The Jazz Scene: A month of festivals, and good news for next year

On September 12, South Street West, from Broad to 16th Street, will be the site of the third annual Philadelphia United Jazz Festival, sponsored by the LifeLine Music Coalition and the Philadelphia Daily News, and running from noon to 10pm. With the exception of the U.S. Army Big Band, all the performers are from this region, and include saxophonists Bobby Zankel, Sam Reed, Julian Pressley, and Odean Pope; the Arpeggio and Philadelphia Heritage ensembles; and drummer Jackie Browne.

The summerlong West Philadelphia Jazz Heritage Series will be winding down its 15th year this month with two fine performers: Singer Michelle Beckham on September 3rd, who has appeared at several of these festivals through the years, and the band of bassist Nate Murray, also a festival veteran, on September 17. Philadelphia Parks & Recreation sponsors these free shows, held at 52nd and Pine Street, beginning at 7pm.

The John Coltrane Jazz Tribute & Festival will take place on Sunday, September 6 from noon to 6pm, on Diamond Street between 18th and 19th. Headlining this event is chart-topping smooth jazz singer Maysa. Other performers include singer V. Shayne Frederick, and tenor saxophonist Bootsie Barnes and his Smokin’ Quintet, featuring trumpeter Duane Eubanks.

New recordings

In the new recordings department, September will see the release of three new albums by Philadelphia’s finest. Pianist Orrin Evans will release The Evolution of Oneself, with bassist Christian McBride and drummer Karriem Riggins, on September 11. Chris’ Jazz Café will hold a release party for the new title on Friday and Saturday, September 18 and 19. That weekend, by the way, is also Chris’ 26th anniversary, something of a record in the world of jazz clubs.

Bassist Lee Smith, also known as the father of Christian McBride, will release his second album as a leader, My Kind of Blues, on September 12 at a release party also being held at Chris’. Featured in the album are a group of Philadelphia all-stars, including pianist Anthony Wonsey, trumpeter Joe Magnarelli, saxophonist Tim Warfield, flutist Marc Adler, drummers Justin Faulkner and Byron Landham, and percussionist Doc Gibbs.

Baritone saxophonist Charles Evans will be celebrating the release of his new album, On Beauty, on Friday, September 18 at Philadelphia Art Alliance. This Ars Nova Workshop concert features legendary soprano saxophonist David Liebman, pianist Ron Stabinsky, and bassist Tony Marino. The concert begins at 8pm.

Jazz at the Fringe and the Annenberg

On September 12, as a part of the Philly Fringe Festival, the Art Alliance will also play host to Soprano Meets Contrabass, a unique duo that features jazz bassist Alan Lewine and classical soprano Ana María Ruimonte. SMC, which has toured the world several times, draws on eight centuries of source material for a program highlighted by interpretations of medieval Sephardic and other Spanish music of the 13th-15th centuries, Baroque songs, German lieder, Italian opera, and zarzuela arias, as well as a few originals. Friday’s performance is at 9pm.

The Annenberg Center has announced its 2015-2016 season, and these concerts will star some impressive jazz artists who rarely get out to this area. Upcoming shows will be headlined by singers Dianne Reeves and Cyrille Aimée, the Latin jazz of trombonist Papo Vázquez and guitarist Sofía Rei, pianist/composer Hiromi’s “The Trio Project,” Hammond B-3 organ master Dr. Lonnie Smith, a show called “Celebrate the Great Women of Blues & Jazz,” and a gathering of legends called the “Mack Avenue Super Band,” named for the Mack Avenue record label. The Super Band, which is indeed super, is comprised of vibraphonist Gary Burton, saxophonist Tia Fuller, trumpeter Sean Jones, pianist Christian Sands, drummer Ulysses Owens Jr., and on bass — who else? — Christian McBride. Watch the Jazz Scene for dates and times.

Congratulations are in order for the ubiquitous McBride, who just won the prestigious Down Beat magazine critics’ poll as best acoustic bassist. Philadelphian Stanley Clarke won for best electric bassist, and our area’s Joey DeFrancesco topped the poll as best organist.