Jazz Calendar

by Shaun Brady

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Published: Sep 10, 2008

Rudresh Mahanthappa (CLICK IMAGE FOR LARGER VERSION)

If the man says no flash photos, take him seriously. The trio celebrates 25 years of highly concentrated playing and temperamental outbursts.

Sept. 19, Kimmel Center, 300 S. Broad St., 215-893-1999, kimmelcenter.org.

The favorite axman of eccentric iconoclasts from John Zorn to Tom Waits, Ribot is fond of hyphenated experiments, but this g/b/d trio sheds the eclecticism for pure shredding.

Sept. 20, International House, 3701 Chestnut St., 215-387-5125, arsnovaworkshop.com.

Still under 30, saxist Strickland has engendered "rising star" buzz for years, earning him a spot alongside several generations of jazz greats. His latest, "Open Reel Deck," lives up to the hype.

Sept. 26, Chris' Jazz Café, 1421 Sansom St., 215-568-3131, chrisjazzcafe.com.

Philly's favorite pianist son and ex-Coltrane sideman returns with his trio.

Oct. 4, Montgomery County Community College, 340 De Kalb Pike, Blue Bell, 215-641-6518, mc3.edu.

Three Brazilian virtuosi — guitarist Arismar do Espírito Santo, saxophonist Vinicius Dorin and percussionist Rogério Boccato — find a fresh, highly interactive approach to jazzy Brasiliana.

Oct. 10, Philadelphia Museum of Art, 2600 Ben Franklin Parkway, 215-763-8100, philamuseum.org.

The first in Ars Nova Workshop's composer series pays tribute to saxophonist/musical theoretician Braxton, with three different ensembles (including one composed of seven trumpets) to perform his head-scratchingly complex tunes.

Oct. 10, Settlement Music School, 416 Queen St.; Oct. 11, St. Mark's Church, 1525 Locust St., arsnovaworkshop.com.

After a trio interlude, the powerhouse Baltimore-based pianist returns with his funk-jazz sextet.

Oct. 17, Chris' Jazz Café.

The Chicago-born trumpeter explored his Iraqi heritage, studying traditional Maqam for his "Two Rivers" project, which debuted at the Painted Bride in 2006. Having refined the concept for two years, ElSaffar returns for what should be an invigorating hybrid of forms.

Oct. 24, Philadelphia Museum of Art.

The animated Philly-born drummer returns home to celebrate the release of his latest, Bert's Playground, named for an ex-goldfish.

Oct. 24-25, Chris' Jazz Café.

The legendary pianist has bridged the history of modern jazz from bebop to free to chamber, but hasn't set foot in Philly for half a century. He'll perform duos with drummer Richard Poole.

Oct. 25, International House.

A three-day meeting of the minds — and, of course, the musicians — to celebrate the all-too-brief life of the Wilmington-born trumpeter, with performances by Terence Blanchard, Lou Donaldson, Benny Golson, and a world-première piece by composer John Fedchock performed by the Philly-based Lars Halle Jazz Orchestra.

Oct. 30-Nov. 1, University of the Arts, uarts.edu.

The sole surviving player from Miles Davis' Kind of Blue, drummer Cobb kicks off the Kimmel's season-long tribute to the trumpeter's landmark album.

Nov. 1, Kimmel Center.

Known for tripping between the jazz and jam-band arenas, keyboardist Benevento swerved closer to the former with his recent Invisible Baby CD.

Nov. 16, World Café Live, 3025 Walnut St., 215-222-1400, worldcafelive.com

The always-imaginative but understated pianist has been toiling just under the radar for three decades, but a recent all-star quintet disc on Blue Note has helped raise his profile slightly.

Nov. 28, Philadelphia Museum of Art.

The Boulder-born saxophonist has long explored his cultural heritage in India, and now brings an acoustic version of his latest project, "Samdhi," which was conceived to fuse jazz, Indian and electronic influences.

Dec. 6, Painted Bride Art Center, 230 Vine St., 215-925-9914, paintedbride.org.

Absolutely not to be missed, the dream combo of forward-thinking pianist Moran's trio with top-of-his-game guitarist Frisell will perform a world-première commission based on PMA's "Gee's Bend" quilt exhibit.

Dec. 12, Philadelphia Museum of Art.

CP 2008 Fall Guide
Still Singing A Rainbow
Kids in the Hall
The Genre Jumper
Ink, Sweat and Tears
Classical Calendar
Dance Calendar
Opera Calendar
Rock/Pop Calendar
Roots Calendar
Theater Calendar
Visual Art Calendar