Events
SPH+2 at Mr. Henry’s (Washington, DC)
SPH (saxes), Steve Arnold (bass), Jordon Stanley (drums)
Celebrating the release of Golden Hour, the second album by SPH+2 and the ninth release from saxophonist, composer, and bandleader Stephen Philip Harvey. Recorded live at the Golden Hour Rum Room in Saint Michaels, Maryland, the album features four original compositions and a reimagined interpretation of Henry Mancini’s “Days of Wine and Roses.” Released August 21, 2026, on Hidden Cinema Records, the recording captures one evening of the trio's monthly residency at one of the Mid-Atlantic's most unique listening rooms.
SPH+2 at Golden Hour (Saint Michaels, MD)
Celebrating the release of Golden Hour, the second album by SPH+2 and the ninth release from saxophonist, composer, and bandleader Stephen Philip Harvey. Recorded live at the Golden Hour Rum Room in Saint Michaels, Maryland, the album features four original compositions and a reimagined interpretation of Henry Mancini’s “Days of Wine and Roses.” Released August 21, 2026, on Hidden Cinema Records, the recording captures one evening of the trio's monthly residency at one of the Mid-Atlantic's most unique listening rooms.
SPHJO @ Chris's Jazz Cafe (Philadelphia, PA)
Sets at 7:30pm and 9pm
Join us for an electrifying evening of big band action as the Stephen Philip Harvey Jazz Orchestra (SPHJO) performs the music of their sophomore album, Multiversal: Live at BOP STOP, and new original arrangements and compositions. This thrilling live recording—captured at the iconic Cleveland venue—drops August 22, 2025, and showcases an action-packed collection of original works by saxophonist, composer, and conductor Stephen Philip Harvey.
The SPHJO is a seventeen-piece ensemble featuring a rotating roster of world-class musicians from across the Mid-Atlantic and Midwest. Known for their bold sound and adventurous programming, the group debuted in 2022 with Smash!, a studio album released on Next Level (an imprint of Outside in Music). Drawing inspiration from comic books and superhero sagas, Harvey’s compositions burst with cinematic energy, a signature style continued and expanded in this new live album.
With Multiversal, Harvey channels the spirit of America's original large ensemble—the jazz orchestra—into a vivid, pseudo-cinematic soundscape filled with drama, intensity, and imaginative storytelling. Don’t miss this celebration of sonic world-building, brought to life by a powerhouse band on the rise.
Press Quotes
“A composer and bandleader with a knack for translating com-book action into instrumental jazz fireworks. Multiversal goes further – making the listener feel not just like a reader of the story, but a participant in this cinematic, superhero-themed recording.” –Veronica Johnson, DownBeat Magazine
“A bold, super-powered live album that cements his place as one of contemporary jazz’s adventurous large-ensemble voices… [Multiversal] shows Harvey at the top of his compositional, arranging, and bandleading game.” – Mike Gates, UK Vibe
“His compositions and first-class arrangements connect the jazz tradition with the spirit of contemporary African American music.
The eleven tracks captivate with colorful instrumentation, brilliant solos, and admirable interplay between the orchestra’s sections.” — Michael van Gee, Jazz’n’More
SPH+2 at Golden Hour (Saint Michaels, MD)
Celebrating the centennial of John Coltrane and Miles Davis, join SPH+2 for a set of iconic tunes from their songbooks and originals inspired by their compositional styles.
"New Jazz Works Commission Premiere" SPH8 at City of Asylum (Pittsburgh, PA)
The Stephen Philip Harvey Octet presents “Mythos,” a new original suite. Commissioned by Chamber Music America as part of the 2025 New Jazz Works, Harvey’s mid-sized ensemble shares new works based on mythology found in the African continent, mythology spread through the African diaspora, and the folktales right here in the USA that evolved from this sometimes forgotten past. This premiere comes on the heels of the ensemble’s second studio album, The Pen is Mighter, in February 2027. Coupling a new season of original compositions inspired by impactful cultural voices.
"New Jazz Works Commission Premiere" SPH8 at Bop Stop (Cleveland, OH)
The Stephen Philip Harvey Octet presents “Mythos,” a new original suite. Commissioned by Chamber Music America as part of the 2025 New Jazz Works, Harvey’s mid-sized ensemble shares new works based on mythology found in the African continent, mythology spread through the African diaspora, and the folktales right here in the USA that evolved from this sometimes forgotten past. This premiere comes on the heels of the ensemble’s second studio album, The Pen is Mighter, in February 2027. Coupling a new season of original compositions inspired by impactful cultural voices.
