The new single, “Fuel the Flame (Live)” is now streaming on all platforms. This release comes ahead of the release of two new live albums by the Stephen Philip Harvey Octet: Elemental (Live) and Live at Radio Artifact. These two releases were recorded live on the same evening in Cincinnati, OH at the end of the octet’s summer tour. To learn more about each release, click below.
Little Gifts (2023)
Little Gifts is the holiday EP debut of SPH+2, the chordless trio led by Stephen Philip Harvey. Available November 24, 2023 on Hidden Cinema Records.
Little Gifts (2023)
Little Gifts is the holiday EP debut of SPH+2, the chordless trio led by Stephen Philip Harvey. Available November 24, 2023 on Hidden Cinema Records.
“Jingle Bells” - New Single Out Now
“Jingle Bells (feat. Jordon Stanley)” is now streaming on all platforms ahead of the EP release
Sphinx is the self-titled debut of Sphinx, the electronic quintet led by Stephen Philip Harvey. Available on September 29, 2023 on Hidden Cinema Records.
“Jabber/Walk” is the new single from Stephen Philip Harvey and his electronic quintet, Sphinx. This single precedes the quintet’s eponymous debut album on Hidden Cinema Records.
Sphinx - Out September 29, 2023
Sphinx is the self-titled debut of Sphinx, the electronic quintet led by Stephen Philip Harvey. Available September 29, 2023 on Hidden Cinema Records.
Sphinx is the fourth release of emerging saxophonist, composer, and educator Stephen Philip Harvey. This record also serves as the debut eponymous release of Harvey’s electronic quintet, Sphinx. Sphinx (which stands for “the Stephen Philip Harvey Intergenre Experience”) blurs the lines between contemporary improvisatory music; presenting six original compositions by Harvey. It also serves as Hidden Cinema Records’, Harvey’s label, second full release.
While Harvey’s previous releases feature a through line between compositions, Sphinx grooves through it’s track list with the connective tissue of backbeat, electronic edge, and musical levity. This also marks Harvey’s first release without continuous long-form composition; signaling his transition from conductor to soloist as bandleader.
Hidden Cinema Records is a boutique production company that produces jazz/jazz-influenced records and musical projects.
“Jabber/Walk” is the promotional single attached to Sphinx. It will be available August 25, 2023.
Elemental is the debut album from the Stephen Philip Harvey Octet, on Hidden Cinema Records. This original contemporary jazz suite celebrates the classical elements of water, earth, air, and fire. 🌊⛰️🌪️🔥
From Harvey’s pen and under his leadership, this octet comes together to form a powerhouse group. With moments of driving solos, serene space, and harmonies that range from bright to dense, this album runs the gambit of the vast sonorities for the endless possibilities of the elements.
“Tectonic Shift” is the earth-inspired single by the Stephen Philip Harvey Octet, from their upcoming album Elemental on Hidden Cinema Records. It features dense chromatic harmonies, angular fissure-like melodies, and high-energy solos by Dan Bruce (guitar) and Chris Coles (alto sax).
Elemental - Out May 5, 2023
Elemental is is the upcoming debut album of the Stephen Philip Harvey Octet. This collection of pieces is inspired by the elements of Water, Fire, Earth, Air, and the balances that they create. Available on May 5, 2023 on Hidden Cinema Records.
The Stephen Philip Harvey Octet (SPH8) is a collective of eight musicians from the Mid-Atlantic and Midwest of the United States, playing the original compositions and arrangements of Stephen Philip Harvey. The octet features Harvey on tenor saxophone, Chris Coles on alto saxophone, Tommy Lehman on trumpet, Reggie Watkins on trombone, Dan Bruce on guitar, Theron Brown on piano, Tony DePaolis on bass, and Dustin May on drums. The ensemble was revived post-pandemic with new compositions and this new line-up of musicians. Boasting their own individual touring histories, the ensemble assembles their combined musical talents to bring a dynamic voice to Harvey’s writing.
Elemental, the octet’s current octet project, is inspired by the classic elements of water, air, earth, and fire. SPH8 performs this suite of six original compositions to bring his original interpretation of these elements and the balance they create. Fusing modern harmonies, driving vamps, and a myriad of textures, Harvey brings these forces of nature to aural landscape. Elemental will be released on May 5, 2023 with Harvey’s label, Hidden Cinema Records.
Hidden Cinema Records is a boutique production company that produces jazz/jazz-influenced records and musical projects.
“Tectonic Shift” is the promotional single attached to Elemental. It will be available April 7, 2023.
Hidden Cinema Records (HCR) is proud to present itself as the newest boutique record label and production company.
Established in October 2021, HCR is under the creative direction of composer, saxophonist, and producer Stephen Philip Harvey. The initial goal of HCR is to house Harvey’s jazz/jazz-influenced recording projects with plans to expand to include a roster of artists in future years.
Harvey has already produced several album and singles (as self-releases and with NextLevel). These are marked under HCR’s site with their original labels. In 2022, creative production began on HCR’s initial releases, which will be announced in early 2023.
“At Hidden Cinema Records, we tell stories with sounds.”
