Moment's Notice

Cindy Blackman Santana and Laufey bring a touch of celebrity to the scene this week, along with their jazz affinities. But our light shines just as bright on the club scene, where Tim Brey and Byron Landham are bringing (and swinging) the goods.

Moment's Notice this week features two shows as part of the Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians' 60th anniversary, a unique jazz-cabaret take on 1930s Harlem, a double bill to close out the 2025 Philly Music Fest and more.

Moment's Notice chronicles another busy week on the scene, including a belated birthday tribute to John Coltrane, separate hits by the drummers Nate Smith and Tom Skinner, and guitarist-composer Rafiq Bhatia.

Playing in the Philadelphia area this week are Makaya McCraven, Julian Lage, and the Terell Stafford Quintet — read about them and more in this week's Moment's Notice.

Branford Marsalis plays Jarrett, Bobby Zankel plays Coltrane, and Anthony Tidd presents Quite Sane. All this and more, in this week's edition of Moment's Notice.

The leaves may not be turning, but the Eagles are back on the field, the kids are back in school — and the fall arts season is upon us. What does that mean for jazz fans in the Philadelphia area? A lot of big names doing big things, along with the usual steady hum around the scene.

This week on the Philly scene: Chicago Underground Duo returns to Solar Myth, Christian McBride & Ursa Major hit City Winery, and the Adam Birnbaum Trio swings Chris' Jazz Cafe.

This week's Moment's Notice sees a continuation of the Club Patio Jazz Day in Fort Washington, a special visit from South Africa by the Bokani Dyer Trio, a free concert by the Stanley Clarke Band in Camden and more.

What is your ideal summer-jazz heat signature? Cool and refreshing, like a standard sung by Stacey Kent? Or bright and blazing, like an uptempo blues by the Marel Hidalgo Organ Trio?

Finesse and fire — those are the ingredients you’ll find among this week’s offerings in Moment’s Notice, which feature two standout singers, a lauded saxophonist, and a local hot-jazz band.