Stephen Philip Harvey Octet - Recording Release
Stephen Philip Harvey’s award-winning octet presents “Mythos,” a new suite commissioned by Chamber Music America through its 2025 New Jazz Works program. The music draws on mythology from Africa, stories carried through the African diaspora, and folktales from the United States that preserve connections to that history. The performance follows the group’s recent studio work and leads into the planned February 2027 release of its next octet recording.
Harvey is a Philadelphia-based saxophonist, composer, arranger, bandleader, and educator whose work combines jazz tradition with contemporary Black American music. He leads several groups, including the chordless trio SPH+2, electric quintet Sphinx, the Stephen Philip Harvey Octet, and the Stephen Philip Harvey Jazz Orchestra. His other recent projects include the trio album *Golden Hour* and the large-ensemble recording *Multiversal: Live at Bop Stop*. His compositions have been performed by ensembles such as the Orchestre National de Jazz, National Youth Jazz Orchestra, Iceland Symphony Orchestra, Peabody Conservatory, Eastman School of Music, and University of North Texas.
When: Sunday, November 1, 2026
Showtimes: 5:30 PM and 8:00 PM. The page specifically lists the 5:30 PM performance; Sunday doors are scheduled for 4:30 PM and 7:15 PM, respectively.
Tickets: $35, plus a $7 fee
Lineup: Stephen Philip Harvey Octet, led by Stephen Philip Harvey
Venue: Blues Alley, 1073 Wisconsin Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20007
Food and beverage minimum: A $15 minimum per person is required and is not included in the ticket price.
Seating: Seating is first come, first served at the door.
Policies: Tickets are final sale, nonrefundable, and nontransferable. Photography and recording are prohibited during the performance, and guests are asked to keep conversation to a minimum.
Background: Harvey is a Chamber Music America New Jazz Works recipient whose work has also received support from the Maryland State Arts Council, South Arts, the Jazz Education Network, and Seton Hill University. His recordings are primarily released through his artist-run label, Hidden Cinema Records.