Ella Gahnt will take the stage with the Vince Evans Trio on Sunday, February 16, 2025, from 2:00 to 3:15 p.m. on Ronnie’s Stage at the Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival. The ensemble features Ella on vocals, Vince Evans on piano, Eric Glaser on bass, and JC Jefferson Jr. on drums, promising an unforgettable afternoon of swing and soul.

Tribute to Carmita Poe: Philly’s Greatest Champion of Music

Ella Gahnt, the celebrated Philadelphia-based jazz vocalist, presents an unforgettable evening honoring the legacy of Carmita Poe, a beloved figure in the jazz community. Known as “Philly’s Greatest Supporter of Music”, Carmita was a tireless advocate for jazz, a dedicated patron of the East Coast Jazz Festival and later the Mid Atlantic Jazz Festival, and a passionate promoter of live performances across the region.

Carmita’s love for jazz vocals, especially singers who brought individuality and authenticity to their interpretations of standards, made her a cornerstone of the Philadelphia jazz scene. She was affectionately known as the Pied Piper of Music, keeping her community informed of every must-see show and rallying the “Philly Crew” for unforgettable bus trips to festivals, especially the last 14 of the 15 Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festivals.

Though we lost Carmita this past July, her legacy resonates deeply in the jazz world. Ella Gahnt’s tribute at the Mid Atlantic Jazz Festival, Carmita’s favorite venue, will celebrate her life with renditions of the jazz standards she loved most, capturing the spirit of her enduring passion for music.

Join us on the new Ronnie’s Stage at the new venue, the Marriott, by the way!  2025 MAJF Motto – Playing the Changes!

Don’t miss this opportunity to honor a true champion of jazz, as Ella Gahnt brings Carmita Poe’s legacy to life in song.

About Ella Gahnt

Ella Gahnt, known as “Philly’s Class Act,” is a celebrated jazz vocalist who has captivated audiences at major venues and festivals. Based in Philadelphia, she regularly performs with her own trio and collaborates with top musicians in the region. Her dynamic performances have earned her accolades, including the prestigious “2019 Philly Celebrates Jazz Award” from the City of Philadelphia’s Office of Arts, Culture, and Creative Economy.

Ella has brought her electrifying presence to Washington, DC’s Westminster Presbyterian Church, earning standing ovations, and has been a recurring highlight on the Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival’s Club Stage. Her discography includes Immaculate Union, By Request, Third Stage of Elegance, and her latest release, Celebration 4 Life, co-produced by pianist Aaron Graves. Both Third Stage of Elegance and Celebration 4 Life showcase her songwriting prowess and her commitment to blending elegance with emotion in her music.

With her recordings in rotation on WRTI-FM and a career moving at “the speed of swing,” Ella Gahnt continues to shine as one of jazz’s enduring vocal treasures.