The Jazz Scene: are the country's best female jazz singers in Philly?

The Philadelphia jazz scene is healthy and thriving. Yes, there still is a club scene here, but the bulk of the music can be heard in community centers, museums, churches, neighborhood fests, and on concert stages via nonprofits like Jazz Bridge, the Jazz Sanctuary, the Clef Club, and Ars Nova.

Jazz Bridge, the award-winning nonprofit, has just kicked off its 11th season and will present 40 concerts on five area stages during its eight-month season. This month, veteran songstress Denise Montana will perform at The New Leaf Club in Rosemont on October 16. The same night, at the Willingboro, NJ Library, it’s Latin percussion master Edgardo Cintron and his group. All shows begin at 7:30pm, and tickets are $10 ($5 for students).

Kimmel Center’s commitment to jazz continues in a big way. The Kimmel recently presented vocalist Kurt Elling, one of the finest jazz singers working today. Next up, on December 3 in the Perelman Theater, is the Jazz Orchestra of Philadelphia, led by Terell Stafford and featuring Jimmy Heath, Bootsie Barnes, and Larry McKenna. A special holiday program from Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra is coming up on December 21, featuring Wynton Marsalis and the instrumental sounds of stars like Duke Ellington and Bennie Goodman, alongside vocalist Cécile McLorin Salvant.

The Kimmel’s free program — the “Sittin’ In” jam session — continues on a monthly basis. The first one of the season takes place October 8. Doors and DJ Phsh are at 8pm, with live music at 9pm.

The ever-progressive Ars Nova kicks off its 15th season with a typically cutting-edge concert — best described as “folk songs re-imagined”— on October 17 with singer/violinist/guitarist/banjoist Sam Amidon, backed by guitarist Bill Frisell, bassist Shahzad Ismaily, and drummer Kenny Wollesen. The 8pm concert ($20) takes place at FringeArts on 140 North Columbus Boulevard, Philadelphia.

Chris’ Jazz Café at 1421 Sansom Street just celebrated its 25th year of operation and continues booking jazz six nights per week. Highlights this month are an October 11 visit from the stylistically diverse guitarist Nir Felder and his band, and on October 24 and 25, a rare area appearance from the ultramodern pianist Kenny Werner, featuring the also ultramodern Ari Hoenig on drums.

New albums

Philadelphia, it seems, is home to more great female jazz vocalists than any other city in the country. Here are three that fans should check out:

Dena Underwood is a veteran singer/pianist who recalls, at times, Nancy Wilson and Dinah Washington. But make no mistake: Underwood is an original and a good one. Underwood appears most Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays at Tavern on Camac, 243 South Camac Street, beginning at 9pm. Incidentally, Underwood’s recent duo performance with pianist Andy Kahn at the Outbeat Jazz Fest was one of the festival’s highlights.

Dee Dee Lavell is another singular talent. She effectively combines elements of jazz and pop with a repertoire of everything from originals to interpretations of Joni Mitchell and Billie Holiday tunes. Lavell has just released an exceptional CD: “Dee Dee Lavell: Sounds of Love,” where she’s backed by the cream of our area’s jazz players.

Kathleen Angela was a singer on her way up when I last heard her some 36 years ago, at, of all places, The Main Point. She is still here, appearing every other Friday at Hibachi on Penn’s Landing, and has become a superior vocalist, with technique and versatility to spare, and loving and sincere regard for the lyric that only time can bring. Angela plans to bring more jazz into Hibachi, which, in its former life, was Meiji-En, long home to legendary jazz keyboardist Trudy Pitts.

Just released on CD is singer/composer/drummer/guitarist and sometimes harmonica player Paul Jost’s solo effort, “Breaking Through,” a Dot Time Records release. Jost is a refreshing, sometimes intense, sometimes innovative, but always swinging artist who has had a deservedly incredible career thus far, and it’s only getting better.