Here at Moment’s Notice HQ, we’re just coming off a feast of sounds at the Newport Jazz Festival, a longtime rite of summer. But we’re also gearing up for some quality music in the week ahead, a little closer to home. Here are some highlights.
Spotlight: The Steve Weiss Mallet Festival — Thursday through Saturday
A decade after the passing of Steve Weiss, the percussionist and instrument collector who established a thriving retail business in Willow Grove, this educational event rolls on in his name. At its heart is a mallet workshop run by Tony Miceli, from Aug. 5 through 9 at the Settlement Music School’s Queen Village campus.
But you don’t have to be a vibraphonist or marimbist to enjoy the event, because Miceli has organized a series of concerts around the city. Warren Wolf — whose forthcoming album, fittingly, is History of the Vibraphone — will appear at Chris’ Jazz Cafe on Thursday, followed on Friday by Sasha Berliner and her band. Also on Friday: a free concert at Settlement by the Steve Weiss Mallet Ensemble, with Miceli, Behn Gillece and others (Friday). The week culminates in an all-star jam at Chris’, with everyone just named and more (Saturday). The vibes, as they say, will be immaculate.
Aug. 8 through 10 at various times, Chris’ Jazz Cafe, 1421 Sansom Street, and Settlement Music School, 416 Queen Street, free; refer to Chris’ Jazz Cafe’s website for show pricing; more information.
Sean Jones & Baltimore Jazz Collective — Thursday, Atlantic City
The ace trumpeter and bandleader Sean Jones hails originally from Warren, Ohio, but has formed a strong connection with the city of Baltimore, notably as chair of the Jazz Studies program at the Peabody Institute. With the Baltimore Jazz Collective, he brings a repertory focus to music composed by local peers like Todd Marcus and Kris Funn. This consortium performs on the Chicken Bone Beach Jazz Series, with an opening set by the IDEA Youth Music Collective.
Aug. 8 at 7 p.m., Chicken Bone Beach Jazz Series, Kennedy Plaza Stage, Atlantic City, NJ, free; more information.
The Messthetics and James Brandon Lewis — Thursday, Solar Myth
Formed in 2016, The Messthetics are a rugged jazz-rock trio that includes bassist Joe Lally and drummer Brendan Canty — two-thirds of the pioneering punk band Fugazi — along with the versatile guitarist and effects maestro Anthony Pirog. For the last few years, they’ve had a productive collaboration with tenor saxophonist James Brandon Lewis, which led to the realization of a new album simply titled The Messthetics and James Brandon Lewis, which they’ll draw from here, a few days after an appearance at the Newport Jazz Festival.
Aug. 8 at 8 p.m., Solar Myth, 1131 South Broad Street, $25; more information.
Jessy J - Thursday and Friday, South Jazz Kitchen
There’s a bright California gloss to Jessy J’s brand of smooth jazz, which manifests in both her saxophone tone and her airtight pop production. She comes to South on the heels of a new release, Right on Time, whose premise nods in the direction of Prohibition-era New York, though the musical styling is much more — oh, let’s say, Santa Barbara circa 2005.
Aug. 8 at 7 and 9 p.m., Aug. 9 at 7 and 9:30 p.m., South Jazz Kitchen, 600 N. Broad Street, $35-$45; purchase tickets.
