I p h i l a d e l p h i a w e e k l y. c o m
The man and his horn: Trombonist extraordinaire Jeff Bradshaw brings his mastery—and some friends—to the Kimmel.
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Jeff Bradshaw & Friends: Home
4 p h i l a d e l p h i a w e e k ly
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- June 4
Jeff Bradshaw has some really dope friends. Let’s start with the folks at Hidden Beach Recordings, where he’s signed, the contemporary urban R&B, soul and jazz label that gave Jill Scott and Kindred the Family Soul their respective starts. Bradshaw’s played trombone for Scott in the studio and on tour, and there are tangible and tasty bits of Who Is Jill Scott? soulfulness all over Bradshaw’s Bone Appetit, his double-volume jazz album that’s way more than simply that. On the record, he pulled in some of his dopest musical contemporaries: Raheem DeVaughn, former Floetry divas Natalie “Floacist” Stewart and Marsha Ambrosius, and, of course, Kindred, among them. The brilliant, daring Bradshaw sneaks his brass into seamless hybrids of jazz, R&B and soul; in fact, he’s always been on a mission to elevate his weapon of choice to new, richer heights. Take, for instance, his Ambrosius-guested moment “Got Til It’s Gone,” a breezy, happy tribute to the Joni Mitchell-covered-by-Janet Jackson sweet spot. Or the funky-as-hell “Til Tomorrow,” a track that’d feel just at home on a Raphael Saadiq or Maxwell disc. These are not jazz tracks; they’re just jazzy. And Bradshaw’s subtle but assured blowing is the musical glue that pulls it all together. Tonight’s mega-show is sure to be awesome: They’re recording it for a live album, with a 10-piece band and a string ensemble. The press blurbs are already anticipating Grammy noms, which is bold, but entirely plausible. Look at this dream team of guests slated to make an appearance: Robert Glasper, Trombone Shorty, Take 6, Kim Burrell, Najee, Tweet, Kenny Lattimore, Eric Roberson, Bilal, and, naturally, Ms. Ambrosius. There’s also slated to be a special salute to Will Downing and a “surprise Philly musical icon.” (Scott herself? Or Patti Labelle?!) A concert with Bradshaw alone would be awesome, no doubt—the man’s been honing his horn game since North Philly church days of the ‘90s. But with all his people on stage, adding flavor to an already delicious offering? Sure sounds like home to me. // BILL CHENEVERT Wed., May 28, 7:30pm. $49-$80. The Kimmel Center, 300 S. Broad St. 215.670.2300. kimmelcenter.org
WHAT’S HAPPENING — BEFORE IT HAPPENS ... Wednesday, May 28 GAMES
Star Wars Quizzo
With filming underway for the next installment of the epic franchise, here’s your chance to test your knowledge of the galaxy far, far away. Form your own five-member alliance and compete for bar tabs and other convenient prizes. 7pm. Free. Drinker’s West, 3900 Chestnut St. 215.397.4693. drinkersphilly.com TALK
Baseball in America Today
Jeff Idelson, president of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, leads this discussion on baseball’s role in American culture with a little help from ESPN Magazine’s Steve Wulf. 7pm. $10-$45. National Museum of American Jewish History, 101 S. Independence Mall East. 215.923.3811. nmajh.org