Stephen Philip Harvey - John Chacona writes

Friday Night Lights: Two Saxophonists Debut New Directions

Published 27 October, 2026 By John Chacona

“I play energy, not notes,” Nathan-Paul declares on his press site, and if you’ve ever heard him play, you know it’s true. With interests as a broadcaster, musician, label owner and composer. Stephen Philip Harvey seems to be energy embodied. So catching up with these two protean creators reveals only a single frame in the epic film of their careers.

But this week is a rich moment to do so as both bring new projects to northeast Ohio on Friday, Harvey at BOP STOP and Nathan-Paul at BLU Jazz+.

With “Where We Started” Aidan Plank’s Recording Career Is Well On Its Way

Published 12 May, 2026 By John Chacona

It’s accepted wisdom in the jazz world that a good bass player will never be out of work. So it’s little wonder that on any given day, on a bandstand near you, Aidan Plank will be holding down a rhythm section with his customary taste and command.

On Record, Bobby Selvaggio’s Red Rhinoceros Roars Once More

Published 31 March, 2026 By John Chacona

The release last week of Red Rhinoceros, the debut recording by Bobby Selvaggio’s octet of the same name, completes a narrative right out of “Jurassic Park,” the Michael Crichton novel and blockbuster Steven Spielberg film about long extinct species recreated out of ancient DNA.

Stephen Philip Harvey Is A Music Meister of the Multiversal

Published 21 October, 2025 By John Chacona

Stephen Philip Harvey is a composer, arranger, instrumentalist, label executive, educator and beginning several months ago, a radio host—a kind of superhero of music. He’s also a fan of superhero comics. So when I spoke with him recently, I asked him which superhero he most identifies with.

“There was this villain that was played by Neil Patrick Harris on ‘Batman: The Brave and the Bold,’” Harvey said from his office at the radio station. “His name was the Music Meister.” That character used the power of music to achieve world domination.

While Harvey acknowledged that, “that would be a cool power. I’d love that,” his superpower is bringing people together through music, which is what he will do Friday night at BOP STOP and Saturday at BLU Jazz+ when his Stephen Philip Harvey Jazz Orchestra celebrates the release of its latest album Multiversal: Live at BOP STOP.

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A Big Week In NEO For Little Big Bands (And A Big Big Band)

Published 29 July, 2025 By John Chacona

*Bobby Selvaggio and Stephen Philip Harvey*

Why are these men smiling?

At the poker table a pair of eights is nothing to get excited about, but on the jazz calendar it’s a winning hand. And NEO is holding it this week thanks to a pair of concerts–both tied to upcoming recordings–featuring dynamic octets led by Stephen Philip Harvey and Bobby Selvaggio.