"New Jazz Works Commission Premiere" SPH8 at Blues Alley (Washington, DC)
The Stephen Philip Harvey Octet presents “Mythos,” a new original suite. Commissioned by Chamber Music America as part of the 2025 New Jazz Works, Harvey’s mid-sized ensemble shares new works based on mythology found in the African continent, mythology spread through the African diaspora, and the folktales right here in the USA that evolved from this sometimes forgotten past. This premiere comes on the heels of the ensemble’s second studio album, The Pen is Mighter, in February 2027. Coupling a new season of original compositions inspired by impactful cultural voices.
SPH+2 at Con Alma (Pittsburgh, PA)
Personnel TBD
Celebrating the release of Golden Hour, the second album by SPH+2 and the ninth release from saxophonist, composer, and bandleader Stephen Philip Harvey. Recorded live at the Golden Hour Rum Room in Saint Michaels, Maryland, the album features four original compositions and a reimagined interpretation of Henry Mancini’s “Days of Wine and Roses.” Released August 21, 2026, on Hidden Cinema Records, the recording captures one evening of the trio's monthly residency at one of the Mid-Atlantic's most unique listening rooms.
SPH+2 at Charlotte Hall Veterans Home (Charlotte Hall, MD)
Playing our annual holiday performance at Charlotte Hall Veterans home. Bringing holiday cheer to older service members for the fourth year in a row.
SPH+2 at The Deep Groove (Milwaukee, WI)
SPH (saxes), Emma Taylor (bass), Hannah Johnson (drums)
Celebrating the release of Golden Hour, the second album by SPH+2 and the ninth release from saxophonist, composer, and bandleader Stephen Philip Harvey. Recorded live at the Golden Hour Rum Room in Saint Michaels, Maryland, the album features four original compositions and a reimagined interpretation of Henry Mancini’s “Days of Wine and Roses.” Released August 21, 2026, on Hidden Cinema Records, the recording captures one evening of the trio's monthly residency at one of the Mid-Atlantic's most unique listening rooms.
SPH+2 at Local Note (Evanston, IL)
SPH (saxes), Emma Taylor (bass), Ryan Murphy (drums)
Celebrating the release of Golden Hour, the second album by SPH+2 and the ninth release from saxophonist, composer, and bandleader Stephen Philip Harvey. Recorded live at the Golden Hour Rum Room in Saint Michaels, Maryland, the album features four original compositions and a reimagined interpretation of Henry Mancini’s “Days of Wine and Roses.” Released August 21, 2026, on Hidden Cinema Records, the recording captures one evening of the trio's monthly residency at one of the Mid-Atlantic's most unique listening rooms.
SPH+2 at Merrimans’ Playhouse (South Bend, IN)
SPH (saxes), Emma Taylor (bass), Ryan Murphy (drums)
Celebrating the release of Golden Hour, the second album by SPH+2 and the ninth release from saxophonist, composer, and bandleader Stephen Philip Harvey. Recorded live at the Golden Hour Rum Room in Saint Michaels, Maryland, the album features four original compositions and a reimagined interpretation of Henry Mancini’s “Days of Wine and Roses.” Released August 21, 2026, on Hidden Cinema Records, the recording captures one evening of the trio's monthly residency at one of the Mid-Atlantic's most unique listening rooms.
SPH+2 at Westside Bowl (Youngstown, OH)
SPH (saxes), Ian Kinnaman (bass), Zaire Darden (drums)
Celebrating the release of Golden Hour, the second album by SPH+2 and the ninth release from saxophonist, composer, and bandleader Stephen Philip Harvey. Recorded live at the Golden Hour Rum Room in Saint Michaels, Maryland, the album features four original compositions and a reimagined interpretation of Henry Mancini’s “Days of Wine and Roses.” Released August 21, 2026, on Hidden Cinema Records, the recording captures one evening of the trio's monthly residency at one of the Mid-Atlantic's most unique listening rooms.
SPH+2 at Blu Jazz+ (Akron, OH)
SPH (saxes), Ian Kinnaman (bass), Dustin May (drums)
Celebrating the release of Golden Hour, the second album by SPH+2 and the ninth release from saxophonist, composer, and bandleader Stephen Philip Harvey. Recorded live at the Golden Hour Rum Room in Saint Michaels, Maryland, the album features four original compositions and a reimagined interpretation of Henry Mancini’s “Days of Wine and Roses.” Released August 21, 2026, on Hidden Cinema Records, the recording captures one evening of the trio's monthly residency at one of the Mid-Atlantic's most unique listening rooms.
