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Multiversal: Live at Bop Stop

Stephen Philip Harvey

Label: Hidden Cinema Records
Released: 2025
Duration: 01:17:00
Views: 120

Tracks

Multiversal (5:24); Covert Ops (7:05); Mind Your Weather, Weather Your Mind (7:40); Earth-Two (9:13); Men of Steel (6:52); Ain't No Sidekick (5:41); Inner Beast (7:25); Tectonic Shift (7:15); Band Intro Blues (4:26); Covert Ops (Alternate Take)(7:06); Earth-Two (Alternate Take)(8:53)

Personnel

Stephen Philip Harvey

composer / conductor

Bobby Selvaggio

saxophone, alto

Chris Coles

saxophone

Max Schlenk

saxophone

Johnny Cochran Jr

saxophone

Clint Bleil

saxophone

JD Chaisson

trumpet

Tommy Lehman

trumpet

JaKobe Henry

trumpet

Garrett Folger

trumpet

Zach Warren

trombone, bass

Will Horner

trombone

Lauren Rudzinskas

trombone

Dan Bruce

guitar

Ben Tweedt

piano

Jordan McBride

bass

Dustin May

drums

Album Description

Multiversal: Live at Bop Stop is the eighth release from saxophonist, composer, and educator Stephen Philip Harvey, and the second album by his 17-piece Stephen Philip Harvey Jazz Orchestra (SPHJO), following their 2022 debut Smash!. Recorded live at Cleveland’s Bop Stop, the LP features seven original compositions, an expanded orchestral arrangement of Harvey’s octet work, two alternate takes, and a blues-driven introduction spotlighting the members of the ensemble.

A continuation of SPHJO’s comic book-inspired musical universe, Multiversal draws from the narrative arcs, characters, and tropes of superhero mythology. Harvey, an avid comics fan, translates these influences into bold, cinematic large-ensemble writing — from multiverse theory (“Multiversal,” “Earth-Two”), espionage and spycraft (“Covert Ops”), and sidekicks stepping into their own power (“Ain’t No Sidekick”), to elemental abilities (“Mind Your Weather, Weather Your Mind,” “Inner Beast”) and a direct tribute to Superman creators Siegel & Shuster (“Men of Steel”).

As DownBeat Magazine notes, Harvey is “a composer and bandleader with a knack for translating comic-book action into instrumental jazz fireworks,” with this release going even further — “making the listener feel not just like a reader of the story, but a participant in this cinematic, superhero-themed recording.”

Like an ensemble of superheroes assembled à la the Avengers or Justice League, Multiversal features seventeen powerhouse musicians from Northeast Ohio and Western Pennsylvania. Captured live, the recording highlights the super-powered talent and collective energy of the region’s vibrant jazz scene. The result is an action-packed, hour-long statement of contemporary jazz orchestra music that balances spectacle with substance.

Critics have taken notice. UK Vibe calls the album “a bold, super-powered live album that cements his place as one of contemporary jazz’s adventurous large-ensemble voices,” adding that Multiversal “shows Harvey at the top of his compositional, arranging, and bandleading game.” Jazz’n’More praises the writing for how it “connect[s] the jazz tradition with the spirit of contemporary African American music,” with eleven tracks that “captivate with colorful instrumentation, brilliant solos, and admirable interplay between the orchestra’s sections.”

Multiversal: Live at Bop Stop expands Harvey’s growing catalog across multiple ensembles, reinforcing his commitment to honoring jazz traditions while pushing large-ensemble music toward bold, modern, and imaginative new terrain.

Liner Notes (by Harvey)

The music of Multiversal is another foray into the world of comic books and superheroes. The SPHJO’s original album, Smash!, Established this theme for my large ensemble music and the nerd in me is ecstatic to continue paying homage to this vast bibliography of characters. The multiverse has been used as a plot device for many classic stories in comic books and broader popular culture. Imagine a parallel world (or Worlds) to our own that contain an infinite number of differences that range from minute to monumental. The boundless concept of the multiverse leads to limitless possibilities in storytelling.

The piece, “Multiversal,” was originally composed and premiered during our first album release tour, and thus began our journey into the multiverse. This piece is meant to pique the listener’s curiosity of the multiverse; Taking a bright theme and changing over the course of composition until the listener hits an unexpected ending.

The multiverse theme is continued with “Earth-Two.” in comics, This name is usually designated to the first alternate earth that your character encounters. While familiar, this alternate earth contains Mysterious perils and unimaginable wonders.

“Covert Ops” takes the listener into the realm of espionage and spy-craft. The harmonic progression nods to the British spy of MI6 while the orchestra adds tension and excitement to this tenor feature.

“Mind Your Weather, Weather Your Mind” takes the listener away from the action to explore a soundscape inspired by telekinesis and atmokinesis. The title comes from a joint quote from two comrades/sisters, Jean Grey and Ororo Munroe (Storm), who wield those powers, respectively. These two characters are some of the most powerful in their history and that power is only rivaled by the power of their sisterhood.

“Men of Steel” was originally commissioned by the Bop Stop to celebrate their 10th anniversary at their current location. To loop in the city of Cleveland and comic books, I decided to honor the comic duo of Siegel & Shuster, whose iconic character has become classic of the comic ethos. This piece pays homage to the two creators with two low-voice soloists as these titans of comics.

“Ain’t No Sidekick” was commissioned by the Baltimore school of the arts back in 2023. When thinking about comics and highs chool, I wanted to write a tongue in cheek piece about young heroes maturing into their own identity.

“Inner Beast” pays homage to the countless animal-based characters in comics. Heroes & villains alike have a long History of tuning into their inner beast. This piece is meant to embody the ferocity of that wild nature.

The inclusion of “Tectonic Shift” is a of cheat on my part. Originally composed for my Elemental suite, I thought including a large ensemble version of this would be a fun nod to the superpower of terrakinesis.

The SPHJO

Stephen Philip Harvey, composer, arranger, conductor

Bobby Selvaggio, alto & soprano sax, flute

Chris Coles, alto sax, flute

Max Schlenk, tenor sax, clarinet

Johnny Cochran Jr, tenor sax, clarinet

Clint Bleil, baritone sax, bass clarinet

JD Chaisson, trumpet

Tommy Lehman, trumpet

JaKobe Henry, trumpet

Garrett Folger, trumpet

Zach Warren, trombone