Philly All-Star Jazz Night

jazz

One should always be suspicious of all-star packages, but this one has the bite to match its bark. Some of Philly's best resident heroes are on the bill, which opens, refreshingly, with a duet performance by guitar whiz Pat Martino and pianist Jim Ridl. Recent shows at the Art Museum and at the Iridium in New York have confirmed just how deeply Ridl understands Martino's music -- and how great they sound in dialogue. Similar cohesion can be found in the working band of Joey DeFrancesco (pictured), who follows Martino on the stand. Upping the ante, Joey D will feature a pair of guests: John Blake, the still unsung violinist with a daredevil streak, and token non-Philadelphian James Moody, who not only reigns as one of the last bebop sax stars standing, but also one of jazz's most affable icons. Only question: whether Martino and DeFrancesco will share the stage, as they did so successfully on tour a few years ago.

Fri., March 5, 8 p.m., $23-$63, Kimmel Center, 300 S. Broad St., 215-893-1999.

—Kyle Parker

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