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 thought we'd give it a trial run. Drop us a line to let us know what you think!
Spotlight: Maria Schneider Orchestra - Saturday, McCarter Theatre, Princeton
The brilliant composer-arranger Maria Schneider recently announced a project titled Decades — her first-ever vinyl release, featuring music culled from 30 years of recordings by her trademark band. It will arrive later this year as a 3-LP objet d’art in a strictly limited quantity, marking the first Maria Schneider Orchestra statement since Data Lords, which was widely hailed as the standout jazz release of 2020. Meanwhile, the band plays on, now with Gary Versace filling in for the late Frank Kimbrough on piano. In Princeton, for a Jazz in June concert at the McCarter Theatre, Schneider will welcome another sub: returning hero Clarence Penn, who held down the orchestra’s drum chair for years before Johnathan Blake stepped in. Expect a range of sounds and shifting colors from this peerless ensemble, before it settles in for a week at Birdland in New York. $25 to $55; purchase tickets. (Nate Chinen)
Mike Reed’s Separatist Party - Tuesday and Wednesday, Solar Myth
Drummer-composer-bandleader Mike Reed has always been a bridge-builder — across generations and geographies, and between genres and styles. So despite the tongue-in-cheek name, his Separatist Party seeks unity, combining the members of Chicago ambient-psych trio Bitchin Bajas with three figures from the city’s more jazz-rooted improv scene: Reed himself, along with Marvin Tate on vocals and Ben LaMar Gay on cornet, flutes and percussion. $25; purchase tickets. (Chinen)
Ethnic Heritage Ensemble: Tribute to Don Cherry - Thursday and Friday, Solar Myth
During its first appearance at Solar Myth, four months ago, the Ethnic Heritage Ensemble cast a transfixing spell — notably in a moment of near-quietude, as leader Kahil El’Zabar offered a lengthy elaboration on Miles Davis’ “All Blues,” on solo kalimba. Similar transcendence is likely to unfold this time around, as the group — with El’Zabar on percussion, Dwight Trible on vocals, Corey Wilkes on trumpet, Alex Harding on baritone saxophone and Justin Dillard on piano — pays homage to the music of Don Cherry, as on a fine recent album. $25; purchase tickets. (Chinen)
Melissa Aldana Quartet - Friday, McCarter Theatre, Princeton
In the decade since Melissa Aldana won the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Saxophone Competition, she’s earned two Grammy nominations and global notoriety for her thick tone, agile dexterity and sensitive delivery on the tenor. For her latest Blue Note album, 12 Stars, she built original compositions inspired by the stories and mystery of tarot. Her quartet will play music from that project, which should feel even grander at the nearly century-old McCarter Theatre. $25 to $60; purchase tickets. (Alex Ariff)
Tribute to Larry McKenna - Saturday, Chris’ Jazz Cafe
Tenor saxophonist and Philly jazz legend Larry McKenna, now 85, has been on the mend from a stroke, which means he is unlikely to put horn to lips at this tribute concert. But he’ll be in the room, as well his musical sensibility — ringing loud and clear from longtime friends like saxophonists Victor North and Aidan McKeon, pianist Tim Brey, bassist Dave Brodie and drummer Dan Monaghan. $25, dinner packages at $75 and $95; purchase tickets. (Chinen)
Hamid Drake’s Turiya - Saturday and Sunday, Solar Myth
Everything is on the table when Hamid Drake strikes the drum. Predictability is out the window. Cliffhangers await. His expansive career, spanning more than five decades, has made him a focal point and standard-bearer of the avant-garde and free jazz scene. With his project Turiya, he honors Alice Coltrane, another conduit in the crux of experimental and world music. It features James Brandon Lewis on tenor saxophone, Jamie Saft on keyboards, Pasquale Mirra on percussion, and Joshua Abrams on double bass and guembri. Come early (6 p.m.) to the Sunday performance to hear Drake speak about the project, and his life in music, with WRTI’s Josh Jackson. $30; purchase tickets. (Ariff)