It’s another busy week ahead on the Philly scene — and just beyond, as the Exit Zero Jazz Festival holds its fall edition in Cape May. Meanwhile, the Philly Music Fest is just getting underway, and while it’s mostly devoted to indie-rockers, you won’t want to miss Marshall Allen and Ghost Horizons next Sunday. Tell ‘em Moment’s Notice sent you.
Spotlight: Nduduzo Makhathini Trio — Oct. 27, South Jazz Kitchen
For the South African pianist and composer Nduduzo Makhathini, there’s never a meaningful distinction between music and message: the two are one and the same. So it’s worth considering the intention behind his stellar new album on Blue Note Records. Titled uNomkhubulwane, after a Zulu goddess of nature, rain and fertility, it unfolds as a suite in three movements, respectively titled “Libations,” “Water Spirits,” and “Inner Attainment.”
As Makhathini explains in his liner notes: “This album invokes the spirit of uNomkhubulwane as a way of signaling abundance,” especially as a pushback to prevailing narratives of deprivation across the African diaspora. He has exceptionally attuned partners for this enlightenment agenda: Johannesburg-born Zwelakhe-Duma Bell le Pere on bass and Cuban-born Francisco Mela on drums. They roll into South fresh off concerts in New York and at the Exit Zero Jazz Festival, and on the cusp of a cross-country and European tour.
Oct. 27 at 6 and 8:30 p.m., South Jazz Kitchen, 600 North Broad Street, $33; tickets and information.
Danny Jonokuchi Big Band — Thursday, Temple Performing Arts Center
A Decade, the sprightly new album by this big band, commemorates the 10 years that composer, arranger, trumpeter and singer Danny Jonokuchi has spent in New York. Originally from Los Angeles, he earned his degree at Temple’s Boyer College of Music and Dance, where he returns for this Rite of Swing Cafe gig; among the notable players in the lineup are saxophonists Dick and Chris Oatts, trumpeter Fareed Simpson-Hankins, and pianist Tim Brey.
Oct. 24 at 4:30 p.m., Temple Performing Arts Center, 1837 N. Broad Street, free; more information.
Exit Zero Jazz Festival — Friday through Oct. 27, Cape May
The fall edition of the Exit Zero Jazz Festival has moved up on the calendar this year, making it even more appealing as an off-season jaunt down the shore. Even better: the lineup includes bassist Christian McBride, with his dynamic young Ursa Major band; saxophonist Lakecia Benjamin (pictured here), with Phoenix; The Cookers, a no-joke supergroup; NEA Jazz Master Dee Dee Bridgewater, in a duo with Bill Charlap on piano; and South African pianist Nduduzo Makhathini, who’ll also play a Philly gig (see our Spotlight above).
Oct. 25-27, Cape May, NJ. For more information, visit Exit Zero Jazz Festival’s website.
Luke Carlos O’Reilly featuring Sean Jones — Friday, Chris’ Jazz Cafe
As we recently noted at WRTI, pianist Luke Carlos O’Reilly is a key fixture on the Philly jazz scene, and with his recent trio album, Leave the Gate Open, he’s making a joyful noise beyond his hometown. He enlists the spectacular trumpeter Sean Jones on this one-night engagement, alongside a sterling Philly rhythm team: Matt Parrish on bass, Nazir Ebo on drums.
Oct. 25 at 7:30 and 9:30 p.m., Chris’ Jazz Cafe, 1421 Sansom Street, $25, $95, and $115, with dinner packages; purchase tickets.
Anthony Hervey Quintet — Saturday, Chris’ Jazz Cafe
Anthony Hervey is a trumpeter and singer who leans into the soulful side of hard-bop, with an engine built for internal combustion. Drawing in part from his recent album Words From My Horn, he turns up here with a band featuring pianist Tyler Bullock, bassist Ryoma Takenaga and drummer Ian Wacksman; joining them on vocals is Imani Rousselle.
Oct. 26 at 7:30 and 9:30 p.m., Chris’ Jazz Cafe, 1421 Sansom Street, $35, $105, and $125, with dinner packages; purchase tickets.
Marshall Allen’s Ghost Horizons / Angelo Outlaw — Oct. 27, Solar Myth
More than a century into his journey on this planet, Marshall Allen remains an inexhaustible creative force, on EWI and spoken word as well as alto saxophone. He returns to Solar Myth in the company of fellow Sun Ra Arkestra member DM Hotep on guitar, among others. The show, part of the Philly Music Fest, also features poet and mallet percussionist Angelo Outlaw in an opening set.
Oct. 27 at 8 p.m., Solar Myth, 1131 South Broad Street, $30; purchase tickets.
