Festival season is fully upon us: as this dispatch rolls out, I’m up at the Newport Jazz Festival in Rhode Island. That’s outside our typical range for Moment’s Notice, but there are other fests closer to home base, with a serious concentration of talent. And don’t forget about the clubs in town, which are lighting it up this week.
Spotlight: Clifford Brown Jazz Festival — Sunday through Aug. 8
Last month we took a moment to observe the 70th anniversary of Clifford Brown’s tragic death, and the many ways that his legacy lives on. One shining example is the festival held each summer in his name, in the city of his birth and training. This year marks the 39th edition of the Clifford Brown Jazz Festival in downtown Wilmington, and the lineup is typically varied and strong, kicking off today, Aug. 2, with a soulful double bill: The Baylor Project, and South African singer-songwriter Jonathan Butler.
There’s a lot more on deck this week; check the festival website for the full rundown. Among the highlights: trumpeter and keyboardist Nicholas Payton, on a program that also includes vibraphonist Warren Wolf and the Wolfpack (Tuesday); drummer Terri Lyne Carrington’s We Insist! project, featuring singer Christie Dashiell (Wednesday); R&B dynamo Ledisi, sharing a bill with bassist Marcus Miller (Thursday); Sheila E. & the E-Train, and bassist Ben Williams (Friday); and a jam-packed finale that includes electric bass wiz Mohini Dey and Anthony Tidd’s Quite Sane (Saturday).
Aug. 2-8, various times, Rodney Square, 1000 N Market Street, Wilmington, DE, free to attend; more information.
Scranton Jazz Festival — Friday through Sunday, Downtown Scranton
The Scranton Jazz Festival started in 2005, and has only grown in stature since. This year’s edition kicks off on Friday with a community “Jazz Walk,” covering more than 20 downtown venues, with free trolley service. Saturday’s program includes a headlining set by the Dirty Dozen Brass Band; Sunday’s headliner is the SJF Big Band, with the legendary bassist Ron Carter as a featured guest. See the official website for more events and full details.
Aug. 7-9, various times and venues, Scranton, PA, prices vary; tickets and information.
Hailey Brinnel Quartet — Saturday, 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. She’ll lead a four-piece at this Cellar Dog hit.
Aug. 8 at 8 p.m., Cellar Dog, 258 S 15th Street, $10; tickets and information.
ELEW Plays Sting — Saturday and Aug. 9, South Jazz Kitchen
ELEW, the Camden-born pianist formerly known as Eric Lewis, made a trademark out of his instrumental arrangements of rock tunes by the likes of Linkin Park and Coldplay. A couple of years ago he toured as an opener for Sting, an experience that inspired his forthcoming album WE ARE SPIRITS: ELEW Plays Sting, featuring guests like saxophonist James Carter, trombonist Steve Turre and at least on one track, Sting himself. Who all turns up at this weekend gig at South is anyone’s guess.
Aug. 8 at 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., Aug. 9 at 6 p.m. and 8:30 p.m., South Jazz Kitchen, 600 N Broad Street, $33; tickets and information.
April Varner — Saturday, Chris’ Jazz Cafe
The prepossessing jazz vocalist April Varner caught our ear a couple of years ago with April, an album that took its concept personally: every song on its track list included her first name in the title. This spring she released Ella, as in Fitzgerald, a formative influence. This one-nighter at Chris’, a room she has thoroughly charmed before, is technically an album-release gig, though one imagines the repertoire will range as freely as Varner’s rich imagination.
Aug. 8 at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., Chris’ Jazz Cafe, 1421 Sansom Street, $30, with dinner packages; tickets and information.
