Welcome to Moment’s Notice, WRTI’s weekly digest of jazz listings in the Philadelphia area, now in Beta. This feature is coming soon, but first we wanted to give it a trial run. Drop us a line to let us know what you think!
You can also check our Classical Events Calendar, a searchable database for classical concerts and other happenings. And remember that some shows sell out fast!
Spotlight: Fieldwork - Thursday through Saturday, Solar Myth
A dozen years ago, Ars Nova Workshop presented Composer Portrait: Fieldwork, a three-day residency for one of improvised music’s most dynamic small groups, and an acknowledgement of the expansive terrain encompassed by its three resident minds. Since then, each of those exceptional artists — pianist Vijay Iyer, alto saxophonist Steve Lehman and drummer Tyshawn Sorey — has created a prolific body of work, accruing influence and accolades along the way. (The most recent example: Sorey was just named a Pulitzer Prize finalist, for a piece that we covered last fall.) Fieldwork hasn’t released a studio album since Door, in 2008, but its collective rapport is still very much an active concern, and in some ways deeper and more relevant than ever. This three-night stand, sponsored by The Musical Fund Society of Philadelphia, will bring that interactive exchange back into focus, with a host of boundary-testing new musical ideas. $37.08; purchase tickets. (Nate Chinen)
Ari Hoenig Trio - Friday, Chris’ Jazz Cafe
Drummer-bandleader Ari Hoenig forged his reputation on the New York scene, but he’s a true Philly cat, and always a returning hero at Chris’ Jazz Cafe. He appears this week with the same crackerjack trio heard on a fine recent album, Golden Treasures; it features the Israeli piano virtuoso Gadi Lehavi and a stalwart bassist, Ben Tiberio. $25-$95; purchase tickets. (Chinen)
Chucho Valdés & Paquito D’Rivera Reunion - Friday, McCarter Theatre, Princeton
Pianist Chucho Valdés’ Irakere is one of the most influential and impactful Afro-Cuban bands of all time. Valdés formed the group 50 years ago, and soon welcomed woodwind virtuoso Paquito D’Rivera into the fold. Hear the two legends reunited as they celebrate a lifelong friendship, and share a musical vocabulary rooted in everything from Beethoven to clave. $65; purchase tickets. (Ariff)
SW!NG OUT - Friday and Saturday, Penn Live Arts
Nearly a century ago, as “swing” expanded from an approach to the beat onstage, it transferred to the dance floor. SW!NG OUT harks back to that era with a modern update: a variety of dance artists, exploring everything from tap to Lindy Hop, will improvise with the Eyal Vilner Big Band. Vilner, originally from Tel Aviv, has been committed to this exchange for 15 years. $59-$67; purchase tickets (Ariff)
Joey Alexander - Saturday, McCarter Theatre, Princeton
Last year, the preternaturally gifted pianist Joey Alexander released Origin: his first album of all-original music, and a clear bid to shed the baggage of a child prodigy. He’ll turn 20 later this month — but first, coming off a series of tour dates in Asia, Alexander appears with his working band on the McCarter Theatre’s Jazz in June series. $25-$60; purchase tickets. (Chinen)
Keyon Harrold - Saturday and Sunday, South Jazz Kitchen
Keyon Harrold brings an undeniably ferocious approach to the trumpet. He has toured internationally with his own band and alongside Common, Snoop Dogg, and Maxwell. So far this year, he’s performed with symphony orchestras and hip-hop jam sessions — and now you can check his electric group in an intimate setting in Philly. $43.95; purchase tickets. (Alex Ariff)
Pete Malinverni - Saturday, Chris’ Jazz Cafe
On The Town - Pete Malinverni Plays Leonard Bernstein is an astute recent songbook tribute by somebody who knows his way around the town. Drawing from the album, Malinverni leads an ace piano trio with Ugonna Okegwo on bass and Aaron Seeber on drums. $30-$100; purchase tickets. (Chinen)