The 10 best jazz concerts coming to Philly this fall

Past and present always seem to coexist in jazz, and this fall’s concert calendar in Philly is full of conversations between eras and generations. Among the younger artists on the list, pianist Joe Block and guitarist Miles Okazaki both reflect on the music of past icons, while saxophonist Billy Harper revisits a pair of landmarks from his own storied history. These connections also cross genre lines — John Scofield, Joshua Redman, and Orrin Evans pepper their latest projects with as many rock as jazz classics, while Lucian Ban and Mat Maneri reach farther back into Bartók’s investigation of Transylvanian folk music. The following is a list of eclectic and adventurous highlights of the season to come, though each of these venues and presenters has a full calendar worth exploring more deeply.

Romanian pianist Lucian Ban and American violist Mat Maneri follow a trail blazed by Béla Bartók on their new album Transylvanian Dance. The pair takes off from the folk songs and dance tunes that the Hungarian composer collected in Transylvania at the dawn of the 20th century. Using that material as a springboard for improvisatory explorations, they engage in a spirited and mysterious dance of their own. Fire Museum presents the duo on a bill with bassist/sound sculptor Jair-Rohm Parker Wells.

Sept. 20, the Perch, firemuseumpresents.com

Chris’ Jazz Café celebrates its 35th anniversary by commemorating an even earlier touchstone: the 65th anniversary of Miles Davis’ immortal Kind of Blue, the kind of “best album of all time nominee” that is near-impossible to refute. Rising star pianist Joe Block — a decade younger than the club, let alone the album — has assembled a multigenerational crew of Philly/NYC talents to recreate the classic music.

Sept. 20 and 21, Chris’ Jazz Café, chrisjazzcafe.com

Whether due to lockdown wanderlust or politically motivated reappraisal, saxophonist Joshua Redman decided to roam the country for his latest album (and first for Blue Note), where are we. Paired with the Melody Gardot-like vocals of Gabrielle Cavassa, he programmed a set of state-inspired songs — and yes, Philly is represented, by Springsteen’s “Streets of Philadelphia” (which I suppose means Jersey got a nod as well).

Oct. 5, Annenberg Center, pennlivearts.org

Something about the thorny-yet-playful compositions of Thelonious Monk has long proved enticing to more adventurous jazz guitarists. Peter Bernstein, Bill Frisell, Elliott Sharp, Bobby Broom, and Duck Baker have all devoted full albums to the bebop pioneer’s music. None have gone quite so deep as Miles Okazaki, who dove deep into the repertoire for his incisive six-album recording of Monk’s complete compositions. He’ll wade back into those tricky waters for this Ars Nova-presented performance.

Oct. 11, Solar Myth, arsnovaworkshop.org

Though his place in the jazz guitar pantheon is assured, as a child of the 1960s John Scofield has always given his rock influences free rein to emerge at will. His latest trio is undeniably a jazz combo and a stellar one, featuring bassist Vicente Archer and drummer Bill Stewart. But their set lists don’t discriminate; last year’s Uncle John’s Band (that title being a, well, Dead giveaway) sets jazz classics and songbook standards next to boomer rock icons from Bob Dylan to Neil Young.

Oct. 15, Ardmore Music Hall, ardmoremusichall.com

Far and above his day job as the longtime guitarist for Wilco, Nels Cline is a revered six-string pathfinder whose collaborations and inspirations obliterate any thought of genre. He’ll take up residency at Solar Myth for an eclectic four-night run, each evening teaming him with a different collaborator. The schedule includes pedal steel guitarist Susan Alcorn and drummer Booker Stardrum, a two-guitar quartet with Gregg Belisle-Chi, and duets with his wife, Cibo Matto’s Yuka C. Honda, and Wilco bandmate/drummer Glenn Kotche.

Oct. 15-17 & 19, Solar Myth, arsnovaworkshop.org

A towering figure in his native South Africa as a member of the formative Jazz Epistles, Abdullah Ibrahim has evolved as one of the most meditative voices in jazz history. Ibrahim’s music is as spare, precise, fragile, beautiful, and profound as a Zen koan; every note meaningful, every melody indelible. The legendary pianist will arrive in Philly a month after his 90th birthday.

Nov. 10, Annenberg Center, pennlivearts.org

Coled by pianist Mike LeDonne and saxophonist Eric Alexander, the Heavy Hitters is the sort of all-star conglomeration that we marvel at from eras past. The sextet convenes a nonpareil group of post-bop torchbearers who play with blistering fervor and full-throttle swing. At Chris’, the leaders will be joined by trumpeter Sean Jones, altoist Vincent Herring, bassist John Webber, and drummer Kenny Washington.

Nov. 22 and 23, Chris’ Jazz Café, chrisjazzcafe.com

Led by Philly pianist Orrin Evans, the Captain Black Big Band combines the sensations of a roof-raising jazz ensemble, a revival meeting, and a backyard BBQ, infusing its powerhouse sound with a spirit of community and raucous celebration. The twice Grammy-nominated band invited a host of vocalists for their latest, Walk a Mile in My Shoe, which adds an unexpected dose of the poignant from Evans’ lifelong struggle with a malformation of his left foot. At the Kimmel, the band will be joined by singers Joanna Pascale and Paul Jost, along with a promised surprise guest.

Nov. 29, Kimmel Center, ensembleartsphilly.org

Saxophonist Billy Harper was such a powerful and strident voice that he could match sonic wits with some of the strongest jazz masters — a resumé that includes Art Blakey, Max Roach, Stanley Cowell, and Lee Morgan (at whose side he was standing when the legendary Philly trumpeter was murdered). On his own he released several compelling and still undersung albums through the ‘70s that stand among the best post-Coltrane explorations. During this two-night run, he’ll resurrect two of them: Black Saint (1975) and The Believer (1980).

Dec. 16 and 17, Solar Myth, arsnovaworkshop.org