Soundscapes in Conversation (Get Tickets)

Meet the Artists Shaping the Future of JazzApril 23, 2026 | Philadelphia Clef Club of Jazz and Performing Arts

Join us for Soundscapes in Conversation, a rare opportunity to go inside the creative minds of five extraordinary artists in residence for the Clef’s Soundscapes for Tomorrow: Stage One Residencies. This dynamic public conversation brings audiences face-to-face with the artists as they discuss new works in development, artistic lineage, cultural identity, and the ideas shaping the future of jazz.

Facilitated by Brent White, Valerie Gay, and Gerald Veasley, the evening offers an intimate, engaging exchange that invites the community into the creative process—before the music ever reaches the stage.

Meet the Clef’s Soundscapes for Tomorrow resident artists:

• Papo Vázquez – NEA Jazz Master and Afro-Caribbean trombonist
• Miguel Zenón – MacArthur and Guggenheim Fellow saxophonist and composer
• Derrick Hodge – Two-time Grammy-winning bassist and composer
• Tia Fuller – Renowned saxophonist, composer, and educator
• Nabaté Isles – Grammy-winning trumpeter bridging jazz, media, and contemporary culture

Soundscapes for Tomorrow: Stage One Residencies is a two-year creative initiative presented by the Philadelphia Clef Club of Jazz and Performing Arts, designed to engage Philadelphia’s diverse audiences through bold new artistic voices, intergenerational dialogue, and community-centered exchange.

Whether you are a lifelong jazz listener, an emerging artist, or simply curious about how new music is born, Soundscapes Conversations offers a front-row seat to inspiration, insight, and the living legacy of jazz.

Major support for Soundscapes in Conversation and Soundscapes for Tomorrow has been provided by The Pew Center for Arts & Heritage.