As we barrel toward Valentine’s Day weekend, the scene is serving up music for the occasion: love songs, seduction songs, and more. We’ve gathered all the best options, including a two-night stand by a Philly jazz staple.
Spotlight: Arpeggio Jazz Ensemble — Friday and Saturday, South Jazz Kitchen
A mainstay of the Philadelphia jazz community since its founding in 1979, the Arpeggio Jazz Ensemble continues to explore its organic mix of spirit-filled post-bop, celestial funk, African and Middle Eastern music, and every strain of soul. The band is still led by bassist Warren Oree, whose playing imparts both a center of gravity and an engine of momentum. See for yourself in this performance in WRTI’s studio, for an NPR Live Session in 2018.
For a two-nighter this weekend, Arpeggio will perform material suited to a Valentine’s Day outing, perhaps including the heartfelt lament “You Left Me Your Smile,” from the 2021 album Le - Le. The vocalist on that track is Sherry Butler, a Temple alum who will join the band as a featured guest for the Saturday show, with a special Valentine’s Day menu and pricing.
Feb. 13 at 7 and 9:30 p.m., South Jazz Kitchen, 600 N Broad Street, $40; tickets and information. Valentine’s Day: Feb. 14 seating at 5 & 5:15 p.m., 7:15 & 7:30 p.m., or 9:30 & 9:45 p.m., South Jazz Kitchen, 600 N Broad Street; $135; tickets and information.
Mohini Dey — Wednesday, City Winery
Mohini Dey, an electric bass phenom from Mumbai, has garnered a sort of music-nerd celebrity with her lightning speed and daring; perhaps you’ve seen her performing with Willow, or in the company of Steve Vai. She’ll bring her custom five-string bass and a fusionesque band to City Winery this week, and many in the audience will come expecting to have their minds blown.
Feb. 11 at 7:30 p.m., City Winery Philadelphia, 990 Filbert Street, $42-$60; tickets and information.
Patti Austin — Friday, City Winery
You know Patti Austin — the satiny pop-R&B siren, a presence on the pop charts throughout the ‘80s and ‘90s. But did you know that her one and only Grammy award came in the Best Jazz Vocal Album category, for Avant Gershwin in 2007? You can bet that she’ll draw from her various Ella Fitzgerald tributes in this Valentine’s engagement, along with some of the yearning singles gathered on a recent compilation, simply titled Love Songs.
Feb. 13 at 6:00 p.m., City Winery Philadelphia, 990 Filbert Street, $60-$96; tickets and information.
Marshall Allen’s Ghost Horizons — Saturday, Solar Myth
Sun Ra Arkestra bandleader Marshall Allen, who recently turned 101, remains an inexhaustible creative force on EWI and spoken word as well as alto saxophone. His Ghost Horizons residency at Solar Myth recently yielded an excellent live album, and it continues here with a typically elite set of fellow explorers, including Matthew Shipp on piano and Joe Morris on guitar.
Feb. 14 at 8 p.m., Solar Myth, 1131 S Broad Street, $35-$40; tickets and information.
Valentine's Day with Joanna Pascale & Her Band — 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. She’ll surely bring some smart curation to this Valentine’s weekend run, featuring trumpeter John Swana, pianist Josh Richman, bassist Madison Rast and drummer Dan Monaghan.
Feb. 14 at 7:30 and 9:30 p.m., Chris’ Jazz Cafe, 1421 Sansom Street, $50, with dinner packages; tickets and information.
