Summer keeps rolling, and so does the scene. Consider our spotlight show this week, part of the popular Chicken Bone Beach Jazz on the Beach Thursday Free Concert Series in Atlantic City. But it’s not as if all the action has moved down the shore; keep reading to find some great options right in town, including a free midweek show in Gorgas Park on Ridge Avenue. Tell ‘em Moment’s Notice sent you.
Keyon Harrold — Thursday, Atlantic City
A focused and dynamic trumpeter, Keyon Harrold travels in the same circles as Meshell Ndegeocello and Robert Glasper — two of his fellow nominees for Best Alternative Jazz Album at this year’s Grammy Awards. Harrold was there on the strength of Foreverland, a sleekly assured statement poised at the fluid convergence of jazz, hip-hop and R&B.
He’s an electrifying performer, and his band should be warmed up and ready to throw down as they perform on the free Chicken Bone Beach Jazz Series in Atlantic City this week, ahead of stops at the Detroit and DC Jazz Festivals in August.
July 24 at 7 p.m., Kennedy Plaza, Atlantic City, NJ, free; more information.
Brian Betz Quartet — Wednesday, Gorgas Park
Based in the Philadelphia area, Brian Betz heads the jazz guitar department at Rowan University. He’ll play a free concert this week in Gorgas Park, with a quartet that features Behn Gillece on vibraphone, Chris Simonini on organ and Byron Landham on drums.
July 23 at 6 p.m., Gorgas Park, 6300 Ridge Avenue, free; more information.
Jumaane Smith Quartet — Friday through July 27, South Jazz Kitchen
A trumpeter with a knack for ebullient connection, familiar to many as a sidekick to singer Michael Bublé, Jumaane Smith leads a quartet during this weekend stand at South — drawing in part from a recent album, I Only Have Eyes For You.
July 25 and 26 at 7 and 9:30 p.m., July 27 at 6 and 8:30 p.m., South Jazz Kitchen, 600 North Broad Street, $40; tickets and information.
Alexander Claffy Trio — Saturday, Chris’ Jazz Cafe
Since moving to New York from Philadelphia in 2011, Alexander Claffy has earned his stature as a go-to bassist on the modern jazz scene, working with a spectacular array of collaborators. For this one-nighter on home turf, he features a brilliant pianist, Makoto Ozone.
July 26 at 7:30 and 9:30 p.m., Chris’ Jazz Cafe, 1421 Sansom Street, $30, $100 and $120, with dinner packages; purchase tickets.
Jeremiah Chiu + Marta Sofia Honer — July 27, Solar Myth
Jeremiah Chiu is a modular synthesizer specialist familiar to modern jazz partisans as a member of the ambient-groove collective SML. His collaboration with the violist Marta Sofia Honer, documented on the new International Anthem album Different Rooms, produces music of meditative affect and subtle emotional expression; it should yield an immersive live experience here.
July 27 at 8 p.m., Solar Myth, 1131 South Broad Street, $30 advance, $35 day of show; purchase tickets.