SPH+2 at Schwartz’s Point (Cincinnati, OH)
SPH (saxes), Matt Wiles (bass), Zaire Darden (drums)
Celebrating the release of Golden Hour, the second album by SPH+2 and the ninth release from saxophonist, composer, and bandleader Stephen Philip Harvey. Recorded live at the Golden Hour Rum Room in Saint Michaels, Maryland, the album features four original compositions and a reimagined interpretation of Henry Mancini’s “Days of Wine and Roses.” Released August 21, 2026, on Hidden Cinema Records, the recording captures one evening of the trio's monthly residency at one of the Mid-Atlantic's most unique listening rooms.
SPH+2 at Black Squirrel Club (Philadelphia, PA)
SPH (saxes), Steve Arnold (bass), Jordon Stanley (drums)
Celebrating the release of Golden Hour, the second album by SPH+2 and the ninth release from saxophonist, composer, and bandleader Stephen Philip Harvey. Recorded live at the Golden Hour Rum Room in Saint Michaels, Maryland, the album features four original compositions and a reimagined interpretation of Henry Mancini’s “Days of Wine and Roses.” Released August 21, 2026, on Hidden Cinema Records, the recording captures one evening of the trio's monthly residency at one of the Mid-Atlantic's most unique listening rooms.
SPH+2 at An Die Musik (Baltimore, MD)
SPH (saxes), Steve Arnold (bass), Jordon Stanley (drums)
Celebrating the release of Golden Hour, the second album by SPH+2 and the ninth release from saxophonist, composer, and bandleader Stephen Philip Harvey. Recorded live at the Golden Hour Rum Room in Saint Michaels, Maryland, the album features four original compositions and a reimagined interpretation of Henry Mancini’s “Days of Wine and Roses.” Released August 21, 2026, on Hidden Cinema Records, the recording captures one evening of the trio's monthly residency at one of the Mid-Atlantic's most unique listening rooms.
SPH+2 at Golden Hour (Saint Michaels, MD)
Ticket Link Coming Soon…
Join saxophonist, composer, and educator Stephen Philip Harvey for his Monthly Jazz Residency at the Golden Hour Rum Room in Saint Michaels, MD. Featuring his exploratory chordless trio SPH+2, this ongoing series brings bold, original jazz to the heart of Talbot County and the Delmarva Peninsula.
Each month, Harvey and his trio present an intimate evening of inventive new music, with every performance showcasing brand-new composition(s).
Described by NEA Jazz Master Roscoe Mitchell as “an exceptional musician with a very bright future,” Harvey leads SPH+2 with a spirit of creative freedom and expressive clarity. His music has been praised for its “sophisticated accessibility” (Sean Jones), “audacious conception” (All About Jazz), and what Dark Blue Notes calls “a strong tone and direct expression not easily matched by today’s saxophonists.”
Whether you’re a jazz enthusiast or simply curious about live, original music, these monthly performances offer a chance to experience a cutting-edge voice in modern jazz up close, in a relaxed and intimate setting.
SPH+2 at Golden Hour (Saint Michaels, MD)
Ticket Link Coming Soon…
Join saxophonist, composer, and educator Stephen Philip Harvey for his Monthly Jazz Residency at the Golden Hour Rum Room in Saint Michaels, MD. Featuring his exploratory chordless trio SPH+2, this ongoing series brings bold, original jazz to the heart of Talbot County and the Delmarva Peninsula.
Each month, Harvey and his trio present an intimate evening of inventive new music, with every performance showcasing brand-new composition(s).
Described by NEA Jazz Master Roscoe Mitchell as “an exceptional musician with a very bright future,” Harvey leads SPH+2 with a spirit of creative freedom and expressive clarity. His music has been praised for its “sophisticated accessibility” (Sean Jones), “audacious conception” (All About Jazz), and what Dark Blue Notes calls “a strong tone and direct expression not easily matched by today’s saxophonists.”
Whether you’re a jazz enthusiast or simply curious about live, original music, these monthly performances offer a chance to experience a cutting-edge voice in modern jazz up close, in a relaxed and intimate setting.
