Logan Square resident uses musical gifts to give back through nonprofit, The Jazz Sanctuary

Paid Sponsor Partnership: Philadelphia Corporation for Aging

For Alan J. Segal, learning to play bass was instrumental to his recovery after a life-altering, 13-hour brain surgery.

"When I came out, I couldn't talk, and I had no hand-eye coordination," says Segal, founder and executive director of The Jazz Sanctuary.

Segal worked as a CPA and specialist in management consulting for decades, until everything changed in 2006 when he was diagnosed with a brain arteriovenous malformation, or AVM.

"A vein broke in my brain, and blood came into my brain, so the headache was insufferable," he says. "I would have been dead had they not fixed it."

He rehabbed with physical therapy but added jazz music to move forward.

Segal says he chose jazz "cause it's difficult, that's why."

"This is called a stick bass," he says. "It's really the soul of the band."

In 2011, Segal founded The Jazz Sanctuary. He says its mission is to provide music to the public free of charge, music lessons where appropriate and pay musicians a fair rate, adding that "we've met our mission."

He says he runs the performing arts nonprofit, finding sponsors and fundraising, to give back.

The Jazz Sanctuary has worked a lot of retirement homes and churches mostly.

"I'll bring the music. I'll bring five musicians. You supply the hall, seating, and coffee and cake if you want to," he says.

He calls the arrangement 'Jazz & Joe.' A recent concert was held at the Episcopal Church of the Incarnation in Morrisville, PA.

"We have given 968 concerts to date. By the time we finish this year with what we booked, we'll have 988. I'm trying to book another 12 to make it an even 1,000. That's my own goal," he says.

The Jazz Sanctuary quintet is celebrating its 15th anniversary season. Segal says he regularly plays with the same five musicians. There's Eddie Etkins on saxophone, James Dell'Orefice on piano, Leon Jordan, Sr. on drums, Segal on bass and their vibe player, Randy Sutin.

And the vibe the group creates is a good one.

"When I see people smile, when I see them clap, when they come up to me afterwards and say, 'we really loved it,' what more can you ask for?" he says.

You can see The Jazz Sanctuary performing on August 14 at Gloria Dei (Old Swedes') Church in South Philadelphia. The group is partnering with the American Federation of Musicians Local 77-274, the Renaissance Orchestra and the American Red Cross for a community blood drive to help alleviate the nationwide shortage.

The Jazz Sanctuary | The Jazz Sanctuary - Performing America's Great Music Invention - JAZZ

Aug. 14, 2026, Gloria Dei (Old Swedes') Church | SCHEDULE OF EVENTS - UPDATED WEEKLY

American Red Cross - Appointments to donate blood