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: Clifford Brown Jazz Festival - Wednesday through Saturday, Rodney Square, Wilmington, DE
The Clifford Brown Jazz Festival bills itself as the largest free jazz festival on the east coast. That’s a boast about scale, but this year the fest — produced by the Wilmington Mayor's Office of Cultural Affairs, and held at Rodney Square in the heart of that city’s downtown — could also make a claim about outsized booking. The lineup includes not only major jazz headliners like saxophonist Kamasi Washington and trumpeters Keyon Harrold and Marquis Hill, but also jazz-adjacent global stars like Angelique Kidjo, Melanie Fiona, and Kem. Pianist Dayramir González reps the Afro-Cuban element, while the funkier end of the spectrum belongs to drummer Mark Guiliana and guitarist Cory Wong. And you can expect some fireworks from three distinct piano marvels: Monty Alexander, with Harlem Kingston Express; Jason Moran, with his Harlem Hellfighters; and Hiromi, with her fusionesque Sonicwonder band.
Starting at 4:45 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, and 1 p.m. on Saturday. For more information about the lineup and the logistics of the festival, visit the official website.
Robert Glasper - Tuesday, Brooklyn Bowl Philadelphia
Before he presides over the Blue Note Jazz Fest in Napa Valley this summer, pianist Robert Glasper will swing through Philly for a one-nighter at Brooklyn Bowl. Expect to hear some wisecracks, along with material from his most recent Grammy-winner, Black Radio III. And considering that a few of his favorite collaborators are Philadelphians, keep your fingers crossed for a special guest or two. $37.50, $40 at the door; Purchase tickets.
Meshell Ndegeocello - Tuesday, Ardmore Music Hall
The Omnichord Real Book, her first album in five years, features a heavy contingent of jazz artists, including Jason Moran, Joel Ross, Brandee Younger and Jeff Parker. On this stop of the album-release tour, Meshell Ndegeocello will focus on the elastic soul of a working band, anchoring the action with her riveting electric bass work and her deeply intuitive songs. $30; purchase tickets.
Beardfest - Thursday through Sunday, Hammonton, NJ
It may sound like a gathering of beards, but it’s actually a summit of some of Philly’s top young jazz talent, like Nazir Ebo and Yesseh Furaha-Ali. They’ll lead their own bands and sit in with others, on a bill that also features names like Mark Guiliana. Read this report by Ryan Hankins, who played the fest last year, and sheds some light on the scene. Daily passes are $65 and $75, and a full pass is $185; purchase tickets.
Evan Kappelman Group - Thursday, Temple Performing Arts Center
The Rite of Swing Jazz Cafe Series at Temple kicks off its summer series with a gig by saxophonist Evan Kappelman, who originally hails from Kansas City but has been studying at the Boyer College of Music and Dance under Tim Warfield and Dick Oatts. His band features Banks Sapnar on trumpet, Josh Richman on piano, Dan McCain on bass and Ben Cohen on drums. Free admission, no tickets required.
Conjunto Philadelphia - Friday, Chris’ Jazz Cafe
The music of pre-revolutionary Cuba — bolero, cha-cha-chá and són — provides endless inspiration for Conjunto Philadelphia, which released its self-titled debut album in 2019. The group includes Andres Cisnero on lead vocals and percussion, Greg Kettinger on Cuban tres, and Mike Boone on bass. $25 to $95; purchase tickets.
Brandee Younger - Friday, Solar Myth
Last fall, during her most recent visit to Philadelphia, Brandee Younger paid tribute to one of her harp lodestars, Alice Coltrane. This time around, she’ll be honoring her other main muse, Dorothy Ashby — incidentally, the subject of a covetable new vinyl boxed set — with help from a working rhythm team of bassist Rashaan Carter and drummer Allan Mednard. $30; purchase tickets.