“O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” is the debut holiday single of the Stephen Philip Harvey Octet. This original arrangement by Harvey takes the often solemn and somber Christmas carol and kicks into an up-tempo latin groove. It features solos by Harvey on tenor saxophone and Tommy Lehman on trumpet.
Stephen Harvey, tenor saxophone; Chris Coles, alto saxophone; Tommy Lehman, trumpet; Reggie Watkins, trombone; Dan Bruce, guitar; Theron Brown, piano; Tony DePaolis, bass; Dustin May, drums
Arranged by Stephen Philip Harvey. Recorded on June 22, 2022. Recorded, Mixed, and Mastered by Jay Dudt at Audible Images. Art & design by Allison Levato. Released by Next Level (an imprint of Outside In Music) on November 25, 2022.
Smash!, the debut album of the Stephen Philip Harvey Jazz Orchestra is now out with Next Level (an imprint of Outside In Music).
Smash!, the debut album of the Stephen Philip Harvey Jazz Orchestra, will be released with Next Level (an imprint of Outside In Music) on June 17, 2022.
This upcoming spring, Harvey will be going on a regional tour with the his octet and premiering an array of new music and arrangements. These performances will feature reductions of some of his big band music, expansions of some of his small group music. The new music featured will be from Harvey’s newest octet suite, Elemental. The compositions from this suite are inspired by the classic elements: Earth, Wind, Fire, and Water.
To learn more about Harvey, visit his biography page.
Chris Coles (alto saxophone) is a Yamaha performing artists based in the Greater Akron Area. He serves on the faculty of Kent State University, Aurora School of Music and Tri-C Creative Arts Academy. Recently, Chris composed, recorded, and released a 40-minute suite, Nine Lives. This project was written in memory of the nine lives lost at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal in Charleston, SC.
Tommy Lehman (trumpet) is another active musician in the Greater Akron Area. Currently, Lehman is celebrating the release of his album Tommy, and keeping an active performance schedule in the Greater Akron/Cleveland area.
Jeff Bush, Reggie Watkins, and Sam Blakeslee will share the role of trombonist on separate dates. This collection of trombonists represents the height of trombone performance in their prospective areas. Each musician continues their own performance schedule, appearing with ensembles such as the Pittsburgh Jazz Orchestra, Cleveland Jazz Orchestra, Big Heart Machine, Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, Terraza Big Band, Remy LeBouef’s Assembly of Shadows, to name a few.
Dan Bruce (guitar) is a graduate of the University of North Texas. He now resides in the Cleveland area after spending years as a musician in the Chicago area. Bruce has performed on more than thirty albums as a side man and has two recordings under his name. Bruce is on faculty at Youngstown State University.
Theron Brown (piano) currently resides in Akron, OH where he coordinates the Rubber City Blues Fest. Brown is also an active musician in the area, releasing his debut album in 2019 and is currently working on his follow up album. Brown is faculty at Kent State University in addition to other teaching roles.
Tony DePaolis (bass) is Brooklyn based musician and composer. He can now be seen daily playing at iconic New York City venues such as Smalls, Mintons, and The Django. Prior to relocating to Brooklyn, DePaolis was active in his hometown of Pittsburgh, PA as a sideman and leader.
Dustin May (drums), is a Youngstown based musician and educator. He actively performs as a side man with many ensembles in Northeast Ohio and is on faculty at Youngstown State University and Kent State U.
Stephen Philip Harvey was one of the recipients of the Maryland State Arts Councils Creativity Grants. Harvey was awarded $3,500 in support of final production stages for his upcoming jazz orchestra album, Smash!. The Maryland State Arts Council grants support for creative projects on a monthly basis and a rolling deadline.
In addition, Harvey was accepted into their Performing Artist Touring Roster. MSAC uses the roster to promote artistic collaboration between Maryland touring artists and Maryland presenters with the goal of increasing touring engagements for Maryland professional performing artists. Harvey can now parter with non-profits, universities, and local arts councils to present any of his numerous ensembles projects.
The Maryland State Arts Council’s Instagram Announcement for December 2021 Creativity Grant Awardees
Super excited to announce that I’ve been selected for the Jazz Education Network’s 2022 Young Composer Showcase. My piece “Projectile Dysfunction” will be played during the 2022 Conference and I get to participate in mentoring sessions along with the other selected composers.
“Projectile Dysfunction” is a piece inspired by the helpless civilian in the midst of a super-powered fight. This piece is part of a collection of compositions inspired by comic book superheroes, characters, tropes, and archetypes. The first album of these compositions, Smash!, is due to be released in 2022.
Thank you, JEN for this opportunity! See you in Dallas! Congrats to everyone else selected!
More information on the Young Composer Showcase and the other selectees can be found here.
I’ve redone my website! 🎉
If you’ve been to this site before, you’re noticing a change in the design and aesthetic of my website. This news blog is where I’ll be posting any news, updates, announcements, etc. from now on. With 2022 right around the corner, there are a lot of surprises coming along!
As always, thanks for the support. Stay safe. Stay musical.
- SPH
© 2024, Stephen Philip Harvey
