From hot to cool, we’ve rounded up the best in jazz and improvised music for this week’s edition of Moment’s Notice. Don’t forget to sign up to receive this free service in your inbox every Sunday. And let us know if you want to suggest a show on the horizon, or have any other feedback!
Spotlight: Steve Turre — Thursday, Philadelphia Clef Club of Jazz & Performing Arts
Steve Turre is a soulful and expressive soloist whether on trombone, his primary instrument, or conch shells, which have become no less a trademark. He’s always at home leading a wrecking crew, like the one he brings here, to a concert under the Jazz Cultural Voices Concert Series at the Clef Club.
He’ll draw from a new album, Sanyas, whose title track was Turre’s first composition to appear on record — specifically, the 1975 Woody Shaw classic The Moontrane. Turre’s personal history also includes notable tenures with both Rahsaan Roland Kirk and Ray Charles, and a long stint with the Saturday Night Live Band.
Oct. 3 at 7:30 p.m., Philadelphia Clef Club of Jazz and Performing Arts, 736 South Broad Street, $35; tickets and information.
Weird of Mouth — Wednesday, Solar Myth
The collective trio known as Weird of Mouth features Mette Rasmussen, a Danish-born, Norway-based alto saxophonist, alongside two intrepid Americans: pianist Craig Taborn and drummer Ches Smith. The go-anywhere ethos of the band is well documented on a self-titled debut, which releases next week; get an up-close preview here.
Oct. 2 at 8 p.m., Solar Myth, 1131 South Broad Street, $30; purchase tickets.
Thomas Marriott Quartet — Thursday, Temple Performing Arts Center
Trumpeter and educator Thomas Marriott is a vital anchor of the jazz scene in Seattle — so much so that he was named one of the 2024 Jazz Heroes by the Jazz Journalists Association. He brings his clarion tone and strong technique to the Rite of Swing Jazz Cafe, connecting with an all-Philly rhythm section: Luke Carlos O’Reilly on piano, Matt Parrish on bass, Anwar Marshall on drums.
Oct. 3 at 4:30 p.m., Temple Center for the Performing Arts, 1837 North Broad Street, free; more information.
Meshell Ndegeocello — Thursday, World Cafe Live
No More Water: The Gospel Of James Baldwin is more than a probing centennial tribute to one of America’s most clear-eyed seers, though it does fit that description. The album is also another near-jazz expedition from bassist and vocalist Meshell Ndegeocello, who has always been more interested in asking difficult questions than in serving up easy answers. Her band was mesmerizing at the Newport Jazz Festival this summer, and the same should be true in the more intimate setting downstairs at World Cafe Live.
Oct. 3 at 8 p.m., World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut Street, $30-$42 advance, $32-$45 day of show; purchase tickets.
Ganavya — Friday, Solar Myth
A serenely transfixing vocalist who draws from South Indian traditions but collaborates widely with artists across the modern style spectrum, Ganavya performs here with the jazz pianist Chris Pattishall. She’ll likely sing material from her recent full-length album, like the sky I've been too quiet, as well as a pair of meditative newer singles produced by Nils Frahm.
Oct. 4 at 8 p.m., Solar Myth, 1131 South Broad Street, $25; purchase tickets.
Alex Claffy Quintet — Saturday, Chris’ Jazz Cafe
A native of the greater Philadelphia area, born and raised in Chester County, Alex Claffy has become a fixture on the scene in New York, as both a sideman and an emerging bandleader. He’ll likely draw from a smart new album, Memento, in this one-nighter with Dayna Stephens on saxophone, Yotam Silberstein on guitar, Tyler Henderson on piano and Jimmy MacBride on drums.
Oct. 5 at 7:30 and 9:30 p.m., Chris’ Jazz Cafe, 1421 Sansom Street, $30, $100 and $120, with dinner packages; purchase tickets.
