PHILADELPHIA, PA — Jazz lovers, aspiring musicians, and the simply curious will have a rare chance to step inside the creative process as the Philadelphia Clef Club of Jazz & Performing Arts opens its doors for an intimate, artist-led conversation this month.
“Soundscapes in Conversation,” set for Thursday evening, brings together five acclaimed artists-in-residence for a behind-the-scenes look at how new jazz works are conceived, shaped, and brought to life. The free event offers a front-row seat to discussions on artistic lineage, cultural identity, and the evolving sound of modern jazz—before the music ever reaches the stage.
Hosted at the Clef Club’s historic South Broad Street home, the evening will be guided by facilitators Brent White and Valerie Gay, creating an interactive dialogue between artists and audience.
At the heart of the conversation are five internationally recognized musicians participating in the Clef Club’s new Soundscapes for Tomorrow residency program, a two-year initiative supported by a $240,000 grant from the Pew Center for Arts & Heritage. The program allows artists to develop new work through rehearsals, workshops, and public engagement, culminating in a live-streamed performance.
The featured artists represent a wide spectrum of jazz innovation and influence:
- Papo Vázquez, a Grammy-nominated Afro-Caribbean trombonist
- Miguel Zenón, a MacArthur and Guggenheim Fellow saxophonist and composer
- Derrick Hodge, a two-time Grammy-winning bassist and composer
- Tia Fuller, a renowned saxophonist, composer, and educator
- Nabaté Isles, a Grammy-winning trumpeter blending jazz with contemporary culture
Their collective work reflects both the deep roots and forward momentum of jazz, offering audiences a chance to hear directly from artists shaping the genre’s next chapter.
“Whether you are a lifelong jazz lover, an emerging artist, or simply curious about how new music is born, Soundscapes in Conversations offers a front-row seat to inspiration, insight, and the living legacy of jazz,” said Oscar Payne, the Clef Club’s managing director.
The event also serves as a lead-in to the Clef Club’s 60th anniversary gala this September, celebrating the organization’s legacy as a cornerstone of Philadelphia’s jazz community since its founding in 1966.
Event Details
- What: Soundscapes in Conversation – Artist Talkback
- When: Thursday, April 23, 2026 at 6:00 PM
- Where: Philadelphia Clef Club of Jazz & Performing Arts, 736 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Cost/Tickets: Free (registration encouraged)
- More Info: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/soundscapes-conversations
With limited space and a lineup of world-class artists, the event offers a rare opportunity to experience jazz not just as performance, but as a living, evolving conversation within the Philadelphia community.
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