The leaves may not be turning, but the Eagles are back on the field, the kids are back in school — and the fall arts season is upon us. What does that mean for jazz fans in the Philadelphia area? A lot of big names doing big things, along with the usual steady hum around the scene.
The jazz team at WRTI has gathered more than a dozen standout shows between now and Thanksgiving, for your ticket-buying advantage. Because sometimes, you need more than a moment’s notice. (See what we did there?) And if you’re curious about what’s happening on the classical side, fear not: we have a Fall Preview for that, too. — Nate Chinen, Editorial Director
Mary Halvorson: Amaryllis — Sept. 20, Solar Myth
A few months ago, the DownBeat Critics Poll crowned Mary Halvorson “Guitarist of the Year,” and further touted her chamberlike working septet, Amaryllis, as “Group of the Year.” This glowing assessment didn’t even factor in About Ghosts, an extraordinary album released this summer, which deepens Halvorson’s exploration of layered orchestration and slippery maneuvers. Amaryllis sounded incredible the last time they played Solar Myth, and the band has only leveled up since. (Nate Chinen)
Arturo Sandoval — Sept. 27, Walter K. Gordon Theater, Rutgers Camden
Last year the expatriate Cuban trumpeter Arturo Sandoval was among the recipients of the Kennedy Center Honors — adding to a list of covetable accolades that also includes a Presidential Medal of Freedom, a shelfload of Grammys, and an onscreen portrayal by Andy Garcia. Sandoval’s most recent album, Rhythm & Soul, features a familiar alloy of Afro-Cuban dance rhythm and modern-jazz bravado, and he’s sure to carry its high-octane energy to Rutgers Camden. (Chinen)
Branford Marsalis Quartet — Sept. 28, Zellerbach Theater, Annenberg Center
If you fancy unapologetic expression in music and conversation, then you’re ready for an evening with saxophonist Branford Marsalis. This edition of his quartet has set a high bar for improvisation over its 16-year history. Hear them draw inspiration from Keith Jarrett’s European Quartet, as they do on their latest release, Belonging. Arrive an hour early for a conversation between Branford and Penn Live Arts Executive & Artistic Director Christopher Gruits. (Josh Jackson)
Hiromi’s Sonicwonder — Sept. 28, Ardmore Music Hall, Ardmore
“Hyperkinetic” doesn’t even begin to capture the dynamic attributes of Hiromi’s music for Sonicwonder, a fusionesque band she formed around three musicians who share her gift for radiant extroversion: trumpeter Adam O’Farrill, electric bassist Hadrien Feraud, and drummer Gene Coye. On the recent album OUT THERE, Hiromi’s piano and keyboard wizardry holds the gravitational midpoint of their swirling exertions, like a musical centrifuge. Expect nothing less here. (Chinen)
Makaya McCraven — Oct. 4-6, Solar Myth
Chicago-based drummer Makaya McCraven has made his name blending jazz, hip-hop and soul into an unmistakable sound all his own. His new project, a series of four EPs due out at the end of October, sets out to showcase the many sides of his musical personality. Indeed, they prove McCraven to be equally at home laying down breezy atmospherics or dropping in-your-face, futuristic beats. See him perform with fellow Chicagoans Marquis Hill (trumpet), Matt Gold (guitar) and Junius Paul (bass) in this special three-day residency. (Julian Booker)
Bobby Sanabria Multiverse Big Band — Oct. 4, Matthews Theater, McCarter Theater Center, Princeton
Bobby Sanabria is an American drummer, percussionist, composer, arranger, documentary film producer, educator, activist, and writer of Puerto Rican descent, specializing in jazz and Latin jazz. His passion is felt in every beat he echoes out to his audience. He’s reached another level with West Side Story Reimagined, his big band tribute to Leonard Bernstein’s historic musical score, which is the focus of his concert here. (David Ortiz)
Pat Metheny — Oct. 5, The Grand Opera House, Wilmington, DE
Pat Metheny’s remarkable career has taken many forms, showcasing his versatility and talent and garnering 20 Grammy Awards. For his Dream Box/MoonDial tour, Metheny offers a deeply personal concert experience, performing solo guitar and drawing from a pair of recent studio albums. The intimate setting highlights his brilliance as a soloist while fostering close audience connection through stories: providing insight on his music, his career, and the instruments he plays, and making each performance a unique and engaging journey. (J. Michael Harrison)
Nate Smith — Oct. 11, Perelman Theater
Whether he’s putting the oomph in popular tracks with Brittany Howard, driving the complex rhythms of a Dave Holland jazz unit, or ripping funky backbeats on social media, Nate Smith is that drummer making the music sound a little extra. He’s also a knowledgeable producer and cultivar of his own sonic vision, reaffirmed on his new album, LIVE-ACTION. Those two words are the deliverables when Smith is onstage. (Jackson)
Jon Batiste — Oct. 30, The Met Philadelphia
While I’ve never met Jon Batiste, there is an energy I receive from him whenever I see him on TV or hear his music. He seems to walk in a light of positivity even in the face of obstacles. It’s that light that seems to always shine through in his music, which is why I’m excited about his performance at The Met, featuring music from his new album BIG MONEY. The title might be misleading, as the album isn’t about dollars, but the heart of humanity and music rooted in celebration. (Nicole Sweeney)
Cécile McLorin Salvant — Nov. 2, Zellerbach Theater, Annenberg Center
“Fearless” is a good word to describe Cécile McLorin Salvant. From her first album recorded in Paris in 2010, one got a sense that further explorations of songs, both little-known and well-known, would follow. And they sure did: much like Barbra Streisand in her early years, she built a career restoring songs that had slipped away, all done with poise, sensuality and even humor. With a genre-defying album, Oh Snap, arriving later this month, Ms. Salvant is sure to bring the element of surprise when she returns to the Penn Live Arts stage. (Bob Craig)
Exit Zero Jazz Festival — Nov. 7-9, Cape May Convention Hall, Cape May, N.J.
The summer season may be wrapping up, but the fun ain’t done down the shore until after the fall edition of the Exit Zero Jazz Festival. And this one looks like a beaut, with artists including the bass phenoms Stanley Clarke and Endea Owens, Alphonso Horne & the Gotham Kings, and Omar Sosa Quarteto Americanos. The main event will be a 30th anniversary celebration of Cassandra Wilson’s album New Moon Daughter, whose influential track list puts Hoagy Carmichael next to Hank Williams, with a side helping of “Harvest Moon.” (Chinen)
Samara Joy — Nov. 11, Miller Theater
One of jazz’s brightest voices, Samara Joy can invite comparisons to Sarah Vaughan or Ella Fitzgerald — but she’s not just interpreting standards, she seems to be reviving them. Joy’s career ignited after she won the Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition in 2019. TikTok introduced her to a whole new audience, and five Grammy awards soon followed (including one for Best New Artist). Her latest album, Portrait, blends elegance and youthful spirit, and she’s taking it on tour after a sold-out debut at Carnegie Hall. (Maurice Browne)
Cyrus Chestnut & His Trio — Nov. 14 and 15, Chris’ Jazz Cafe
“Soulful” is the word that always comes to mind when I think of pianist Cyrus Chestnut. He makes you tap your feet and snap your fingers, but you will also find yourself swaying from side to side as if sitting in a church pew. Even if church isn’t your thing, the music from Cyrus’s latest album Rhythm, Melody and Harmony has something for everyone to enjoy. It's been a favorite on Evening Jazz, and Chris' Jazz Cafe will offer an intimate setting for this local stop on his album-release tour. (Sweeney)