jazz

Saxophonist Seth Meicht has found one way to keep working in Philly—adapt to the room. With drummer Brendan Dougherty home from Berlin for the holidays, the two permanent thirds of the Sepia Trio reunite for two shows (with Matt Engle on bass). Their Tritone gig celebrates the new CD, Cleft (Utech), which should see its free-blowing velocity accelerated by the addition of Meicht's brother Aaron on trumpet. While the squawks and disorder should fit right in amongst Tritone's tattoos and spilled drinks, the white tablecloths and conventioneers at Chris' would both unravel at the sound. True, Meicht managed to slip in a Sun Ra piece recently (albeit one of those slightly mutated R&B numbers that Sunny occasionally tossed off), but expect a more organized evening. Meicht displays a talent for writing tunes that provide space for intriguing interaction, so hopefully the inside/outside approach pays off and we can continue to hear him develop at home.

Wed., Dec. 14, 9 p.m., $5, Chris' Jazz Cafe, 1421 Sansom St., 215-568-3131, www.chrisjazzcafe.com; Thu., Dec. 22, 10 p.m., $5, Tritone, 1508 South St., 215-545-0475, www.tritonebar.com.