Events
The Shed Jam Session @ Terra Cafe (Baltimore, MD)
Phillip Thomas - drums, host
Stephen Philip Harvey - saxes
Aaron Hill - keys
Obasi Akoto - bass
SPH8 at Blu Jazz+ (Akron, OH)
Experience the electrifying fusion of jazz innovation and elemental inspiration as saxophonist, composer, and bandleader Stephen Philip Harvey takes the stage with his acclaimed Stephen Philip Harvey Octet (SPH8). Join us for a dynamic double set of music—celebrating where this boundary-pushing ensemble has been and where it’s headed next.
Set One – Elemental (Live) Vinyl Release
Originally composed during the COVID-19 pandemic, Elemental (Live) is a powerful suite inspired by the classical elements—fire, air, water, and earth. With Harvey’s signature blend of modern harmony and cinematic texture, the music captures the forces of nature through a uniquely personal lens. While released digitally in May 2024, this special performance celebrates its new vinyl edition, arriving just ahead of Harvey’s next large ensemble album, Multiversal: Live at Bop Stop. Early copies of Multiversal will be available for purchase at the show before its worldwide release on August 22.
Set Two – The Pen is Mightier Premiere
Be the first to hear Harvey’s latest work for octet: The Pen is Mightier, an eight-movement suite inspired by seminal voices in Black American literature. Drawing from the writings of Maya Angelou, James Baldwin, August Wilson, Ta-Nehisi Coates, Amanda Gorman, and others, this deeply resonant piece pays tribute to the authors who shaped—and continue to shape—the narrative of Black life in America. This premiere performance leads into the ensemble’s upcoming studio recording of the suite.
SPH8 at Blues Alley (Washington, DC)
Experience the electrifying fusion of jazz innovation and elemental inspiration as saxophonist, composer, and bandleader Stephen Philip Harvey takes the stage with his acclaimed Stephen Philip Harvey Octet (SPH8). Join us for a dynamic double set of music—celebrating where this boundary-pushing ensemble has been and where it’s headed next.
Set One – Elemental (Live) Vinyl Release
Originally composed during the COVID-19 pandemic, Elemental (Live) is a powerful suite inspired by the classical elements—fire, air, water, and earth. With Harvey’s signature blend of modern harmony and cinematic texture, the music captures the forces of nature through a uniquely personal lens. While released digitally in May 2024, this special performance celebrates its new vinyl edition, arriving just ahead of Harvey’s next large ensemble album, Multiversal: Live at Bop Stop. Early copies of Multiversal will be available for purchase at the show before its worldwide release on August 22.
Set Two – The Pen is Mightier Premiere
Be the first to hear Harvey’s latest work for octet: The Pen is Mightier, an eight-movement suite inspired by seminal voices in Black American literature. Drawing from the writings of Maya Angelou, James Baldwin, August Wilson, Ta-Nehisi Coates, Amanda Gorman, and others, this deeply resonant piece pays tribute to the authors who shaped—and continue to shape—the narrative of Black life in America. This premiere performance leads into the ensemble’s upcoming studio recording of the suite.
SPH+2 at Golden Hour (Saint Michaels, MD)
Ticket links 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). 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 welcoming setting.
SPH+2 at Maryland Folk Festival (Salisbury, MD)
Experience the bold, genre-blurring sound of Stephen Philip Harvey and his chordless trio SPH+2 as they bring brand-new music to the Maryland Folk Festival. Known for their dynamic interplay and fearless improvisation, SPH+2 fuses jazz tradition with the spirit of invention, delivering fresh compositions that challenge and inspire. Led by saxophonist and composer Stephen Philip Harvey—praised for his “strong tone and direct expression” (Dark Blue Notes)—this performance promises groove, grit, and new sonic adventures.
Don’t miss this boundary-pushing jazz trio live in performance at one of Maryland’s most celebrated cultural festivals.
SPH+2 at Golden Hour (Saint Michaels, MD)
Ticket links 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). 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 @ Bop Stop (Cleveland, OH)
Ticket links coming soon…
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 Show @ BluJazz+ (Akron, OH)
Ticket links coming soon…
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.
SPH+2 at Golden Hour (Saint Michaels, MD)
Ticket links 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). 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)
Ticket links 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). 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/Lyon Rum (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 An Die Musik (Baltimore, MD)
Join the chordless jazz trio, SPH+2, for an evening of original jazz music from the pen of emerging saxophonist/composer Stephen Philip Harvey. This ensemble is Harvey’s smallest ensemble in his array of bands that he leads; focused on straight ahead improvisation in the most intimate setting. Joining him for this performance will be Baltimore’s Mike Graham on bass and Annapolis’s Jordon Stanley on drums. The trio will be playing a mix of original music as they prepare for the live recording of their second album later this year.
SPH+2 has two releases under their belt: Little Gifts EP (2023) and Library Card (2024). Their first release, Little Gifts EP, contains arrangements of holiday favorites and an original ballad. Their first full length release, Library Card, boasts Harvey’s original suite of music inspired by children’s and young adult literature.
SPH8 at Berlin Jazz & Blues (Berlin, MD)
“Enjoy local Beer, Wine, Mead and Spirits or dive right in to our Wine Tasting sip while perusing local art on the street or in any of our amazing shops.”
This is a free event.
SPHJO at BOP STOP (Cleveland, OH)
Experience the action-packed music of the Stephen Philip Harvey Jazz Orchestra as they record their second album, Multiversal, live at BOP STOP. Harvey combines soaring melodies, driving vamps, and an amazing band of musicians to bring his comic book-themed large ensemble music to life. Be a part of the live recording experience as they document the seven original compositions for this next album.
The band will play through the entire album twice in two separate sets. Tickets for tonight are $20 each for either the 7pm or 9:30 set, $30 if you want to attend both sets. This show will not be live-streamed.
SPH+2 at Charlotte Hall Veterans Home (Charlotte Hall, MD)
Holiday and straight ahead jazz. Private event.
SPH+2 at Roadie Joe's (Salisbury, PA)
A free evening of exciting original music and classic jazz standards in the intimate format of chordless trio.
Composition Premiere at Bop Stop (Cleveland, OH)
A new 17-piece jazz orchestra composition will be premiered celebrating the 10th Anniversary of the Bop Stop in Cleveland, OH.
Improvisation Workshop at Salisbury University (Salisbury, MD)
Inviting students of all ages for an improvisation workshop at Salisbury University with the musicians of the Stephen Philip Harvey Octet.
This event is sponsored by Chesapeake Music.