The Jazz Scene: kicking off summer from the Kimmel to the shore

Though the Jazz Orchestra of Philadelphia, under the direction of trumpeter and educator Terell Stafford, has only been in existence for a relatively short period of time, it has established itself as one of the finest ensembles in the region and beyond. On Saturday, June 18 at 8pm JOP will play a program at the Kimmel Center called A String of Pearls. The word “string” refers to a special guest: legendary guitarist Pat Martino. This sounds like a blockbuster show.

Exciting visitors

James Carter plays just about every type of saxophone ever invented, and he manages to be progressive, inventive, and swinging on each and every one of them. Carter is making a rare appearance in this area — at 7:30pm on Thursday, June 9 — at a relatively new club on the scene, Alma Mater, 7165 Germantown Avenue.

Jazz vocalist Giacomo Gates is one of the few jazz performers who is an entertainer as well as a creative musician: His original material is refreshing and often hilarious. Gates will appear at South Kitchen and Jazz Parlor on June 10 and 11, for three shows nightly — 8pm, 9:30pm and 11pm.

South has booked some other heavy hitters this month who don’t get to the city often. Guitarist Ed Cherry, who spent almost 15 years with Dizzy Gillespie, checks in on Wednesday, June 8, for 7pm and 9pm shows. On Wednesday, June 22, pianist Jason Moran ­— now the artistic director for Jazz at The Kennedy Center — arrives with his Bandwagon trio for two shows. And performing on Wednesday, June 29 for two shows is the outspoken and sometimes controversial trumpeter and Grammy Award-winner Nicholas Payton.

Pianist/composer/educator Michele Rosewoman is one of the most versatile artists in jazz, as she’s fluent in genres ranging from avant garde to hard bop. She’s had a good deal of success of late with her New Yor-Uba group, an ensemble that recently released a double album that celebrates the music of Cuba in America. Rosewoman and New Yor-Uba will perform at the Painted Bride on Saturday, June 18 at 8pm.

The northwest and the shore

Vocalist Arlene Hilton is a fine jazz singer and quite the entrepreneur. She is bringing jazz to the Platinum Grille — 7719 Crittenden Street at Market Square in Chestnut Hill — on Thursdays in June from 7-10pm. Hilton has surrounded herself with the best there is: saxophonist Larry McKenna, pianist Tom Lawton, bassist Mike Boone, and drummer Craig McIver. For more information, call 215-247-2312.

At one time, Atlantic City was a real jazz center, with legendary venues like the Club Harlem, Grace’s Little Belmont, and even the venerable Steel Pier, where big bands played for decades. The Chicken Bone Beach organization has kept the shore jazz tradition alive by presenting jazz concerts — free and otherwise — for 16 years, and the first of these shows, featuring the trio of drummer Keith Hollis, will take place at the Claridge Hotel on June 17 at 8pm.