Guest Artist w/ UNL Jazz Orchestra at University of Nebraska Lincoln (Lincoln, NE)
We’ll be playing a concert of my original music with the University of Nebraska Lincoln’s Jazz Orchestra.
SPHJO Album Release Show @ Black Squirrel Club (Philadelphia, PA)
Join us for an electrifying evening of big band brilliance as the Stephen Philip Harvey Jazz Orchestra (SPHJO) celebrates the release of their new album, Multiversal: Live at BOP STOP. Captured live at Cleveland’s intimate and acoustically superb BOP STOP, this bold, super-powered recording “cements Harvey’s place as one of contemporary jazz’s adventurous large-ensemble voices” (Mike Gates, UK Vibe) and has been hailed as “a major triumph” (Michael van Gee, Jazz’n’More).
The SPHJO is a seventeen-piece ensemble featuring a rotating roster of world-class musicians from across the Mid-Atlantic and Midwest. Known for their bold sound and adventurous programming, the group debuted in 2022 with Smash!, a studio album released on Next Level (an imprint of Outside in Music). Drawing inspiration from comic books and superheros, Harvey’s compositions and arrangements “connect the jazz tradition with the spirit of contemporary African American music” (Michael van Gee, Jazz’n’More), fusing jazz, classical, funk, gospel, and hip-hop into a comic-book inspired aural universe.
With Multiversal, Harvey channels the spirit of America's original large ensemble—the jazz orchestra—into a vivid, pseudo-cinematic soundscape filled with drama, intensity, and imaginative storytelling. The result is a cinematic, genre-bending release that feels both expansive and immediate—“propulsive, cinematic, and melodic” at its core (Mike Gates, UK Vibe). Don’t miss this celebration of sonic world-building, brought to life by a powerhouse band on the rise.
Composition Premier @ 9th Annual Middle School Jazz Festival (Emmamus, PA)
The Emmamus High School Big Band will premiere an original commissioned piece.
More information to come.
SPHJO Album Release Show @ Nashville Jazz Workshop (Nashville, TN)
Join us for an electrifying evening of big band brilliance as the Stephen Philip Harvey Jazz Orchestra (SPHJO) celebrates the release of their new album, Multiversal: Live at BOP STOP. Captured live at Cleveland’s intimate and acoustically superb BOP STOP, this bold, super-powered recording “cements Harvey’s place as one of contemporary jazz’s adventurous large-ensemble voices” (Mike Gates, UK Vibe) and has been hailed as “a major triumph” (Michael van Gee, Jazz’n’More).
The SPHJO is a seventeen-piece ensemble featuring a rotating roster of world-class musicians from across the Mid-Atlantic and Midwest. Known for their bold sound and adventurous programming, the group debuted in 2022 with Smash!, a studio album released on Next Level (an imprint of Outside in Music). Drawing inspiration from comic books and superheros, Harvey’s compositions and arrangements “connect the jazz tradition with the spirit of contemporary African American music” (Michael van Gee, Jazz’n’More), fusing jazz, classical, funk, gospel, and hip-hop into a comic-book inspired aural universe.
With Multiversal, Harvey channels the spirit of America's original large ensemble—the jazz orchestra—into a vivid, pseudo-cinematic soundscape filled with drama, intensity, and imaginative storytelling. The result is a cinematic, genre-bending release that feels both expansive and immediate—“propulsive, cinematic, and melodic” at its core (Mike Gates, UK Vibe). Don’t miss this celebration of sonic world-building, brought to life by a powerhouse band on the rise.
SPH+2 at Golden Hour (Saint Michaels, MD)
Ticket Link Coming Soon…
Join saxophonist, composer, and educator Stephen Philip Harvey for his Monthly Jazz Residency at the Golden Hour Rum Room in Saint Michaels, MD. Featuring his exploratory chordless trio SPH+2, this ongoing series brings bold, original jazz to the heart of Talbot County and the Delmarva Peninsula.
Each month, Harvey and his trio present an intimate evening of inventive new music, with every performance showcasing brand-new composition(s).
Described by NEA Jazz Master Roscoe Mitchell as “an exceptional musician with a very bright future,” Harvey leads SPH+2 with a spirit of creative freedom and expressive clarity. His music has been praised for its “sophisticated accessibility” (Sean Jones), “audacious conception” (All About Jazz), and what Dark Blue Notes calls “a strong tone and direct expression not easily matched by today’s saxophonists.”
