This week is awash in commemoration, including an early centennial tribute to Miles Davis, Get Up With It, that sold out weeks in advance. We’re choosing to spotlight a birthday party for Marshall Allen, who hit the century mark a couple years ago. That’s sold out too, but you can find plenty of other options in the days ahead. No excuse to stay home, folks!
Spotlight: Marshall Allen’s 102nd Birthday Celebration — May 24, Ruba Club
In the sports pantheon, Philadelphia has the Phillie Phanatic, Swoop the Eagle, and Gritty. In music, you could make a strong argument that our city’s best mascot and purest embodiment is Marshall Allen — bandleader of the Sun Ra Arkestra, which just this week received a plaque on The Philadelphia Music Alliance Walk of Fame. Allen was instrumental in moving the group into a rowhouse on Morton Street in Germantown, back in 1968. Several years ago, that house was designated a historic landmark by the Philadelphia Historical Commission — but it’s still a busy hub and safe haven as well as a repository.
Allen, whose 102nd birthday falls this year on Memorial Day, is also a piece of living history. And in true Philly fashion, he’s still out here doing things his way. An inexhaustible creative force, on EWI and spoken word as well as alto saxophone, he presides over a Ghost Horizons residency at Solar Myth, which recently yielded an excellent live album. This special concert will feature some of the regulars in that series, like guitarist DMHotep, cellist Kash Killion and trombonist Dick Griffin. Other special guests are sure to pop in, which is one reason tickets sold out in advance. Look into a waiting list if you can, or swing by just to bask in the overflow.
May 24 at 8 p.m., Ruba Club, 416 Green Street, Sold out. More information.
Brock Lanzetti Ogawa — Tuesday, Black Squirrel
This cooperative trio — Zach Brock on violin, Bob Lanzetti on acoustic and electric guitars, and Keita Ogawa on percussion — is often described as an offshoot of Snarky Puppy, which is accurate up to a point. But while all three musicians are members of that crossover juggernaut, their interactions together suggest a looser give and take, and a folksier way with timbre. Drawing Songs, their 2023 album, conveys some sense of that style, but nothing beats catching the trio live.
May 19 at 7:30 p.m., Black Squirrel Club, 1049 Sarah Street, $21.40; tickets and information.
Dave Posmontier Trio - Wednesday, Chris’ Jazz Cafe
A stalwart on the Philly scene, keyboardist Dave Posmontier carries a torch for the soul jazz and hard-bop traditions, on recent albums like Cockpit Casual: The Germantown Session and in his work as an educator. For this one-nighter at Chris’, he leads a trio with bassist Dave Brodie and drummer Doug Hirlinger.
May 20 at 7:30 and 9 p.m., Chris’ Jazz Cafe, 1421 Sansom Street, $15; tickets and information.
Two Wings Two Biscuits — Thursday, Black Squirrel
Maybe it sounds like a to-go order at Popeye’s, but this is really a chamber-jazz group with something like all-star pedigree, and an interesting flavor profile. Vibraphonist Tony Miceli and violinist Diane Monroe, two Philadelphia treasures, constitute a nimble frontline. They’re joined by Tom Kraines on cello and Nimrod Speaks on double bass, flowing in and out of various modes.
May 21 at 7:30 p.m., Black Squirrel Club, 1049 Sansom Street, $16.30; tickets and information.
Hailey Brinnel Quartet — Friday, Cellar Dog
Philadelphia’s own Hailey Brinnel is the proverbial triple threat: an accomplished trombonist who has earned high praise for her singing and growing acclaim for her songwriting. On her agreeable recent album, Beautiful Tomorrow, she marshals all the skills at her disposal, and calls in a couple of favors.
May 22 at 7 p.m., Cellar Dog, 258 S 15th Street, $10 cover; tickets and information.
Webb Thomas & His Superband — Saturday, Chris’ Jazz Cafe
A drummer of broad experience and a strong foothold in the traditions of jazz and funk, Webb Thomas can generally be trusted to put together a good small band. His Superband typically features trumpeter Patrick “Face” Rickman, saxophonist Robert Landham, pianist Neil Podgurski and bassist Lee Smith.
May 23 at 7:30 and 9:30 p.m., Chris’ Jazz Cafe, 1421 Sansom Street, $30; tickets and information.
