ABOVE PHOTO: Nimrod Speaks
Immanuel Wilkins
By Steve Bryant
While July is usually a slow month for jazz in Philadelphia, there are two performances worth noting, as the headliners are two Philadelphia Clef Club of Jazz alumni from the renowned Clef Club Music Education Program. Bassist Nimrod Speaks and altoist Immanuel Wilkins may just be fresh out of school, but they are making serious waves in the East Coast jazz scene.
Wednesday, July 18
Immanuel Wilkins Quartet
While alto saxophonist Immanuel Wilkins is in the middle of his college career studying at the Juilliard School of Music, he has turned into one of the hardest working young players in jazz. Wilkins has toured throughout Europe and Asia and South America while performing and recording with the likes of Jason Moran, Solange Knowles, Lalah Hathaway, Gerald Clayton, Wynton Marsalis and even folk legend Bob Dylan. Wilkins will be bringing in a quartet of equally talented peers: fellow Clef Club alumnus Micah Thomas on piano, bassist Daryl Johns and drummer Kweku Sumbry to Matt Yaple’s superb performance space —@exuberance — which is located in Northern Liberties. For an exciting evening of original music by some of Philly’s great young players, this is worth the price of admission.
7 & 9pm $25.00
@ exuberance
1220 N. Mascher St.
Philadelphia, PA 19122
Philadelphia Clef Club
Saturday, July 28
Community Education Center
Sunday, July 29
The Keystone Jazz Collective
A very interesting ensemble will be visiting Philadelphia during the last weekend of July. The Keystone Jazz Collective (KJC) was co-founded by Philadelphia bassist (and yes, another Clef Club alumnus) Nimrod Speaks and Pittsburgh trombonist Reggie Watkins. Their ensemble is named for the State of Pennsylvania, as well as evoking the rich musical histories of their hometowns, which were also known for their thriving jazz communities. In addition, Speaks and Watkins modeled their ensemble on the famed San Francisco Jazz Collective, which is the model for multi-faceted performance ensembles. Rounding out the KJC are two rising jazz stars from Pennsylvania, Philadelphia-based pianist Luke Carlos O’Reilly, and drummer George Heid, who hails from the city of Aspinwall. They will perform in South and West Philly at the fabled Philadelphia Clef Club and the Community Education Center. Yes, this promises to be a weekend of good solid music and more of Pennsylvania’s young players.
7pm $20.00
The Philadelphia Clef Club of Jazz
736-38 S. Broad Street
Philadelphia
(215) 893-9912
Community Education Center
3500 Lancaster Ave,
(215) 387-1911
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