Whether you’re a jazz enthusiast or simply curious about live, original music, these monthly performances offer a chance to experience a cutting-edge voice in modern jazz up close, in a relaxed and intimate setting.
SPHJO Album Release Show @ Chesapeake Music (Easton, MD)
Join us for an electrifying evening of big band brilliance as the Stephen Philip Harvey Jazz Orchestra (SPHJO) celebrates the release of their new album, Multiversal: Live at BOP STOP. Captured live at Cleveland’s intimate and acoustically superb BOP STOP, this bold, super-powered recording “cements Harvey’s place as one of contemporary jazz’s adventurous large-ensemble voices” (Mike Gates, UK Vibe) and has been hailed as “a major triumph” (Michael van Gee, Jazz’n’More).
The SPHJO is a seventeen-piece ensemble featuring a rotating roster of world-class musicians from across the Mid-Atlantic and Midwest. Known for their bold sound and adventurous programming, the group debuted in 2022 with Smash!, a studio album released on Next Level (an imprint of Outside in Music). Drawing inspiration from comic books and superheros, Harvey’s compositions and arrangements “connect the jazz tradition with the spirit of contemporary African American music” (Michael van Gee, Jazz’n’More), fusing jazz, classical, funk, gospel, and hip-hop into a comic-book inspired aural universe.
With Multiversal, Harvey channels the spirit of America's original large ensemble—the jazz orchestra—into a vivid, pseudo-cinematic soundscape filled with drama, intensity, and imaginative storytelling. The result is a cinematic, genre-bending release that feels both expansive and immediate—“propulsive, cinematic, and melodic” at its core (Mike Gates, UK Vibe). Don’t miss this celebration of sonic world-building, brought to life by a powerhouse band on the rise.
Adjudicator @ Mason Jazz Festival (Fairfax, VA)
Adjudicating the 2026 Mason Jazz Festival
Sponsored by Mason Jazz Studies and the Dewberry Family School of Music, participating groups will perform a 20 to 25-minute set in the Harris Theater and receive written feedback from adjudicators. Afterwards, each group will receive a clinic with Mason Jazz faculty in the de Laski Performing Arts Building. In addition to providing comments to bands, the adjudicators will offer select students Mason Jazz Camp scholarships and Outstanding Soloist/Performer awards. The awards will be announced at 6:45 p.m. before the headlining performance at 7 p.m. which concludes the festival.
More info can be found here.
SPH+2 at Golden Hour (Saint Michaels, MD)
Join saxophonist, composer, and educator Stephen Philip Harvey for his Monthly Jazz Residency at the Golden Hour Rum Room in Saint Michaels, MD. Featuring his exploratory chordless trio SPH+2, this ongoing series brings bold, original jazz to the heart of Talbot County and the Delmarva Peninsula.
Each month, Harvey and his trio present an intimate evening of inventive new music, with every performance showcasing brand-new composition(s).
Described by NEA Jazz Master Roscoe Mitchell as “an exceptional musician with a very bright future,” Harvey leads SPH+2 with a spirit of creative freedom and expressive clarity. His music has been praised for its “sophisticated accessibility” (Sean Jones), “audacious conception” (All About Jazz), and what Dark Blue Notes calls “a strong tone and direct expression not easily matched by today’s saxophonists.”
Whether you’re a jazz enthusiast or simply curious about live, original music, these monthly performances offer a chance to experience a cutting-edge voice in modern jazz up close, in a relaxed and intimate setting.
SPHJO Album Release Show @ Salisbury University (Salisbury, MD)
Free | Ticket Required For Admission
Join us for an electrifying evening of big band brilliance as the Stephen Philip Harvey Jazz Orchestra (SPHJO) celebrates the release of their new album, Multiversal: Live at BOP STOP. Captured live at Cleveland’s intimate and acoustically superb BOP STOP, this bold, super-powered recording “cements Harvey’s place as one of contemporary jazz’s adventurous large-ensemble voices” (Mike Gates, UK Vibe) and has been hailed as “a major triumph” (Michael van Gee, Jazz’n’More).
The SPHJO is a seventeen-piece ensemble featuring a rotating roster of world-class musicians from across the Mid-Atlantic and Midwest. Known for their bold sound and adventurous programming, the group debuted in 2022 with Smash!, a studio album released on Next Level (an imprint of Outside in Music). Drawing inspiration from comic books and superheros, Harvey’s compositions and arrangements “connect the jazz tradition with the spirit of contemporary African American music” (Michael van Gee, Jazz’n’More), fusing jazz, classical, funk, gospel, and hip-hop into a comic-book inspired aural universe.
