and Lynn Riley (tenor saxophone).
• Thursday, October 22 at Gloria Dei (Old Swedes’) Episcopal Church, 8 Christian St., Philadelphia, PA 19147, 7:30 p.m. – An evening of “Jazz & Joe” featuring The Jazz Sanctuary Quintet: James Dell’Orefice (piano), Eddie Etkins (saxophone), Leon Jordan Sr. (drums), Alan Segal (bass) and Randy Sutin (vibes/percussion).
• Monday, October 26 at Main Line Unitarian Church, 816 S. Valley Forge Rd., Devon, PA 19333, 7:30 p.m. — An evening of “Jazz & Joe” featuring The Jazz Sanctuary Quintet: James Dell’Orefice (piano), Eddie Etkins (saxophone), Leon Jordan Sr. (drums), Alan Segal (bass) and Randy Sutin (vibes/percussion).
The Jazz Sanctuary performance calendar is updated regularly at For performance times, addresses, updates and additional events, visit https://thejazzsanctuary.com.
ABOUT THE JAZZ SANCTUARY: Founded in 2011, The Jazz Sanctuary is a Philadelphia-based nonprofit performing arts organization dedicated to bringing free live jazz performances to communities throughout the Greater Philadelphia region. Now in its 15th year, The Jazz Sanctuary presents performances in churches, community centers, senior residences and other public gathering places, bringing musicians and audiences together through the shared experience of live jazz. The Jazz Sanctuary never charges admission for its community performances and relies upon the generosity of individual donors, corporate sponsors, grants and community partners to keep its music free and accessible to all. For more information, upcoming performance schedules, sponsorship opportunities or to support The Jazz Sanctuary, visit https://thejazzsanctuary.com.
Jim DeLorenzo
Jim DeLorenzo Public Relations
+1 215-266-5943
jim@jhdenterprises.com
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Alan Segal, Founder & Executive Director of The Jazz Sanctuary, interviewed on the "Storytelling with a Purpose" podcast with host Jim DeLorenzo.
