One sign of a healthy local scene is the noise generated by homegrown talent. And by that metric, this week proves Philadelphia is swingin’ — with album-release shows by trumpeter Josh Lawrence and saxophonist Hiruy Tirfe, and a gig by The Philly Five. Not to mention provocative new work from Adam O’Farrill and Jen Shyu, who both know how to make themselves at home. How lucky are we?
Spotlight: Adam O’Farrill’s ELEPHANT — Thursday, Solar Myth
Adam O’Farrill has always been a musical pathfinder, committed to expanding any available frame. As a trumpeter, he’s had terrific success applying this instinct to an array of projects led by artists as diverse as Mary Halvorson, Anna Webber, and Hiromi. That’s also him brilliantly carving it up on Members… Dont! — the latest from Tyshawn Sorey, and one of the most heralded albums of the year.
ELEPHANT, O’Farrill’s own offering, could come in for similar acclaim when all is said and done. It’s a sleek, adventurous and thoughtful statement featuring his original tunes for a group with pianist Yvonne Rogers, bassist Walter Stinson and drummer Russell Holzman. Drawing inspiration from a personal array of sources — his Cuban heritage, his wary relationship with the sea, the writings of Iris Murdoch — O’Farrill created a lyrical and lively book of music designed to come alive in the playing.
Nov. 19 at 8 p.m., Solar Myth, 1131 South Broad Street, $30; tickets and information.
Josh Lawrence Quintet — Friday, The Church of Saint Luke & The Epiphany
Could there possibly be a clearer love letter to the City of Brotherly Love than trumpeter Josh Lawrence’s new album, Philly Twisted? Along with the soulful title track, it includes “Old City Blues” and a boogaloo-esque “Rittenhouse Romp.” Expect to hear these and other highlights in an album-release concert presented by Artcinia. (If we’re lucky, Lawrence will play “One Battle After Another,” a boppish swinger that isn’t about the recent film, but rather a tribute to the civil rights legacy of Cecil B. Moore.)
Nov. 20 at 7 p.m., The Church of Saint Luke & The Epiphany, 330 South 13th Street, $7-$18; tickets and information.
The Philly Five with Tim Armacost — Saturday, Chris’ Jazz Cafe
The articulate swagger of hard-bop meets a local dialect in this quintet, which features Tony Miceli on vibraphone, Chris Farr on tenor saxophone, John Swana on trumpet, Madison Rast on bass, and Dan Monaghan on drums. Each is a bandleader in his own right, but their cohesion on this bandstand comes naturally — and on this occasion, they’re bringing in additional firepower in the form of Tim Armacost, on tenor saxophone.
Nov. 21 at 7:30 and 9 p.m., Chris’ Jazz Cafe, 1421 Sansom Street, $30, with dinner packages; tickets and information.
Jen Shyu’s Fertile Land, Fertile Body — Saturday, Solar Myth
Environmental and reproductive challenges find a common wavelength in Fertile Land, Fertile Body, created by Jen Shyu as “a multilingual ritual opera,” incorporating musical elements both ancient and contemporary, along with projection and movement. Shyu, who sings as she plays gayageum, Taiwanese moon lute, and piano, will be joined by a chamber ensemble that also becomes a choir, under the direction of Nana Dakin. The results should register both as a piece of interdisciplinary performance art and an emotionally resonant experience.
Nov. 21 at 8 p.m., Solar Myth, 1131 South Broad Street, $30; tickets and information.
Hiruy Tirfe — Nov. 22, The Fallser Club
A couple of years ago, WRTI threw a spotlight on Hiruy Tirfe, a local saxophonist making his long-awaited full-length debut. Tirfe now has a follow-up, The Threshold, that strengthens his stature as an onrushing talent on the scene. It features contributions from the keyboardists James Poyser and Keith Phelps, trombonist Aaron “Goody” Goode, and trumpeter Daniel Spearman, among others; no telling who’ll show up for this album-release show.
Nov. 22 at 8 p.m., The Fallser Club, 3721 Midvale Avenue, $30; tickets and information.
