Who said you can never go home again? This week we have resounding evidence to the contrary, as bassist Alexander Claffy — a Philly Made artist now making all sorts of waves in New York — returns to the scene of his new album, Alive in Philadelphia, Vol. 1. It’s just one of the excellent options that awaits in this edition of Moment’s Notice. (Have you subscribed? You can get these listings to your inbox, for free!)
Alexander Claffy — Friday and Saturday, Chris’ Jazz Cafe
Precisely one year ago, Alexander Claffy rolled into Chris’ Jazz Cafe with an all-star post-bop quintet, for the purposes of making an album. For Claffy, a bassist with an ever-widening circle of collaborators, it represented both a homecoming and a marker of his progress as a bandleader. The engagement featured (among others) alto saxophonist Jaleel Shaw, tenor saxophonist Seamus Blake and drummer Bill Stewart, and I can attest that on the first of its two nights, they created headlong momentum on the bandstand, and a joyous spirit in the room.
Alive in Philadelphia, Vol. 1 (At Chris’ Jazz Cafe) is the album that came out of that gig; it’s releasing at the end of this month on Claffy’s own label. Along with the agile dynamism of the quintet’s rapport, it boasts some thoughtful song selections — like the George Shearing tune “She” and Skip James’ “Hard Time Killin’ Floor Blues.” Claffy is sure to marshal a similar experience during this album-release engagement, which features all of the aforementioned musicians along with the excellent pianist George Colligan.
March 13 and 14 at 7:30 and 9 p.m., Chris’ Jazz Cafe, 1421 Sansom Street, $30 cover on Friday, $35 on Saturday, with dinner packages; tickets and information.
Angel Bat Dawid and Naima Nefertari — Monday, Solar Myth
Revelation is a common pursuit for the multi-instrumentalist, vocalist and composer Angel Bat Dawid and the multidisciplinary artist Naima Nefertari. These two creative spirits have some collaborative history, notably on the 2025 release Journey to Nabta Playa, on the Spiritmuse label. They reconvene here in conjunction with The Living Temple, an exhibition of works by the Swedish artist Moki Cherry — who was, among (many) other things, Nefertari’s grandmother.
March 9 at 8 p.m., Solar Myth, 1131 S. Broad Street, $25 in advance, $30 at the door; tickets and information.
Marshall Allen’s Ghost Horizons — Tuesday, 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 regular collaborators DM Hotep on guitar and Mikel Patrick Avery on drums, and special guest Tomeka Reid on cello.
March 10 at 8 p.m., Solar Myth, 1131 S. Broad Street, $35 in advance, $40 at the door; tickets and information.
West Philadelphia Orchestra —Thursday, Black Squirrel Club
The West Philadelphia Orchestra is a self-described “avant village folk brass band,” inspired in part by klezmer and Balkan brass traditions. (You may have caught them at a local wedding, bar or bat mitzvah, or community block party, or out on Broad Street.) This is a standing appointment for them: the third Thursday of every month at the Black Squirrel Club.
March 19 at 7:30 p.m., Black Squirrel Club, 1049 Sarah Street, $11.20; tickets and information.
Deborah Smith & Friends — Friday, Community Education Center
Trombonist Deborah Smith, a recent graduate of the Boyer College of Music and Dance, leads a Women’s History Month celebration under the auspices of the Producers Guild of Philadelphia. She’ll lead a midsize combo with Ashley Hiney on alto saxophone, Kiara Rouse on tenor saxophone, Kendra Butler-Waters on piano, Destiny Diggs on bass and Camille Gainer on drums.
March 13 at 7 p.m., Producers Guild of Philadelphia, 3500 Lancaster Avenue, second floor, $35, students $15; purchase tickets.
