Yes, it’s Super Bowl Sunday, and we can’t really focus on anything else either. But we wanted to get this edition of Moment’s Notice out regardless, because there’s a lot of truly fantastic music hitting our scene in the week ahead. You’ll find a few excellent Valentine’s Day options below, as well as a couple of A-list midweek shows. So mark your calendars. And in the meantime, Go Birds!
Spotlight: An Evening with Lizz Wright — Thursday, World Cafe Live
There isn’t a singer alive with a deeper wellspring of soul than Lizz Wright, who has long combined Southern gospel and folk traditions with the in-the-moment spark of a jazz artist. Last year she released an exquisite album, Shadow, on her own new label Blues & Greens. It’s a mixed menu of warmly affirming originals — like “Sparrow,” which features a welcome cameo by Angélique Kidjo — and thoughtfully chosen cover songs. (The album’s exquisite closer is a secular hymn by Gillian Welch, “I Made a Lover’s Prayer,” which Wright illuminates from within.)
As a live performer, Wright understands the principle of a spirit moving in the room. You can get some sense of this in the video for “Sweet Feeling,” the first single from Shadow, which she filmed at the Green Mill in Chicago. But there’s no substitute for the real thing. Wright and her band will be coming off a concert the previous night at the Kennedy Center; then she’s off to Europe for a spring tour. Catch her while you can.
Feb. 13 at 8 p.m., World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut Street, $35-$65; tickets and information.
Jaleel Shaw / Cameron Campbell Quartet — Wednesday, Solar Myth
On the subject of mentorship, Philly’s own Jaleel Shaw knows of which he speaks. An alto saxophonist of exceptional spark and fluency, he spent more than a dozen years working with the legendary drummer Roy Haynes, and has recently been touring with another NEA Jazz Master, bassist Dave Holland. In this group, Shaw himself is the mentor — to pianist Cameron Campbell, through The Jazz Gallery Mentorship Series. Joining them is a top-shelf rhythm team, bassist Matt Brewer and drummer Johnathan Blake.
Feb. 12 at 8 p.m., Solar Myth, 1131 South Broad Street, $30 advance, $35 day-of-show; purchase tickets.
Cymande — Friday, Ardmore Music Hall
On a recent episode of NPR Music’s New Music Friday, our friend John Morrison at WXPN hailed the return of British jazz-funk band Cymande as both a continuation and a renewal. The band, whose early-1970s output provided endless fodder for the early hip-hop DJs, just released its first album in more than half a century — Renascence, a fresh helping of earthy soul and celestial groove. Guitarist Patrick Patterson and bassist Steve Scipio, two founding members, spearhead this reunion edition of the group, and they haven’t lost a step.
Feb. 14 at 8 p.m., Ardmore Music Hall, 23 East Lancaster Avenue, Ardmore, $35; tickets and information.
Joanna Pascale Trio — Friday and Saturday, Chris’ Jazz Cafe
An always in-the-moment singer and songbook interpreter, Joanna Pascale hasn’t released new music under her own name in a minute, but it may not feel that way because of her busy dance card. If you heard her vibrant contribution to last year’s Grammy-nominated album by the Captain Black Big Band, you know why so many jazz artists seek her out as a collaborator. She’ll surely bring some smart curation (and good company) to this Valentine’s weekend run.
Feb. 14 at 6:30, 8:30 and 10:30 p.m., Feb. 15 at 7:30 and 9:30 p.m., Chris’ Jazz Cafe, 1421 Sansom Street, $40, $130 and $150, with dinner packages; purchase tickets.
Denise King and the DK Collective — Saturday and Sunday, South Jazz Kitchen
A veteran jazz singer with a firm foothold in gospel and R&B, Denise King will naturally focus on love songs during this two-night engagement, on the heels of Valentine’s Day. She’ll be working with her DK Collective, which typically features Lee Smith on bass and Khary Abdul-Shaheed on drums, among other local luminaries.
Feb. 15 at 7:30 and 9:30 p.m., Feb. 16 at 6 and 8:30 p.m., South Jazz Kitchen, 600 North Broad Street, sold out, but call 215-600-2049 for waitlist options; tickets and information.
