The Jazz Scene: Music in the parks, women in jazz, and more

Outdoor jazz fests, free and open to the public, continue this month at Spruce Street Harbor Park’s Jazz in the Park program, and West Philadelphia’s Thursday Night Jazz Heritage Series at Malcom X Park (52nd and Pine). Multi-reedman Korey Riker and trombonist Ernest Stuart (the latter also the entrepreneur behind the Center City Jazz Festival) will appear on the waterfront from 3 to 7pm on Sunday, August 19. And at the West Philly fest, veteran vocalist Barbara Walker performs on Thursday, August 16, followed by the Clef Club Student Ensemble on Thursday, August 30. Those shows are at 7pm.

Destination Paris Bistro

New ownership at Chestnut Hill’s Paris Bistro has facilitated an expanded jazz schedule, some new faces, and some veteran players cast in new settings. One of the most welcome visitors to the Bistro is the incredibly talented and versatile Phyllis Chapell, who will perform with her group, Siora, on Sunday, August 26, beginning at 6pm. Chapell is an impossible-to-categorize giant of a talent who should be packing stadiums all over the world. She sings and swings in 13 languages, has one of the most gorgeous vocal instruments anywhere, virtually defines the joy of world music, and is also some kind of guitarist.

Trenton-born-and-bred Orrin Evans is one of the hottest jazz pianists on the scene today (his latest accomplishment is joining The Bad Plus). To his credit, Evans has never forgotten his straight-ahead jazz roots — he studied with iconic pianist Kenny Barron — and continues to pay homage to keyboard legends in this area who were big influences. On Thursday, August 9, Evans will pay solo piano tribute to fondly remembered jazz organists Shirley Scott and Trudy Pitts, who helped put the organ on the map as a viable jazz instrument. Along with Mary Lou Williams and a very few others, these revered artists helped pave the way for women in the male-dominated world of jazz.

Coming up at the Keswick and the Kimmel

Philadelphia loves its fusion, and a frequent visitor here is groundbreaking jazz violinist Jean-Luc Ponty. Now 75 years old but still breaking new ground, Ponty checks into Glenside’s Keswick Theatre on Saturday, August 18, at 8pm.

The Kimmel Center has announced its 2018/2019 jazz season lineup, and it’s impressive. Some of the performers have visited before, including Grammy-winning guitar master Pat Metheny, booked for October 5 at Merriam Theater; and two Jazz Orchestra of Philadelphia shows — a December 15 concert featuring Freddie Cole and a June 5, 2019, jazz-organ extravaganza starring Joey DeFrancesco. Among the more innovative bookings are an October 27 Merriam performance from the genre-busting classical/hip-hop ensemble Black Violin, featuring violist Wil B. and violinist Kev Marcus, as well as the Diva Jazz Orchestra’s Perelman stage debut on April 27.

Some 25 years ago, Diva got its start at the suggestion of drummer Buddy Rich’s longtime manager, the late Stanley Kay. Kay was well aware of drummer Sherrie Maricle’s rare ability to channel Rich’s sensibility and wanted to rectify the lack of opportunities for women in jazz. Kay suggested to her that they form an all-female big band, and Diva has been swinging ever since.