What does “smooth” mean to you? Maybe it reflexively calls the old smooth-jazz radio format to mind, but the word can convey a number of possible connotations — related to harmonic contour, or sonic texture, or just overall vibe. Whatever the case, this week brings a few shows that fit the bill, without dumbing things down. Head out, lean back, and enjoy.
Spotlight: Nicole Henry — Friday through June 13, South Jazz Kitchen
Nicole Henry is a singer who maintains a diverse portfolio: she’s notched a number of successes on Billboard’s jazz chart, and has performed in stage musicals like The Bodyguard, The Color Purple, and A Wonderful World. Her most recent album, Time to Love Again, was hailed in DownBeat as “an exuberant, joyous, immaculately executed set of ‘70s-ish jazz and pop love songs that doesn’t always transcend the flavor of the artists she is covering.” (Not as much of a dig as it may seem, given that those artists include Stevie Wonder and Nina Simone.)
Above all, Henry exudes poise as a performer: reviewing her for the New York Times in 2012, critic Stephen Holden wrote: “I had the sense of being in the presence of a pop-soul superwoman whose every gesture and inflection conveyed confidence and mastery.”
And while she’s based in Miami and frequently works in New York, Henry is a born-and-raised Philadelphian: her late father, Al Henry, played two seasons as a center for the Sixers in the early ‘70s, and she grew up in Bucks County. So it will be a homecoming of sorts when she appears at South this weekend, in fine company; during a recent stand at Birdland, she enlisted Freddie Hendricks on trumpet, Shedrick Mitchell on piano, Richie Goods on bass, and Mike Piolet on drums.
July 11 and 12 at 7 and 9:30 p.m., July 13 at 6 and 8:30 p.m., South Jazz Kitchen, 600 North Broad Street, $40; tickets and information.
Todd Marcus Quintet feat. Virginia MacDonald — Wednesday, Black Squirrel Club
Bass clarinetist Todd Marcus, a proud son of Baltimore, has recently forged a strong musical bond with clarinetist Virginia MacDonald, a rising star out of Toronto. Their swinging quintet features Silvano Monasterios on piano, Blake Meister on bass and Eric Kennedy on drums.
July 9 at 7:30 p.m., Black Squirrel Club, 1049 Sarah Street, $25; tickets and information.
Jazz Under the Stars: Kim Waters — Friday, TD Pavilion at the Mann
Kim Waters is a saxophonist with a proven track record in contemporary jazz, and at 60 he continues to balance gallant romantic entreaty with in-the-pocket rhythmic ease. He has a new album out this year, Time 2 Groove, that reaffirms these musical strengths. It should provide some fresh material for this edition of the popular Jazz Under the Stars series at the Mann, with rock-solid support from electric bassist and Philly stalwart Gerald Veasley with his band.
July 11 at 8 p.m., TD Pavilion at the Mann, 5201 Parkside Avenue, $59.75; purchase tickets.
Pete Malinverni Trio — Saturday, Chris’ Jazz Cafe
A pianist with an articulate take on modern jazz, Pete Malinverni brings “New York Stories” to Chris’ Jazz Cafe this weekend, leading a trio with Aaron Seeber on drums. With luck, he’ll also toss in some material from his most recent album, On The Town - Pete Malinverni Plays Leonard Bernstein.
July 12 at 7:30 and 9:30 p.m., Chris’ Jazz Cafe, 1421 Sansom Street, $30, $100 and $120, with dinner packages; purchase tickets.