With Multiversal, Harvey channels the spirit of America's original large ensemble—the jazz orchestra—into a vivid, pseudo-cinematic soundscape filled with drama, intensity, and imaginative storytelling. The result is a cinematic, genre-bending release that feels both expansive and immediate—“propulsive, cinematic, and melodic” at its core (Mike Gates, UK Vibe). Don’t miss this celebration of sonic world-building, brought to life by a powerhouse band on the rise.
SPH+2 at Golden Hour (Saint Michaels, MD)
Join saxophonist, composer, and educator Stephen Philip Harvey for his Monthly Jazz Residency at the Golden Hour Rum Room in Saint Michaels, MD. Featuring his exploratory chordless trio SPH+2, this ongoing series brings bold, original jazz to the heart of Talbot County and the Delmarva Peninsula.
Each month, Harvey and his trio present an intimate evening of inventive new music, with every performance showcasing brand-new composition(s). The series will culminate in a live recording session on November 21, where selections from the year’s premieres will be captured in front of a live audience.
Described by NEA Jazz Master Roscoe Mitchell as “an exceptional musician with a very bright future,” Harvey leads SPH+2 with a spirit of creative freedom and expressive clarity. His music has been praised for its “sophisticated accessibility” (Sean Jones), “audacious conception” (All About Jazz), and what Dark Blue Notes calls “a strong tone and direct expression not easily matched by today’s saxophonists.”
Whether you’re a jazz enthusiast or simply curious about live, original music, these monthly performances offer a chance to experience a cutting-edge voice in modern jazz up close, in a relaxed and intimate setting.
SPH+2 at Golden Hour (Saint Michaels, MD)
Live Recording Event!
Join saxophonist, composer, and educator Stephen Philip Harvey for his Monthly Jazz Residency at the Golden Hour Rum Room in Saint Michaels, MD. Featuring his exploratory chordless trio SPH+2, this ongoing series brings bold, original jazz to the heart of Talbot County and the Delmarva Peninsula.
Each month, Harvey and his trio present an intimate evening of inventive new music, with every performance showcasing brand-new composition(s). The series will culminate in a live recording session on November 21, where selections from the year’s premieres will be captured in front of a live audience.
Described by NEA Jazz Master Roscoe Mitchell as “an exceptional musician with a very bright future,” Harvey leads SPH+2 with a spirit of creative freedom and expressive clarity. His music has been praised for its “sophisticated accessibility” (Sean Jones), “audacious conception” (All About Jazz), and what Dark Blue Notes calls “a strong tone and direct expression not easily matched by today’s saxophonists.”
Whether you’re a jazz enthusiast or simply curious about live, original music, these monthly performances offer a chance to experience a cutting-edge voice in modern jazz up close, in a relaxed and intimate setting.
SPHJO Album Release Show @ Blues Alley (Washington, DC)
Join us for an electrifying evening of big band brilliance as the Stephen Philip Harvey Jazz Orchestra (SPHJO) celebrates the release of their new album, Multiversal: Live at BOP STOP. Captured live at Cleveland’s intimate and acoustically superb BOP STOP, this bold, super-powered recording “cements Harvey’s place as one of contemporary jazz’s adventurous large-ensemble voices” (Mike Gates, UK Vibe) and has been hailed as “a major triumph” (Michael van Gee, Jazz’n’More).
The SPHJO is a seventeen-piece ensemble featuring a rotating roster of world-class musicians from across the Mid-Atlantic and Midwest. Known for their bold sound and adventurous programming, the group debuted in 2022 with Smash!, a studio album released on Next Level (an imprint of Outside in Music). Drawing inspiration from comic books and superheros, Harvey’s compositions and arrangements “connect the jazz tradition with the spirit of contemporary African American music” (Michael van Gee, Jazz’n’More), fusing jazz, classical, funk, gospel, and hip-hop into a comic-book inspired aural universe.
With Multiversal, Harvey channels the spirit of America's original large ensemble—the jazz orchestra—into a vivid, pseudo-cinematic soundscape filled with drama, intensity, and imaginative storytelling. The result is a cinematic, genre-bending release that feels both expansive and immediate—“propulsive, cinematic, and melodic” at its core (Mike Gates, UK Vibe). Don’t miss this celebration of sonic world-building, brought to life by a powerhouse band on the rise.
