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.