Marcus Strickland

Fri., Sept. 26, 8 and 10 p.m., $15, Chris' Jazz Café, 1421 Sansom St., 215-568-3131, chrisjazzcafe.com.

by Shaun Brady

jazz

Not yet 30, tenor saxophonist Marcus Strickland defines up-and-coming, an intense soloist and audacious composer who seems to be taking a middle path between die-hard jazz traditionalists and those wanting to shake the music up. His latest, Open Reel Deck (Strick Muzik), is his second featuring his Twi-Life Group, a groove-heavy unit equal parts Motown and Blue Note. The core quartet is supplemented by fiery trumpeter Keyon Harrold and the brash poetry of Malachi, whose pronouncements propel the group as fervently as drummer E.J. Strickland, the leader's twin brother. Strickland will bring his new quartet, with Twi-Lifers E.J. and guitarist Mike Moreno along with bassist Ben Williams, to Chris'. The group promises a similar mix of influences, offering new tunes as well as music by the likes of Bjork, Jaco Pastorius, Outkast and Oumou Sangare. At this stage, anything with the words "new" and "Marcus Strickland" attached are well worth checking out.

Fri., Sept. 26, 8 and 10 p.m., $15, Chris' Jazz Café, 1421 Sansom St., 215-568-3131, chrisjazzcafe.com.