SPHJO Album Release Show @ An Die Musik (Baltimore, MD)
Join us for an electrifying evening of big band brilliance as the Stephen Philip Harvey Jazz Orchestra (SPHJO) celebrates the release of their new album, Multiversal: Live at BOP STOP. Captured live at Cleveland’s intimate and acoustically superb BOP STOP, this bold, super-powered recording “cements Harvey’s place as one of contemporary jazz’s adventurous large-ensemble voices” (Mike Gates, UK Vibe) and has been hailed as “a major triumph” (Michael van Gee, Jazz’n’More).
The SPHJO is a seventeen-piece ensemble featuring a rotating roster of world-class musicians from across the Mid-Atlantic and Midwest. Known for their bold sound and adventurous programming, the group debuted in 2022 with Smash!, a studio album released on Next Level (an imprint of Outside in Music). Drawing inspiration from comic books and superheros, Harvey’s compositions and arrangements “connect the jazz tradition with the spirit of contemporary African American music” (Michael van Gee, Jazz’n’More), fusing jazz, classical, funk, gospel, and hip-hop into a comic-book inspired aural universe.
With Multiversal, Harvey channels the spirit of America's original large ensemble—the jazz orchestra—into a vivid, pseudo-cinematic soundscape filled with drama, intensity, and imaginative storytelling. The result is a cinematic, genre-bending release that feels both expansive and immediate—“propulsive, cinematic, and melodic” at its core (Mike Gates, UK Vibe). Don’t miss this celebration of sonic world-building, brought to life by a powerhouse band on the rise.
SPHJO Album Release Show @ Jazz Central Studios (Minneapolis, MN)
Join us for an electrifying evening of big band brilliance as the Stephen Philip Harvey Jazz Orchestra (SPHJO) celebrates the release of their sophomore album, Multiversal: Live at BOP STOP. This thrilling live recording—captured at the iconic Cleveland venue—drops August 22, 2025, and showcases an action-packed collection of original works by saxophonist, composer, and conductor Stephen Philip Harvey.
The SPHJO is a seventeen-piece ensemble featuring a rotating roster of world-class musicians from across the Mid-Atlantic and Midwest. Known for their bold sound and adventurous programming, the group debuted in 2022 with Smash!, a studio album released on Next Level (an imprint of Outside in Music). Drawing inspiration from comic books and superhero sagas, Harvey’s compositions burst with cinematic energy, a signature style continued and expanded in this new live album.
With Multiversal, Harvey channels the spirit of America's original large ensemble—the jazz orchestra—into a vivid, pseudo-cinematic soundscape filled with drama, intensity, and imaginative storytelling. Don’t miss this celebration of sonic world-building, brought to life by a powerhouse band on the rise.
SPHJO Album Release Concert @ UW–Eau Claire (Eau Claire, WI)
Free Admission!
Join us for an electrifying evening of big band brilliance as the Stephen Philip Harvey Jazz Orchestra (SPHJO) celebrates the release of their new album, Multiversal: Live at BOP STOP. Captured live at Cleveland’s intimate and acoustically superb BOP STOP, this bold, super-powered recording “cements Harvey’s place as one of contemporary jazz’s adventurous large-ensemble voices” (Mike Gates, UK Vibe) and has been hailed as “a major triumph” (Michael van Gee, Jazz’n’More).
The SPHJO is a seventeen-piece ensemble featuring a rotating roster of world-class musicians from across the Mid-Atlantic and Midwest. Known for their bold sound and adventurous programming, the group debuted in 2022 with Smash!, a studio album released on Next Level (an imprint of Outside in Music). Drawing inspiration from comic books and superheros, Harvey’s compositions and arrangements “connect the jazz tradition with the spirit of contemporary African American music” (Michael van Gee, Jazz’n’More), fusing jazz, classical, funk, gospel, and hip-hop into a comic-book inspired aural universe.
With Multiversal, Harvey channels the spirit of America's original large ensemble—the jazz orchestra—into a vivid, pseudo-cinematic soundscape filled with drama, intensity, and imaginative storytelling. The result is a cinematic, genre-bending release that feels both expansive and immediate—“propulsive, cinematic, and melodic” at its core (Mike Gates, UK Vibe). Don’t miss this celebration of sonic world-building, brought to life by a powerhouse band on the rise.