Parker is something of an underground figure and has not gained an iota of the recognition he deserves. But without much fanfare, his bands have begun to rival the Jazz Messengers and David Murray's various groups as showcases for emerging young talent. His group at the Bride will include guitarist Jean-Paul Bourelly, bass guitarist Kevin Harris, trumpeter Wallace Roney, and saxophonists Bill Saxton, Vincent Herring and Doug Harris.
Tickets cost $10. For more information, call 925-9914.
Grappelli, who performs Thursday at Memphis, 2121 Arch St., was Django Reinhardt's accomplice in the Hot Club of Paris in the 1930s. Overshadowed then by the great Gypsy guitarist, Grappelli has since emerged as one of the grand mannerists of jazz - one who can play the melody as written and manage to make it sound like inspired improvisation.
Still the reigning jazz violinist at 80, he should be brought to town as a main attraction more often if Philadelphia is to be taken seriously as a top jazz city.
Shows are at 8 and 10 p.m. Tickets cost $16 in advance, $18 at the door. Call 569-1123 for more information.
PHYLLIS HYMAN. This singer straddles jazz and pop, and succumbs to overkill at times, but she sounded fine in a duet with bassist Stanley Clarke on the recent Barry Manilow TV special and singing a torch song for the frat brothers in Spike Lee's School Daze. She headlines an "Easter Love Concert," also featuring singer Miki Howard and soprano saxophonist George Howard, tonight at 8:30, tomorrow at 7 and 10:30 p.m. and Sunday at 8 p.m., at the Shubert Theater, Broad and Spruce Streets. Tickets cost $23.50 to $32.50. For more information, call 732-5446.
SITTIN' IN. Fluegelhorn player Johnny Coles, who made some memorable albums with the late Gil Evans and was a mainstay on the Philadelphia jazz scene before moving to Oakland, Calif., a few years ago, returns home tomorrow to sit in with the Mark Kramer Trio at Si! Ristorante e Jazz, 212 Walnut St. Shows are at 9 and 11 p.m. Tickets cost $8. Call 238-1628 for more information.
Danny Turner, another local mainstay and former lead alto saxophonist with the Count Basie Orchestra, sits in with the Bootsie Barnes All Stars at T'n'T
Monroe's, 1433 Arch St., Monday through Wednesday. Shows are continuous from 8 p.m., without a cover or minimum. For more informaiton, call 567-7385.
JIMMY WITHERSPOON. With Walter Brown, Jimmy Rushing and Big Joe Turner all gone, Witherspoon is the last of the great Southwestern jump singers and is also a suave balladeer. Witherspoon sings at 7, 9 and 11 p.m. on Sunday and Monday at Morgan's, 17 E. Price St. in Germantown. Tickets cost $14. Call 848-2640 for more information.
NELS NELSON. The Jazz Society of Philadelphia is throwing a bash in honor of the 25th anniversary of Nelson's weekly Philadelphia Daily News jazz column. Performers taking part in the salute include singer Evelyn Simms, trumpeter George Rabbai, trombonist Al Grey, tenor saxophonist Larry McKenna and baritone saxophonist Dennis DiBlasio. It all happens Monday at 8 p.m. at Polo Bay in the Warwick Hotel, 17th and Locust Streets. Tickets cost $12. Call 891-0383.
