Thursday Night Jazz: Stephen Philip Harvey Octet (SPH8)

The Stephen Philip Octet returns to City of Asylum with their latest album, ELEMENTAL (LIVE)

In their last performance before leaving for their Paris tour, The Stephen Philip Harvey Octet takes the Alphabet City stage for Thursday Night Jazz. The Stephen Philip Harvey Octet (SPH8) is a collective with a rotating roster of dynamic musicians from the Mid-Atlantic and Midwest of the United States, showcasing their remarkable musicianship and playing the original compositions and arrangements of Stephen Philip Harvey. The music on their latest release, Elemental (Live), is inspired by the elements of water, air, earth, and fire. Fusing modern harmonies, driving vamps, and myriad textures, SPH8 brings these forces of nature from the composer’s imagination to an aural landscape. The album brilliantly displays Stephen Philip Harvey’s practice of weaving together his eclectic musical history, fusing jazz and classical elements with pop, funk, hip-hop, rock, and Gospel, making for a rich tapestry of sound unique to the SPH8.

Elemental (Live) was released on May 3, 2024, and its companion recording, Live at Radio Artifact, will be released on August 23, 2024, with dynamic arrangements of tunes by Wayne Shorter and Tim Green, and additional original compositions from this rising-star composer and  bandleader.

Featured Musicians:

Stephen Philip Harvey: tenor saxophone

Thomas Schinabeck: alto saxophone

Marques Carroll: trumpet

Reggie Watkins: trombone

Dan Bruce: guitar

Ben Tweedt: piano

Tony DePaolis: bass

Dustin May: drums

About the Band:

Stephen Philip Harvey has toured throughout the Mid-Atlantic and Midwest regions of the United States as a musician and bandleader. He leads a diverse array of ensembles, including his cordless trio SPH+2, his electric quintet, Sphinx, his mid-sized jazz combo, the Stephen Philip Harvey Octet (SPH8), and his large ensemble the Stephen Philip Harvey Jazz Orchestra (SPHJO). As a prolific composer and arranger, Stephen has worked with a diverse array of musicians and instrumentations. His compositions have been performed by ensembles at universities throughout the USA. As an educator, Stephen currently holds positions at Wicomico High School, Salisbury University, and Youngstown State University. He is an alumnus of Youngstown State University (Jazz Studies) and Seton Hill University (Music Education). 

About Your Visit: 

The in-house restaurant 40 North is open for dinner from 5-9pm. Please visit Open Table or call 412-435-1111 to make a reservation.