PHILADELPHIA - The sweet sound of jazz has cut to silence in the COVID pandemic. Now, for the first time, federal relief funding is on the way.
The COVID relief stimulus package, signed by President Donald Trump, sets aside $15 billion dollars for live music venues. Mark DeNinno, the owner of Chris’ Jazz Cafe, calls it music to his ears. "It’s a big weight off everyone’s shoulders," said DeNinno, who has been a leading voice in the push to save Philly stages.
He says it's an all or nothing game, and if you aren’t packing a club of people, you don’t have the money to pay bands. "The ability to open up at 25% capacity for a venue, it doesn’t work.