Now that our area has had a bit of a thaw, you really have no excuse to barricade yourself inside. Just look at all the excellent options out on the scene this week, from Grammy-winning singer Kurt Elling to up-and-comer Ekep Nkwelle. Remember, you can get this weekly guide straight to your inbox; subscribe here.
Spotlight: Kurt Elling: Wildflowers — Friday, Perelman Theater
A jazz vocalist equally given to swashbuckling bravura and tenderhearted care, Kurt Elling has been one of the best in his field for some 30 years, and he seems busier than ever. He just released an excellent album with the WDR Big Band, titled In the Brass Palace, on his own new label, Big Shoulders Records. And theater-goers have been delighting in his performance as Hermes in the current Broadway production of Hadestown.
This weekend, Elling comes our way with yet another collaboration, appearing in a duo with the shape-shifting pianist Christian Sands. They have a recent album, Wildflowers Vol. 3, that gives some indication of the ground they’ll cover: everything from Mills Brothers tributes (“The Glow Worm”) to Bee Gees covers (“Emotion”). You can bet there’ll be a few surprises in the mix, too.
Feb. 27 at 7:30 p.m., Perelman Theater, Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, 300 S Broad Street, $59-$102; tickets and information.
Daniel Meron Trio — Tuesday, Chris’ Jazz Cafe
Pianist Daniel Meron was born in Israel, of Egyptian and Syrian heritage, and he incorporates elements of that cultural footing into his music. For this evening at Chris’ Jazz Cafe, he’ll lead the same rhythm team heard on his 2024 album Pendulum: Tamir Shmerling on bass and Mark Whitfield, Jr. on drums.
Feb. 24 at 7:30 and 9:00 p.m., Chris’ Jazz Cafe, 1421 Sansom Street, $15, with dinner packages; tickets and information.
Todd Marcus Jazz Orchestra — Thursday, Black Squirrel Club
Todd Marcus is a bass clarinetist from Baltimore, where he directs the community nonprofit Intersection of Change and teaches at Peabody. His Jazz Orchestra is a little big band that has featured prominent talent like saxophonist Marcus Strickland and trombonist Alan Ferber; they’re likely to raise the roof at the Black Squirrel.
Feb. 26 at 7:30 p.m., Black Squirrel Club, 1049 Sarah Street, $26.50; tickets and information.
Chad Taylor Quartet — Friday, Solar Myth
Chad Taylor’s Smoke Shifter was one of last year’s best jazz albums, because of the way it captures the energy of a band. Three of his four collaborators from that album — trumpeter Jonathan Finlayson, tenor saxophonist Bryan Rogers, and bassist Matt Engle — will rejoin Taylor for an anniversary tribute to The Avant-Garde, the 1966 album by John Coltrane with Don Cherry.
Feb. 27 at 8 p.m., Solar Myth, 1131 S Broad Street, $30-$35; tickets and information.
Ekep Nkwelle — Friday and Saturday, Chris’ Jazz Cafe
Accurately identified as a rising star in jazz vocals, Ekep Nkwelle has a master’s from Juilliard, and some substantial album credits: you may have heard her all over the most recent album by saxophonist David Murray, Birdly Serenade. Nkwelle has yet to release her own full-length statement, which gives this weekend engagement a sneak-peek quality. She’ll certainly be in good company, backed by pianist Luther Allison, bassist Russell Hall and drummer Brian Richburg.
Feb. 27 and 28 at 7:30 and 9:30 p.m., Chris’ Jazz Cafe, 1421 Sansom Street, $30-$35, with dinner packages; tickets and information.
