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.

The NFA Jazz Flute Big Band will premiere my original commissioned piece, “Geekin’.” A funk and modally inspired tune that mixes backbeat syncopation, pentatonic inspiration, and chromatic concepts that evokes Elena Pinderhughes and Bob Brookmeyer.

Jazz Flute Big Band Concert Late Night Cabaret | International Ballroom

Bryan Kennard leads the NFA Jazz Flute Big Band with guest soloist Ali Ryerson in a cabaret performance. The JFBB replaces traditional saxophones, trumpets and trombones with various flutes. Flutist performers are chosen by competition.

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.

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.

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.

The Emmamus High School Big Band will premiere an original commissioned piece.

More information to come.