Welcome to Moment’s Notice, WRTI’s guide to the Philadelphia jazz scene. We’re here to tip you off to the best shows during the week ahead. Sign up now to receive this service in your inbox every week. And if you want to let us know about a show on the horizon, or share any other feedback, drop us a line!
Spotlight: Joseph Daley Tuba Trio — Thursday, Solar Myth
The tuba has played a pivotal role in jazz history — but mostly its early history, before the dominion of the double bassists. As he approaches his 75th year, Joseph Daley belongs to a generation that dragged the tuba toward a more imaginative palette of expression, in traditional and experimental settings alike. Among his most formative associations was a lengthy one with the visionary saxophonist, flutist and composer Sam Rivers, from the early 1970s onward; Daley’s album The Tuba Trio Chronicles pays homage to that influence, harnessing Rivers’ intervallic language as a springboard for spontaneous invention. The ensemble recalls Rivers’ own Tuba Trio, which featured himself on reeds, flute and piano, Daley on tuba and euphonium, and Warren Smith on percussion. Reenlisting Smith, this new iteration also taps a perfectly cast Scott Robinson as the saxophonic X factor — and at least for this concert, which falls a few days after Rivers’ centenary, bassist Ken Filiano, who’ll hold down the low end while Daley soars.
Sept. 26 at 8 p.m., Solar Myth, 1131 S. Broad Street, $35; purchase tickets.
Ches Smith & We All Break — Monday, Solar Myth
Ches Smith is a drummer of raw force but meticulous detail, known as the engine in bands led by guitarist Mary Halvorson and saxophonist Tim Berne. His intensely cathartic ensemble We All Break celebrates the pull of ceremonial Haitian voodoo drumming, which he has made an area of deep study, in collaboration with Daniel Brevil and Markus Schwartz (among others) on traditional Haitian percussion and vocals. For this Ars Nova Workshop hit, the group also features alto saxophonist Immanuel Wilkins, bassist Nick Dunston, and pianist Matt Mitchell.
Sept. 25 at 8 p.m., Solar Myth, 1131 S. Broad Street, $30; purchase tickets.
Marshall Allen’s Ghost Horizons — Tuesday, Solar Myth
The indefatigable creative spirit known as Marshall Allen recently celebrated his 99th birthday precisely the way you’d expect: wielding his alto saxophone and EWI onstage with the Sun Ra Arkestra, which he has led since 1995. (He was a young man then, in his early 70s.) His mutable small group Ghost Horizons is scheduled to perform on the last Tuesday of every month at Solar Myth, at least through the end of February.
Sept. 26 at 8 p.m., Solar Myth, 1131 S. Broad Street, $35; purchase tickets.
Branford Marsalis Quartet — Thursday, Penn Live Arts
The Branford Marsalis Quartet has been an unchanging unit for almost 15 years, since Justin Faulkner played his first gig as the band’s drummer (coincidentally, on his 18th birthday). For the other members of the group — Marsalis on tenor and soprano saxophones, Joey Calderazzo on piano, Eric Revis on bass — their rapport stretches back to the turn of this century. They recently played a Newport Jazz Festival set that had people talking, so you can be sure that they’ll roll up to this Penn Live Arts season opener ready to throw down. As if they ever roll up any other way.
Sept. 29 at 8 p.m., Zellerbach Theater, Annenberg Center, 3680 Walnut Street, $92; purchase tickets.
Maci Miller — Thursday in Bryn Mawr, Friday in Wallingford
A jazz singer with a bell-like tone and a surefooted style, Philadelphia’s own Maci Miller has a new album, Nine, that showcases those and other strengths. On Thursday she performs with piano accompaniment from longtime collaborator Aaron Graves; on Friday she’ll have the full backing of a trio led by Graves, with Mike Boone on bass and Leon Jordan, Sr. on drums.
Sept. 28 at 5:30 p.m., The Pullman, 39 Morris Ave, Bryn Mawr, free; more information.
Sept. 29 at 7 p.m., Community Arts Center, Wallingford, $15, $5 for under 12; more information.
Darryl Yokley Quartet — Friday, Chris’ Jazz Cafe
Saxophonist and flutist Darryl Yokley grew up in California and North Carolina, and has worked extensively in Michigan and New York. Still, he’s no stranger to the Philly scene, having studied at the Boyer College of Music and Dance. He returns at the helm of a quartet with pianist Anthony Wonsey, bassist Eric Wheeler and drummer Byron Landham.
Sept. 29 at 7:30 and 9:30 p.m., Chris’ Jazz Cafe, 1421 Sansom Street, $25, $80 and $100, with dinner packages; purchase tickets.
Chris’ Jazz Cafe 34th Anniversary Show — Saturday, Chris’ Jazz Cafe
Established in 1989, Chris' Jazz Café now holds the distinction as Philadelphia’s longest continuously operating jazz club. Next year will mark its 35th anniversary; for its 34th, the club will feature a brightly emerging talent, singer Anaïs Reno, backed by the Pete Malinverni Trio with saxophonist Dylan Band as a special guest.
Sept. 30 at 7:30 and 9:30 p.m., Chris’ Jazz Cafe, 1421 Sansom Street, $25, $80 and $100, with dinner packages; purchase tickets.
