In the current Philadelphia Weekly:
Wed., Aug. 19, 9pm-2am. $5. Tritone, 1508 South St. 215.545.0475 www.tritonebar.com
How time flies! It’s been a year since Avant Ascension, one of Philly’s bootstraps, artist-run jazz series, got off the ground at Tritone. Hosted by two young colleagues from Bobby Zankel’s big band Warriors of the Wonderful Sound — trombonist Larry Toft and saxophonist Dan Peterson — this third-Wednesday-every-month conclave is a lifeline for area artists with a lot to say but not a lot of live venues in which to say it. The anniversary show will feature groove-jazz by Ran Tan Toon, trio musings by Peterson and Free Radicals, and a Toft-led tribute to electric Miles Davis called Red Light District. — David R. Adler
Sachal Vasandani
Fri., Aug. 21, 8 & 10pm. $15. Chris’ Jazz Café, 1421 Sansom St. 215.568.3131 www.chrisjazzcafe.com
With his 2007 debut Eyes Wide Open, Sachal Vasandani did his part to reshape the role of the male jazz vocalist for a new era. He’s far from a contrived neo-Sinatra but a cool customer nonetheless, with strong standard-repertoire chops as well as an ear for unerring pop melody (check his tight originals and suave reading of Iron & Wine’s “Naked As We Came”). Arriving in Philly to celebrate We Move, his forthcoming sophomore release for Mack Avenue, he’ll get his hands dirty with a top-shelf band: pianist Jeb Patton, bassist Josh Ginsburg and drummer Quincy Davis. — David R. Adler
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