Tue Aug 12
Stephen Philip Harvey - "New Recording Releases"
7PM / $30 | $7 Fees Get Tickets
Stephen Philip Harvey
Experience the electrifying fusion of jazz innovation and elemental inspiration as saxophonist, composer, and bandleader Stephen Philip Harvey takes the stage with his acclaimed ensemble, the Stephen Philip Harvey Octet (SPH8). Join us for a double feature jazz night as SPH8 presents two dynamic sets of original music; celebrating the ensemble's past and looking forward into its future. Set One - Elemental (Live) Vinyl Release: Composed during the COVID-19 pandemic, Elemental (Live) is a collection of music inspired by the classical elements: fire, air, water, and earth. This album takes the ideations of classical philosophy and represents them through Harvey’s distinct voice. It was originally released as a digital album in May 2024. It is being rereleased as a vinyl to pair with pending release of Harvey's sophomore large ensemble album, Multiversal: Live at Bop Stop. While Multiversal drops on streaming sites worldwide on August 22, advanced copies will also be available for purchase during this show. Set Two - The Pen is Mightier Premier: Composed from 2024-2025, The Pen is Mightier is Harvey's next original suite for the octet which is inspired by iconic works in Black American literature. This suite of eight original compositions takes inspiration from the scripts, memoirs, novels, and poetry of authors like Maya Angelou, James Baldwin, August Wilson, Ta-Nehisi Coates, Amanda Gorman, and more. This diverse bibliography surveys the myriad Black experiences in America and pays honor to those that strived to tell their stories. The ensemble premieres this music in preparation for their recording of the suite.
Stephen Philip Harvey is a boundary-pushing saxophonist, composer, arranger, educator, and radio producer whose work bridges jazz traditions with the pulse of contemporary Black American music. A dynamic bandleader and recording artist, Harvey leads a range of forward-thinking ensembles including his electric quintet Sphinx, chordless trio SPH+2, mid-sized contemporary ensemble the Stephen Philip Harvey Octet (SPH8), and his critically acclaimed large ensemble, the Stephen Philip Harvey Jazz Orchestra (SPHJO). Across all projects, Harvey crafts music described by trumpeter Sean Jones as “a beautiful pairing of the complex and the elementary.”
Harvey’s growing discography reflects a multifaceted artistic voice rooted in improvisation, groove, and cross-genre fluency. His most recent album, Multiversal: Live at Bop Stop (2025), showcases SPHJO’s cinematic breadth in a powerful live setting. This followed a trio of 2024 releases: Live at Radio Artifact and Elemental (Live) with the Stephen Philip Harvey Octet (SPH8), and Library Card with SPH+2. In 2023, he released the eponymous debut of Sphinx, his electronic quintet, along with the Little Gifts EP (SPH+2) and Elemental (SPH8). Earlier works include the big band statement Smash! (2022) and his debut album Suite Childhood (2016). Together, these recordings—most issued through his label Hidden Cinema Records—demonstrate his bold orchestration, personal storytelling, and restless creativity.
Critics have praised Harvey’s work for its fearless range and emotional immediacy. DownBeat Magazine describes him as “a straight-ahead band room swinger with an ear for making four horns sound like a kicking big band,” noting his skillful command of ensemble writing and energetic soloing. All About Jazz highlighted his “audacious conception” and genre-blurring orchestrations, while Dark Blue Notes called his soprano saxophone tone and expression “not easily matched by today’s saxophonists.”
Through each endeavor—whether on stage, in the studio, in the classroom, or behind the mic—Stephen Philip Harvey is shaping a vital and inclusive vision for the future of jazz: bold, rooted, and unmistakably his own.
7PM / $30 | $7 Fees Get Tickets
1. Final sale, no refunds, not transferable.
2. $15 food/beverage minimum per person not included in ticket price.
3. Seating first come at the door. Doors open 6 PM & 8:45 PM respectively.
4. Photography or Recording of any kind is prohibited during the performance.
5. Keep conversation to a minimum during the performance.